What eric mingus plays and sings through

The bass I play is an NS Design US5 electric upright bass. It is one of the earliest built basses of that series. It is the instrument all my recordings have been made on since I got it some ten years ago or so. I remember that day, it was delivered to David Gage's shop in New York City. May sound funny, but I didn't know it had five strings when I ordered it from NS Design. So I was a bit anxious about it, as up until then I only played an acoustic four string, but this bass really became the instrument of my musical voice on bass. It was the first electric upright that I played that I felt had its own presence. It wasn't trying to be an acoustic and it wasn't a fretless electric (though it can lean close to either tone if you mess with the knobs and switch). The arco response is what I love most. I haven't recorded this bass much that way, but I play it with a bow often.

When I play bass guitar, I play my Gibson SG EB3L an early seventies long scale model. It was the bass of my youth... CBGB's punk and ska... Still my favorite Rumble.

I play through Euphonic Audio's iAMP800 combo. This is a great amp. It covers the full range of the basses beautifully. The controls offer what seems like endless access to tones (I have found changing the tone can be more effective than turning it up).

Unfortunately I can't take the combo with me when I tour outside the US (hell just flying with my suitcase and my Bass is becoming a hassle). So the venues supply the amp. It's my opportunity to try what's out there. I have been enjoying the Ampeg SVTpro series amps I have played.

I have played guitar for years on my own recordings and soundtrack work. Guitar is the primary instrument for me when I compose, playing in public is more of a recent thing. Having worked alongside some amazing guitarists in my time, I didn't really see the point. With encouragement from Hubert Sumlin, I have begun to get out there and play a bit more guitar during my sets. I play a Gibson ES-335 and  Fender Telecaster.

As for my vocal mic, I prefer the Audix VX10. I find it suits my voice well. It's warm and responsive. Covers me from shout to soft falsetto.