QRD – What was your first bass & what happened to it?

James – Peavey Dynabass. Traded it in towards my current bass.

QRD – What’s your typical set-up from bass to effects to amplifier? 

James – Bass -> preamp pedal -> power amp -> cab

QRD – What’s the most important part of your rig – bass, amplifier, or effects? 

James – Bass.

QRD – What’s your main amplifier & why? 

James – Using a Viva Analog 360+. Convenience & is modeled after an Acoustic 360 head. Has built in fuzz.

QRD – Do you prefer upright or electric bass? 

James – I’ve only used an electric so.…

QRD – Do you prefer to use a pick, fingers, or a bow? 

James – Pick.

QRD – How many strings do you think a bass should have? 

James – 4. Maybe 3.

QRD – Why do you play bass instead of guitar? 

James – We already have a guitarist.

QRD – How is a bass different than a guitar other than being lower in pitch? 

James – Fewer strings hopefully.

QRD – What’s your main bass & what are the features that make it such? 

James – 90’s standard American Fender Jazz. It’s strung low b to d & modded to p/j pickup config. I think the only original parts left are the body, wires & tuning keys. 

QRD – What do you think of the thumb rests on some basses? 

James – They’re OK I guess. If I didn’t use a pick maybe I’d want one.

QRD – If you had a signature bass, what would it look like & what would some of its features be? 

James – Probably like what I use now although I would like to try Rick pickups on a Jazz body.  Maybe a whammy bar.

QRD – If you had a signature pedal, what would it be & what would some of its features be? 

James – Perhaps something similar to the 360 pedal I’m using now, but with chorus & a tuner built in.  Maybe an effects loop as well.

QRD – How many basses do you own? 

James – One functional & parts to build another.

QRD – How & where do you store your basses? 

James – In my apartment on a rack.

QRD – What features do you look for when buying a bass? 

James – 4 strings.

QRD – How much do you think a good bass should cost? 

James – Should $500. Reasonable $900.

QRD – Do you upgrade & customize your bass or just stick with what you get? 

James – Customize.

QRD – Are you after one particular bass tone & locking into it, or do you like to change your tone around a lot? 

James – I change it from time to time.  Sometimes a certain tone will be cool for a while & then I go back & it sounds like crap.  Also depends on the room, cab, & song.  If I had a bass setup like the guy from the Badseeds, I’d probably stick with it forever.

QRD – What are some basses, amps, & pedals you particularly lust after? 

James – I’d like to try a Wal bass or Rick 4001/3.  As for amps I want to try a standard Ampeg rig.

QRD – What do you think are some important features to be on a person’s first bass that aren’t always there? 

James – Good action & intonation. 

QRD – What have been the best & worst bass related purchases you’ve made? 

James – Best: Fender Jazz Worst: Peavey Dynabass (I hated active pickups)

QRD – What are some effect, amp, & bass brands you particularly like or dis-like & why? 

James – Nothing in particular. 

QRD – What’s the first thing you play when you pick up a bass? 

James – Usually “Friend Catcher” by Birthday Party

QRD – How old were you when you started playing bass? 

James – 20 something. Guitar was my main instrument.

QRD – At what age do you think you leveled up to your best bass playing? 

James – 20 something. 

QRD – Do you feel bass lines should echo & emphasize guitar & drum parts or be their own distinct elements? 

James – Depends on the song.

QRD – Would you rather people hear or feel your bass? 

James – Depends on what they look like. 

QRD – Why do you think a bass fits you more so than other instruments? 

James – Because I’m a crappy drummer, mediocre guitarist, & I can’t sing. 

QRD – Do you see your bass as your ally or adversary in making music? 

James – Neither. I usually come up with stuff on guitar.

QRD – Who are the bassists that most influenced your playing & sound? 

James – Simon Gallup, the singer/bassist from Air, the guy from the Badseeds, Tracy Pew, & Steve Severin.

QRD – Do you think people anthropomorphizing their bass is natural or silly (e.g. naming their bass)? 

James – Silly.

QRD – What’s the most physical damage you’ve done to a bass & how did you do it? 

James – This bass is pretty solid. It’s fallen a couple of times which resulted in a ding or two.

QRD – What do you do to practice other than simply playing? 

James – That’s it.

QRD – How many hours a week do you play bass & how many hours would you like to? 

James – If there aren’t any rehearsals or recording sessions, then an hour.  Should put in a couple of hours & really practice. I’m not doing jazz or bass solos so I don’t require intense training. 

QRD – What gauge strings do you use & why? 

James – No idea. I buy the 5 string pack & use the 4 lower ones.  I’m using flatwounds.

QRD – How often do you change strings? 

James – Not often. I haven’t changed strings on this bass in 3 years.

QRD – How often do you break strings? 

James – Haven’t yet.

QRD – Which do you feel is more proficient, your strumming/bowing hand or fretting hand & how does that effect your style? 

James – Strumming. If I was good at the other I’d probably start soloing. 

QRD – What tunings do you use & why? 

James – Standard tuning.  I do change up the tuning on a couple of songs. On “Die...Die Slowly” I drop the open B to an A, & on “Painted Faces” I raise the open D to a B.

QRD – Do you prefer tablature, sheet music, or some other notation system for writing down your own ideas? 

James – Tab is fine. I’m bad at reading music.

QRD – What’s a bad habit in your playing you wish you could break? 

James – Soloing. I need to unleash my inner Yngwie.

QRD – Playing what other instrument do you think can most help someone’s bass playing? 

James – Guitar.

QRD – What’s a type of bass playing you wish you could do that you can’t? 

James – Funk or reggae.

QRD – What’s a bass goal you’ve never accomplished? 

James – I don’t have any goals.

QRD – What’s the last bass trick you learned? 

James – I haven’t learned any.

QRD – Did you ever take bass lessons & if so, what did you learn from them? 

James – Nope. Just guitar for about a month.

QRD – What would you teach someone in a bass lesson that you don’t think they would generally get from a bass teacher? 

James – Seinfeld theme.

QRD – What’s something someone would have to do to emulate your style? 

James – I don’t have a style. Use a pick & don’t slap.

QRD – If a band has good bass work, can you ignore the rest of the band not being good? 

James – No. For me it’s more about the songs. 

QRD – What famous musician’s bass would you like to own & why? 

James – Steve Severin’s Wal bass he used with the Banshees. Mainly because they’re expensive. I don’t really care about owning something that once belonged to a celebrity.

QRD – Who do you think is currently the most innovative bass player & why? 

James – I haven’t kept up with current music. 

QRD – Where can people hear your best bass work? 

James – I’m okay with songs from our Without Number album & the track Crucifixed.  They’re all probably available on Bandcamp.

QRD – Anything else? 

James – Bass solo take 1!

Other QRD interviews with James Newman:
Plumerai interview (January 2008)
Plumerai interview (December 2005)