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 Eric Czar.
When you started bass playing and do you remember your first bass?
I had been taking instrument lessons throughout my childhood ( piano,violin,guitar, drums etc…) and arrived at bass at around 12-13 after hearing Rush and “tom sawyer”…( which is a synth…but more on that later…) My first bass was a cheap Cort jazz bass copy, that i ended up ripping the frets out of after hearing Percy Jones…
What are your Influences and which bass players are your favs?
…in the very beginning, Geddy lee inspired me ( as I learned and practiced/played along with all of “exit stage left” as a kid…) followed by Percy Jones…then cherry picked from various players like Nick Beggs, Barbarossa of Bow Wow Wow, Tony Levin and other more adventurous players. As far as a “fav”…it depends on the music. There’s technical ability to appreciate, but there’s musicianship as well…i appreciate players that have a discernible sound of their own, technical skill to execute their ideas well, and that know what to, or not to play to suit the music…regardless of style.
How many basses do you own and what are your favourite models?
…well…depends on what you mean by “bass”. I have a 35” 7 string fretted ( E,A,D,G,C,F,Bb ), 3 fretless(es?) tuned standard, piccolo and standard with Labella black tape wound, an old Ibanez ATK 305, 2 “sticks” ( one Chapman Grand 12 string, and one custom 8 string alto…) and a small collection of analog synths…all of which can technically play a “bass line”. I really don’t have a “favorite” considering they’re all very different, and all have their place…somewhere….
What makes the perfect bass and amp?
…well…not to be difficult…( hehe ) but again, it depends on the instrument and music. But I CAN say, I’ve always learned towards a more “hifi” sound with solid state amps…( Hartrke for instance from the blues rock days…) I’ve never been a fan ( personally…works great for some…) of the overdriven/muddy “woof” off old Ampeg for instance…I prefer that the nuances of phrasing are clear to hear.
What basses and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
…no new album yet…been largely woodshedding for years and exploring more experimental stuff and piano/synths. I actually think it’s good for overall “big picture”musicianship to explore other instruments. Technically as well, as you find yourself “swapping/sharing” techniques and expanding vocabularies on all, while appreciating the role each voice plays in the “song”.
When you can only choose one bass, which one will you take?
…that’s a tough call as it depends on the gig. For the “blues rock” stuff for instance , I just stuck with the ATK 5 string…no need for 7-12 strings…fretless scarcely appropriate. It’s the sound that worked for that style…but with my solo stuff, I never play it. I explore my options with the “oddballs”. Thank you guys for your interest and support!
