Brian Gibson (musician)

Brian Gibson
Background information
Born July 25, 1975
Origin Providence, Rhode Island
Genres Noise rock
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Bass guitar, drums
Labels Load
Associated acts Lightning Bolt, Wizardzz, Megasus Netmen

Brian Gibson (1975) is a musician and artist based out of Providence, Rhode Island. Gibson is best known as the bassist for the band Lightning Bolt. He is a lead artist working at video game company Harmonix, and is co-founder of the game developer Drool.

Sound

Brian Gibson is particularly known for his unique and complex set-up, tuning, and use of his bass guitar. The majority of Gibson's playing draws on fairly simple loops and major/minor chord structures, yet also employs more advanced guitar techniques, such as tapping. Gibson uses a high amount of distortion, feedback and effects. In juxtaposition to Chippendale's frenetic drums, Gibson's playing often acts as a rhythm section of sorts. With the use of his many effect pedals, Gibson often creates multiple layers of his own bass riffs. Due to the high level of distortion used, "lead" playing style, and high register tuning of his instrument, Gibson is often mistaken for a guitarist.

Equipment

According to Gibson, his bass guitar is set to standard cello tuning, in intervals of fifths (C G D A) with a banjo string for the high A (contrasted with the typical bass guitar tuning of E A D G). He used this four-string setup for several years, but has recently been using a five-string setup, tuned to C G D A E, with banjo strings for the A and E. The banjo string is also tuned down an octave.

Gibson also uses several effects pedals, including a bass whammy pedal (pitch shifter), an octaver, two overdrive pedals, and more recently a delay pedal. A complete list of equipment Gibson typically uses, in order, is:[1]

As of 2007, Gibson has added a Boss PW-10 Wah-wah pedal to his touring gear. In 2010, Gibson had a custom bass made by Holcomb guitars,[2] based on the Rickenbacker 4001 as used by Cliff Burton of Metallica, consisting extensively of maple wood for an 'aggressive sound'. The bass uses a Seymour Duncan SRB-1B pick-up and the five strings are fitted onto a four string neck, with 1/2" spacing to allow greater playing speed. In The Power of Salad DVD, Brian says his rig is rated to 3000 watts.

Selected Discography

References

  1. ↑ http://www.laserbeast.com/photos/052807/rendeiro-07.jpg
  2. ↑ Guitars, Holcomb (2010-11-02). "Holcomb Guitars: Brian Gibson". Holcombguitars.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-07-09.

External links