Been lurking around for a while on here, but have rarely posted. Don't know why, but thought it was time to say hi!
Been playing since 1989, initially inspired by Cliff Burton to play, but progressed on to the likes of Mingus, Jaco, Bruce etc. My real influence now is just good old solid time keeping and strong melodic content. So much so, I have been rediscovering old masters like JPJ, Jamerson and Macartney. Simply wonderful stuff for bass, even though I'm not a huge fan of all the music on offer, there's simply nothing better for bass. I'm a huge jazzer more than anything and love Esbjorn Svensson Trio & Nik Bartsch's Ronin, but am equally into Steve Reich, John Cage, Derek Bailey, The Orb, FSOL and Squarepusher. Jenkinson is a genius in my opinion BTW.
Used to be a gear snob, but have come to realise that no one really cares about your gear except you, or a muso in the audience perhaps. If it feels good, sounds good and does the job then it's good enough for me. It's taken me twenty years to learn this It doesn't however, stop me gasing over gear... I'm now just a little more selective and less prone to peer pressure in making choices and making mistakes in what I buy!
I play a Cort Action V modified with an Audere 4 Band EQ (hi-fi tone on a lo-fi budget and a Pro Series Traveler Bass from about 1997 ish. I have recently acquired a frankenstein 'beater' j-bass for the sole purpose of light modification and using in pub gigs where the threat of damage or theft is a real issue - so I ain't too bothered if it gets knicked basically. I love my little PJB Bass Buddy preamp, but equally love my Yamaha Nathan East NE-1 preamp as well which I picked up for a mere £30! I gig through an SWR Workingman Combo - but I'm looking to upgrade, but haven't quite decided what yet.
When I'm not playing bass I'm often field recording, doing my job as a graphic designer or looking after the little 'un! Usually the latter.
Later people... Derren.