Daniel Kimbro

Grammy-Nominated Upright Bass

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16 Reviews (14 Verified)
Daniel Kimbro on SoundBetter

2x Grammy-nominated bassist w/ 22+ years of stage & studio experience on both Upright Bass (Americana/Acoustic/Bluegrass/Jazz/Folk) & Electric Bass (from Country to Pop to Modern Fusion). My credits include John Hiatt, Jerry Douglas, James Taylor, The Earls of Leicester, The Transatlantic Sessions, Andy Wood, Martin Harley and many others.

I've been lucky to record bass tracks for many different genres. Onstage and in the studio I've been fortunate to accompany many heroes, including:

Eric Clapton
James Taylor
Jerry Douglas
Alison Krauss
Robben Ford
Mike Baggetta
Greg Koch
Paul Brady
Sarah Jarosz
Mark Lettieri
Sarah Siskind
Roseanne Cash
Michael McGoldrick
Tommy Emmanuel
Martin Harley
Brent Mason

For Upright Bass I usually send a single track, usually this is a blended sound of a mic (about 80%) with a direct sound as well (about 20%). If you'd like to blend these tracks on your own please let me know.

For Electric Bass I like to blend a direct signal with a mic'd amp. Again, I'm happy to send you the sound I hear, or the proprietary tracks if you prefer.

I use only quality tube direct boxes and microphones.

Before we record please provide a stereo mix, or a folder with your stems. If you've used a click either let me know the tempo or send a separate click/midi file if possible. Please let me know what general "vibe" you're going for with your track(s), and send a reference recording if possible; it can really expedite the process.

If you'd like more information about myself please visit danielkimbro.com. I'm here to help you get your song finished in a professional, timely and creative manner. Thanks so much for your consideration.

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

16 Reviews - 2 Repeat Clients

Endorse Daniel Kimbro
  1. Review by Kyuwon "Q" Kim
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    Daniel nailed the vibe I was after! Super quick delivery, right on point. Didn't have to tweak a thing. Big thumbs up for Daniel!

  2. Review by Marco P.
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    Daniel was perfect to work with. Quick turn around and exactly what I was looking for first time no revisions! Highly recommend!

  3. Review by Marco P.
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    With Daniel, it’s the first time I got an upright bass track that fits perfectly in the mix: body, neck and deep basses, all perfectly balanced. Wonderful sound and execution. Highly recommended.

  4. Review by floyd
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    by floyd
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    You listen to Daniel's killer work with his Harley Kimbro Lewis trio or his collaborations with folks like Jerry Douglas and you know he is a capital M Musician. I sure don't play on that level, but Daniel approached my project with supreme professionalism and respect. His bass work was tasteful, imaginative, and just plain good! He made the songs much, much better. And he turned the project around lickety-split. I can't recommend him highly enough and will sure call him again!

  5. Review by Hal
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    by Hal
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    DK is awesome & did a killer job! Highly recommend.

  6. Review by Jack L.
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    Working with Daniel couldn't have been easier, super talented musician who brought a new, full dimension to a track with a really quick turnaround. Couldn't recommend him more highly and will work with him again in the future

  7. Review by Jacob
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    by Jacob
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    Daniel brought great energy and determination to get the part right. He was a clear communicator and I always knew what and when to expect he'd get something back to me. Professional, easy to work with, and a great and articulate bassist.

  8. Review by Don M.
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    by Don M.
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    I got exactly what I expected hiring player of Daniels calibre- a fantastic bass track. Highly recommend!

  9. Review by Seppl
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    by Seppl
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    I was in need of upright bass for a song I am working on.
    Daniel understood the sound I wanted and provided me with different takes both DI and MICed, which is great to have when mixing.
    Daniel was quick in his turn-around, and would definitely ask him on another job!

  10. Review by Steve P.
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    I used Dan's skills for upright and E Bass and he nailed it! I couldn't be happier with his musician skills and willingness to work with me. Rapid turnaround too! I will use him again and I highly recommend Dan!
    Steve P

  11. Review by Brad B.
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    Pleasure to work with!!!

  12. Review by Matthew V.
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    great player. made several revisions. great communication. highly recommend

  13. Review by Adam Lomax
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    Daniel is the newest addition to my favorites list. Well done!

  14. Review by Calix K.
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    The most talented bassist ever I’ve worked with! Easy to communicate with and also has a great understanding with great technics.. Looking forward to working with him real soon!!

  15. Review by Jamie M.
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    Top class Bass player. Super efficient and easy to work with. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a bass player to make their track sound great!

  16. Review by Jordan Perlson
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    Daniel is one of the strongest, most creative and grooving bassists I've had the pleasure of playing with. He brings a lot of skills to the table as well as a great attitude. Hire him!

Interview with Daniel Kimbro

  1. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  2. A: I have a variety of dynamic and condenser mics and preamps. My main go-tos include a Grace Audio Pre, Radial Firefly Tube DI, and an Apogee interface. I endorse Aguilar Amplifiers and D'addario Strings, so that's what I use onstage and in the studio. Depending on the sound needed, I have a choice of carved or laminated Double Basses, and everything from modern to mid-century hollowbody Electric Basses available.

  3. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  4. A: There are so many possible folks to list, but I'll focus on a handful of bassists that have really influenced the way I think about making music: Willie Weeks Willie Dixon Carole Kaye James Jamerson Milt Hinton Paul Chambers Ron Carter Edgar Meyer Christian McBride Danny Thompson Viktor Krauss Cousin Jake Tullock Ernie Newton Bob Moore Roy Husky Jr. Dennis Crouch John Pattitucci Donald Duck Dunn Pino Palladino Tim LeFebvre Chuck Rainey Bob Babbitt

  5. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  6. A: Most of the time people are looking for reliable Upright Bass sounds. The Double Bass is a tricky instrument to record, and especially to mix. Not all recording techniques work well with every genre or style; what's right for a jazz or funk/fusion song may not fit the vibe of a country, folk, or Americana session. The type of instruement, string type, mic placement and especially note choice, length, and intonation are crucial considerations when recording the Upright Bass. Understanding what makes a Double Bass sound great well before mix-down can be the difference in accomplishing a finished mix that really has an authentic, woody bass track, as opposed to one that is muddy and lacks clarity and focus in the low end. When it comes to Electric Bass, things are a little easier when recording, because mic placement and isolation are less of a factor, but the efforts to craft a bass line and achieve a tone that works for a song are just as intense and careful as they are on a Double Bass session. From old-school thump to modern growl, a great Electric Bass part can make or break a session. Sometimes projects start in one direction or with a certain sound or groove in mind, but as songs evolve musicians need to be open-minded and flexible. This is probably the single most important and enjoyable factor when it comes to recording music; you never know where the music will lead you. There have been many sessions on which the decision was made to switch from one type of bass to another, and sometimes a composer, producer or engineer will utilize BOTH Double Bass and Electric Bass tracks. What matters most is always, always...the song. If a solid mix with a powerful, solid foundation is your goal, then getting the bass RIGHT from the beginning is critical.

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John Hiatt, Buddy Boy

I was the Bassist (bass line and bowed strings), Strings Arranger (w/ Christian Sedelmyer, violin) in this production

Terms Of Service

1-2 revisions/track. I can usually provide single tracks within a 24-48 hours. If my tour schedule gets in the way I'll let you know up front.

GenresSounds Like
  • The Jerry Douglas Band
  • John Hiatt
  • Harley Kimbro Lewis
Gear Highlights
  • Endorsing Aguilar Amplification
  • Fishman Electronics
  • D'daddario strings
  • Ear Trumpet Labs microphones
  • Grace Audio designs
  • Audio Sprockets ToneDexter
More Photos
More Samples
SoundBetter Deal

First time using SoundBetter? I'm happy to provide a 10% discount. Just let me know if you're getting started. Thanks!