Reggae bottom end

[Vudu12]

It's hard to find pics of reggae bass players, especially vintage studio ones. Probably more in books than on the internet so far.

But here's Aston "Familyman" Barrett, starting with a 1969 pic with the Upsetters in the studio, on a Hohner, check the finger plucking position for big fundamentals, minimal harmonics. I if remember the recordings correctly the bass was deep but not much sustain

Next is 3 pics of him on his Fender Jazz basses, his choice from the 1970s onward, same finger plucking style and position, more sustain because of the heavy solidbody bass!

[Vudu12]

Robbie of Sly and Robbie "Riddim Twins" came up under tutelage from Familyman and so started in the mid-70's to Familyman's late '60s start. I have seen a pic of him with the Hofner Beatle-bass as well, maybe it was Familyman's!

Most of these pics here are from live situations, mostly looking like Fender Jazz or similar, and maybe a Precision in there? The original Steinberger was his early 80's bass for sure, and I saw him on tour playing the "black4string" - it was like a constant earthquake in there! But that has to do as much with the high quality PA as anything.

I have been hunting for pics by the other greats, but none so far. If you have any by Errol "Flabba" Holt of the Roots Radics please post! Actually this vid shows him playing a new Hofner, not what I would have expected with all the choices out there today. YouTube - Errol Flabba Holt - Roots Radics - Entrevista - www.clasesdebajo.com

[Sonic Lush]

this thread is very cool!

Back in the old bin of Bass Player Magazines (I no longer have), the Robbie Shakespeare interview states that (mid 90's) he preferred PRS basses, but they were not being made any longer.

Robbie said he always added bass LAST to any production he was working on--

put the mix up on the soffit mounted mains, cranked it, turned his back to the speakers and could then frost the bottom accordingly because everything else had been placed.

I did a session with Clinton Fearon on bass a few years back--he was using a beat to hell Hofner McCartney style knock-off. Through a Fender 4x10 bassman--wow what a sound. The DI sound was pretty good, but the amp sound.... !!!