Shaun Ritchie
Bass, Music, Life
Here i would like to do what i normally don't - talk about my gear.
I owned only one bass until just 2 years ago. That bass was my first "real" bass and only the 2nd one i ever had. So now i will tell the story of my bass...
If you read my intro page then you will know that i met some friends that i ended up starting a band with in middle school. Well to play in a band you have to have an instrument. I had initially asked for a guitar, but after i got it, the instrument didn't feel right in my hands, so i had decided i wanted a bass instead.
The bass i got came from a local pawn shop, and cost around $150.
It was a japanese aria pro II. It was a fine bass for a beginner, and i played it until i felt like i needed something more professional. not that i had any gigs at 14, mind you, i just knew i needed to have a quality instrument.
I owned only one bass until just 2 years ago. That bass was my first "real" bass and only the 2nd one i ever had. So now i will tell the story of my bass...
If you read my intro page then you will know that i met some friends that i ended up starting a band with in middle school. Well to play in a band you have to have an instrument. I had initially asked for a guitar, but after i got it, the instrument didn't feel right in my hands, so i had decided i wanted a bass instead.
The bass i got came from a local pawn shop, and cost around $150.
It was a japanese aria pro II. It was a fine bass for a beginner, and i played it until i felt like i needed something more professional. not that i had any gigs at 14, mind you, i just knew i needed to have a quality instrument.
These two are 1993 Musicman Sterling basses. This is the first year of production of these wonderful basses and i am very lucky to own 2 of them. According to the serial number database at Musicman, my black bass, (my main bass) is one of the first 10 ever built at the factory! I bought this bass at age 14 from Hames Music, and it has been my main bass for more or less my entire life. My second one the blue metallic flake is within the first 20 ever produced! I bought it from a bass player living in LA wanting to downsize his gear, lucky for me. So , now i own two wonderful pieces of bass work that can't be duplicated ever again. If you have ever played one of these vintage basses versus the new models you will know the difference as soon as you pick it up.
I also play 6 string bass. I have decided to play more solo music to showcase my original music and using this 6 string has really helped. I found it on sale in the used section at guitar center and i have never been more pleased. It is an Ibanez Gio . After a set up and new strings, this thing really plays like a champ. It will do until i can get something better.
I use a vintage pre gibson trace elliot 1x15 cab for my low end. It's front ported and that is mainly the reason why i use it versus a markbass 1x15 (the travelers series is rear ported) So i get a combination of front and rear porting, which really drives the Full Range sound. 
and the MarkBass TRV210 cabinet as my main rig. I have played some serious shows with this set up and not once have i needed more amplification.
