Reader Spotlight: Spencer Herbert

Spencer Herbert

Meet Spencer Herbert, a bassist who first got stuck in some sort of “enrichment class” for people who wanted to play the guitar, knew better, and got a P Bass. Ten years later, he’s still loving the low end.

Spencer is our reader in the spotlight for the week of May 20th, 2013.

Bio:

I’m a twenty-three year old bass player from a suburb outside of Chicago. My very first instrument was bass guitar, and I picked it up back in middle school. Since then all I’ve wanted to do is play with different bands and teach music in some sort of capacity.

Location:

Glenview, IL, USA

Day gig:

I’m a special education teacher.

Years experience:

Over ten years.

Bands & Gigs:

I’m in a band called Madison Street Station and it’s been a fun ride so far. I started hanging out at this boutique pedal and guitar store for a few weeks. The guy behind the register turned out to be a guitarist who was looking for a bassist. Few practices later, we were playing some clubs and had a drummer. We’ve played a bit now and keep getting tighter as a band.

Gear:

  • Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones Bass
  • Hamer Cruise Bass
  • Hohner B2B bass
  • Harden P-Bass (It’s a P-bass with a Jazz Neck and crazy metal artwork)
  • Englhardt M1 w Full Circle Pickup
  • Aguilar Tone Hammer 500
  • GK Fusion 550
  • Avatar 4×10
  • TC Electronic 2×10
  • Korg Pitchblack
  • EHX Bass Microsynth
  • Aguilar TLC Compressor
  • Aguilar Filter Twin
  • Aguilar Octamizer
  • Boss OC-2
  • Walrus Audio Deep Six Compressor
  • Walrus Audio Voyager
  • Walrus Audio “The Space Pilgrim” (Custom Jupiter Fuzz/Mayflower Overdrive)
  • TC Electronic Corona Chorus
  • TC Electronic Vortex Flanger

Why I play the bass:

I was in an enrichment type of music class that was primarily for kids who wanted to learn guitar, but I was fascinated with the bass. The day I got home with a P-bass, I found an issue of Bass Player with Dirk Lance on the cover. It’s funny since there was also an article with Victor Wooten’s Bass Nature Camp. I saved up and got to go to that camp last spring, which changed my playing forever.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

I want to learn and then learn some more after that. I follow the principle of seeking out mastery and taking lessons from people I know can guide me. I’ve got some great pointers from the players that I admire as musicians and as people.

My influences

Justin Meldal Johnsen, James Jamerson, Jaco, Victor Wooten, David Hood, Jeff Berlin, Carol Kaye,Bobby Vega, Trevor Dunn (big time), Bob Cranshaw, Israel Crosby and so many others.

More on the web:

Photo by Tricia Scully

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