Artist Spotlight :: Hiram Mariner

Bio

I started playing covers in southeast Texas honkytonks at 16. I played in a few projects until I was 24. After a nearly 15 year layoff from music, I dove into the Missoula scene headfirst - playing in several projects, radio DJing, running a successful residency series, and helping to promote and connect musicians with multiple venues and with one another.

Being a musician is being able to connect with the audience, your bandmates, and yourself. You are serving the music as much as you are serving the scene.

I love being a bassist. I love being in a band and being a part of something larger than myself. I hope to be a positive influence on the Missoula music scene and all those I am fortunate enough to associate with and (hopefully) impact.

What/Who inspired you to pick up your instrument?

After a football injury in high school, I recognized quickly the group of people I wanted to be a part of - the musicians. I wasn't a band before I knew how to play the bass. I guitar player gave me my lines and we started gigging.

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

I wish I had a solid foundation to begin with. At the right age of 42, I am constantly learning everyday. If you can, grab a mentor, take a theory course, learn your fretboard, and play as much as you can - hopefully, with other people.

What keeps you excited about playing?

The bands. I love being in a band and pride myself on being a good bandmate. Performing is good for my soul and I need to do it as often as I can.

Desert Island 3 pedal pedalboard (not including tuner)

The Ampero does everything I could want. As individual effects though, an all-in-one preamp (w/ compression), a chorus pedal, and an envelope filter.

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

Playing with friends, playing along to old recordings, reading musical biographies of my favorite artists, and watching music documentaries.

Who is your favorite artist/band today? And who was your favorite artist/band 10 years ago?

This is a tough question. I love so many bands today, but 10 years ago, it was easily Pearl Jam. I grew up with them and they will always have a place in my heart. These days there is a 10-way tie between the incredible Missoula artists that play out nearly every day. Please go support them!

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

Just like any bass player - Under Pressure, Ramble On, Schism, and the bass solo to Aeroplane.

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

My 1989 Peavey Fury. I won an eBay auction for 150 bucks and I've been playing this thing since. I will put a vintage US Peavey up against a Fender any day of the week.

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

Not one big purchase, but a bunch of little ones. I love to experiment with all of the low cost pedals that are coming out these days.

Gear Breakdown

Those that know me, know me as a true gear head. I love buying, selling, and trading gear. I have used so many effects and bass guitars throughout the last few years, that I believe I may have tried them all.

With a newborn at home, I knew I had to downsize considerably. Previously, I was all Aguilar all the time. Big 12-in cabs and I would rotate between a US music man Sterling and my go-to player - a 1989 Peavey Fury.

I've sold nearly all my basses except for the Fury and a 1992 Peavey Foundation. I do dabble with a ukulele base from time to time. As for effects, I have always kept two boards - one for Jupiter Beat and the other for more traditional projects.

I feel content with my minimal setup these days. I've gone the FRFR route and, on the main board, use only a Hotone Ampero and a Source Audio C4 synth pedal.

If I can't get what I need from these two workhorses, I don't need it. I use a Tech 21 Power Engine Double Deuce 12" cab for a big stage and a small head rush 8-in speaker for the small stage. My plug my bass directly into the PA and usually speakers simply for monitoring. The load is light, the sound is full, and I love it. My small board is a Moen preamp/cab sim pedal, tuner, and I rotate out different effects from time to time. However, I mostly stick to the preamp pedal - It has EQ, overdrive, compression, and a sweet sounding cab sim. It seems to be more than enough. Everything I own is anchored and routed with Rattlesnake cables - I own so many different sized patch cables, XLR cables, TS and TRS cables.

Bands / Projects

Social Links

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All you need to do is contact us and we'll direct you to our submission form. If your submission is approved, it will be in the queue to be showcased!