Have you used Hartke amps?
I did for EMGTV, haven't really used them other than that!
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Latest answers from Mark Michell
You are obviously a very skilled bassist with a great sense of melody and technique to die for. Do you consider yourself to be a total badass bass player?
Well, thanks, and I appreciate that. I don't really spend time thinking about stuff like that, and quit worrying about "trying to be good" years ago. I just focus on having fun doing what I love, making great music, and never being satisfied with my craft - always room to improve.
How many hours do would you suggest a novice player to put into practice a day?
4-6 is a good start.
Just bought a pair of books from Scale the Summit. Just wondering, how long does the international shipping take? I live over seas in Sweden. Keep up the nice work! Looking forward to your new album! =)
Thanks for the support! It usually takes 7-10 business days to make it over there, but can vary. Hope you enjoy the books!
What's the showering situation when you guys tour? Do you just not bathe for weeks on end or do you have some kind of method worked out?
Of course we regularly shower. We go to a gym daily (LA Fitness or Gold's Gym) and shower there, if not there, many venues have showers and if not there, hotels.
can you sweep?
Yeah, gotta keep the leaves off the back patio
Do you have any advice for holding notes for their full duration? In recordings, I notice that some of my notes end up sounding staccato-esque because I move to the next note too quickly in order to hit it on time. I'm assuming probably just slowing down the tune and working on holding notes?
There are many different names for this technique/approach, but I like to call it "Don't-Move-It-Until-You-Need-It" - basically a headspace to be in when analyzing your left-hand technique. Nine times out of ten, choppy-sounding playing is caused by wasted motion in the left hand, specifically when your fingers move away from the fingerboard when they don't need to. When that happens, you have to cover that much more distance to get them back to the strings when it's needed next, and it starts a domino effect from there. Let's say you're playing frets 5-6-7-8 ascending up each string. So you play fret 5 with your index, fret 6 with your middle, fret 7 with your ring, and fret 8 with your pinky. So after you use each finger to fret a note, why should it come back off the string and go anywhere else? Keep it fretted! Even though you may be on frets 7-8, the fingers on frets 5-6 should just stay fretted because they aren't needed. When you get to frets 5-6 again on the next string, they'll already be right there in the area ready to go, not 2 inches off your fretboard for no reason. Hope that helps!
Have you seen the MarkBass Multiamp? If so what do you think of it?
I have actually never tried one!
What do you consider a good amp head for versatile metal style of music? Something punchy but still good for smooth parts.
I've used GK amps exclusively for 5+ years and it's served every role I've needed it to for any gig. Metal especially. Recently moved to Warwick amps, and I find them to be just as incredible sounding! Used a Warwick LWA1000 for the entire last tour and thought it was extremely clean and punchy sounding.
How do you incorporate slap bass into music and jams? Ive been working on it for six months but can't ever figure out how to use it in a musical context?
I don't really consider myself good at slapping. It's a technique I got into late in the game and don't really find myself using it much in the music I play. I wish I were more creative with it. Your guess is as good as mine : )
When it comes to Warwicks, I've always preferred Corvettes over the Thumbs. Is there anything specific about the Thumb that you prefer, or is it just more aesthetically pleasing to you??
It's kind of Warwick's "flagship" model, and just always liked the aesthetics and smaller body. Sits on me just right. When I went to the Warwick HQ recently I tried out tons of models I've never had the chance to play before and fell in love with tons of them!