1) How long have you been playing Bass Guitar/String Bass for or both?
20yrs of electric and 6 months of stand up bass.
2) If you don’t play string bass/bass guitar have you thought of doubling up on either to get more recognition as a bass player?
N/A - I certainly get more comments after gigs with the double bass
3) Who are your favourite exponents of both string bass/bass guitar?
I like Rick Danko (The Band) a lot.
4) Do you think that both the bass guitar and string bass are important as bass instruments?
Yes, certainly in rock / pop music
5) What genres do you think are important for bass players to listen to?
Listen to a wide range of things you like. I like everything from folk to reggae, country to rock etc etc
6) Do you think electric guitarists can learn to play bass guitar more than string bass?
Yes, that's why Leo Fender designed the bass guitar. Something that gets forgotten by some bass players
7) Do you think bass can be used to solo as well as accompany other instruments?
Yes but I think it's best in a supporting role
8) Do you think it is important to learn to sight read?
No. It depends what you want to achieve. It's only a barrier for some session work
9) What do you think of bass guitars such as 5 string/6 string e.g. as being an add-on to the bass players role?
No opinion, not for me.
10) What are your opinions on electric upright basses as a substitute for the string bass?
There are some good products on the market now but personally I'm a traditionalist.
11) What is the best amp to use for bass guitar or string bass?
It depends on what you hope to achieve. I have an old Bassman tube head that I run through an Ampeg SVT cab. I don't know about best but it suits me. I tend to D.I. the double bass
12) What pickups for string bass are the best for capturing the natural tone of the instrument?
Again I have a Shadow pickup that works for me and doesn't colour the sound.