The 6 Basses that DEFINED the 1990s (why Fender is ABSENT)
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As the hair-metal spandex of the previous decade met its end, the ‘90s ushered in a new breed of bass guitar. From Ken Smith to Lakland, to Spector to Tobias, basses of the ’90s packed a memorable punch to the gut. In today’s podcast, we’re running through the bass guitars that defined the decade.
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Video Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction
03:30 – #1 – MTD
09:30 – #2 – Ken Smith
21:15 – #3 – Warwick Thumb
33:20 – Monthly SBL Gear Giveaways
34:50 – SBL Membership Discount
36:54 – #4 Hamer 12 String
41:38 – #5 Lakland
50:10 – #6 Spector NS2
56:00 – Wrapping Up
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#bassguitarlessons #90sbasses #easybasslines
#Basses #DEFINED #1990s #Fender #ABSENT
Originally posted by UCWTj3vCqkQIsrTGSm4kM34g at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkOiR0v7cbw
Thanks guys, another great hangout ! Loved to see & hear all those great basses & some great clips too !
YAMAHA BB5000 — mic drop……
Another 90's beat was the G&L L-1500. I have a fretless with an ebony board in trans green, the bass I would grab in a fire!
G&L basses were GREAT in the 90's! The G&L – L5500 with 2 EMGs was one of my faves until it was stolen from a studio I was working in.
Keith Duffy, bassist for the Corrs, awesome in the pocket groover who plays Lakland! Would love to see a video on Keith!
Cheers for the Erykah Badu shout out
Finally acquired “boutique 6 string” after years of thinking about it. Long story short, the custom active electronics and with the Bartolinis completely fried one of the bass speakers ! now I have to repair the rig! ????????????
Scott, can you tell matey how to pronounce Warwick properly?
Thanks awfully.
when warwick ruled the world. Warwick makes my favorite basses of all time
The thing is about ANY bass, and after 46 + years of playing one, I’ve discovered…. It is ultimately down to touch, and choice of notes. That what defines a bassist. Yes, the gear that you use will have a tonal character, BUT, it doesn’t make any noise until you put your fingers upon it, and your slant, touch, etc etc.
I really enjoy your posts. They are great, and you are both excellent bassists. Bass nerds, like me. There are worse things you could be! ????????????
Yamaha Patitucci 6 string!
In the nineties even Tobin Esperance from Papa Roach was playing (and still is) Lakland.
Always felt that the B string on my Lakland was out of this world. Tight. Not flabby like many a 5 string Bs. Mistake getting rid of that one.????
Peavey Cirrus was pretty cool out of nowhere in the 90s.
Just a few minutes into the video but off the top of my head I’d say definitely the Warwick (still have a ‘97 thumb bo) , Stingrays were hot , got my first in in 98 absolutely loved that bass (even though it was red) , I remember I was in love with Michael Tobias bass’, Conklin was doing their thing pretty strong. Ibanez made a huge surge thank in huge part to KorN. I bought an SDGR 5 model just because of NüMëtal. Wanted that Coal
Chamber sound. Spector has got to be in here somewhere.
A short story:
I was playing a 5 String Tanglewood Baron in the 90's. Incredibly underrated bass, I used it over every other bass I owned, unbelievable tonal range, 5pc Through Neck, Incredible action, Mighty Mite Soapbars. Skip forward to a few years back, one of my best friends took another one in trade. He set about trying to get more information about them. He eventually contacted Tanglewood, who told him;
•All the hardware is Gold Plated
•They were essentially Tanglewoods answer to Warwick basses
•There were less than 150 of the 4 string versions made
•There were only 24 of the 5 Strings made
I had no idea about any of the above. I gigged it relentlessly even when I owned far more expensive basses and it never ever let me down. I still use it in the studio.
Pedulla!
Ibanezzz sdgr gentssss???????? all of us starts from there right??
I bet you can't tell what bass they used on the recordings.
I have a 1990 Ibanez SB1200, my favorite bass.
Fenders were still fairly ubiquitous in the indie/alt scene back then and still are.
Ken smith5 on Massive Attack “ Mezzanine “
Completely forgot Jason Newsted on the Hamer bit. Wherever I May Roam is possibly the most popular song ever with a 12 string bass.
Carvin Basses were big in the 90's
Excellent episode as usual guys, but you missed the Ibanez SDGR and EB Musicman basses, especially the SR5.!
How come Ian doesn’t have a pre-Gibson Tobias?
When Warwick ruled the World please!!!! ????????????????
I was literally commenting on another video about the chokehold those Lakland website bass clips had on me as a teen. It’s so cool that you played on them!
It's called the chop technique. Incubus bassist might actually have invented it.
YOU'RE FUCKING 40+!!!??? early 30's is what i figured. Wow!!!
my favorite part was the section about warwick thumbs that had no warwick thumbs in it, only streamers. 10/10
Just picked up a 1990 Warwick Stage 1 Streamer. Weighs near 12 pounds ????
Most of these brands were out of reach for the average bass player in the 90's. Hell, most of them are pretty pricey by today's standards. Yes, Fender wasn't included in this list by definition of their standard basses but, their signature and artist series of basses were on a different level. The Marcus Miller, Geddy Lee, Roscoe Beck, Stu Hamm, Steve Harris, and Victor Bailey signature basses sold like hotcakes. The top-of-the-line Japanese Ibanez basses such as the BTB, ATKs, and Soundgears had no equals in their price range. The Peavey Cirrus, Millenniums, and Dyna basses were criminally underrated and highly favored by journeymen bass players.
You can see the differences between the modern streamer shape and the old streamer shape here….i preferred the old shape
SPEAKING OF WARICK DOUG WINBUSH HAS HIS SIGNATURE BASS FROM WARRIOR, AWESOME BASS PLAYER,JUST UNREAL,UNORTHODOX ❤❤
i missed doug wimbish when you were talking about spector. i mean the 1998 jungle funk album with doug, will calhoun and vinx is absolutely spectacular! https://youtu.be/ZRu29xH6Y90?si=aZoyJvkgRW28AyBm
Scott, for a more classic Fender-inspired sounding Spector/Streamer-styled bass, Warwick has you covered with the Streamer CV!
One of my favourite bits of spector playing is Rex Brown playing on walk under the solo. Works so well!
Like some commenters already mentioned, Ibanez Soundgear basses were huge in the 90s as well, and ATK as well. Also, Yamaha with their TRB, and of course BBs like played by Nathan East. And Sheehan's Attitude. Then maybe also Status, Modulus, Pedulla, and the StingRay 5, but they were already defining the 80s.
Does anyone else find it bizarre that neither of the basses used by the most iconic bass players of the decade (les Claypool and Flea) were mentioned?? I get that neither of them probably own a Carl Thompson, but not even a mention of the Music Man???
Zon basses definitely come to mind. I had a 1998 zon 5 string that was incredible.
Thanks guys, I totally needed this. I’ve got a Spector 5 string and recently got a Lakland P. Feeling vindicated ????
In 1990 its glam rock era, every brand Upgrading their bass to glam rock style which is sturdy and bold style. And upgrading to active electronic . Is something revolusioner for bass. But fender still in boring vintage style.
Really surprised yall didn't mention one of the modt famous lakland players, geezer butler!
I'm obsessed with Warwick, play them exclusive. My custom thumb NT4 is my main bass but I'm scarred to go to a 5 string…
How about Ibanez ATK? Triple coil pickup was unique and perfect. Greg K. from the Offspring plays it for example
The statement that a modern bass "does not cut through the mix" is hilarous. Please listen to anything but mediocre pop music and you will hear it. The wishy-washy money making music you often refer to may need a bass tone that is familiar to everyone. If your music has a character you can choose something tasty.
90’s basses and you missed out on a bass from two of the biggest bands that came out of the 90’s!!!! Nirvana and Green Day- the Gibson Ripper.
What’s crazy is during this period I owned most of these basses including a late 80’s Warwick Dolphin that was a Dunlop Warwick but then I just went back to the Jazz Bass because I knew that it set well in any genre of music.. I do have Fodera Emperor 5 that I’m really geeked about though
Please talk about trabens