You’ve played with a wide variety of bass players throughout your career ranging from those categorized as — please excuse the labels — more jazzy (for instance, a Tony Saunders), more funky (e.g., a George Porter), “classical” (Alfonso Johnson), melodic (Phil Lesh), etc. The list goes on and on…. Pete Sears to Reed Mathis to Jack Casady…. And of course. longtime collaborator, Bobby Vega. The point being that many of these bass masters have a recognizable “signature sound” of their own.
Knowing that your repertoire often involves very intertwined collaboration between the guitar and the bass, how does your playing change with each different paring? Do you ever intentionally change your tone, volume, style, or chosen equipment to best match the other guy?
Please be somewhat specific as to some of these musicians (the ones you’ve had significant history with), so I can listen closely to some prior recordings and try to see if I can pick up any differences in your approach.
Thank you