Bergantino Artist Donny Benet

Donny Benet is a third-generation musician, Donny moved to Sydney in 2000 to study jazz double bass at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with renowned teacher Craig Scott. Paying his dues, Donny honed his skills playing with Australian jazz masters Mike Nock, Bernie McGann, and Vince Jones whilst being on the forefront of jazz as a member of the band Triosk.

After 10 years of performing both in Australia and throughout the world, a chance to encounter at a vintage synthesizer shop in Tokyo led Donny to purchasing his first drum machine, which reconnected him to his love of funk and electric bass.

The release of his first album Don’t Hold Back in 2011 led to the shift from jazz double bassist to solo artist and electric bass freelancer in the pop/indie scenes. The release of The Don in 2018 ignited Donny’s newfound and busy international career. Back-to-back sold out European, US and Australian tours, festival appearances and a fruitful writing period placed Donny in an excellent position to release his latest album Mr Experience in early 2020.

Donny recently toured in the USA and used the Bergantino forte HP2 and the NXT410C speaker cabinet.

“I was so so impressed with the portability, clear tone and power of the Bergantino forte HP2 and 410X Speaker cab whilst on tour this year. Gone are the days of killing your back for a huge sound – these guys deliver what I’m after”- Donny

 

Bergantino Audio Artist Mike Gordon

Mike Gordon is an American bass guitarist and vocalist most recognized as a founding member of the band Phish. In addition to bass, Gordon is an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano and guitar.

Bergantino Audio is proud to share that Mike Gordon’s Solo tour where he announced his New Solo Album ‘Flying Games’ that his amp choice for all solo tours is the new Bergantino Forte HP2.

Mike on the Forte HP2:

“Firstly, there is a clarity and immediacy that I sense, and on top of that there is a lot of punch. It’s almost a cliche, but that’s what we bassists seek a lot of the time – punch – and this has it. Moreover, there is a lot of control. It’s a good situation because there are a bunch of extra knobs to add things, and every knob I turn up makes it sound even better. Win win.” 

Please read this great interview we had with Mike: https://bergantino.com/bergantino-artist-mike-gordon/

Please follow Mike here:

https://www.instagram.com/mike_gordon/

https://www.facebook.com/mikehyphengordon

https://www.facebook.com/phish

Bergantino Artist Jeff Matz

Jeff Matz is proof there is still a place for nice guys in rock and roll. Don’t let his easy-going demeanor fool you, inside his body is a steady-state of simmering riffs and grooves just dying to get out. Jeff has been in the music industry for quite some time and we were lucky enough to virtually sit down with him, ask a few questions and hear what he and the band have been up to lately.

Click here for: Jeff Matz interview with Bergantino’s Lee Presgrave 

Jeff’s Bergantino Gear: The Forte HP2X, the Super Pre preamp pedal and NXT 212 (Neo X-Treme) speaker cabinet.

Bergantino Artist Karina Rykman

Bergantino Welcomes Karina Rykman! 

A lifelong Manhattanite diehard New Yorker, Bergantino welcomes new Artist Karina Rykman. Jim and Holly had the privilege of meeting Karina and her band in Boston to see her perform. She lights up a stage with her charismatic passion as a bass player and singer – a true powerhouse of joy and energy. On stage, she smiles from ear to ear, hopping, jumping, and dancing; the entire room overflowing with positivity! If you don’t know this titan-of-bass yet, you will soon enough. Karina’s JOYRIDE 2024 tour picks up this month with the debut her new album. We had the opportunity to ask Karina some questions about her career so far.

 

You have quite the career that began at a very young age. You have so much going on!! Can you share some of your musical path highlights you are most proud of?

Oh man, thank you! What a long, strange trip it’s been. I’m proud of still being so absolutely enthralled by music after playing in a million bands and finally ending up at this current juncture: being able to make my own music and tour under my own name. It just seems completely surreal – every gig, every recording…I’m on cloud 9 being able to continue to do this, and we’re just getting started. I’m extremely proud of being so young and being able to learn so much from Marco Benevento, without whom I’d be absolutely nowhere. Being put up to a large task with enormous shoes to fill, and stepping in even though I barely knew what I was doing at the time. Every gig with Marco is extremely special to me.

 

Tell us about your new album release Joyride and your 2024 tour.

Joyride is my debut record! It came out in August 2023, and we’ve been touring behind it nonstop ever since. You only make your first record once, and I’m so proud of this one – it’s fun, searing, lush, with chantable choruses and, of course, incredibly thick bass and infectious grooves. It was produced by Phish’s Trey Anastasio, who also contributes guitar parts to 5 of the 9 tunes.

What makes the bass so special to you particularly, and how did you gravitate towards it?

There’s nothing quite like feeling the subs rumbling under your feet in a venue, and being responsible for those sounds is thrilling. I played guitar first, at age 12, but essentially completely switched over to bass when I was 22 and got the gig playing bass with Marco Benevento. I haven’t looked back since, except for a few gigs on guitar here and there (notably in the house band on Late Night with Seth Meyers and on The Today Show backing up Julia Michaels).

 

People hate this question, but: If you were constructing your personal Bass Mt. Rushmore, who are the four players that would make the cut and why?

Geddy Lee, Cliff Burton, Bootsy Collins, Les Claypool. The list goes on and on, of course, but those four have imprinted their unique styles upon my brain since I was so young, and I’m perpetually learning from them – even in the case of the deceased Cliff (RIP), going back and watching Cliff ‘Em All videos is something I do all the time. Endlessly compelled by these four players and their original takes on the instrument.

 

How did you learn to play?

I never took lessons, but in middle school and high school I just surrounded myself with equally music-obsessed people. All we did was play music and go and see live music, which is wildly accessible when you grow up in New York City. I had a really tight-knit crew of amazing players as my friends, and everyone would teach each other riffs and licks. I was fearless – playing with people much better than me and saying “yes” to every cool opportunity that came my way. I essentially learned from playing in a million bands and playing along to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin records.

 

Karina is using the new NXT410-C speaker cabinet and the Bergantino forte HP2

Karina

Are there any other instruments you play?

I started on guitar, and still love to write on guitar. I can get around on keyboards a bit, but you’d never hire me as a keyboardist. Same goes for drums – I LOVE playing drums but you’d never hire me as a drummer.

 

Describe your playing style(s), tone, strengths and/or areas that can be improved on the bass.

I play both with a pick and my fingers, depending on the specific needs of / vibe of the tune. I love playing fuzz bass and writing bombastic “lead bass” moments, which are a staple of my live show. I’d say I’m about the least “traditional” bassist in just about every way – which is both a strength and a weakness depending on how you frame it. I play what I hear, what I like, and I adhere to very few rules. I’ve always hated rules, and I didn’t start playing rock n roll to follow them.

 

How did you find Bergantino Audio Systems?

I’m pals with Mike Gordon, bassist of Phish, and his tech is named Ed Grasmeyer. Ed suggested he bring Mike’s Bergantino for me to try out at a show I was playing in Vermont, and I fell instantly in love.

 

You have been using the Bergantino Forté HP2 head. How have you been setting the controls on this and what changes to those settings might you make as you plug into your other individual instruments?

I love my Forté HP2! The versatility and headroom are incredible, and I’ve been having a lot of fun dialing it in at home. The real fun will begin this weekend, when I take it out for 2.5 weeks of tour – dialing something in an apartment just isn’t the same as on a big stage with a PA and subs and all that good stuff. I like to roll my highs a bit and I keep “punch” on all the time. So far, it’s been a dream.

 

You are the inspiration behind Bergantino cab the new NXT410-C. Can you tell us more about this cab and your experience so far?

Firstly, I’m beyond touched to be the inspiration behind, well…anything! But this is truly insane, and such an honor. I love this cab. Not only is it light and extremely good looking, it can handle all my loudest, most abrasive and obnoxious effects. My old amp didn’t come close, and could just fart out or I’d ​have to turn down to appease it. I’m a big fan of playing at earth-shattering volumes, so this is going to be a match made in heaven. 

 

We all love your custom- made Goldie Hawn bass guitar! Can you share more with us about this bass design and why it is so special to you?

Thanks! That’s made by “Zeke Guitars” – it’s the second custom bass he’s made for me! He reached out in the summer of 2019 and asked what my dream bass would be, and I said it was basically my 1978 Fender P-Bass, but lighter, whiter, with Lindy Fralins, gold hardware, and shorter scale. And, well… he did exactly that! I love that bass so much. And the gold, which is refer to as Goldie Hawn, was born in December of 2022, and has the same specs. I just love it, it sounds amazing and looks, arguably, even better.

 

Jim and I were lucky to get to meet you in person when you came to Boston with the band. The members of the band are such a great group of people! Can you share more with all about the band and crew.

I’m so lucky to keep such incredible company. My bandmates, Adam November and Chris Corsico, are not only unbelievable musicians but also incredible humans. We just laugh and laugh, and we’re there for each other when the road gets tough or we’re exhausted or whatever life throws at us. It’s the joy of my life to get to tour the world with these guys. And the crew! That night was Connor Milton on sound and Nick Koski on lights – we have a rotating cast of people who fill those roles based on availability, and everyone who works for us are absolute consummate professionals and the sweetest humans. They are my team of experts and I just adore them so much. Shout out to Zach Rosenberg, Jeff Volckhausen, Dylan Hinds, Dom Chang, for being the best rotating crew a gal could ask for!

 

What else do you do besides music?

Not much! I love going to the beach! I love eating dinner!

 

Because I am a foodie, I always ask people what their favorite food is!

Oysters, caviar, sushi. I’m a raw bar fanatic.

At a very young age, Karina is a diligent hard worker. She juggles many balls managing her business and is savvy beyond her years. We are very happy to be working with Karina and are excited for her continued successes!

 

About Bergantino Audio Systems: Bergantino Audio Systems has been dedicated to developing and building the highest quality audio products and bass guitar amplification systems since 2001. Founder Jim Bergantino has worked in a number of fields in his career, from high-tech electrical engineering to the high-end professional audio world. After designing custom bass cabinets for many other leading brands, he started his own Bergantino Audio Systems. BAS has received numerous accolades within the musical instrument industry and continues to look forward via their designs and unique approach to developing products. https://bergantino.com

Follow Karina Rykman:

Website: https://www.karinarykman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinarykman/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/KarinaRykman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karinarykman/

Bergantino Artist Mike Watt

Mike on the forte HP: 

“My first thought was, This is it. I bought it right away and took it straight on tour with me. I didn’t sit around and test it. I didn’t take a lot of time to make decisions, and I didn’t let it sit in a petri dish to investigate it. I just put the damn thing to work right away. And you know what, it exceeded all of my expectations. All the soundmen at the venues were tripping out about it. They couldn’t believe the sound I was getting out of the damn thing. Now Bergantino amps are all that I play through. Jim is onto a good design. If it can survive Watt, it can survive anything. It’s called the Watt test. First of all, I do a lot of gigs in row. I’ll go out on the road and play 50-60 nights straight. Secondly, I don’t play gently. If gear can go through all of that and come out working on the other side, then it’s something, man.”

Mike on the Super Pre:

“Every bass sounds different, which is why we want different basses in the first place. Instead of making every bass sound the same, this box plays up the quality of the instrument and what makes it unique. I use the Super Pre every day. I’m building profiles for every bass I have that fits the qualities of each one.”

Bergantino Audio Systems is proud to welcome Mike Watt to our family of artists!

Mike was kind enough to share his time and interview with Bass Magazine Editor and Chief Jon D’Auria and Bergantino Artist Matthew Denis regarding his tour, bass career and gear.

Mikes interview:https://bassmagazine.com/mike-watt-extreme-wattage/

Mike Watts gear:

Bergantino forté HP, Bergantino Super Pre Bass Preamp, and the NXT212 speaker cabinet.

Please follow Mike:http://www.hootpage.com/

 

Bergantino Artist Dave Swift

Bergantino Audio Systems is honored and excited to welcome UK bassist, Dave Swift, to Bergantino’s endorsing artist roster. Starting with trombone as his first instrument at the age of 14, then picking up the bass a year later, Dave Swift has had an amazing musical journey and career. Consequently, he now has established himself as […]