4-STRING COMMANDO
BY GREG OLWELL
Bass god Billy Sheehan talks about recording
Mr. Big’s new album, What If ..., his multi-amp rig,
and why it’s important to master your instrument
inside and out. Plus! Paul Gilbert chimes in on
the new LP’s tones and harmonies.
Mr. Big’s Billy Sheehan may be the modern-day epitome of a rock “lead
bassist,” but he never forgets
that the bass’ primary role is
to put the “roll” in “rock ’n’
roll.” While it’s easy to focus
on the over-the-top aspects of
Sheehan’s playing, few bassists
can hold down a solid low-end
like he does. In fact, he’s quick
to emphasize that it’s his rock-solid foundation in the groove
that allows him to launch his
dazzling technique. He’s also a
straight-up gearhead with tons
of personal experience modifying instruments and designing
rigs to create his singular sound.
But Sheehan’s approach
to bass extends beyond the
mechanics of playing—he’s a
big proponent of knowing how
to work on your instrument
well enough to make it serve
your needs as a player. “You
have to learn the instrument,
learn the fundamentals—how
to play it, how to tweak it, how
to play strong, hard, in tune,
and in time. You need to do all
of those things up front, and
then you can learn the frosting.”
The “frosting” would be
things like the two-handed
tapping, chord work, and blaz-
ing three-finger plucking that
he’s become famous for during
his gigs with Mr. Big, David
Lee Roth, Niacin (featuring
Hammond B- 3 master John
Novello and virtuoso drum-
mer Dennis Chambers), and
Talas. Sheehan’s trademark
