your question:

2022 Vincent

Hi Trevor—I've been listening to The Dreamers albums a lot & am thinking about your playing on the song Mow Mow specifically... I really love it. Is that line the result of improvising or are you sitting with the music ahead of time & working something out? Also, I play a Fender Jazz Bass that I've had since 2006 & it works for me—yet I remain haunted by the vintage fender potential. Any thoughts or advice on seeking out an older fender before spending the however many thousands of dollars?

my answer:

The way those records typically work is that a pretty simple chart is brought in; a melody, a chord progression and sometimes rhythmic instructions. It is then essentially interpreted as one would a jazz chart, with Zorn at the helm making decisions about orchestration and arrangement. In that tune there is no written bass line, I am following the chord progression and it is possible that the composer made suggestions about range and density.
I’m sort of a sucker for vintage gear, just because I think it’s cool. You can certainly find new models that sound great, but that’s really the point — find an instrument that has the sound and physical feel that you want. I have both new and vintage gear. I like it all. It’s pretty ridiculous how expensive old shit is.