In a recent conversation with Bass Player, Troy Sanders of Mastodon shared his perspectives on playing bass for the renowned heavy rock band. Mastodon, which hails from Atlanta and was formed in 2000, has become a significant force in the music scene with eight albums to their name.
Sanders, known for his pocket playing and the occasional powerful chord, has developed a bass style that mirrors Mastodon’s distinctive sound. His technique involves a mix of tight fingerstyle playing, providing a solid foundation for the band’s music, and engaging with the guitar lines in a way that adds depth and counterpoint to their heavy riffs.
In his conversation with Bass Player, Sanders shared, “As the bass player in a heavily guitar-driven band, I don’t need to be in the spotlight any more than I already am. I try to get some feel when the time is right, but because we have two guitar wizards and a mountain range of a drummer, my role doesn’t usually need to be any more than just rocking out.”
Discussing the band’s vocal arrangements, Sanders noted the collaborative effort, stating, “We have a vocal tag-team between Brann, Brent and myself; we bounce ideas off each other to see what the strongest one is. Then it takes loads of practice and repetition, because playing bass and singing is a lot like rubbing your belly and patting your head. There are two different rhythms going on at once! I just try to be as tasteful as possible on the bass. Then I go into vocal mode.”
In 2023, Sanders collaborated with Fender to design a signature Precision Bass. He expressed particular fondness for a distinctive element of the design, stating, “My favorite feature is the worker bee icon on the back neck plate – which is inspired by Mastodon’s Remission album because it symbolizes our work ethic and dedication.”
On the topic of bass distortion, Sanders revealed his penchant for experimentation with different pedals, highlighting a few favorites that include the Tall Font Russian by Wren & Cuff and a classic Russian-made Big Muff. “I know it’s ridiculous that I still go to stores and want to buy pedals just to see what they sound like. On the other hand, it’s cool that the fire is still burning in me, that I still want to want to jam with my bandmates and that I look forward to writing new songs and going on tour. I hope that fire continues to burn.”
