Tyler Rebbe
The Iconic Steve Harris Precision Bass:
Tyler’s primary bass is a Steve Harris Precision Bass, modeled after the iconic instrument used by Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris. While he doesn’t play it live often due to its sentimental value and rarity, he brought it out for a special reason: Nico McBrain, Iron Maiden’s drummer of 42 years, had just announced his retirement.
“I usually don’t play this one live too much anymore because I’m too scared of breaking it or getting it stolen. They don’t make these anymore,” Tyler shared.
The bass is heavy, just the way Steve Harris intended. Tyler recounted a Fender insider story about Harris demanding heavier wood until the bass reached its current 15-18 lb heft.
Fanboy Moment with Steve Harris:
One unforgettable memory Tyler shared was meeting Steve Harris himself. Tyler’s plan to show Harris a picture of himself playing the same bass backfired hilariously:
“I showed him a picture of him playing the bass and he just kind of looked at me like, ‘Thanks.’ I totally ate it.”
Despite having met countless famous musicians, this moment left Tyler completely starstruck.
Bass Philosophy and Tour Tales:
When it comes to gear, Tyler keeps things simple: “Give me a P-Bass. I plug it in. That’s pretty much what I always do.” His mainstay rig includes a Mesa head paired with a rack-mounted SansAmp for tonal versatility. He prefers a Sennheiser wireless system for its reliability, even if it once caused a near-incident in Japan due to frequency regulations.
Touring has led to some wild repair stories, including a makeshift soldering job in Costa Rica where his Squier bass broke, forcing the crew to find a soldering iron through a series of confusing translation attempts.
Roots in the Punk Scene:
Tyler’s journey into punk rock bass playing started with a chance call from Jim Cherry of Strung Out, asking if he could learn the band’s songs in four days for a live show. He pulled it off and has been a fixture in the scene ever since.
Final Thoughts:
Whether it’s playing a rare Steve Harris bass or patching gear together in a foreign country, Tyler Rebbe’s bass-playing journey is filled with passion, resourcefulness, and unforgettable stories. His rig reflects his straightforward, no-nonsense approach—rooted in punk rock tradition yet backed by undeniable skill and dedication.
Stay tuned for more gear deep dives and stories from the punk rock bass world!