Preston Crump 'Gets Into The Groove' with Yamaha
Yamaha
Posted 2002-10-09
Aficionados of rap, Hip-Hop, R&B and jazz know the funky bass lines of Preston Crump. Crump has contributed music for some of today's top pop artists-Outkast, Goodie Mob, Mista, TLC, Escape, Envogue, Curtis Mayfield, Destiny's Child and most recently-Dr. Dre, Raphael Saadiq and Citizen Cope. Crump uses a Yamaha BB3000MA bass for touring, a BB1500A in the studio, and recently acquired a TRB6PII.
"I've always 'dabbled' with Yamaha basses," says Crump. "I had a Yamaha BB5000, which I used in the studio before I got my endorsement. I used a BBN5A on the road with Citizen Cope, and we toured that material in 2001 with Live and Hoobastank."
On the road, Crump performs his licks on the Yamaha BB3000MA bass. Designed in collaboration with rock bass legend Michael Anthony of Van Halen, the BB3000MA, with its solid wood body, fast neck and powerful pickups-tends to symbolize Crump's unique blend of the classical and the contemporary-the instrument and player become one. "The BB3000MA was the first bass that Yamaha customized for me," he notes. "I love the body style, the action and the playability, and it has a thick tome that helps me get my point across."
Crump, a Connecticut native, inherited his love of music from his father, who drummed in a local band. Receiving his first bass at sixteen and-influenced by guitar idols Bootsy Collins, Marcus Miller, Anthony Jackson, Rodney "Skeet" Jenkins and James Jamerson-Crump began to write, produce and perform songs, while attending Berklee College of Music.
"Music may require talent, but it's also a people business," notes Crump. "I learned that attitude plays an important part in this industry. During recording sessions, I like to give them what they want-and then add flavor. I'm definitely a groove player, so I have learned to absorb the music I'm playing-even if I don't 'feel' it."
Crump's bass playing can be heard on singles from recent albums-Citizen Cope's Citizen Cope, Raphael Saadiq's Instant Ventage, Dr. Dre's Chronic 2000 and OutKast's Stankonia. Crump-along with his Yamaha BB3000-is expanding his horizons by co-writing and producing these projects, with others currently in development.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Guitar Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com or www.yamaha.com/guitars.
