5 Must-Watch Davie504 Videos Every Musician Should See

Davie504, born Davide Biale, has transformed how musicians approach the electric bass online. With over 13 million YouTube subscribers, this Italian bassist has become a global reference point for bass players, blending virtuosic technique, humor, and educational content in a unique format.

His influence extends beyond entertainment: Davie504 has made the bass the protagonist in a guitar-dominated landscape, inspiring thousands of young musicians to pick up this fundamental instrument. His videos aren't just spectacle, but real masterclasses combining slap techniques, advanced fingerstyle, and innovative approaches to groove.

Davie504's instrumentation reflects his versatility: from classic Fender Jazz Basses to custom models, every instrument is chosen to maximize the sonic and visual impact of his content. His collection includes 4, 5, and 6-string basses, allowing him to explore different registers and musical styles with the same technical mastery.

The 5 Videos That Defined the Davie504 Phenomenon

1. "SLAP LIKE NOW or I'll call the police"

This video consolidated Davie504's trademark: slap bass taken to the extreme with a touch of irony. The technique shown, performed on a vintage Fender Jazz Bass, demonstrates how control of dynamics and rhythmic precision can transform a simple bass line into a hypnotic experience. The use of minimal bass effects emphasizes the purity of the instrument's acoustic sound.

2. "Playing Bass with UNUSUAL TECHNIQUES"

Here Davie504 explores unconventional techniques that push the expressive limits of the electric bass. From two-handed tapping to string percussion, each approach is supported by careful instrument selection: Ibanez basses for fast tapping, Music Man StingRay for percussive attacks. The video demonstrates how technical versatility requires equally versatile instruments.

3. "BASS VS GUITAR - Who Wins?"

A direct comparison that sparked debates throughout the online musical community. Davie504 uses a Fender Precision Bass to demonstrate how bass can cover typically guitar registers while maintaining its fundamental sonic identity. The educational approach reveals the differences between single coil pickups and humbuckers in the bass context.

4. "I Played Bass for 24 HOURS STRAIGHT"

An endurance experiment that hides a deep lesson about musical practice. During the 24 hours, Davie504 alternates different electric basses from his collection, showing how each instrument influences technical and musical approach. From the vintage sound of '70s Fenders to the modernity of digital bass amplifiers, the video is a journey through decades of technological evolution.

5. "CHECKMATE Guitarists"

The most provocative video in the series, where Davie504 performs complex solos on a custom fretless bass. The choice of the fretless instrument allows melodic expressiveness typical of the classical double bass, while advanced fingerstyle techniques demonstrate the versatility of the modern electric bass. The use of analog delays adds atmospheric depth without compromising note clarity.

Davie504's Instrumentation

Electric Basses

• Fender Jazz Bass '70s: his main instrument, with original pickups and professional setup for slap
• Fender Precision Bass custom: modified with active pickups for greater output
• Music Man StingRay 5-string: for explorations in extended low registers
• Ibanez SR series: modern basses for contemporary techniques
• Fretless bass custom: built to specification for melodic solos

Amplification

• Ampeg amplifiers SVT: classic stack for recordings and live performances
• Markbass Little Mark: compact head for studio sessions
• Bass cabinets 4x10 and 1x15: combination to balance attack and depth

Effects and Accessories

• Bass compressor: for dynamic control in slap playing
• Graphic EQ: to adapt sound to different techniques
• Bass strings roundwound: medium tension for technical versatility
• Bass picks: specific selection for alternative techniques

Curiosities About Davie504

How did Davie504 start his YouTube career? Davide Biale began by publishing instrumental covers of metal and progressive rock songs, leveraging his academic training and passion for the electric bass. His virtuosic technical approach quickly attracted the attention of the international bass community.

What's the secret behind his clean slap technique? Davie504 combines years of classical study with optimized instrumental setup: controlled tension bass strings, low action on frets, and active pickups to maximize thumb attack. The technique is based on economical movements and precise dynamic control.

Why does he prefer Fender Jazz Basses? The Fender Jazz Bass offers the ideal timbral versatility for his content: from vintage warmth for ballads to modern punch for extreme slap. The two single coil pickups allow infinite timbral variations with simple adjustments.

How does he choose arrangements for his videos? Davie504 selects songs that enhance the role of bass as a solo instrument, often rearranging originally guitar-based compositions to highlight the expressive potential of the low register. The educational approach always remains central.

What's the impact of his online presence on the bass community? Davie504's influence has brought thousands of young musicians to approach the electric bass, revaluing the instrument's role in contemporary music. His combination of technique, humor, and accessibility has democratized online bass learning.