Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey all!

I will be having an audition with a Latin Rock band (very Santana-esque). I have no doubt that one or both of my Ricks can shine in this setting.

Having never played this style, however, I am asking for advice on how to get the right tone.

The basses:
-4003 strung with Circle K balanced 106 roundwounds.
-4001C64 strung with Fender 9050CL flatwounds.
-Both basses have the push/pull vintage tone circuit, the C64 via mod.

My amp consists of 2x10 and 1x15 powered by a 600 watt head with crossover, mid sweep, and 9 band graphic EQ.

Anybody have any Latin rock experience?

I play electric and upright in a jazz/dance band that has to play everything from the most traditional to the most contemporary, and we have a book of about 500 charts I must know at the drop of a request. Of course, favorites of dance clubs are Latin dances of all styles. Concentrate on getting a good round clean tone that provides proper foundation rather than worrying about any particular settings on either the instrument or the amp. Remember that in these styles, usually less is more, and lock in with the drummer's right hand as if it were your third hand. Focus more on precision in execution of the subtle rhythmic and tonal variations of different Latin styles: from the traditional mambo, rhumba, samba, etc., and later bossa nova and afro-cuban, to contemporary styles. Study something like: The Latin Bass Book: A Practical Guide by Oscar Stagnaro and Chuck Sher. For a quick over-simplistic view of what I'm talking about: http://www.scribd.com/doc/6490694/Latin ... nes-Part-1

4003 with rounds for that bright tone.

Scott has good advice and I agree with Jason, go with rounds. You might even solo the bridge pickup or favor it. Unless it was highly traditional (doesn't sound like it) the bass tends to be an electric that is fairly sizzly.

Thanks for the advice, guys, particularly Scott for the stylistic advice. So it's more about the drummer's right hand than the kick, huh? That'll be an adjustment!

I spoke with the band leader again last night and found out that the band's repertoire consists of half originals and half Santana covers. In fact, they won an L.A. area contest for best Santana cover band (who knew?). Glad i'll have the mute to perform "Oye Como Va"!

They're called Batista-the Latin Rock Experience. They have songs posted on MySpace if anyone wants to hear them.

coolingitdown wrote:Thanks for the advice, guys, particularly Scott for the stylistic advice. So it's more about the drummer's right hand than the kick, huh? That'll be an adjustment!

Indeed. Traditional trap set drumming (right handed drummer on a conventional drum set), whether swing, jazz, Latin, or even early rock and pop has always been about the right hand. Only with heavier rock-n-roll, the Liverpool four-on-the-floor "Mersey" beat, and the rock styles that grew out of those two, including offbeat and "boogaloo" (think 1969 pop) beats has the bass drum come to the fore.