CHRISTINE LANUSSE

QANTICE, GRORR

What was your way into bass? I got into bass playing for several reasons. I’m also a classical guitar player, and for me using a pick doesn’t feel comfortable – so I’m more attracted to fingerpicking on metal strings, whether on acoustic guitar or electric bass, than by electric guitar. The second reason is that I used to listen to the Beatles a lot in the car with my parents as a kid; I really liked singing the bass-lines in my head. It was fascinating for me to listen to something which the whole tune was relying on. The third and real reason is that a local band needed a bass player. My first bass was a Samick – my parents and family helped me to buy it, and I can never thank them enough for this.

What bass gear do you currently use?

I play a multiscale Strandberg bass with Nordstrand Zenblades and preamp. I was lucky enough to try the Boden prototype back in 2016 – I’m so glad Ola Strandberg trusted me enough to send the bass over for me to test it. The Endurneck allows me to play effortlessly for hours. I also have a custom Elkine six-string with a BenedettiMercadal bridge pickup and EMG HZ neck pickup, and a Mion Elione short-scale five-string headless with Benedetti-Mercadal pickups and a Darkglass Tone Capsule. Effects are a Two Notes Torpedo CAB and a Darkglass Super Symmetry compressor, and amps are an Aguilar AG 500 and an Ampeg 8x10 cab.

What’s the best advice you can give us about playing bass? Listen to the music you’re playing. Take care of yourself – your hands, back and mind. Play for yourself first and then other people will like it too.

Who is, or was, the greatest bass player ever?

The world is full of amazing musicians who play very different kinds of music, so I don’t have an answer for that, but my bass heroes are Chris Squire, Stanley Clarke, Mike Porcaro, Or Lubianiker and Michael Manring.

What are your current projects?

Qantice is a power prog-metal band with some Celtic and classical music influences. The band has three albums: the latest came out in 2019 and I recorded the bass on that one. Grorr is a more aggressive djent-sounding band with traditional Asian influences: I played on their fourth album. I’m also working on my own instrumental tunes with Sébastien Moulia on drums. I play the bass and classical guitar.

Instagram: @christinethefrenchie