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Artist Spotlight :: Chris Volpini

Bio

Chris Volpini

After spending 11 years in the military, Chris Volpini decided to go all-in on his greatest passion... music. Since then, he has translated the skills he picked up during his time in service into a career as a professional bassist. From his home base in Pittsburgh, PA, he plays, records, and tours with numerous acts across the country he once served.

More recently, Chris has also become a key contributor to the Low End Lobster YouTube channel. A certified "gear nerd," he helps review bass gear and aids in channel development.

When he doesn't have a bass on his shoulder, Chris spends his time restoring classic cars, fishing, and (as he so eloquently puts it) doing "all types of ill sh**."

What/Who inspired you to pick up your instrument?

When I was about 12, I used to stay over at a friend's house who would have to go to his guitar lesson every Saturday. While he was doing that, I would wander around the music store. My cousin happened to work there, and he was the first to put a bass in my hands. The rest is history.

What piece of musical advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to the beginning of your musical journey?

Get out of your own head and look at the industry objectively.

What keeps you excited about playing?

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing like being on a stage playing. That said, I enjoy the leg work a great deal... lugging the equipment in and out, sitting around after soundcheck, the hustle with promoters... all of the best music-related stories I have to tell took place during those little instances that we often forget about in lieu of the stage high. Maybe my time in the military has taught me to "embrace the suck," but the suck is where some of my best memories have been made.

Desert Island 3 pedal pedalboard (not including tuner)

This is tough... I am going to go, Darkglass Vintage Microtubes, MXR Bass compressor, and Earthquaker Devices Spatial Delivery

When you find yourself in a musical rut, what techniques do you do to break out of it?

I do a couple of things. First, I will go on YouTube and write bass lines to singers doing acoustic videos. Also, I will completely rewrite a line I wrote for another project. Maybe I'll try a fretless or a different effect, or play it in a stripped-down manner. Boredom can be my downfall at times, and I find doing this keeps me engaged and keeps everything fresh.

Who is your favorite artist/band today? And who was your favorite artist/band ten years ago?

It changes every single day... I would say today that my favorite artist/band overall would be Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. I really bond with singers when I listen to music, and I think he brings a lot of honesty in his songs which is refreshing.

Ten years ago, it would have definitely been Dave Matthews Band. I was super into them. I still am, but my tastes have broadened quite a bit. As I got more into playing in many different genres, I grew to appreciate different bands. It was the Dave Matthews Band that opened my eyes musically because of how eclectic they were, so they are really important to my growth as a musician.

When you find yourself in a music store - what is your go-to riff when test drive gear?

It's this thing I wrote a long time ago. It's pretty Sanford & Song theme song-ish.

What is your most prized/cherished piece of gear? And why?

I have two that are very sentimental. First is a Boulder Creek acoustic bass. I used to be a part of a string company called MJC Ironworks. The owner was a dear friend who we lost to lung cancer. The last time I went to visit him, he gave me this Boulder Creek acoustic bass. I do videos with it time to time, but I will never gig it.

The next is a Warmoth 32 in scale build that I routed and assembled with my dad. He's never picked up an instrument in his life, but he knows everything about woodworking and circuitry. The body I got was an archtop, and we had to route for a flat pickup, so I was clueless. He knew exactly what to do, and it's a bass I use on every single recording I do. I will gig this one every once in a while, but it's rare.

What is the next big musical purchase you're hoping to save for?

Either another US Lakland or a Serek.

Gear Breakdown

Chris Volpini Gear

Basses:

I use Lakland 55-14s and Skyline 55-02s for 90% of my live shows. They fit any genre, are very quiet and sound good plugged into anything. I also have a Reverend Triad bass that I absolutely love (I am going to buy a second one). I also have custom builds from Burretone Guitars, Scar Guitars and Offbeat. For acoustics, I love my Warwick Rockbass Alien Pro Thinline and have an ESP TL-5 as a backup.

Amps:

I use a GK Legacy 800 410 combo for larger venues because its loud and build like an absolute tank. I love the Ampeg Rocket 210 for more intimate shows because it's very light has a very small footprint, and sounds great.

Pedals:

I change pedals around often, but I find Darkglass, Beetronics, Boss, MXR, and Earthquaker Devices put out the most consistently good products. Their construction is always top-notch and they always seem to be the exact sound I am looking for in whatever effect I am using

Rattlesnake Cables:

No matter what bass is on my shoulder, what amp is behind me, or what is on my pedal board, I use Rattlesnake Cables as the glue to put them all together. There are a lot of great companies out there making cables. What I feel sets Rattlesnake apart from the rest are the quality components, and high level of customer service. Hank is always quick to make whatever you need happen



Bands / Projects

Royce
Aristotle Jones
The Collective
Bonnie & the Mere Mortals
Lithium




Social Links




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Reviews on Google

Victoria Gentry
Victoria Gentry
12/14/2021
A friend bought me a rattlesnake cable for Christmas. I would never have thought to spend that kind of money on a cable for myself, but the quality is so good, I can’t have just one! I use rattlesnake cables for all my gigs now - they are my go-to.
Gary DeThomas
Gary DeThomas
6/24/2021
The customer service and communication was superior to most companies. They kept me informed about the product throughout the process. As for the product, it is the best guitar cord I have owned in more than 30 years of playing. The materials and construction are apparent immediately, when you see... Read
terrence dean
terrence dean
8/16/2021
Excellent! The best cables that I have ever owned. Materials and workmanship are top notch. I think that I have found a home for my cabling needs!!!
terrence dean
Victoria Gentry
12/14/2021
A friend bought me a rattlesnake cable for Christmas. I would never have thought to spend that kind of money on a cable for myself, but the quality is so good, I can’t have just one! I use rattlesnake cables for all my gigs now - they are my go-to.
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terrence dean
Gary DeThomas
6/24/2021
The customer service and communication was superior to most companies. They kept me informed about the product throughout the process. As for the product, it is the best guitar cord I have owned in more than 30 years of playing. The materials and construction are apparent immediately, when you see and hold the product. The cable performed exceptionally well, nothing but clean, clear sound. No interference, static or unwanted noise. This cable is a game changer!
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terrence dean
terrence dean
8/16/2021
Excellent! The best cables that I have ever owned. Materials and workmanship are top notch. I think that I have found a home for my cabling needs!!!
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