Artist Spotlight :: Nol Taylor

Bio

What/Who inspired you to pick up your instrument?

My dad encouraged me to take up the bass once I showed interest. When I was first starting out, Paul McCartney was a big influence. The BEATLES Anthology had just come out, and I was really caught up in it. When I saw the video for "I Am The Walrus", I was officially hooked. The following summer, my dad purchased my first Rickenbacker bass, a Jetglo 1983 4003. I still have it, and nothing sounds like it, not even any other Ricky I've played. It's just unique. Over the years, I've been inspired by Chris Squire, Stanley Clarke, Royston Langdon, Roscoe Beck, Mick Quinn, and Jun Suzuki.

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

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself to pursue a degree in sound engineering, go to more shows (especially shows you're invited to), and trust the creative process when it comes to songwriting.

What keeps you excited about playing?

Being able to create something that no one has ever heard before, or something they haven't heard in a very long time, keeps me excited about playing. Being a musician streamer on Twitch is also something that excites me to play primarily because the music I create can be broadcast to a global audience simultaneously. On a personal level, going back to listen to rock and roll from the 70s, or jazz fusion from the 80s keeps the fire to play burning strong.

Desert Island 3 pedal pedalboard (not including tuner)

If I only had to pick three pedals, what would they be? That's easy. I would take my Rodenberg LDP Boost pedal, the HXStomp, and my Aguilar preamp. That essentially would make up my "Fly Rig" if I were traveling for a show/tour. The Rodenberg is the best pedal that I own. It just makes the magic happen. The HX stomp can do everything. I can build a board internally with it, or I can create amplifier rigs with cab simulation in it. The AG preamp is the same circuit that goes in the AG700 bass head. It's fully transparent and very clean. It's perfect for sculpting tone.

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

I don't really get into musical ruts, but I do find myself getting antsy when I'm working on one project, and I want to start another. I'll start to think that I'm taking too long on something and that I need to get a move on. When that happens, I force myself to get through what I'm working on. Being patient pays off. It also gives you time to reorganize thoughts and rework ideas.

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

Spacehog and Supergrass have been living rent-free in my head for over 30 years. They've been my go-to band through thick and thin. There have been other bands over the years that I've come to love, but Spacehog and Supergrass have always been a constant. Though the dynamics of both bands are vastly different from each other, they're brilliant songwriting sucks me in every time. I also really love Stanley Clarke. Every song is pure gold.

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

My go-to riff when I'm in a music shop is "Lopsy Lu".

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

I have a few basses and guitars that I cherish, and it would be impossible to choose just one. That said, the one above all, though, is my 1983 Rickenbacker 4003 Jetglo. It was my first bass. It's also the first bass I wrote songs on. I grew up playing it, and out of all of my basses, it's the easiest to play. I've owned several other Rickenbacker basses, and my old bass just feels best.

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

I have my eye on a few more basses. I'd like another Fender Roscoe Beck Artist Signature V. The one I currently own is new old stock, and it's signed by Roscoe, so I'd like to have a backup so that the signed one can be case queen. I'd like to try and find a Rickenbacker that plays similarly to my main one so that I can retire the old girl. An Alembic Orion is also on my radar.

Gear Breakdown

My basses run into an old Boss TU-2 that looks like it's been to every corner of the world, and it still works great. It's like an old workhorse. The TU-2 goes into an Origin Effects Cali76 compressor because I like the FET compression sound on certain basses. I don't use it for all of them, but it makes my Rickenbacker and my Fenders sound great. Out of the Cali76, the chain goes to a Dunlop Cry Baby Wah and then into a Frost Giant BIG FUZZ. This is Frost Giant's version of the Russian black Big Muff. From there, we go into a Line 6 HX Stomp for varying effects and to save space on the board. Out of the HX, we go into an Origin Effects Bass Rig: Super Vintage. On a separate board built specifically for my Alembic, I have a Rodenberg LDP GAS 707b Boost pedal. This is usually my always-on pedal. It's incredibly transparent. It's tonal magic, really. The chain then goes into an EBS BASS IQ, a simpleQ filter pedal for fun, funky solos. Out of that, we head into an EBS Octabass. Because my Alembic is tuned to tenor, the Octabass gives a little low end and a bit of a synth vibe. From there, we go back into the HX Stomp for some delay, reverb, and a little tube emulation. Finally, we go out to an Aguilar AG preamp and then into my Universal Audio VOLT 276. This two-board setup gives me the versatility I need to switch basses on the fly without having to dial in my sound all over again. I'm trying out the Rattlesnake Flex Patch Cable on the board and a Snake Head Rattlesnake cable on the bass. I couldn't be happier with the sounds I'm getting.

Bands / Projects

Nol Taylor Bass Player

Listen on Spotify

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