I just updated my @kemperamps_official to the latest firmware.

I just updated my @kemperamps_official to the latest firmware. There’s some fantastic new features and it’s rock solid and stable as always! I still use a few external pedals for certain specialty functions: bass synths from futureimpactpedal and c4synth, as well as advanced filter and distortion effects from @sourceaudio. My external effects are all midi-capable, which empowers me to use the Kemper to control all of their settings. I can change all of my effects (internal & external) with the tap of a button on my pedalboard. In one of my bands, we use @Ableton Live for audio, lighting, and video cues. Ableton even sends patch changes to my bass rig so that I can just concentrate on performing — no more doing the pedal dance. The Kemper Profiler has really been a game-changer for me.

It felt so good to be on stage in front of a live audience again with my bandfam in @gloria_estefan_tribute.

It felt so good to be on stage in front of a live audience again with my bandfam in @gloria_estefan_tribute. Given the current pandemic restrictions, the live audience was separated into pods and limited to a few hundred (it’s usually several thousand for this show). However, the City of Buena Park live-streamed the show on their Facebook page and YouTube channel. The band members were spaced much farther apart than usual, and any band members not singing wore masks. It’s gonna take a while for me to get used to the new normal, but it’s worth it in order to protect loved ones and still get to perform live shows.

Hey You!

Hey You!

Please caption this photo. I’m sure you’ll come up with something better than “Hey You!”.

Looking forward to rocking out with these non-gentlemen tonight (@werenogentlemen) at a rehearsal for an upcoming live video shoot.

Of all the fretless basses I’ve owned, this one is definitely my favorite.

Of all the fretless basses I’ve owned, this one is definitely my favorite. The rosewood in the custom @alperiouspickguard matches the rosewood in the neck, and features Alper’s signature ‘Exotic Shine’ design. This bass was originally a fretted Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray5H, but the team at @13thstreetguitars converted it to fretless using strips of rosewood to replace the frets, PLEK’d it, and set it up for me. The unfinished neck feels great and the tone is fantastic. I use @ernieball cobalt flatwound strings on this bass, which provide a nice blend of modern brightness and transients while still getting that classic flatwound thump. It’s easy to get this bass to produce those quintessential ‘growls & mewls’ that fretless instruments are known for, which is why I named it “Maulladora”.