 Guitar
World
TED MAY
Downey, California
STYLE: Progressive Rock
INFLUENCES: Mel Schacher, Gary Thain, Andy
Fraser
MAIN BASS: 1969 Fender P-Bass
A
VETERAN OF many different types of bands, Ted May has toured
throughout the Midwest and South. performing everywhere from
clubs to outdoor concerts and large theaters. His sense that
he had to change his environment in order to advance his career
led Ted to relocate to L.A., where he studied advanced bass
techniques with former Racer X bassist John Alderete and established
himself, as a member of several bands, as a fixture on the
hard rock club circuit. Recently. he was awarded second place
in the “Best Bassist Of L.A.” contest, sponsored
by The Bass Centre and hard-rock radio station KNAC.
Ted recently released a cassette EP featuring his own high-energy
progressive rock compositions. which showcase his incredible
command of the bass. Using a wide variety of instruments.
Ted lays down a foundation of multi-tracked bass work, ala
Billy Sheehan, that uncannily like simulate keyboards and
guitar. Virtually any rock bassist would find this phenomenal
tape an inspiration.
Burrrn - Japan
“The Nineties bring a new era of techniques, styles
and equipment,” says Ted. “With the advent of
five and six string basses extending the range of our instruments,
and many companies making effects designed just for bass,
one of my goals is to bring the bass guitar into the spotlight,
not to replace lead guitar, but as an equal. My main goal,
however, is to join a national recording act.”
ADDRESS: 11932 Paramount Blvd. #14,
Downey,
CA, 90242
Screamer
Magazine
Contact:
Ted May, 11932 Paramount Blvd. #14, Downey, CA 90242, (310)923-2547.
PRODUCTION:
The sound quality is clear and free of a lot of external noise,
but the instruments seem to blend together. The vocals appear
to be there but aren’t really the focal point of the
tune as they should be. This is, however, easily corrected
in the mix. A little re-working on this side of things should
the tunes. The band as a unit is tight, and the tunes, although
similar, are held together well, in part due to the drummer,
but also because of the familiarity of the players
SONGWRiTING:
The songs are loud and strong, but they don’t explore
the virtuosity of the musicians. As I said earlier, there
is talent here. It lust needs to come out in the song and
the mix.
SUMMARY:
Ted May has attempted to reach out with his new approach at
the bass. His tapping and other melodic works are a treat
but often overshadowed by a poor mix.
 Guitar
for the Practicing Musician
NAME - TED MAY ADDRESS: 11932 Paramount Blvd, #14
INFLUENCES: Steve Harris, Billy Sheehan, Geddy Lee
EQUIPMENT: 1969 Fender P-bass with Jackson J-20 pickups; custom-built
rack with MIDI switching; custom-built cabinets; endorsed
by: Hip-Shot D-Tuners, Pearce preamps, Carvin power amps and
A.R.T signal processors
PERSONAL STATEMENT: Early in my career I studied for nine
months with top St. Louis bassist Paul Dugan. I later took
two years of music theory at a junior college and upon moving
to Los Angeles, studied advanced bass techniques with John
Alderete of Racer X. In 1990 1 took second place in the “Best
Bassist of L.A. contest” sponsored by The Bass Center
and
KNAC.
Screamer
Magazine - Sept. 1990
Ted took second place in the
Best Bassist Of L.A. contest and describes his style as “Iron
Maiden and Rush writing a tune, and then letting Billy Sheehan
play the solos.’ The guys good, certainly one of the
best I’ve ever heard!
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