Spector Euro 4LX Bass, Gallien-Krueger 1001 RB-II And Much More With Bassist Mick Cervino
Bassist Mick Cervino has an impressive resume. He has played with the likes of Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen. He has been playing since he was a teenager and has played / recorded pop and classical music. He also gives masters level classes on the bass.
"My goal since the early days was to play with Ritchie Blackmore, a dream that materialized after many, many years of trying really hard to get in touch with the man. With him, I did lots of tours worldwide and participated in some of his recordings and videos. While I was in Ritchie's band I recorded my first solo album, a mostly Classical CD called Ostinato, using nothing but bass guitars on compositions by Bach, Mozart, Chopin and some of my own (you can listen and download it from Mick Cervino's MySpace). In 2001 I joined Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, toured around the world [and] participated on the 2003 G-3 Tour with Yngwie, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai."
These days he plays in Violent Storm, a rock / metal project. Cervino says it is a traditional rock record with a contemporary feel. Unsurprisingly, it is built around the bass but not at the expense of the other instruments and vocals. Their first recording, Storm Warning has been released in the North America, Europe and Japan.
"The album features K.K. Downing from Judas Priest and Yngwie Malmsteen on two guitar solos each. K.K. also was the executive producer on the CD and Roy Z did the final mix," says Cervino. "We performed in Europe on the same bill with Motley Crue and Danny Vaughn, and preparations are on the works to tour South America, Europe and the US towards the end of 2008 and through 2009."
Cervino uses a Spector Euro 4LX bass.
"These are top of the line basses that have been around for a very long time. As far as I am concerned, they are the most comfortable, best sounding and coolest looking basses in the world." he says. "The Euro 4LX comes with EMG P/J active pick ups, gold plated hardware with Spector brass zinc alloy locking bridge, Schaller tuners and straplocks. Can't get much better than that."
His first bass was a Faim, made in Argentina. That bass wound up sold to a friend who, years later, wound up in one of Argentina's most popular rock bands -- Soda Stereo.
"Then I had a Fender Jazz Bass. I was in love with that bass, but in time I grew a bit bored of it. I had put a pick guard with the UK flag before I joined Ritchie Blackmore's Renaissance band, so he asked me to use an Alvarez acoustic bass instead, because mine looked 'Too Rock & Roll!', adding that 'They didn't have those in the fifteen hundreds'. Needless to say, in the 1500s, they didn't have electronic drums either," says Cervino.
He also adds that in the Middle Ages there was also a dearth of "semi acoustic Telecasters with guitar synths, electronic keyboards and other instruments used in Renaissance."
"But I guess it was crucial that the bass didn't look 'too rock & roll,' so I went and got a couple of Warwick basses, which, even though they were woody looking, still looked 'too rock & roll' for you know who," says Cervino. "After a while I spotted the Spector booth at a NAMM show in LA, went there, tried them out and that was it. I found the bass I was looking for."
"I have been using Gallien-Krueger bass amps for the longest time. Currently I use the 1001 RB-II model, which provides me with all the power I need and more. It's 700 watts are plenty to use multiple cabinets and fill any venue with plenty of big bottom!" he says. "For cabinets I use Gallien-Kruegers 8/10 BLXs and / or 4/10BLXs or RBHs, depending of the size of the venue. In the past I've used Ampegs, Acoustics and even Marshalls, both amps and cabinets, but I prefer GK over all of them."
When asked what amp he would recommend for the bassist who is just starting to play seriously, he once again singles out Gallien-Krueger.
"Once you're past the beginning level, if you're contemplating having a professional sound to be noticed and be ahead of the competition, it is essential to invest in proper equipment," he says. "GK has some great combos, like the Backline 210 or 115, for relatively small venues. They may cost a bit more than the cheaper brands out there, but you know you'll have a very reliable product that you can count on for a very long time."
Cervino uses some effects on his bass when he plays -- a variety -- and he is open to finding new pedals as well.
"I use a Whammy by DigiTech, especially for certain bass solos or bass lines that require a more intricate sound. I also use a Diesel Dawg and a Gallien-Krueger distortion pedal for bass for more aggressive, loud and explosive bass solos," he says "I am also becoming reacquainted with some bass pedals and effects made by Rocktron. They were lost soon after I got them a couple of years ago and they recently reappeared, and they are great! They are the Black Cat, a wah wah with a moan effect, a digital bass preamp for the stage and studio and a MIDI foot controller. I've just began experimenting with these last two, but it looks like I'll have plenty of use for them pretty soon for live performances and for Violent Storm's next studio album."
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