Stew McKinsey profile picture

Stew McKinsey

Stew McKinsey, Subcontrabassist

About Me

Stew has been a musician most of his life and a professional for more than 20 years. Although he played a 4 string when he first picked up the instrument, he quickly shifted to a 5 for the added low range in 1987. When he began studying with Steve Bailey he saw the potential in the 6 string and made the change to that instrument in 1988. From the first moments he held and played it, though, he mused on the possibility of an instrument that went both higher and lower -- a single course 8 string. It took 10 years before he found someone willing to try his ideas and he has never looked back. Now he is known predominently for playing 8 and 10 string basses.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/31/2005
Band Website: subcontrabassist.com
Band Members: Stew McKinsey
Influences: Jaco Pastorius, John Paul Jones, Larry Graham, Jr., Percy Jones, Mark King, Louis Johnson, Mick Karn, Roberto Vally, Steuart Liebig, Chuck Rainey, James Jamerson
Sounds Like: Stew doesn't sound like anyone you know...
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Winter NAMM 2008

hey all, I don't want to whine or offer up excuses but the reason it's taken me so long to post this blog is twofold. first, I have been sick since the night I got home from NAMM. literally. a lot sic...
Posted by Stew McKinsey on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:42:00 PST

Lodo Bass Bash & Duke City Bass Jam (Part 2 - The Photos!!)

hey all, as promised here are some of the pics from Lodo and Duke City, which I meant to post a couple of weeks back. my apologies for the lag, but here are some of the things I have to reme...
Posted by Stew McKinsey on Sat, 01 Sep 2007 11:05:00 PST

Lodo Bass Bash & Duke City Bass Jam (Part 1)

hey all, because of the fact that photos and video are still being edited from the events, this will be nearly entirely "text only". sorry, but there were a lot of cameras of all sorts working during ...
Posted by Stew McKinsey on Sat, 11 Aug 2007 03:54:00 PST

on the road again (sorry, it had to be done)

hey all, tomorrow I head out to perform and teach at the Lodo Bass Bash and at the Duke City Bass Jam. much fun and much craziness! before I go I wanted to post some pics of recent developments in my ...
Posted by Stew McKinsey on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:05:00 PST

It's Taken A While...

... but here's the new blog! first, for anyone who hasn't hit it, please hit my Frequently Asked Questions blog entry. I am still getting gobs of email about stuff that I've answered already in not on...
Posted by Stew McKinsey on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 01:18:00 PST

Sara Benoy, Rock Star!

hey all,   just wanted to let you know that my good friend (and great bassist!) Sara Benoy will be featured on the instrumental equivalent of "American Idol". the show is called "America's Hot Mu...
Posted by Stew McKinsey on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 10:27:00 PST

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to speak of many things..."

alright, everybody, these are some of the things I get the most here at myspace... 1) How can I be a great musician? for most of us there is noo easy way. it's time, practice, gigging, recording,...
Posted by Stew McKinsey on Sat, 09 Dec 2006 02:03:00 PST

Bass Blog... Yes! Finally!

hey all, I think I've been pretty clear about how lucky a guy I am to have the friends I do, to live where I do and to have my current job. let me show you why. as regular blog readers know, I started...
Posted by Stew McKinsey on Sun, 22 Oct 2006 11:54:00 PST

The Nature of Things (not much about music, sorry)

so here it is, Saturday night and I'm home alone. no rehearsal. no gig. no date. no party. nothing crazy. just a nice homecooked meal, some great music and maybe a movie or two. later I might go for a...
Posted by Stew McKinsey on Sun, 15 Oct 2006 09:52:00 PST

More Stuff and Other Things

hey all, be warned right up front that this is not much about music. in fact if bass is mentioned it will be most likely by accident. actually, this may turn into something between a ramble and a rant...
Posted by Stew McKinsey on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 12:05:00 PST