Bass Videos
Rhonda Smith, the Future is Female: September 2020 Issue
Bassist Rhonda Smith…
It is with great pleasure that I got to interview bassist Rhonda Smith, one of the world’s hottest, most accomplished bass players for this month’s September 2020 cover issue.
She’s so cool that I had to turn her into a cartoon that would represent her personal female power.
In these back-to-back interviews, we cover her journey from her past into the future and where we are today in music. And side-note… she will also be the official First Morley girl icon in over 50 years!
The little girl from Halifax, Canada moved to Montreal in order to conquer her musical desires as a female bass player, which was still pretty rare in those days.
It didn’t take long before she climbed to the top of the Canadian music ladder, working with the top artists that were in the spotlight at the time.
I remember meeting her in her early beginnings and already I could see that she was special, very well-spoken, highly motivated, totally professional, as well as being at the top of her game from the very start.
That attitude, combined with hard work and showing up for her destiny, encountered a meeting with the great Sheila E.
This led to an over ten-year relationship as Prince’s ‘main lady of bass’, where she would get put through the personal boot camp, led by Prince himself.
This was followed by another 10 (and ongoing) years as the bottom-end bass drive of the infamous Jeff Beck.
In this two-part interview, you will really get a deep understanding of all the ins and outs of the beyond-amazing journey of Rhonda Smith. Her advice that comes from decades of persistence and showing up for your true life’s calling, which is exactly what Rhonda is all about – all the time.
In this first part of the interview, we will be discussing what it’s like to be in the veteran camp as well as Rhonda’s early beginnings and her first all-girl band.
We also talk about what it takes to develop trust and loyalty from the world’s most successful artists of all time, followed by a deep dive into what it was like working by Prince’s side for over a decade.
Part 1 of this interview finishes on the note of what is the difference between working with Prince vs Jeff Beck.
This interview has a truly fantastic flow, like two old friends talking that you happen to be able to listen in on. It has some of the most inspiring and unheard stories and advice by the queen of bass herself: Rhonda Smith.
Rhonda Smith | “RS2” : Recommended Listening
Do not forget to watch part 2 as you will be blown away by all that Rhonda Smith has to share with you in this intimate 1-on-1 interview with bass player and artist extraordinaire.
In Part 2 of the interview, we will be discussing how Rhonda’s disciplined approach is very similar to martial arts, as well as adapting to the new world situation as an artist.
We will also find out what Rhonda’s life is all about when she is not playing bass, including embracing technologies within her writing and creative process.
From her love of effects for live and recording, her love of her Prs Private Stock Bass to what she thinks of the power of fashion within her creative expression: it’s all here in glorious detail.
The talk continues with some amazing heartfelt advice for aspiring women and artists alike to live by, in order to achieve their true life’s calling.
The interview concludes with what’s going on with Rhonda Smith right now and moving forward into the future.
I want to thank Rhonda Smith for a beyond-amazing interview and wish her the best on her bass and creative journey in continuing to inspire women and the world with her multiple talents.
Be sure to follow her on all her social media:
Instagram: @rhondasmithbass
Facebook: @Rhonda Smith
rhondasmith.com
Bassist Rhonda Smith Featured Videos:
JEFF BECK FULL CONCERT
JEFF BECK WHITE HOUSE PREFORMANCE
PRINCE TONIGHT SHOW
PRINCE ELLEN
Bass Videos
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Ian Allison Bassist extreme…
Most recently Ian has spent the last seven years touring nationally as part of Eric Hutchinson and The Believers, sharing stages with acts like Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, Matt Nathanson, Phillip Phillips, and Cory Wong playing venues such as Radio City Music Hall, The Staples Center and The Xcel Center in St. Paul, MN.
I had a chance to meet up with him at the Sellersville Theater in Eastern Pennsylvania to catch up on everything bass. Visit online at ianmartinallison.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
Spector Launches Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II…
Spector Musical Instruments expands their celebrated Woodstock Custom Collection with the Volume II series – a breathtaking series of 12 handcrafted, one-of-a-kind bass guitars, each one masterfully designed by members of the Spector team. Crafted in the Spector USA Custom Shop in Woodstock, New York, these works of art go beyond musical instruments and expand the boundaries of Spector Bass design.
Spector’s iconic design lays the foundation for the Volume II collection. Each bass showcases a unique vision, including the selection of tonewoods, electronics, captivating finishes, and intricate design details. The collection highlights Spector’s commitment to craftsmanship and artistry and the individual people and stories that make up the team.
“The Woodstock Custom Collection was such a huge success, and we had so much fun with it that we couldn’t wait to do it again,” said John Stippell, Director – Korg Bass Division. “With Volume II, we’re expanding on everything we learned from the first collection, as well as pushing our design and Custom Shop team even further. These basses are a testament to the inspiring talent, creativity, and skill of every person on the Spector team. I’m excited for all of these basses and love how they tell the unique stories of all involved.”
Visit online at spectorbass.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model…
After playing a limited edition Dingwall live with Duran Duran, John Taylor has launched his
Dingwall Guitars production model, loaded with a Rupert Neve Designs preamp and
Rio-inspired graphics.
Dingwall’s major launch for 2023 was the limited edition Rio Dream Bass, featuring an
innovative Rupert Neve Designs onboard preamp. A year later, the range has been bolstered
with the Canadian company now offering unlimited access to its continued collaboration with
John Taylor of Duran Duran.
Dingwall CEO Sheldon Dingwall says the basses are a response to Taylor’s upfront bass style.
“John’s bass playing with Duran Duran really imprinted on me how a bass should fit into a band mix. The combination of tastefully busy syncopation, his punchy tone, and tight performance immediately drew my ear. His basslines have always had a special combination of energy and elegance.”
The John Taylor Signature model follows the formula of the limited edition Rio Dream Bass,
combining a lightweight Nyatoh body with three neodymium pickups to produce what Dingwall deems “wonderful playability and tones that display a rare clarity and refinement.” The JT Signature model also updates the Rio Dream Bass with a range of new colors; Metallic Black, Primrose, Cranberry and Seafoam Green, as well as a new 5-string variant.
Other specs include a bolt-on Maple neck, a Pau Ferro multi-scale fingerboard with the ‘Rio Eye’ inlaid at the 12th fret, and Dingwall’s new ‘Minimalist’ bridge. The headstock sports lightweight tuners and a Rio-inspired graphic that complements the body stripes, designed by longtime Duran Duran collaborator, Patty Palazzo.
Finally, an onboard preamp designed and configured in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs, whose studio consoles have long represented the pinnacle of high-end audio engineering, promises a clear voice that balances punch and sustain. “Duran’s breakthrough single, the title track from 1982’s Rio, was originally recorded on a Neve console, so the history was already there,” says Sheldon. “But the team at Rupert Neve Designs absolutely nailed the tone.”
Like the Rio Dream Bass, the JT Signature has also been configured to Taylor’s own personal
specifications. “It all started when I was in Toronto about six years ago,” says Taylor. “A friend
showed me a Dingwall bass on his phone. I loved how it looked and immediately said to my
tech, ‘You’ve got to reach out to these guys!’”
For further information on the range options, head to dingwallguitars.com
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore…
I am always impressed by the few members of our bass family who are equally proficient on upright as well as electric bass… Edmond Gilmore is one of those special individuals.
While he compartmentalizes his upright playing for mostly classical music and his electric for all the rest, Edmond has a diverse musical background and life experiences that have given him a unique perspective.
Join me as we hear about Edmond’s musical journey, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.
Photo, Sandrice Lee
Featured Videos
Follow Online
facebook.com/EdmondGilmoreBass
instagram.com/edmond_gilmore/
youtube.com/channel/UCCYoVZBLXL5nnaKS7XXivCQ
Bass Videos
Have Fret Sprout? Sharp Fret Management… a How-To Video
Products courtesy of Music Nomad Equipment Care and Zymol
Have Fret Sprout? Check out this sharp fret management how-to video…
Have you found a bass you like but noticed the frets feel sharp? Have you ordered a bass online and discovered that the frets are sharp on your hands when it arrives? Have you picked up one of your favorite basses and noticed that the frets seem unusually sharper than they used to? You might be experiencing fret sprout!
Join me as I fix those pesky frets on one of my basses so you learn how to fix yours too.
www.musicnomadcare.com
www.zymol.com