[Bass Player of the Week] Alden Zac

The feature bass player for this week proves that sometimes you can get along with a bone stock Ibanez just fine (seen in video below.)

In the video below where you can see Alden playing with his band Radio Phoenix, he’s using a stock Ibanez 206B, and it sounds great.

We asked Alden about that particular bass (it is a 6-string) and about his gear.

Is your Ibanez 206B all original or were there any modifications done to the instrument?

My Ibanez 206B is completely stock. The only modification was setting up the neck for really low action, lower than most stores set up on stock.

Is the Ibanez the only bass you own (if not, what other basses do you have?)

I have several basses. In addition to my Ibanez, I own a Mexican Fender Jazz bass, a 1976 fretless American-made Fender Precision, and a Shen upright bass.

Do you feel the 6-string bass works well for jazz?

When I play electric jazz, I prefer my six-string Ibanez. For my authentic jazz gigs I stick with the upright, but for hip hop and Latin I prefer my Ibanez. I use both my Fender jazz bass and my Ibanez six-string bass when I perform with my funk/hip hop group, Radio Phoenix.

Part of the reason I invested in a six-string bass was for the harmonic range to stretch myself musically. I use the Ibanez as a practice tool more than my four-string basses.

Do you have any future modifications planned for your 206B bass?

I may add a mute switch to my bass. I’ve also looked into switching out the electronics so all my basses are passive – I prefer passive electronics in general. As of now, the Ibanez is my only active bass.

How long have you been playing for?

I have been playing electric bass for 13 years. I began playing viola at five years old and classical piano at ten years of age, and gradually played more and more funk and less and less classical. I am now part of Portland’s funk/hip hop.

Was the bass guitar heard in the video recorded direct or via an amplifier?

The bass guitar was recorded through an amp created by Bridge City Sound, with an Ampeg 2×10 cabinet. The microphone was on the cabinet, no direct in. www.bridgecitysound.com is his website – he’s a fellow bass player and a good friend of mine, also local to Portland, Oregon.

What bass guitar(s) do you plan on buying in the future?

I once owned a G&L L2000, and I’d like to get another one down the road. Eventually, for another 6-string, I would like something like a Skjold bass guitar. My friend Damian Erskine has several made by Skjold, and I’ve played three or four: They’re just fabulously made instruments that really suit a variety of styles.

Video