Eden Artists & Users - Frank Scavone

Frank Scavone

Working the Bass Shift

Native New Yorker Frank Scavone has made his way through many interesting musical situations since his first encounter with a bass guitar at the age of 7. As the younger sibling of a bass player, Frank recalls taking the strings off of his brother's St. George bass on a nightly basis, and as you might think, that infuriated his older brother!

At such a young age, Frank remembers listening to the Beatles and for some reason, always honing into Paul McCartney's bass work. "I'm not sure why," he recalls, "I just instinctively separated the bass and the drums from everything else. I guess I was bass obsessed. I even pretended to play lefty!"

Over the years, Frank has proven to be one of the most in demand, solid and disciplined bassists on the NY scene - and has a full calendar to prove it. Freelancing and touring with many of NY's top bands from coast to coast has embedded his name with top musicians and producers. Frank has also established a consistent session schedule. Working with jingle houses as well as select recording studios, he is on his way to becoming a household name. Frank has also employed his own transportable PRO TOOLS rig, providing recordings for his own projects as well as worldwide Internet sessions.

As for education, after Frank bumped into Latin-Jazz great Lincoln Goines one afternoon, he recalls, "I was in Fodera and Lincoln walked in. I've always been a big fan of his, so when I saw him break out his bass I was in heaven! Man he shredded that thing! I got up some nerve and asked if I could take some lessons with him. He replied Sure, and long story short, we hooked up for some time and it was amazing...He was amazing. I really learned from him." Frank says that he also had the good fortune of meeting up with Bakithi Kumalo at a gig one night. Soon after, the two were hanging at his house, sitting in the driveway going over "Late in the Evening"! "We've been friends ever since."

While working primarily with "established" bands, Frank has also been incredibly fortunate to have been part of two great bands of his own. Mister Shifty is a three piece jam band that features guitarist/producer Teddy Kumpel and drummer (a.k.a. "Mr. Shifty") Matt Miller. This band's unique sound comes from it's innovative use of looping technology and vast experience mangling vintage tones. Mister Shifty effortlessly creates myriad textures that makes you think there must be a whole slew of musicians hiding backstage! Collectively, Mister Shifty members have jammed with artists as diverse as Rickie Lee Jones, Nine Inch Nails, David Grisman, Laura Branigan, Billy Martin, The Zen Tricksters, Tower of Power, Blood Sweat & Tears, The Supremes, India Arie, and The Spin Doctors among many others.

Franks labor of love is a band called Been There-Done That. "This band has every element you could ever ask for; great originals and covers--stuff you just love and want to play, and more then anything, great chemistry, and a rhythm section from hell! The passion comes from my dear friend and mentor, Frank Bellucci, by far one of the greatest drummers of our time. Bold statement, but like Jaco said, it ain't braggin' if you can deliver. I'll tell you, Frank delivers. I am proud to be standing next to him. It is an honor and a privilege. Did I mention that he makes me sound really good too?!?!"

Frank's current amp inventory consists of our WT800, a pair of D410XLT cabs, a pair of D112XLTs and a D210XLT. An Eden endorser since 2003, he still shares the same feeling about his gear; "Eden equipment is amazing. It's easy to use, easily expandable, has ample power, and a sound that is full and rich. I am always complimented on my tone and punch. My rig delivers! It's also extremely reliable. I dropped my amp-twice from at least four feet high and it never failed."