A Steinberger XP2 which I use in my current Classic Rock project, Fossil Fuel. I love the design of these basses. The graphite neck is amazingly resonant, the body well balanced without a heavy head and tuning machines, and the Steinberger bridge a delight to tune. The XP2’s are not supposed to have active pickups, but somehow mine aquired powered EMGs and has a seriously punchy sound.

A good bass player must have superb timing and a good understanding of harmonic movement. I emphasise a warmup regimen that develops good technique, and playing along with a metronome or computer to develop consistency. We begin with the relatively simple basslines of Classic Rock and R&B tunes, and progress to the more demanding skills of improvising a bass part to jazz standards.