Amos Heller

Mentioned in this August 4, 2013 Seymour Duncan blog interview. It is also mentioned in this June 15, 2014 Premier Guitar interview.

Seymour Duncan

Tell me about your current tour set up?

I run three different signals, all direct. Signal #1 is a direct line off of my Shure wireless. Line #2 is the mighty Avalon U5. Line #3 runs through the pedalboard, which currently features a Radial distortion and an old purple Ibanez chorus (for the song “Holy Ground”) and into an active Radial DI. I have an Xotic Effects RC Bass Boost that stays on all night. I’m proud to be endorsed by Fender bass guitars. The current arsenal is a ’62 Reissue Precision, an American Standard Precision with the Seymour Duncan SMB-5A humbucker pickup added in the bridge position, a Gretsch Broadkaster, A Fender Cabronita (a new, precision-style single pickup bass) and a ’71 Orlando. I use Fender nickel bass strings.

Premier Guitar

Amos remains a bass gear junkie, constantly searching for new tones and sonic toys. He takes a straight-ahead approach to his tone, relying on great basses as opposed to lots of outboard gear. A proud Fender endorsee, Amos used his ’62 RI Precision (loaded with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders) on almost everything during the last U.S. tour, though he also carried a Cabronita P-bass and a Dimension 5 for extended range. His one “quirky” bass, a ’71 Orlando, also sees some use. His pedalboard is modest: an Xotic Bass RC Booster, a Radial Classic Tube Distortion, and an ancient Ibanez chorus, all controlled by tech Steve Uncapher. With no amps on stage, Amos runs it all through an Avalon U5 preamp.

Featured in this April 29, 2019 Yamaha Guitars Facebook video.

Amos took some time to talk to us about his relationship with the BB range and how his BBP35 suits his playing style and the huge venues that he plays with Taylor Swift.

Featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 47:44.

Mentioned in this August 4, 2013 Seymour Duncan blog interview.

Tell me about your current tour set up?

I run three different signals, all direct. Signal #1 is a direct line off of my Shure wireless. Line #2 is the mighty Avalon U5. Line #3 runs through the pedalboard, which currently features a Radial distortion and an old purple Ibanez chorus (for the song “Holy Ground”) and into an active Radial DI. I have an Xotic Effects RC Bass Boost that stays on all night. I’m proud to be endorsed by Fender bass guitars. The current arsenal is a ’62 Reissue Precision, an American Standard Precision with the Seymour Duncan SMB-5A humbucker pickup added in the bridge position, a Gretsch Broadkaster, A Fender Cabronita (a new, precision-style single pickup bass) and a ’71 Orlando. I use Fender nickel bass strings.

Mentioned in this August 4, 2013 Seymour Duncan blog interview. It is also mentioned in this June 15, 2014 Premier Guitar interview and featured in this May 12, 2013 Twitter post.

Seymour Duncan

Tell me about your current tour set up?

I run three different signals, all direct. Signal #1 is a direct line off of my Shure wireless. Line #2 is the mighty Avalon U5. Line #3 runs through the pedalboard, which currently features a Radial distortion and an old purple Ibanez chorus (for the song “Holy Ground”) and into an active Radial DI. I have an Xotic Effects RC Bass Boost that stays on all night. I’m proud to be endorsed by Fender bass guitars. The current arsenal is a ’62 Reissue Precision, an American Standard Precision with the Seymour Duncan SMB-5A humbucker pickup added in the bridge position, a Gretsch Broadkaster, A Fender Cabronita (a new, precision-style single pickup bass) and a ’71 Orlando. I use Fender nickel bass strings.

Twitter, @amosjheller

Big thanks to @Fender for the #Cabronita P bass! A welcome addition to the arsenal. Look for it on the #REDtour

Premier Guitar

Amos remains a bass gear junkie, constantly searching for new tones and sonic toys. He takes a straight-ahead approach to his tone, relying on great basses as opposed to lots of outboard gear. A proud Fender endorsee, Amos used his ’62 RI Precision (loaded with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders) on almost everything during the last U.S. tour, though he also carried a Cabronita P-bass and a Dimension 5 for extended range. His one “quirky” bass, a ’71 Orlando, also sees some use. His pedalboard is modest: an Xotic Bass RC Booster, a Radial Classic Tube Distortion, and an ancient Ibanez chorus, all controlled by tech Steve Uncapher. With no amps on stage, Amos runs it all through an Avalon U5 preamp.

Mentioned in this August 4, 2013 Seymour Duncan blog interview.

Tell me about your current tour set up?

I run three different signals, all direct. Signal #1 is a direct line off of my Shure wireless. Line #2 is the mighty Avalon U5. Line #3 runs through the pedalboard, which currently features a Radial distortion and an old purple Ibanez chorus (for the song “Holy Ground”) and into an active Radial DI. I have an Xotic Effects RC Bass Boost that stays on all night. I’m proud to be endorsed by Fender bass guitars. The current arsenal is a ’62 Reissue Precision, an American Standard Precision with the Seymour Duncan SMB-5A humbucker pickup added in the bridge position, a Gretsch Broadkaster, A Fender Cabronita (a new, precision-style single pickup bass) and a ’71 Orlando. I use Fender nickel bass strings.

Featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 45:16. Its name is erroneously attributed to a BB425X at 47:44.

Featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 49:43.

Featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 53:21.

Featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 54:46.

Featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 58:19.

Mentioned in this June 15, 2014 Premier Guitar interview. It is featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 42:34.

Amos remains a bass gear junkie, constantly searching for new tones and sonic toys. He takes a straight-ahead approach to his tone, relying on great basses as opposed to lots of outboard gear. A proud Fender endorsee, Amos used his ’62 RI Precision (loaded with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders) on almost everything during the last U.S. tour, though he also carried a Cabronita P-bass and a Dimension 5 for extended range. His one “quirky” bass, a ’71 Orlando, also sees some use. His pedalboard is modest: an Xotic Bass RC Booster, a Radial Classic Tube Distortion, and an ancient Ibanez chorus, all controlled by tech Steve Uncapher. With no amps on stage, Amos runs it all through an Avalon U5 preamp.

Featured in News & Record articles dated October 18 and October 22 of 2015.

October 18

As Swift’s bass guitarist for eight years, Heller uses several guitars on stage. He added the Roscoe Century Standard Plus 5J, a five-string bass, in June to play “Love Story” and “Style.”

Heller needs a guitar that he can start playing quickly on stage, without a lot of adjustments. His Roscoe bass does that, he said.

When he first tried it, “It knocked me out right away,” Heller said from his Nashville home.

He compliments the guitar with the flame maple top, body of alder wood, satin tobacco sunburst finish and maple fingerboard.

“The thing I like so much about the Roscoe,” Heller said, “is this excellent marriage of these beautiful aesthetic appointments and this overall attention to detail, but it balances very well when you strap it on; it’s extremely comfortable to play. It’s got a very versatile palette of tones at your disposal, but they are very easy to get to.”

He liked it so much that Roscoe made him another, a customized Century Signature 4 with a buckeye burl top, alder body and Bolivian rosewood fingerboard.

Heller said he plans to pick it up before Wednesday’s concert and play it that night.

October 22

Swift's bass guitarist, Amos Heller, performed a few songs on two guitars made by Roscoe Guitars in Greensboro.

Before the concert, Heller picked up his new one - a customized Century Signature 4 with a buckeye burl top, alder body and Bolivian rosewood fingerboard.

"Wow, what a multi-media sensation overload," Roscoe said about the concert. "And we played our little part, too. There was Amos belting out the bass part with his new Roscoe bass."

As Swift’s bass guitarist for eight years, Heller uses several guitars on stage. He added the Roscoe Century Standard Plus 5J, a five-string bass, in June. He liked it so much that Roscoe made him another.

Featured in News & Record articles dated October 18 and October 22 of 2015.

October 18

As Swift’s bass guitarist for eight years, Heller uses several guitars on stage. He added the Roscoe Century Standard Plus 5J, a five-string bass, in June to play “Love Story” and “Style.”

Heller needs a guitar that he can start playing quickly on stage, without a lot of adjustments. His Roscoe bass does that, he said.

When he first tried it, “It knocked me out right away,” Heller said from his Nashville home.

He compliments the guitar with the flame maple top, body of alder wood, satin tobacco sunburst finish and maple fingerboard.

“The thing I like so much about the Roscoe,” Heller said, “is this excellent marriage of these beautiful aesthetic appointments and this overall attention to detail, but it balances very well when you strap it on; it’s extremely comfortable to play. It’s got a very versatile palette of tones at your disposal, but they are very easy to get to.”

He liked it so much that Roscoe made him another, a customized Century Signature 4 with a buckeye burl top, alder body and Bolivian rosewood fingerboard.

Heller said he plans to pick it up before Wednesday’s concert and play it that night.

October 22

Swift's bass guitarist, Amos Heller, performed a few songs on two guitars made by Roscoe Guitars in Greensboro.

Before the concert, Heller picked up his new one - a customized Century Signature 4 with a buckeye burl top, alder body and Bolivian rosewood fingerboard.

"Wow, what a multi-media sensation overload," Roscoe said about the concert. "And we played our little part, too. There was Amos belting out the bass part with his new Roscoe bass."

As Swift’s bass guitarist for eight years, Heller uses several guitars on stage. He added the Roscoe Century Standard Plus 5J, a five-string bass, in June. He liked it so much that Roscoe made him another.

In a September 15, 2016 interview with Produce Like A Pro, Amos Heller discusses his use of the Aria 1930 bass guitar at the 38:58 mark. Additionally, his gear preferences and setups have been detailed in earlier interviews, including an August 4, 2013 feature on Seymour Duncan's blog and a June 15, 2014 article in Premier Guitar.

Two (one in black, one in white) are featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 48:20.

Custom-made for Heller, containing an Aguilar OBP. It is featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 50:43.

Featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 52:20.

A prototype was gifted to Heller during a trip to Japan. It is featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 56:04.

Custom-designed through the American Design Experience. It is featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 1:00:46.

Featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 1:01:42.

Featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 1:03:59.

Featured in this September 15, 2016 Produce Like A Pro interview at 1:04:56.

In the attached video, Amos is doing a demo of the Acinonyx, with many of his basses in the background behind him.