Billy Sheehan: Tracking Bass & Interview - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro 

Now I know why he gets so much work. It's not just the obvious skills. He's a top bloke.

"that was just a rough take" ...better than 99% of "final" bass parts from other players. What a beast, what a pro.

Any virtuoso musicians should take a leaf out of Billy's book. He could play anyone one under the table and be a dick about it (like some guys i know) but instead he is 100% humble, listens to critique VERY well and adapts to suit the style. Less is more, and applying build up if the songs ramps up. A real session guy! someone i have always looked up to since i started bass in 1996

So much fun to see a real pro at work. "It's just a rough take" - other bassists would die for 😉

Dang it's nice playing with older, more mature musicians who are just human. You can converse, joke around, nail some tracks, compose together and find solutions. Great to be a fly on a wall here.

Billy is a fucking legend. The more interviews I see with him, the more I dig his attitude and his playing.

To be that talented and a master of his instrument, and still that humble, down-to-earth and approachable. What a great combination. Who doesn’t wanna be Billy Sheehan when they grow up? 😊

I think i like Billy Sheehan more each year...what a humble guy. Life goals. I love how he still practices like he hasnt "been there done that".

I like how he just does everything they ask. He just f*n does it. "Do this thing I want to hear you play." "OK." Ya f*n badass.

Billy Sheehan absolute phenomenal bassist. I've played bass religiously for over 40 years and still the bass is my love! Over the years there are very few bass players that capture and hook and I look to as an iconic bassist. Billy Sheehan is one of few favorites that I admire tremendously. Tight, tasteful, technical, and impeccable playing skill.

Thanks so much for taking us inside this session. I met Billy way back in '85, when I was at GIT. He was a really nice, humble guy. I have always respected his playing and work ethic. It's great to see him still kicking ass after all of these long years.

Talk about presence....Billy is SO focused, so present...100% serving the music. I love his intensity.💥❤️💥

It is really cool to see a legend on Bass being so down to Earth.

I guess there are 14 insecure jealous bass players who dislike this. That was outstanding. As a guitarists who records his own bass tracks I'm reminded what a real bassists sounds like.

So cool to hear someone in the business confirm what I have always felt to be true about playing the bass these last 45+ years.

Had the pleasure of meeting Billy in Australia, after a Vai gig. Was a very gracious, polite, and humble guy. He was genuinely excited to sign my old records of his that I had. When you have a rare chance to meet you heros, you can only hope that they are like Billy, a wonderful human being.

Great to see how dedicated Billy still is. And totally concentrated and enthousiastic. Thanks.

i really like that bass sound,so soft and warm but still clear

Seriously impressed with Billy's playing and professionalism. No nonsense with those tracks, no time wasting, just slamming it down super tight but with feels. Some musicians are just on a whole other level. What a delight to watch.

that bass tone is incredible

this video helps me a lot, and not in the "playing hability", but how you approach a recording session, always calm, always listening what other people are saying, taking care of what the music needs more than trying to be the "best ", and that mistakes are part of the process. thanks for the video and to billy for being an inspiration!

Why do I have a big smile the whole time I'm watching this and I'm not even a bass player? Awesome! Kudos to you sir and to Mr. Sheehan for a great episode!

Really impressed. I've never seen Billy recording before and I'm really impressed on how quickly he does it. Especially the bit where he is asked to do the small run to complement the fill and he's only able to pull it off in the recording and manages to nail it the first time.

I met Billy back in 1981 when his band was playing at a local college. At the end of their set, I went up to Billy and said, "yeah, I play bass too" LOL (young and stupid LOL). I have to say, he was the most generous, passionate about music and just overall nice guys I have met. After seeing this video, it seems he's still that same great guy!! His playing...... AMAZING...... and has always been. You could hear that he spent hours a day plucking those 4 strings!!! Great guy, great video!!!

That is totally awesome to see one of the worlds absolute best bass players at work. What a professional.

There's just something special about watching brilliant musicians in such a humble atmosphere...love this video!

Billy is so intense while playing. Then the nicest guy when he stops. Don't know how I missed this one, been watching you for a long time now. Awesome!

How on earth have people clicked dislike on this. This is spit and sawdust work from Billy and the team in the studio showing exactly what it takes to make it all tick. Awesome!

That was priceless! I met Billy in '83, in Albany NY. I just got out of the army. My gal at the time said, "You gotta see this band, Talas, they have the best bassist EVER! I was immediately smitten with envy (bass being my primary instrument, and she being "my gal" LOL!) So I went to Talas at a local club in Schenectady NY. He and the other two band mates walked down from the upstairs dressing room. He had this guitar Strap with blinking lights. The house lights were down. All I saw, moving in the darkness were blinking lights; I was intrigued and filled with anticipation. They hit the stage, with, I think, "High Speed On Ice." I was no longer jealous; but a fan. I met Billy two other times in Los Angeles. Awesome guy, great musician. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome. I noticed how he's actually listening to the song as he's playing so he can make his part fit like it was meant to be that way. Great player.

It feels good to have spent that 28 minutes watching you all share your joyous enthusiasm! Thanks for making my afternoon!

Great video guys. I've been listening to Billy's stuff since the eighties. A few of us met Billy last year at the London Bass Guitar Show and got to hang out with for hours with him after the show. The guy is not only a living legend, but a true gentleman. The folks that say never meet your heroes, you'll be disappointed....... are so blatantly wrong!!!!

One of the biggest professionals i've seen. Guy Pratt, Lee Sklar and Sheehan. Just amazing how these guys know their craft. True and still actual pros from era that has already become history.

Billy is a super guy and awesome player! The top players of our day are all the nicest people on the planet! Thanks for posting this video.

Every time Billy picks up his bass he learns something...every time I watch these videos I learn sooo much...thnx!!!!

Best part was watching him make a slight mistake... and he owned it! Class act!

when someone as big as Billy says "I sit every day, plugged in....", whole that part about knowing your instrument and your fingers/tools really says/teaches a lot. Really nice. Awesome tone. Loving that Bae more and more. Nice job as always Warren. Cheers

Two years later im still learning from this video. Billy doesnt even look at the fretboard when he plays. And that fill right before the chorus is sicccck cant believe he just wrote that like in a split second

THE Billy Sheehan. Skills. Humility. Philosophy.

I love the way Billy makes no secret he plays purely by feel rather than by numbers. Great tone and incredibly talented guy. Great video, insightful and relaxed. Great to see how people work and record in the real world. He seems very passionate about his playing and his basses. Not had the privilege of meeting him but would love to spend time with the guy. This guy is one of the gods of bass playing.

One of the best videos I've seen with Sheehan. Excellent!

I could listen to Billy for hours and hours

What an amazing "fly on the wall" experience to watch these pros at work and just b.s.ing about music. And, Mr. Sheehan is so humble and cool. Excellent, excellent video.

This is how great sounding mixes/records get started! With great track takes!

I need to show this to some of the bass players I know. Not just because Billy is such a phenomenal bass player, but he's humble and doesn't take critique personally. His whole "I'm putty in your hands" attitude makes everything just so much more smooth and productive than simply having chops and good tone could ever count for.. although those are sortof important too :-P

Before watching this video i hadn't realized how much Billy's playing influenced mine over the years. there are many fills and the high octaves that i do a LOT and never saw i picked it up from his style. also, Billy is such a chill dude... I wish someday i can meet him!

Every time I think you can't out do yourself you do it anyway! That was hell of a lot of fun and cool look behind the curtain with a bass legend thanks for letting us be the audience. Oh and " Have a marvelous time recording." Sorry couldn't resist beating you too it! Thanks again!

Just wanted to say thank you Warren for creating this channel and sharing your knowledge with the rest of us. So glad I came across this content. Your channel is very inviting and you come across so humble and unpretentious. You're very knowledgeable, yet willing to learn from others and share ideas. It's very refreshing to see, and the vibe is great. Thanks again Warren for the great content and inspiration, cheers!

Brilliant Video, I love his playing on this track so much. You could feel the chemistry in the room.

Been watching this for a few years..this post kicks arse each & every time

So cool to see Billy in the wild. Such a Pro and Kenny on Drums, you can't lose.

Great tone on that bass. Thanks for the insight into the session and the hidden knowledge you impacted to me. Truly appreciated.

Refreshing to see session from Bill, as always! Thanks for this, inspiring!!

Just came back and watched this again. Totally awesome !!!

Wonderful video. Really great balance between interview, tid-bits and stories, as well as watching the playing and collaborative process that goes into a recording.

Another great video. I like the bit at the end about really digging into what you have instead of simply adding more things on top of it.

Every time I've had the chance to ask Billy ( at his seminars ) on how he records his bass parts for songs, I seem to get passed over ( haha--can't blame others for " important " questions like " What was it like to tour with David Lee Roth? " ). But this video is AWESOME! It shows Billy getting into the mind set of a songwriter as opposed to, say, flying over the track with riffs and fills. He's clearly in the groove and locked in with the drums. And he's a great guy too!

Nice to see the Spitfire 1a up ontop of the cabinet. Really enjoyed this piece with Billy-his interviews are always so great to listen to. Thanks

Yes He spoke about Hitting the down Beat..Also Nice new Deeper tone Billy! Just plain Magic all around!

What a beautiful video. Inspiring musician, plays from his heart, understands theory from practice, not the other way around!

Oh man, so great! Just wanted to say, I'm a big fan of Vai crew, and since I subscribed to you for only about a week ago, you came up with videos of Harmony Hut and Greg Wurth's studio (and they are amazing, inspiring videos, btw!), and now Billy Sheehan. Feels a little bit magical, even! Thanks Warren, watching your videos and tutorials every day. Cheers!

Watching Billy recording is soooooo cool! Love the way he just digs in and works and works until it's done.

So nice to see the attention to detail from Billy, it's what makes the difference in the end!

AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING Real music being played by real musicians. Thank you so much for your videos Warren. All the best

I really like Billy.He is such an inspiring musician And he's giving great advice.

It´s great to see something like this, all the creative process and decisions to take on the fly. Thank you, as you say, it´s marvelous!

I love this guy! He's just a library of great knowledge about bass and recording music. Talked to him at a party a little about music but even more about both our passions... cats! He and Paul Gilbert both are really down to earth guys and truly humble 🙏

So good. Produce like a pro is probably the best show I've ever seen on recording. It's pure. It's simple. It's real. Totally my speed. So many other shows that take place in the studio focus on how cool the studio is (which it is - duh), but this show seems to focus more on where the rubber meets the road. Other shows are great too, but between the interviews, tracking and the walk-through how to's it's all yummy brain candy. Thank you so much. Only watched three segments snd I'm hooked.

I enjoyed this video so much, Warren! Really cool. As a bass player, I admire the kind of players that are so devoted to help a song get to its maximum expresion, bring that diamond from the rock, without stomping on everyone's place, just good sense of music and criteria. I'll put the ABR thing to work :)

So proud of Billy- a Buffalo NY guy! So humble and makes me think of the Talas days.

Thanks a ton for posting this particular episode. Billy is one of the greatest souls on this particular instrument and its fascinating to see him record and then see you both chat! Thanks again Warren! Have a marvelous time ahead!!

I always love seeing in-studio stuff. Would love to see some more footage of you working in studio with artists.

Please check out the great Billy Sheehan at Spitfire Music recording and talking about his ***** Signature Series Bass and his musical influences! Please let me know what you think! Many thanks Warren

What a gentleman! Mind blowing how laid back he is...a true pro.

Caught all kinds of magic quite a few times in this awesome video. A genuine pro and a class act that any musician should aspire to be like.

Hi Friends! I get asked a lot for the final song! Here it is, it also contains the winning guitar solo that Mark chose:- soundcloud.com/produce-like-a-pro/mark-loughman-bitter-reaction-plap-fuzz-pedal-competition

dig it.thanks to you and Mr.Sheehan.

I just feel like i have discovered a great great treasure finding this channel.... Thanks so much!

This is so incredible to watch. To see a musician of Billy's level so humble and earnest is truly inspiring.

"Girl You Really Got me Now " "You got me so I don't know what i'm doing!"

Everything about this video is TOO good.

What an incredibly humble person! Billy Sheehan seems like an absolute sweetheart!

When the player is the real deal like Billy, it's so obvious and inspiring. Thanks for this.

remind me of "you really got me" lol great video Warren Billy is a beast!

Highly instructive. Billy Sheehan at work while also lending insight into the creative process, paying homage to influences such as Rocco Prestia, and providing amusing anecdotes such as the one that traces the genealogy of his signature Yamaha bass back the basic DNA of the Fender Precision. Question: If the Fender Precision Bass was named for its being fretted and hence more precisely in tune (for the benefit of reassigned guitar players), then would a fretless model be called the Fender "Imprecision" Bass or would it keep the original designation? Great interview, Gentlemen.

As always Warren, your videos are for watching over and over again. Very inspiring. Thanks for making this kind of pristine material. You sure are having a marvelous time!

Amazing to see Billy work. Thank you Warren for all these great videos you put together.

Incredible player!

Great song. Good seeing the BAE guy in on it (was it his song?). I loved the bass part on the drum fill. Fun watching him record and everyone giving their input and doing their thing. Thanks again, Warren.

Absolutely loved this one. Billy is a legend and hearing him speak on his struggle with his instrument is wonderful and inspirational.

Genius and humble down to earth guy, huge respect for billy sheehan

Billy's playing is tighter than a gnat's sphincter.

This vid is so awesome. I've noticed there are 100's of videos on micing guitar speakers but almost none regarding bass. I was wondering if you find yourself micing bass rigs in the future could you film it? Most vids out there cover direct and amp Sans/sans amp etc. I'd like to learn about close and room mics along with what to expect with 10, 12, 15 inch characteristics and dealing with the tweeter. My brother is a fantastic slap bass player so any advice on compression with different styles would also be appreciated. Cheers!

Thanks,Billy,for exploration on your bare bass with such joy and enthusiasm.

As a producer/musician myself on some fairly well known albums, Billy Sheehan is so absolutely the Sh%t. This is how you do it in the studio folks!

oh yeh, such a pro, real

And that kids, is how you play real music.

This is a great video for absorbing the tips and tricks in a pro studio. Very enjoyable - and puts me straight back into the mood to record more. Thank you for opening up your facilities and sharing your tricks and tips with us!

A brilliant interview and example of recording in a studio as a session musician. Congratulation to all involved.

Hi. Great video. Every time i see how billy plays, i know i play just crap. He's awesome. I have a question. Where is the amp? In the same or in a different room?