Christian McBride Talks About Searching For The Perfect Bass Amp

Legendary acoustic and electric bassist Christian McBride (Sting, James Brown) chats with fellow Epifani Artist KJ (‪@TheOddysy‬) about his search for the perfect bass amp and why he settled on Epifani. "I'm looking for a good, natural sound. I like that with Epifani you can't even tell the amp is there," said Christian. That's high praise from a man who knows a thing or two about upright bass.
While talking to KJ about amps in general, Christian calls back to a time, not long ago, when many upright bass players sounded too much like the strings, pickups, and amps they were using. "Aesthetics are important me," says McBride. "I think acoustic bass should sound how it looks-like a big, wooden violin." He's talking about the nature of the instrument itself, a sound that you can feel as much as hear. It's about honoring the purity of the instrument, not coloring it so much that it ends up sounding like a slick electric.
While most bass amps are products of nameless, faceless technicians in far off lands, Christian makes a point of bringing Nick Epifani himself into the mix. After all, a product is only as good as its designer.
The two met via Dinet Albeta, a long time friend of Epifani and Fodera, and now manager of the legendary bassist Victor Wooten. "You're going to play these amps or I'll hurt you," she said, jokingly pushing Christian toward a piece of bass gear she knew he's fall in love with.
McBride makes mention of his coming from an R&B and soul background back in Philly. "I like a big bottom," he says of his ideal bass tone. "But sometimes it just doesn't cut [through the band] well." Not so with his Epifani rig. Christian says he appreciates the amps ability to let him dial in a fat low end without sacrificing the mids and highs that carry a good bass sound past the kick drum and guitars without getting brash or boxy.
Nick Epifani always says, "You shouldn't have to fight with your bass amp to find a good sound." KJ and Christian agree with Nick wholeheartedly. So much so that they both keep their EQ nearly flat. "Just a tweak here, a tweak there," says McBride. "That's all you need." This coming from a bassist who shares the stage with every one from Chick Corea to Sting.
Christian McBride and KJ have been Epifani Artists for 20 years. They both favor the UL 901 bass amp and DIST2 dual-impedance bass speaker cabinets.
Audio/Video by 23b Productions
Filmed on location at La Bella Strings / The Guitar Shop NYC

[@danielpatterson9002]

I think I took bass lessons with KJ in New Jersey in the mid 1990s......gotta be the same guy. Great teacher...

[@arthuraguirrejr.9500]

His tone is so beefy. Love it.

[@jambonejim1249]

There is a school of thought that holds that the upright bass stopped swinging when it became amplified. McBride puts the lie to that basic premise but, at it's root there's an appeal to strictly acoustic upright. Forces a band into a dynamic range they might not often play in. Mind you anyone 5 metres off is not going to hear it so well.

[@KeithCopeland778]

Great insights by a world-class bassist!!!

[@giosuepugnale4212]

Hey guys, very nice videos, loving McBride. Keep this contents please. Very enjoyable. Just a fast question. Which is the song of the intro?

[@kieranfitzgerald50]

I do think the it's the player, the instrument, the pick up, the amp, the speaker and then the soundman. This legend would sound good good on an a complete budget set up in fairness though .

[@RobMLyon]

Well said

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Does the Double Bass need an amp at all ?

[@deegee6046]

Yes

[@craigs19721972]

More than you think. Recording studio no. Any live gig hell yes!!!

[@elinaragon5051]

With good tone, sound production (read “practice”) and a sensitive band/functional drummer, then in a pinch it can work without an amp. But not playing with an amp in most live situations is a great way to get tendinitis while not being heard clearly

[@chrissharkey1261]

When playing with a drummer it helps cut through without tearing up your hands!

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

How about NO AMP !!

[@deegee6046]

Good Luck with that