• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Theory in 300
  • Bass Essentials Series
  • Lessons and Tips
  • Interviews
  • Gear Guides

Smart Bass Guitar

Opinion and Analysis in Bass Guitar

I’m Michael Manring And This Is How I Play

Last Updated: August 21, 2022 by Mike Emiliani

michael manring bass player 2016 Solo bass guitar is becoming more popular in recent years. Bass players are feeling more empowered than ever to move bass guitar from a supportive into a lead role, taking the spotlight. One of the biggest names that continues to draw praise and admiration for his technical and compositional skills has been Michael Manring.

Praised by many as one of the most progressive minds in bass guitar, pushing the limits of the instrument and what is musically possible, Michael Manring has been hailed as one of the world’s most distinguished solo bass players. A student of the late Jaco Pastorius, Michael’s music and compositional style share bear resemblance to his former teacher’s; there’s a similarly captivating quality to each. Both bassists have been masters of thoughtful, detailed composition relying not on a flurry of notes and technical prowess, but incorporating mood, feel and texture in a way that few can really emulate. The result is a sound that, at times, one may forget comes from a bass guitar.

But make no mistake – Michael is his own musician with a sound, style and feel uniquely his own. Imitated by many, but never replicated.

I had a chance to reach out to Michael to see if he would like to participate in the ongoing How I Play series and he agreed.

Get to know Michael Manring in this edition of How I Play

Where Are You Currently Located?

I live in Oakland, CA, but I travel a good bit.

What Is Your Current Gig?

I do solo bass concerts and recordings, as well as freelance work. I also currently play in a bass trio called 3 Below.

What Is One Word That Describes Your Playing?

Actually, I don’t think words are very good at describing music!

What Is Your Current Setup and What Is Your Favorite Piece Of Gear At The Moment?

I have three main basses I travel with:

  • My signature Zon Michael Manring Hyperbass
  • Zon Sonus Elite Special 4
  • Zon VB-4

michael manring bass player mexico city rig 2016From there the signal goes to a Roland VB99 which I control with the Keith McMillen Softstep and two expression pedals.

I use different amplifier setups depending on the musical situation I’m in, all made by the Markbass family of companies. I’ll attach a photo of my set up from a recent gig in Mexico City where I used a stereo setup of two Markbass Little Mark III heads and two Traveler 102P cabinets.

I use D’Addario strings, Bartolini pickups, the EBow, Tsunami cables and Ultimate Ears UE-11 Pro in-ear monitors.

Picking a favorite piece of gear is difficult, but I’d be lost without my instruments, so perhaps I’d better say my Zon Sonus bass!

What Is One Thing You Could Not Live Without?

Yoga.

What Is Your Practice Space Like?

That’s a good question, because I find it beneficial to change my practice space from time to time. Something about changing the practice environment seems to help me prepare for the many different kinds of playing situations I find myself in as a hard-working musician.

When I’m home I like to move to a different room in my house every few days. Sometimes I’ll practice through my live rig, sometimes through my studio monitors, and sometimes in the kitchen with headphones! When I’m on the road I use down time in airports, train stations, hotels, etc., to put in a little extra shed time.

However, I love my Ultimate Ear UE-11 in-ear monitors and that’s my favorite thing to practice through these days.

What Album Are You Currently Listening To?

Scarlatti Sonatas/Sergei Babayan

What Book Are You Currently Reading?

The Riverside Shakespeare Complete Works

I’d Love To See _____ Answer These Questions

Kaushiki Chakraborty

What’s The Best Piece of Advice You’ve Ever Received?

“The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao

The name that can be named is not the eternal name”

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Follow Mike
Mike Emiliani
Mike Emiliani is the founder of Smart Bass Guitar. When he's not writing, he can be found playing bass, producing music, studying business and watching basketball.
Follow Mike
Latest posts by Mike Emiliani (see all)
  • How to Set up a Pedal Board for Bassists - June 16, 2021
  • The Best Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide You’ll Ever See [INFOGRAPHIC] - April 24, 2020
  • The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Everything About Bass Guitar Strings - March 20, 2020

Filed Under: How I Play Tagged With: michael manring bass, michael manring bass guitar, michael manring hyperbass, michael manring zon

Primary Sidebar

Welcome To Smart Bass Guitar

Smart Bass Guitar is an online bass guitar blog & publication. Send all love, hate, and fan mail to [email protected]

This page may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission on purchases you make through those.

Popular Posts

Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide

The Best Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide You’ll Ever See [INFOGRAPHIC]

beatles together

Broken Down: 10 Must-Know Paul McCartney Bass Lines

The Alberto Rigoni Interview: “My Rule is…There Is No Rule in Music”

practicing music

Practice Routine: Quality Over Quantity

massive attack

9 Easy Bass Lines for Beginners You Won’t Find in a Book

Join The Conversation

  • Preston Zwanzig on I’m Rudy Sarzo and This is How I Play
  • Skwid Wurd on Broken Down: 10 Must-Know Paul McCartney Bass Lines
  • Nick on The Best Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide You’ll Ever See [INFOGRAPHIC]
  • Jeff Dahlin on The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Everything About Bass Guitar Strings
  • Tony Casas on The Best Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide You’ll Ever See [INFOGRAPHIC]
effect pedal guide for bass resource
practice routine for bass guitar
bass guitar strings guide

Footer

Search

Disclaimer

We are a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Say Hi!

Love the new re-design? Hate the new re-design? Got some general questions about bass guitar? Shoot me a line at [email protected].

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework