Reader Spotlight: Dean Milano

Dean Milano

Meet Dean Milano, a long-time bassist with a ton of gigs under his belt. We loved his story, and his 1966 Fender Precision gave us some serious GAS.

Here’s Dean’s story…

Bio:

I’ve played bass at one time or another in probably 75 bands over a 50 year long career that encompasses my love of rock and roll, folk music, country and western, bluegrass, jazz, Cajun music, showtunes and every other type of music I heard along the way. And I discovered early on – it’s all about the bass.

Location:

Elmhurst, Il.

Day gig:

Musician

Years experience:

50 years

Bands & Gigs:

I’m a jobber and play with any band that calls me, but I also put my own bands together when I get an itch to play the front man and do my own tunes.

Gear:

  • 1966 Fender Precision bass which has been modified with additional EMG pickups.
  • 1920s German double bass
  • Gallien Kruger amp
  • Hartke Systems cabinets

Why I play the bass:

Listening to jukeboxes back in the 1950s when my family would stop at various roadhouses on our way up to northern Wisconsin. I always connected with the big booming bass coming out of those old Wurlitzer boxes.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

I’ve got a good ear and I can hear chord changes before they happen, even in songs I’ve never heard or played before.

My influences

Rick Danko, John Entwistle, Phil Lesh, etc.

More on the web:

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