Cody Wright - Sticking with the Pick /// Scott's Bass Lessons

In today’s podcast we’re talking to the man who’s been providing the low end for Eric Gale and the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra.
Bassist Cody Wright is enjoying a rapid rise to fame thanks to some serious stints on the road with Jonathan Scales and Eric Gale. His success is at least partly due to the range of influences that go into his live performances. Melding jazz with fusion and plenty of downhome swagger, It would seem that the future of funk bass playing is in safe hands. Like so many bass players, Cody started out as a guitarist, but with his solo debut album due out later this year, it seems that he will be flying the four-string flag for some time to come.
In this episode you're going to learn:
- How Cody made the switch from guitar to bass.
- Why Bobby Vega was such a big influence.
- What makes the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra really tick.
- And much more…
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[@Finnvbot]

It makes me wonder, how many more great bass players do we need to finally end the pick stigma? Cody is living proof that one can play about any genre and sound great with a plectrum.

[@chrishenson4450]

All I know is, "Pick Stigma" is the name of my all bass band.

[@ts4gv]

Chris Henson nice

[@iamgribs]

It's more about getting rid of people stupid enough to think using a pick is bad. I mean , it's maybe not the best thing to use in some situations, but this guy proves you can have a dynamic and "gentle attack" with it, because he's not hammering the fucking thing like Lemmy or something. He's thinking outside the box and that makes great artists great.

[@johndardi1334]

Lots of things you can do with your fingers that are physically impossible with a pick.

[@ASCP67AUS]

Cody is a brilliant bassist. A real down to earth guy that is eager to share. Some of his stuff with Eric’s Gales is breathtaking.

[@markinthemix6055]

Oh my goodness. This Bobby Vega is a monster player with epic tone. Scott. Hunt this guy down 😩😳💥

[@vincevine8956]

Justin Chancellor of tool is another great example of a pick bass player. Cool vid!

[@mosesgarner2404]

I use both. Picks & fingers. Depends on the song and how I feel playing it. I hate when bass elitists blather on about not using a pick and how you shouldn't use one. I say screw that. Use whatever you can use and play the heck out of 'yer bass.

[@gimmeagig]

What a cool guy and great musician. He could be getting all kinds of gigs just because of his personality. Who wouldn't want to have this guy around? ( except for other bass players of course LOL)

[@blaiseallard3142]

Oh yeah, Cody and Scott together ! Love you in basstheworld, you sounds so great, you've got it, the funky style ! (Big fan too you notice)

[@dnp41]

Hi Scott, as a new full member of your site I would really appreciate it if there was more pick focused stuff, like a course with Bobby Vega!

[@ferox965]

Nothing wrong with using a pick. I do-I actually started on fingers. If it feels good and sounds good, that's all that matters. I rarely use finger style anymore, my Ricky is insanely responsive with the tone knobs, so I don't bother...I figured out how to do my own version of a pop with the pick and the rest of my hand...

[@Verpl3x]

I love fingerstyle and I prefer it. Maybe because i came from classic/flamenco guitar to bass and im used to fingerpicking. But he and many other bass players sound great with pick.

[@bassboye8959]

Damn I'd love to hear you play, I'll bet it's a truly unique style! Very interesting back ground. I've been learning flamenco for about a yr now. It's really helped my bass work. Great comments Ty 😆

[@tbeau6663]

How about fixing up an interview with Carol Kaye??

[@bassboye8959]

I notice Cody uses an odd pick choice. I favor the little red jazz dunlopes because of the tone. Plus my actions set higher than his. I don't like fret buzz ect. I want as clean a l can get. For me the dunlopes/ higher action sounds somewhere between fingers & picks. Builds our hand strength as well. Great to see s young man like Cody so dedicated to pushing his limits, & passion for music. Nice bass by the way. What brand is it?

[@DWN-020]

I don't use a pick much, but when I do, I go for those jazz picks as well... probably due to my guitarist buddy using them exclusively, lol. Idk the model, but I know the brand is Zon. Very nice basses, very pricey basses.

[@bassistdc]

I'm a finger style player. I no longer bash pick players. I like the rounder tone from fingers. I don't like twang in my tone. There are a few pick players that get a tone I like that's almost as good but not better than finger style IMO. It's a matter of personal preference. No disrespect intended.

[@Kunstdesfechtens]

Like Steve Swallow! The king of pick tone.

[@iamgribs]

I think it also depends on the tone you want and the style of music you want to play.

[@78raarons]

I dove headfirst into bass after the Jaco doc... From guitar to bass trying to ditch the pick, Jaco didn't use a pick!! But the groove & funk style our drummer loved, it was hard to sync. & Then I found 2 videos, 1 was Cody playing Birdwatcher, which was awesome, & I played with that for a while.......& Then Gosh... It was over, that was it...

[@andyquiton4384]

Another great player, great interview.

Not part of the subject, but even though I myself play with my fingers, I have also used a pick since I also play some accoustic guitar. What I am talking about is the challenge in learning to sing and play either the bass or guitar at the same time.

[@KreeptOut]

Bobby Vega is king

[@MarkMarxonsBassChannel]

Cody is so greasy! Big fan!!

[@samystoneeffervescent2285]

Greasy?

[@spoddie]

I've used a pick for 30 years, I much prefer the accent I can get. Fender stopped making my favourite pick 355 Shape Celluloid Heavy and I bough 150 of the very last stock I could get.

[@devoicedmusic]

Yeah love the sound you can get out of a pick. Then again I also love the very soft muted tone from soft finger picking. So basically: it's best if you know multiple techniques. Btw: I'm using dunlop jazz tone 207 guitar picks on the bass..love'em

[@lastcall9998]

STill love that intro (now outro?) that ride gives it too much taste to the whole thing. So classy, what can I say.

[@SuperStratosfear]

I just want to learn to play with a pick so I can imitate Chris Squire

[@estebanb7166]

Why not develop your own thing?

[@ricardojmestre]

That's a great role model :)

[@mikesorbassguitar]

If you think this cat is a fantastic bass player, he’s an even better guitar player. This dude is a monster musician.

[@bassboye8959]

Yes that came thru really well. He actually plays more like s guitarist, which I like.

[@exhainca]

Booket loads of feel.

[@bassboye8959]

LMAO 😆😆 ya it's like a northern England accent I believe. I really like the way he talks, his inthusiasim & class.

[@Jma952]

I play with 3 different pick sizes and just my index finger. All depends on the type of song

[@bassboye8959]

Wow. Very interesting spin. Bet you sound grest.

[@vladimiraraqelyan3093]

Please check out Russian bass player Alik Granovsky and comment your opinion on his groove and solo. Just curious what your opinion would be

[@ultimate-1671]

check out mike gordon jesus or phil lesh; codys a guitar player isnt he? or primarily? or was one first forever?he sounds eeerily too much like a vega

[@bassboye8959]

Definitely picked up Vegas chops really well.

[@rawstarmusic]

Who the freak is Bobby Vega? Everyone seems to know but me : ( I know Susanne Vega, her name is Luka, she lives on the 2:nd floor. It's a bit shorter length and thinner body with a pick like playing E and A down on the 2:nd fret. I never play there, it doesn't sounds to hollow. #iBass

[@tbeau6663]

There's two of us who doesn't know who Bobby Vega is!

[@AndreaPapaioannu]

lmgtfy.com/?q=Bobby+Vega ;-)

[@AndreaPapaioannu]

Bobby Vega is the one of the two living proofs that you can use a pick and be superfunky at the same time, the other being obviously Carol Kaye.

[@rawstarmusic]

I had to check him out. Turns out he've been playing with everyone over the years. It doesn't sound picky, it sounds like proper bass with a faster attack. #iBass

[@LouisL1963]

Don't forget Anthony Jackson on the O'Jays "For the Love of Money" and Joe Osborn on the Fifth Dimension's "Aquarius (Let the Sunshine In)"