This article series is about the tools of popular guitarists or bassists.. What are their favorite guitars or basses and how is it related to them? This time with Rob De Luca (UFO, Spread Eagle).
When did you start bass playing and do you remember your first bass?
I started playing guitar at 15 and started playing bass in my early 20’s. At that time, I was still expecting to remain a guitarist. So, my first bass was a loaner from my singer at the time. It was a black mid 1980’s Guild Pilot. My first OWNED bass was a hybrid: mid 1970’s Fender Jazz Neck, mid 1980’s ESP Jazz body routed into a P/J setup. It was originally white, then pained by Spread Eagle tour Manager Swan Perez in lacquer black. This is the bass heard on the debut Spread Eagle album and seen in our Scratch Like a Cat video. I still have it.
What are your influences and which bass players are your favs?
So many. My favorite bassist is probably Joe Lally of Fugazi, who many more people should know about. He was incredibly heavy, yet melodic. Also, Duff McKagen wrote some of the most incredible basslines on Guns N’ Roses Appetite For Destruction. I also love the greats: James Jamerson, John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, Jaco Pastorius, Cliff Williams.
How many basses do you own and what are your favorite models?
I used to have a lot, when I was building http://vintagebassworld.com/ but I started selling off what I don’t use. My favorites are the two I use most: a beat up 1966 Fender Precision and a stock 1979 Gibson Thunderbird. The Fender was blonde and I brutally stained it black(ish).
What do you think makes the perfect bass and amp?
There are a lot of different opinions on this. I like when a bass’ pickups are toneful but not super hot. This enables me to turn the amp up loud, adding tube tone to the bass‘ wood tone. If those are both great sounding, you shouldn’t need preamps, pedals, etc. I prefer vintage Fenders and vintage Ampeg SVT’s.
Which basses and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
Same as above, I use the ’66 P and ’79 Tbird on most of my recordings. I have a 1959 Precision which I’ll also add in. Spread Eagle “Subway to The Stars” is all 1966 Precision.
When you only can choose one bass, which one will you take?
In general, I feel the most versatile, pro bass is a Fender Precision, so I’d have to go with my ’66 P.
