Legendary session bassist Leland "Lee" Sklar, with over 2,000 albums under his belt and collaborations that read like a Who's Who of the music industry, knows a thing or two about the business of music-making. While his reputation is as solid as the basslines he's laid down for Phil Collins to James Taylor, Sklar has learned over the years to adapt and stay on his toes. He told Ultimate Guitar that "you really have to be a chameleon" and "you can't get complacent when you're at this end of the business."
It isn't all just about being a musical chameleon, of course. Sometimes it's about understanding studio dynamics and the art of subtle persuasion. Sklar has been known to employ a clever ruse in the form of a 'producer's switch' on his custom Warwick Star Bass - a non-functioning switch that helps to placate producers looking for a new sound. He explained to Guitar World that it's "a placebo, but it's saved me a lot of grief in the studio".
Sklar's prowess isn't limited to smoke and mirrors; he's also fully embraced innovation, like the fan-fretting system on his signature Dingwall bass, which allows him to easily replace those deep, programmed synth-bass parts. "I had a friend who came by the house and played it before he looked at it, and he loved it. Then he looked at the frets and he couldn’t play it anymore! I got used to playing it in about five seconds," he shared with Guitar World. The unique design provides a level of comfort and sound quality that has solidified the Dingwall as his main touring bass.
This February, Sklar will be sharing his extensive knowledge and experience at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Los Angeles, alongside other rock veterans like Robby Krieger of The Doors and Skunk Baxter of The Doobie Brothers. According to Guitar World, attendees have a chance to learn directly from these icons through masterclasses and jam sessions. And they'll even get to strut their stuff on the Sunset Strip, with performances at the Viper Room and Whisky A Go Go.
