Esperanza Spalding

Mentioned in this March 9, 2012 Premier Guitar interview. It can also be seen in this video of Spalding’s December 11, 2009 performance at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

Which instruments are you mostly playing these days?

For electrics, I’m playing a Fender Jaco Pastorius Jazz bass and a Godin A5 Semi- Acoustic 5-string, which has an L.R. Baggs undersaddle ribbon transducer. The Godin is really cool—it just sounds beautiful. It was different for them, and different for me, so they encouraged me to experiment with it.

In an interview with Premier Guitar, Esperanza Spalding discusses her use of the Fender Jazz Jaco Pastorius Signature fretless bass.

This bass was custom made for Spalding and is the only one of its kind.

"Esperanza Spalding's Gear

Basses * Simon Propert South Paw 5-string fretless (with a Bartolini 5-string Music Man Stingray pickup) * Fender Jaco Pastorius Jazz Bass (fretless 4-string)

Amps * Ampeg SVT-4PRO * Ampeg PN-410HLF cab

Strings and Picks * Fender 9050M Stainless Steel Flatwound Long Scale (.055-.105)"

Can be seen on many photos with a black american standard jazz bass

Visible in this photo of Spalding.

see pedalboard at 11:45 in the video

Currently used on the Emily's D+ Evolution Tour

According to Premier Guitar, Spalding uses an SVT-4PRO.

According to Premier Guitar, Spalding uses a PN-410HLF.

In the Tiny Desk (Home) Concert episode by NPR Music, published on August 7th, 2024, Esperanza Spalding is seen using a Sennheiser MD 441-U microphone while performing alongside Milton Nascimento. The microphone is prominently visible throughout the video, with a clear view at the 6:40 timestamp. This performance was directed by Matheus Senra and recorded in Nascimento’s living room in Rio de Janeiro.