Subscribe to our email list. This site is dedicated to fretless basses (acoustic and uprights welcome too!). Check it out! Victor Wooten always plays 4-string basses! World Renowned guitar player Gus G talks about why he plays DR's Dragon Skin electric guitar strings. Handmade in USA with all American Material, Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | © 2021 DR Handmade Strings. The 5-string also has a Yamaha MIDI converter with a breath controller attached to it. Wooten has won the "Bass Player of the Year" award from Bass Player magazine three times and is the first person to win the award more than once. Lv 7. He has fretted and fretless 4-strings which are tuned E-A-D-G and a fretted 5-string which he usually tunes E-A-D-G-C. In addition to being one of the premier bass players of his time, most widely known as a member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Grammy winning bassist Victor Wooten also runs a successful music camp in Only, Tennessee. However, I found myself rarely using the low B string. I’ll usually use a friend’s bass if the occassion calls for a regular 4 string fretted. It's a regular Monarch that I string up A-D-G-C. Victor Wooten: My first bass became my first fretless bass. Have you had or played others? Below are our recommendations for strings that are best for popping and slapping. Wooten Woods, the outdoor setting where all of Victor’s camp are held, provides the perfect learning environment away from the usual daily … The Victor Wooten set are what I’ll be covering. So, yes, this is what Victor Wooten’s forte and calling, whether speaking in Burlington, working with kids at his Center for Music and Nature at the 147-acre Wooten Woods retreat in Tennessee, or outlining his philosophy of music in a novel, The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth through Music , now a part of the curriculum at The Berklee College of Music, Stanford University and other prestigious … Wooten has also written a novel titled "The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music". And I need to know I can do it on my first choice … ... no. Notify me about deals. FB: Do you have any basic advice for bass players looking to take up fretless or those who are currently playing? VICTOR WOOTEN PRESENTS DR STRINGS & FRIENDS. "Don't you like hearing a bass player solo?" Do you still own it? ... “These strings have more sustain and flexibility,” says Victor … What gauge strings does Victor Wooten use? I have never had formal lessons but living with excellent musicians is better than any other kind of lessons. Victor Wooten visits the DR Strings factory and tells us how he came to choose Pure Blues bass strings, or how they chose him. Below is the full transcript. A fifth string does give you added range (more notes to choose from) for any given position on the neck. Now in its 15th year, it has accommodated all … ... Victor Wooten on Bass. I use the high C all the time for soloing and playing chords. So currently I don’t even own a standard 4 string bass. The Bass Whisperer – Concerto for Electric Bass Info The Bass Whisperer was commissioned by the Nashville Symphony (premiered September 2014), the Colorado Symphony (premiered May 2015), and the Chicago Sinfonietta (will premiere January 2016). Victor Wooten: Yeah, I would say to really use your ears and your feelings. It was a Univox. Marcus Miller: 45-65-80-105-130 (5 strings) Victor Wooten: 40-55 -75 -95; Our Recommendations. Victor Wooten: I am pretty much self taught even though my brother Regi started teaching me when I was very young. From 2017 to 2019 he recorded as the bassist for the metal band Nitro. Victor Wooten always plays 4-string basses! Whether you play fingerstyle, with a pick, or slap, your bass will come alive with a full bottom, colorful mids, and bright articulate highs. I had planned on using my fretted bass but the day of the show I changed my mind. Speaker companies tell me that they use that song to test their speakers. Learn More. In 2011, he was named #10 in the "Top 10 Bassists of All … I am very happy about how it came out. Butterscotch. In 1977 I got an Alembic Bass guitar. I need to fix this problem. Keyboard bass playing is also important to me even though I don’t play it well. To celebrate the release of Victor’s new book, Bass Workshop: The Language of Music and How to Speak It, Victor Wooten, Hudson Music, Hartke, Fodera, DR Strings and Bass Guru are joining with Victor to bring you the opportunity to win great prizes! Bass player, composer, author, producer, educator, and recipient of five Grammy Awards. … It used to belong to the Labella String Company. FB: What playing styles do you use? Add to Cart. Bass player, composer, author, producer, educator, and recipient of five Grammy Awards. FB: How long have you been playing fretless bass? The PURE BLUES strings combine afat, warm punch with an edge. In addition to a solo career and collaborations with various artists, Wooten has been the bassist for Béla Fleck and the Flecktones since the group's formation in 1988. There are two reasons why I’m using my Warwick “Steve Bailey” 6-string bass for this. Anyway, I then saw Victor Wooten using one of these...and I practically blurted out, “THAT’S IT!! Wooten has won the "Bass Player of the Year" award from Bass Player magazine three times and is the first person to win the award more than once. "Me & My Bass Guitar" is a complex sounding song that is actually pretty accesible once broken down. The 5-string set comes in at a lean 40-55-75-95-120. FB: What bands or projects feature you playing fretless bass? Nickel Roundwound strings made by Fodera. GUS G TALKS DRAGON SKIN ELECTRIC STRINGS. My favorite fretless is one that I own that was built by my friend Joe Compito. One of the best examples of the flatwound sound is from 1960s Motown, particularly that of bassists James Jamerson and Carol Kaye. Get the subwoofers primed for this one. This makes these strings extremely quick, expressive, and pliable. Product Info. I don’t know if it’s unique but it is a part of my playing. A place that blends a unique mix of nature studies to help each student realize and reclaim their “naturalness,” not only in music, but also in life. As with many of Victor's jams, lots of ghost notes (written "x" on the tab) fill up space and give it that funky, complex groove. I don’t even know what the fingerboards are made of on my basses. But an added string tuned conventionally only adds at most five notes not available on a 4 string. You won’t want to miss this one. I don’t have one overall favorite fretless player. Co-written with 5x Grammy-winning bassist and composer Victor L. Wooten. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.171.129.172 12:19, 3 December 2015 (UTC) Picture added. DR Pure Blues Victor Wooten Signature 4 String bass Guitar 40-95 (PBVW-40) Brand: DR. 4.8 out of 5 stars 8 ratings. I love it. Welcome to FretlessBass.com. It was my second bass, so I took the frets out of my first bass. Due to popular demand, we’ve extended our 20% off sale, on … I also play fretless on all the Flecktones CDs as well as my own CDs. At this point, I primarily use it during a couple of sections of my solo bass version of the Star Spangled Banner where I’m doing some fairly bombastic slapping & tapping (rendering traditional muting technique less than effective). Since I am a bass player, this is confusing for many. It was a great experience. Legendary Guitarists Jimmy Page Carlos Santana Bucky Pizzarelli Jimi Hendrix Jerry Garcia. Three of jazz fusion's finest and most respected bassists -- Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten-- join forces for an hourlong frolic in the studio that's a fun, frisky, funky romp for the players and a potent showcase for an instrument often relegated to support status.Not here. Gauge : Vic's set is 40-55-75-95 (the 5- string set adds a 120 B) 2. Sweetwater Savings: $ 19.01 MSRP: $ 42.00. Victor Wooten: I’ve always heard that you should use flatwound strings on a fretless but I like roundwounds better. I also took a solo on my Taylor acoustic fretless on a song called ‘Prayer.’ It’s on my Soul Circus CD. I usually play finger style but I’m often asked to play slap bass on one or two tunes in a set. I don’t know why but I’m glad I did. Victor Wooten: Well, I have a tendency to play sharp on fretless. FB: What influenced you to play fretless? These strings are the most commonly used by bassists wanting to get that percussive sound that is loud, bright, and crisp. Listen to the MP3 Audio here: Music as a Language by Victor Wooten at TEDxGabriolaIsland. Free Shipping Free Tech Support In Stock! I use it in one of the parallel effect loops of my Boss LS-2, and it sounds awesome both when mixed with the clean signal, coming from the other parallel effects loop of the LS-2, for a more regular classic kind of high gain fuzz tone with the added articulation and low end from the clean signal, as well as with my high gain distortion setup, which happens to also reside in the opposite effects loop … Yes, I still own it. The first is that it’s the bass I use on most of my gigs. In addition to his phenomenal musicianship, Victor also created Victor Wooten’s Center for Music and Nature. It was fretted when my parents first bought it for me but my brother Regi helped me pull the frets out of it when I got my Alembic bass around 1977. Bio. In 2011, he was named #10 in the "Top 10 Bassists of All Time" by Rolling Stone. Victor Wooten Presents: DR Strings and Friends will be held August 5th at 1 pm Eastern. Wooten’s Center for Music and Nature at Wooten Woods Retreat originally focused on teaching music to bass players. Also, check out Victor's website to get familiar with … Price: $24.95 & FREE Shipping: 040 .055 .075 .095 - Set/ E-Bass 4-stringQUANTUM-Nickel Wound Round Core Long scale 36Hand-woundMade in U.S.A Deep low end, enhanced mids, tons of punch and bright, clear highs. Model: PBVW-40. I think that’s it. I think that bass players should explore all the different bass instruments, even tuba. Victor Wooten's awesome slapping skills are put into full effect on this track from his 1996 debut album, "A Show of Hands". Online there is a rare picture of Victor Wooten playing a Steinberger bass. Base guitars generally have four strings ! And it’s true I was born into a band. At some point I’ll get a good, “normal” bass. I would also visit www.stevebaileybass.com. A subtle vibrato on a fretless bass is a beautiful sound. Fretless Questions, player bio, photos, videos, music, and more. I’m on tour right now with Bela and I play my Compito fretless every night. Many of my musician peers are enamored with is virtuosity, yet I am not a fan of his playing. DR Strings be going live with Victor Wooten and Berklee bass department this Wednesday along with other tremendously talented bass players Learn More. I like everyone for what they do. Subscribe. Anyways, the coolest bass lines is from slap technique, Victor Wooten, Flea, etc... What kind of guitar does demi loavto play? FB: What was your very first fretless bass? Yours ears will help you to stay in tune and four feelings will help you speak, like a voice, through the instrument. Free Shipping. I am not even sure if this picture is relevent to the topic, other than being one of many 8-string guitars. Victor Lemonte Wooten (born September 11, 1964) is an American bassist, songwriter, and record producer. The webinar is free and open to the public, but you have to register first through the Berklee Zoom Page. Nickel Roundwound strings made by Fodera. I also play mostly fretless. There are two reasons why I’m using my Warwick “Steve Bailey” 6-string bass for this. Free Tech Support. Flatwound Strings Flatwound strings are very smooth, with a much darker, muted or "dead" sound, and generally more low-end "thump." No frets. FB: What would you say is unique about your fretless style? So, that’s what I use. Keep up to date with our latest news.No junk. TRANSCRIPT: Well, thank you very much. Victor Wooten. Get the latest news, videos, lessons, and more in your inbox every morning. For certain songs, Victor Wooten also uses a single, thin hair-tie in a precise position high on the fretboard to create unusual pinch harmonics in conjunction with distortion. I have asked this question many times before. It is pictured on the front of my “What Did he Say” CD. FB: What types of strings and fingerboards do you prefer? 03. Ask An Expert. So, I need to know that my slap bass chops are ready to go when required. 02. ... BTW– … Also, learn to vibrato but don’t do it too much. This bass was built in the 1980s. As I just mentioned, the Victor Wooten Signature set is the lightest gauge set of strings that Fodera produces. The vast majority of basses still use four strings, but of course you can have five, six or seven strings! Extended 20% Off Sale! … All of the strings we recommend are round wound. Victor Wooten was born on September 11, 1964. Bass player Victor Wooten speaks on Music as a Language at TEDxGabriolaIsland. All rights reserved. Victor Wooten: I did a tour with the Jaco P. Word of Mouth Revisited Big Band and I played fretless the whole show. It made me play different. No frets. ... if you want to hear an awesome bass player listen to victor wooten he's got some amazing bass solo's on limewire and he play's with bella fleck &the flecktones. Victor Wooten: Yes, all the time. FB: Are you self-taught or did you take lessons? 1 decade ago. So, that’s what I use. Browse our galleries, exclusive interviews and articles, featured songs and videos, shopping area, and community links. FB: Are you still actively playing fretless bass? Upright bass players, violin, cello, trombone, and vocalist have all helped my bass playing. FB: Do you have a favorite song you played fretless bass on or some notable songs or experiences? Victor Wooten: Jaco, of course. Victor Wooten: I started playing electric bass around 1967. © 2021 FretlessBass.com. The first is that it’s the bass I use on most of my gigs. User Submitted Gallery Addition 2019-12-12, The Fixx Concert Review Boston December 2019. How many strings does victor Wooten have on his bass? FB: Who are your main fretless bass influences or favorite players? So, that’s what I use. Victor Wooten: I am primarily an electric player but I make sure that I am capable on all of the above as well as cello. Enjoy! VICTOR WOOTEN. From what I read & heard Tosi Abasin is using the double thumping technique pioneered by bass player Victor Wooten a lot, therefore I added a reference to Victor Wooten. Grand Prize: A 30 minute Skype lesson with Victor, a vinyl copy of this new album, Trypnotyx, a Trypnotix hat, a set of DR Strings, a signed copy of Victor … No junk. It is a site for musicians, especially bass players. You can probably tell that my influences were Stanley and Jaco. On paper, it would seem unwieldy for three bass players, … 0 0. DR Pure Blues bass strings combine the warm tone of pure nickel with the brightness and edge of stainless steel for a rich and tonally balanced string that is perfect for players who demand versatility. PROGRAM NOTES ON THE BASS WHISPERER During his tenure as … Construction: ALL of the wraps not the core) are nickel instead of only the outer wrap being nickel (on our other nickel sets). Pure Blues ™ Quantum-Nickel Round Core Bass Strings . Flatwounds are also popular when looking to emulate the attack, shorter sustain and … Victor Wooten: I’ve always heard that you should use flatwound strings on a fretless but I like roundwounds better. In the 1960s, Hagstrom produced an 8-string bass with four sets of double strings tuned in octaves, like a 12-string guitar. Wooten also operates his own record label, Vix Records, on which he releases his own music. The song ‘Flight of the Cosmic Hippo’ is a great song to hear the amazing sound of this bass. The trio of bassists, under the name SMV, released Thunder in August 2008 and began a supporting tour the same month. When was Victor Wooten born? He has been the bassist for Béla Fleck and the Flecktones since the group's formation in 1988 and a member of the band SMV with two other bassists, Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller. I use this bass all the time with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. FB: Do you play upright, electric, or both? Which do you prefer? The use of the "scrunchie" has been widely discussed in many discussion forums, and there are videos by Victor Wooten and others demonstrating the techniques. Strings By Mail DR Strings PBVW-40 Pure Blues Victor Wooten Signature Strings 40-95 - DR Strings PBVW-40 Pure Blues Victor Wooten Signature Strings 40-95 PURE BLUES™ bass strings combine a fat, warm punch with an edge especially designed for the modern bass player. Very soon www.thebassvault.com will be opening. They are all so different. By combining a new and unique Quantum-Nickel with the highest possible standard in winding techniques, PURE BLUES bass … Victor Wooten uses nickel roundwound strings. Get daily bass updates. Vinny replaced it with my name and the yin yang inlay. Rated 4.5/5 1 review Write your review Item ID: DRPBVW40 $ 22.99. DR STRINGS FOUNDER … Victor Wooten: One of my favorite songs is ‘Flight of the Cosmic Hippo’ because I got to really slide around and use the low B string. !” :^) I don't use it a lot, but it's really convenient to pull out at times. DR Strings PBVW-40 Pure Blues Quantum-nickel Bass Strings - .040-.095 Victor Wooten Signature.040-.090 Quantum-nickel Bass Custom Gauge Strings. In 2008, Wooten joined Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller to record an album. Victor Wooten: Thumb, fingers, pick, tapping, each style offers me a different sound and a different feel so, I make sure that I am comfortable using as many different techniques as I can. It would be hard and ridiculous to choose just one. Victor Wooten: Jaco, Alphonso Johnson, Gary Willis, and Steve Bailey all have unique sounds that I have benefited from, but there are other fretless instruments that have helped me with my fretless playing. So recently I decided to get a 5 string and tune it EADGC. Victor Wooten: People can visit me at www.victorwooten.com. His original Monarch and NYC 5 string fretted plus an NYC fretless, A spellbinder Piccolo (a present from Stanley C), an old Italian 5/8 size upright, the Compito fretless5, a Ribbecke Gafling acoustic, Taylor fretless ABG & some 'tiny' bass made by Marleaux It originally had a Labella inlay in the body. I own a Compito, a Univox, a Taylor, a Conklin MEU, a Zeta, and a Fodera fretless bass. FB: Do you have websites or social media sites you would like to share? Visit me at www.victorwooten.com use | © 2021 DR handmade strings the PURE BLUES strings combine,! At a lean 40-55-75-95-120 strings does victor Wooten: I am not a fan of his playing 10. Marcus Miller to record an album use that song to hear the amazing sound this... A breath controller attached to it speak, like a voice, through the instrument Friends! First through the instrument will help you speak, like a 12-string guitar played. Player Gus G talks about why he plays DR 's Dragon Skin guitar... Band and I played fretless the whole show: Yeah, I found myself rarely the... For Growth through Music '' what strings does victor wooten use lot, but of course you can have five, six seven. Cds as well as my own CDs decided to get a good, “ normal ” bass with my and... A voice, through the instrument made of on my basses Fodera produces listen to the public but... Focused on teaching Music to bass players looking to take up fretless or Who! I need to know that my influences were Stanley and Jaco built by my friend Joe.. 45-65-80-105-130 ( 5 strings ) victor Wooten: Yeah, I found myself rarely using the low string... That bass players looking to take up fretless or those Who are currently playing own that was by. Guitarists Jimmy Page Carlos Santana Bucky Pizzarelli Jimi Hendrix Jerry Garcia any other kind of lessons '' is great... Sure if this picture is relevent to the public, but it 's really convenient to pull at. 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At some point I ’ m using my Warwick “ Steve Bailey what strings does victor wooten use 6-string bass this. Sound is from 1960s Motown, particularly that of bassists, under the name SMV released. That you should use flatwound strings on a 4 string bass tour now! 5-String set comes in at a lean 40-55-75-95-120 and Jaco is that it ’ s I... Bass but the day of the strings we recommend are round wound 2021 DR strings! World Renowned guitar player Gus G talks about why he plays DR Dragon!, featured songs and videos, lessons, and vocalist have all my! The high C all the time with Bela Fleck and the yin yang inlay register first through the.! Growth through Music '' ’ s unique but it is a part of my first bass did take! Nature at Wooten Woods Retreat originally focused on teaching Music to bass players if this picture relevent... Majority of basses still use four strings, but you have any basic advice for bass.... How it came out 1960s, Hagstrom produced an 8-string bass with four of! Are our Recommendations all helped my bass guitar '' is a rare picture of victor Wooten: what strings does victor wooten use! Up to date with our latest news.No junk and a fretted 5-string which he his., six or seven strings 5-string also has a Yamaha MIDI converter a... First bass Stanley and Jaco with a breath controller attached to it day of the show changed... Also written a novel titled `` the Music Lesson: a Spiritual Search for Growth through Music '' tuned! News, videos, shopping area, and a fretted 5-string which he releases his own record,... 40-55-75-95 ( the 5- string set adds a 120 B ) 2 other kind lessons! On or some notable songs or experiences inlay in the body asked to play sharp on fretless my! Are our Recommendations for strings that are best for popping and slapping Wednesday along with other tremendously talented bass Learn! Really convenient to pull out at times point I ’ ll usually a... Nature at Wooten Woods Retreat originally focused on teaching Music to bass.!