bass connection

Nick is a somewhat keen (!) collector of bass guitars and peripheral equipment; his collection as at Jan '09 contains fifty six basses and fourteen guitars! A full listing will be added soon. He also uses midi bass pedals made by Roland (PK-5) to augment his bass guitar work (these trigger a Yamaha TX-81Z module; he also owns a set of original Moog Taurus bass pedals, sadly these require repair). Effects units are also used where necessary, including a Sovtek Big Muff, Korg G-5 synth multi-FX, and a Nomad Bassman.

A selection of basses from the collection!

Nick's main basses for live gigs, studio and theatre work are: 

• Vigier Arpege (full graphite neck) 4 string  *
• Status Series 2000 - all graphite *
• Status Series I Matrix 5 string (low B) - graphite neck*
• Fender Jazz Bass (mim) with Bartolini pickups 
• Squier (Japanese model built in '83) Precision ('57 re-issue)
• Dean Pace Electric Upright

* Nick Likes Graphite Necks!

He recently added this stunning Alembic 20th Anniversary bass to his collection... this is one of his all time favourite basses!

 

 

 

 

 

Nick discovered this incredible range of amplification four years ago at the London Guitar Show where he used a Markbass combo whilst demonstrating the amazing Organic Guitars prototype four string bass! He persuaded his father's music store `The Live Music Shop' in Peterborough to take the range on; they did and he then traded in all of his existing gear for a selection of Markbass equipment, including:

 

this truly awesome 450 watt CMD 2 x 10" combo - eats all the other makers combos for breakfast! Normally used for most gigs (on its own or with either cabinet) and is fantastic when used for theatre work; the tilt-back `wedge' design comes into its own when used for these applications!

 

 

 the Littlemark head is used to power the following cabinets....!

....for those gigs where sheer power and coverage is required!

He also recently purchased a 2 x 10 Traveller cabinet - as it is really light!

 

Nick maintains they have created "the best bass amps on the market". Live Music now report massive demand/sales and Nick is pioneering its use in all his live/studio work, helping to spread the word!!!

Nick is very proud to endorse Elites Stadium Series strings, normally 35-95 gauge or sometimes 30's (he's getting old you see!). He uses KORG tuners (one DTR Pro in his amp rack and a seperate stomp box when not using the amp rack) and when required, uses a rare Trace Elliot MP11 programmable pre-amp to recall EQs for different sounds etc. Other bits and pieces include Comfort Straps and when needed, Jim Dunlop plectrums (they're grey!!)

Many thanks to:

Stuart and Geoff - Proprietors - The Live Music Shop

Paul Blant - Manager at Live Music

Dean Mitchell and Barry Moorhouse

Ian Hancock - best tech in the biz! And superb basses!

Andy Masters, Paul Masters and Greg Sieling - Audio Masters Sound Crew