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”.
News
45 years ago, Rush released their 2nd album, ‘Fly by Night’ with a new drummer named Neil Peart.
45 years ago, Rush released their 2nd album, ‘Fly by Night’ with a new drummer named Neil Peart. Their music has always been a big influence and inspiration for me. I posted a fretless 5-string bass cover of the title track on my YouTube channel.
We’re No Gentlemen is getting ready to record a live acoustic show in the next few weeks on a new sound stage.
@werenogentlemen is getting ready to record a live acoustic show in the next few weeks on a new sound stage. New videos and tracks coming soon…
Back in 2015, performing as a band member for actress/singer/songwriter Katie Garfield — she’s a great performer and songwriter, and her music covers several genres.
throwbackthursday – 2015, performing as a band member for actress/singer/songwriter Katie Garfield — she’s a great performer and songwriter, and her music covers several genres. In addition to her acting credits (incl Birth of a Nation, Nashville, Legacies, etc.), Katie’s songs have been featured in many films, TV shows, and video games
New song, “Cali Livin” by my band The Bredren will drop soon!
New song, “Cali Livin” by my band The Bredren will drop soon! Here’s a sneak peak.
Featured by @just.being.josh on Instagram
Thanks to @just.being.josh on Instagram for the feature! Make sure to check out all the beautiful and rare bass guitars and amazing players he posts on a regular basis.
I love writing and performing original music.
I love writing and performing original music. However, it comes first and foremost from being a huge music fan, and from being inspired by learning and playing the music of other artists too.
In addition to the original bands and artists I work with, I play in several tribute and cover bands, including a @pink tribute, ‘Raise Your Glass’. Here’s a clip of us having a blast performing “18-Wheeler” live.
Doing our best to do justice to P!nk’s music is no small feat. P!nk is an amazing singer and performer, and her band is full of top-knotch musicians, including Eva Gardner on bass, Justin Derrico on guitar, and Mark Schulman on drums. I’ve seen them live several times, and it’s always an awesome, high-energy show.
A few years back, performing a warm-up with Dion Jackson for a Walk for MS.
throwbackthursday – a few years back, performing a warm-up with Dion Jackson for a Walk for MS. I love getting to mix my passions, and with these events I get to intertwine my love for volunteering, fitness & adaptive athletics, and music. Having Dion as a friend and a mentor makes these experiences priceless. The MS Walk is going virtual for 2020 (link to more info in my Instagram bio).
Melonhead on YouTube
For the latest music videos and live performances from my bands and projects as well as bass play-throughs, covers, synth bass patches, follow my YouTube channel. I’ll be posting more content every week.
Close-up detail of the Alperious pickguard on my Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 5HH “Sakura” bass.
Close-up detail of the @alperiouspickguard on my @ernieballmusicman Stingray 5HH “Sakura” bass. It’s a one-of-a-kind work of art, super durable, and it adds a nice, subtle change in tone and increase of sustain. I love the single lotus blossum around the pickup selector switch.