Interview with MARK RUBIN
Mark has been playing bass since 1987, currently is in the band the Bad Livers www.badlivers.com, has recorded an instruction video called 'Slap bass, the ungentle art' and had an article instructing upright slap bass in bass player magazine www.bassplayer.com.
Shawn -Did you start out on string bass or another instrument?
Mark -I started out on the tuba actually, I used to go to punk shows like the Minutemen and Black Flag, very inspirational. Actually a lot of those guys would stay at my house. That's when I got into bass. In the part of Okalahoma that I'm from bluegrass was big and I'd see bands every weekend. I'd get records like Willie Dixon and try to duplicate their sound with my bass guitar and flat wounds, but it just wasn't working. It was years later when a guy said to me, "Duh, you have to use a string bass, Willy Dixon plays a string bass."
January 24, 2001
by Shawn
Shawn -What kind of strings do you use?
Mark -I am an endorser of velvet www.velvetstrings.com garbos, they are gut strings made in Switzerland. There are 2 versions One is wrapped with all metal and one that is wrapped with metal and nylon. I use the metal and nylon. The play a little bit like the old Kaplan Golden spirals, they are perfectly even. I sell these at the violin store that I manage. www.violinsetc.com
Shawn -What kind of pick-up do you use?
Mark -I've got a crap load of pick-ups, it all depends on what kind of gig I'm doing. I've used everything from the AKG sax microphone, clipped on to the f-hole. I really, really like the Schertler Dyn-B, which I endorse. It is almost too sensitive for some gigs. I also use the David Gage Realist. But if I'm playing with a real loud band or traveling I use a Eminence bass, acoustic-electric bass. www.gelbass.com
Shawn -I know your still with the Bad livers, what is your set up when you record?
Mark -I've got an old Lewis German made plywood bass, and any old mic man, it don't mean nothin to me.
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