The feature bass player this week is Danny Horboychuk from Poughkeepsie, New York, USA!
We interviewed Danny and asked about his gear, preferred style of play and his bass teaching.
How long have you been playing for, and what was your first bass guitar?
I started playing later in life compared to a lot of players. I began when I was 17 years old, my older brother would bring me to blues jams after showing me a few 1-4-5 patterns and stick me up on stage with guys who were much older and much more experienced than I was. My first bass was a used Ibanez Roadstar 2 with a rosewood board and a P J pickup setup.
What is the make and model of the bass guitar seen in your video (seen below)?
The bass I was using in that particular video is a USA made MTD 634. It is a 6 string 34″ scale with maple neck and board, a Ziricote top on a Black Limba body. It has Bartolini electronics and Hipshot hardware.
What string gauge is used on the bass seen in your video?
I Use DR Handmade strings. On my 6 string basses I use Hi Beams gauges 30-130, my 5 strings I use Hi Beam 45-130 and my 4 strings I use Hi Beam 40-100.
Which bass playing style (finger, tap, slap, etc.) do you prefer the most?
I don’t know that I enjoy one technique more than another. For me its more about who your playing with than what you are playing technique wise. I would rather play straight eighth notes all night long with a great drummer than complex lines with a not so great drummer.
What is your favorite brand of bass pickup?
I currently have multiple basses with multiple pickup brands and configurations but the basses I tend to play the most all have Bartolini pickups in them. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that all my go-to basses are Bartolini equipped.
Do you currently teach others to play bass? If yes, what is the age range of those you teach?
I do currently teach at my home studio in the Hudson Valley area of NY. I have been teaching for over 20 years now. I have had students ranging in age from 6 years old to students in their 60s. I have done some lessons via Skype as well. I can be reached for lessons via my website www.918Bass.com or my Facebook page www.facebook.com/DHorboychukBass
Would you like to be a featured bass player? Submit your entry here.
Nice playing Danny. Very unique style. All the best to you and yours.
Wow. Very nice Danny. I am Joeys drummer from the Blues Jams way back. Glad to see you have become so accomplished at your playing and musical career.
That was beautiful!
Very very nice but I wouldn’t really call that bass playing. Reminds me more of a Chapman stick style of playing.
Ok, this is no reflection on his talent, which is obviously considerable. I feel funny making this comment because I play up the neck as much or more than anyone else, but I have to agree with Frank. Yeah, it’s a bass, and yes, he’s playing it, so sure, technically that’s bass playing, but not really……
Slap, fingerstyle, picking, tapping, heck even the Hot Hand!… it’s all bass playing… making cool sounds from the bass. Good stuff Danny.