Reader Spotlight: Guillaume Couture

Guillaume Couture

Meet Guillaume Couture, a bassist from Canada who had the good fortune of growing up around a P-bass (his dad’s). Guillaume started experimenting with it, kicking off a 12-year (and counting) run on the bass.

Guillaume is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight (you could be next!) Here’s his story…

Bio:

For as long as I can remember, my dad’s P bass was always accessible. I kind of got curious and started fooling around with it in my teenage years. My dad is a big slap and pop bass player which never really was my thing. I did not inherit the “slaps” from him… but he did introduce me to some really obscure 70’s music (Spooky Tooth). So I started practicing songs here and there. I even dug up an old rusty Ampeg B-15N Portaflex from my dad’s shed! Still works to this day. I started getting more serious about music when I was around 23 years old. I took part in a weekly jam session in a bar next to my flat. I Even organized jams for a few months. Eventually, I met my bandmates through these jams and we formed Mojo Wizard.

Location:

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Day gig:

Part-time Graphic Designer for a Music Venue. Call center tech guy for a paging company. Pretty old school.

Years experience:

About 12 years.

Bands & Gigs:

My main band is called Mojo Wizard. We play psychedelic rock/stoner rock and 70’s-influenced songs. We just released an album The Mystic Peephole.

I also play in HOODOOED (With the singer and drummer of my other band). It’s a blend of upbeat blues rock, 60’s inspired songs.

Gear:

  • Fender Pawn Shop Reverse Jaguar Bass. Mod: I slapped a chrome cover on it.
  • Ampeg Svt-CL 1997
  • V-4B 2×15 cab. Mod: Switched the speakers to 2 Eminence Legend CA154.
  • Polytune 2
  • Bass Big Muff (of course)
  • Tech 21, Sans amp VT bass (used as an EQ/Bass boost)
  • Pro co rat 2 (high end boost/distortion)
  • Dunlop 105Q Cry Baby Bass (Just got it, still figuring out where it plays its part)

Why I play the bass:

I really enjoy the physical aspect of playing bass. Especially when you play loud enough that you can feel the waves of sound at the bottom of your pants. Let’s just say that I’m not shy about my volume level. Also, it’s the only instrument that I’m able to zone-out when playing and let my fingers do the work. I’m still amazed when that happens!

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I’d say my adaptability. When I started playing in HOODOOED, I decided that I would only play with a pick. I wanted to go out of my comfort zone and learn something new in the process.

My influences:

Teenage years:

  • Tim Commerford (Rage against the machine)

Last 5 years:

  • Dickie Peterson (Blue Cheer)
  • Al Cisneros (Sleep)
  • Jack Bruce
  • Michael Parks Jr. (All Them Witches)
  • Fred Fortin (Gros MenĂ©, Galaxie)

Video:

More on the web:

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