MY FAVORITE AXE
with Chris Wyse
Chris Wyse is the frontman and bass player in Owl, the rock band whose third album – the propulsive and powerful Things You Can’t See, dropped on July 28th. Chris is also the bass player for former lead guitarist and founding member of KISS, Ace Frehley, and was the bass player in seminal rock outfit The Cult for a decade.
MAKE & MODEL
My “bastard” Fender Precision Bass with a ’54 neck and ’95 body.
WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU
It’s my number one bass and always wins in the studio. While recording Ace Frehely’s Space Invader, Ace said, “Chris, you should leave this one home for the studio and local shows only.” So this one is special.
WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE
Super round, piano-like tone that allows me to do the tone-shaping with my fingers – like it should be.
SPECIAL FEATURES
It’s got a DiMarzio Jazz pickup as well as a Seymour Duncan “quarter pounder” pick-up. I also put a hip-shot on it for quick Drop D tuning.
CAN BE HEARD ON
Owl: self-titled debut; The Right Thing; Things You Can’t See
Ozzy Osbourne – Under Cover; Prince of Darkness box set
Cult – Choice of Weapon; Born into This; Beyond Good and Evil; Live at Irving Plaza
Tal Bachman – self-titled debut
Ace Frehley – Space Invader
LISTEN NOW at www.owltheband.net and check out Owl’s Things You Can’t See album teaser below:
Got a favorite instrument you’d like to share? Email us at editorial@performermag.com.
photo by Andy Buchanan