Best bass tone ever

Ahellam · 21st February 2006, 07:57 AM

Sister Sledge_ We Are Family

How did they do that? I mean great recording in general but the bass just sings and the notes pop out so clearly and perfectly. Im sure an amazing player had something to do with it but damn....
Just rantin..

Bastian · 21st February 2006, 08:05 AM

i have to vote for beastie boys - futterman's rule

the bass on we are family is bad ass though

Blast9 · 21st February 2006, 09:27 AM

wasn't that Bernard Edwards from Chic?

Sounds like there's no compression at all... just a damn steady pair of hands.

Bridge pickup fer sure... Musicman?

thethrillfactor · 21st February 2006, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahellam

Sister Sledge_ We Are Family

How did they do that? I mean great recording in general but the bass just sings and the notes pop out so clearly and perfectly. Im sure an amazing player had something to do with it but damn....
Just rantin..

It was Bernard Edwards.

Do we need to say more?

maskedman72 · 21st February 2006, 10:33 AM

a dam good bass tone can be found on sick of it all's "scratch the surface".

remo · 21st February 2006, 11:38 AM

man that dude from Korn has the best bass tone ever..

Blast9 · 21st February 2006, 11:45 AM

Manowar "Blow your speakers"

"Wrote a letter to the m.t.v.
What’s goin’ on now
Don’t ya care about me
Sent the same letter to the radio,
But my party went dead
Like a shot in the head
We all like it-rock and roll
We all want it-on your show
Play it loud,don’t play it low
Blow your speakers with rock and roll

We got lots of stations
Around the nation
And the stuff they’re playing
It just ain’t worth my sayin’
People want music to get’em movin’
We don’t want labels
We want music on the table

We all like it-rock and roll
We all want it-on your show
Play it loud,don’t play it low
Blow your speakers with rock and roll

We all like it-rock and roll
We all want it-on your show
Play it loud,don’t play it low
Blow your speakers with rock and roll

We got lots of stations
Around the nation
And the stuff they’re playing
It just ain’t worth my sayin’

We all like it-rock and roll
We all want it-on your show
Play it loud,don’t play it low
Blow your speakers with rock and roll"

covert · 21st February 2006, 12:57 PM

The bass sound on most of the Blue Oyster Cult records, at least with the original lineup, has been my sound to shoot for, for a long time.

macr0w · 21st February 2006, 01:06 PM

How about the bass tone on Larry Grahams "Earthquake"? If you haven't heard it you need to.

mig27 · 21st February 2006, 01:16 PM

I'm almost certain it was Bernard Edwards - Read about this in a lengthy interview on Chic.

Cheers.

Michael

heyman · 21st February 2006, 01:51 PM

a dam good bass tone can be found on sick of it all's "scratch the surface"

I second that vote..

Also anything from Mike Mills from REM . Great bass sound.

Lets not forget Flea from RHCP

Also Geddy Lee from Rush

Blast9 · 21st February 2006, 02:23 PM

dUg pinnick - King's X: Check out "Fool You" from Dogman. Huge deep/clear/overdriven SVT tone

Robert Deleo ex STP. Check out the McCartney-esque fatness/round deep tone on "Days of The Week"

Billy Sheehan on Dave Lee Roth "Eat 'em and smile" - Fat vintage-esque neck pickup tone

Alembic fans should check out the hi-fi tones and tasty playing of Jimmy Johnson (Allan Holdsworth).

Flea: Sir Psycho Sexy. Punchy but not twangy finger-playing tone.

**TonyBelmont** · 21st February 2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mig27

I'm almost certain it was Bernard Edwards - Read about this in a lengthy interview on Chic.

Cheers.

Michael

Where's the article?

mig27 · 21st February 2006, 02:55 PM

I would have posted a link if I still had it...
Probably some older SOS article - but I could be wrong.
Sorry.

M.

mig27 · 21st February 2006, 03:01 PM

And to actually get back on topic:

My favourite bass tone of all times is on "Here comes the sun" by the Beatles.

Unfortunately, there seems to be very little info floating around on how it was done.
Most people say Mr. McCartney used a Rickenbacker for this song.

That's the only guestimate I have.

Any further insight is warmly welcome.

Cheers.

Michael

Bob Ross · 21st February 2006, 04:03 PM

I could probably fill out a list a mile long if I stopped to think about it for 2 seconds, but the one that always pops into my mind whenever this question comes up is the bass sound on The Cars' "It's Magic" ...though I wouldn't swear it's not a keyboard.

audioez · 21st February 2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahellam

Sister Sledge We Are Family

How did they do that?

Studio A Powerstation, NYC

Bernard Edwards all the way!!! It's in the hands

thethrillfactor · 21st February 2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mig27

I'm almost certain it was Bernard Edwards - Read about this in a lengthy interview on Chic.

Cheers.

Michael

I think he is referring to do this one:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr0...ssictracks.htm

We talked about it before here:

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...+Clearmountain

By the way that's my SSL in the picture with Bernard.

Lots of hits and lots of mojo on it.

Also lots of technical problems.

chetatkinsdiet · 21st February 2006, 07:48 PM

Best bass tone ever....for what?

That fits the song? That I personally like soloed? Not to sound like someone over on the RAP forum, but that's a hard one to answer.

Some that come to mind....other than Bernard mentioned above on just about everything he's done.....are Larry Graham in the funk areas.

For rock tone, give me Deep Purple Machine Head era Glover. A P into a great big tube amp....does it get any better? Also, The Wizard from Black Sabbath comes to mind as a great bass tone.

It's funny...I happen to play currently with one of the tops in bass...both playing and tone. He can get a tone out of whatever he's playing. Doesn't matter if it's an old Dano bass, Musicman, P or a cheap Mexi-P.....he's just a monster. It's all in the fingers.

m

tedcrop · 21st February 2006, 08:10 PM

Eddie Jackson, Operation Mindcrime/Empire

Dug Pinnick, Dogman

tedcrop · 21st February 2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blast9

dUg pinnick - King's X: Check out "Fool You" from Dogman. Huge deep/clear/overdriven SVT tone

You are dead on here. Anyone who wants to hear an amazing bass tone has got to check out Fool You on dogman. I was blown away the minute I heard it.

True North · 21st February 2006, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blast9

Billy Sheehan[/b] on Dave Lee Roth "Eat 'em and smile" - Fat vintage-esque neck pickup tone

You should hear the stuff he does with 'Niacin' (Dennis Chamers and John Novello)- what a growl he gets out of his instrument. He uses 2 x 1/4" cables to record in stereo. He has a really unique sound and style. I hadn't listened to him in years and a freind of mine lent me some Niacin and he sounded great.

Someone already mentioned the Korn sound - obviously not great for most applications but what an amazing and unique sound they acheived.

Pino Palladino - Paul Youngs's 'Tear Your Playhouse Down' also Pete Townsend's 'Give Blood' - great playing, great sound.

Jaco Pastorius - Teen Town (or pretty much anything)

Cheers!

dbbubba · 21st February 2006, 10:16 PM

You can't beat Jaco period!

His first LP which starts with "Donnalee" pretty much says it all.

DB

neve1073 · 21st February 2006, 10:26 PM

I wouldn't argue with mccartney or bernard edwards.
Here are a couple more player names to throw on the table:

Mingus (eg on Money Jungle)
Aston Barrett
Jackie Jackson on the rocksteady dynamic recordings
Duck Dunn

None of those guys ever have a less than great bass tone.

chetatkinsdiet · 22nd February 2006, 03:15 AM

Yeah, I was gonna say Mingus, Paul Williams and maybe Willie Dixon, but didn't want to sound like a jazz snob. Man, could they make an upright growl....

m

aevan · 22nd February 2006, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

I think he is referring to do this one:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr0...ssictracks.htm

We talked about it before here:

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...+Clearmountain

By the way that's my SSL in the picture with Bernard.

Lots of hits and lots of mojo on it.

Also lots of technical problems.

Hey Thrill, that must be one o' dem wireless SSL's huh? No wonder his bass sound had such a low noise floor.
On bass sounds - I've said it before, EWF's "September", another Massenberg tonal triumph.

**Jules** · 22nd February 2006, 05:12 AM

Greendays song "When September Ends" (title??) the punk grind ballad -

Bass gtr sounded AMAZING on my shitty car speakers the other day... I had parked but became neighbour from hell by cranking it and rocking out to the whole tune.. nearly blew out the windows!! (yes I AM THAT sort of kerAzy person)

Anyhow for bass on a contemporary rock record it sounds pretty damn stellar - pfffaaaT and 'organic' to me...

thethrillfactor · 22nd February 2006, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aevan

Hey Thrill, that must be one o' dem wireless SSL's huh?

Yeah actually.

You send the signals through out with mental telepathy.

PRobb · 22nd February 2006, 05:35 AM

We can't possibly be 28 posts into a bass thread without James Jamerson. P-bass with THICK flatwounds. And, of course, one of the greatest bassists ever.

Saucyjack · 22nd February 2006, 05:39 AM

Zombies-Care of a cell.
I've always loved that Bass sound.
A few others Fugazi-Repeater and Beatles -Rain.

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21st February 2006, 07:57 AM	#1
Ahellam Gear addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 419	Best bass tone ever Sister Sledge_ We Are Family How did they do that? I mean great recording in general but the bass just sings and the notes pop out so clearly and perfectly. Im sure an amazing player had something to do with it but damn.... Just rantin.. __________________ One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.

21st February 2006, 09:27 AM	#3
Blast9 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: London Posts: 2,672	wasn't that Bernard Edwards from Chic? Sounds like there's no compression at all... just a damn steady pair of hands. Bridge pickup fer sure... Musicman? __________________ :: my band is called protoangel [size="1"]. My guitars: Atkin OM (sitka spruce top walnut back: sweet mids):: Atkin Small Jumbo (cedar top, rosewood back: big bottom, sparkly top):: Jap Tele with fat frets (rude and fat):: . My amps: 1973 Hiwatt DR504::Framus Dragon ... Latest purchases Kel Audio HM-2d TC Electronic Nova System, Chameleon Labs 7602 Digi 002 + PTLE, Addictive Drums

21st February 2006, 10:33 AM	#5
maskedman72 Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: westland, michigan Posts: 1,276	a dam good bass tone can be found on sick of it all's "scratch the surface". __________________ www.myspace.com/blackfeatherstudios www.tempermillstudios.com

21st February 2006, 11:45 AM	#7
Blast9 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: London Posts: 2,672	Manowar "Blow your speakers" "Wrote a letter to the m.t.v. What’s goin’ on now Don’t ya care about me Sent the same letter to the radio, But my party went dead Like a shot in the head We all like it-rock and roll We all want it-on your show Play it loud,don’t play it low Blow your speakers with rock and roll We got lots of stations Around the nation And the stuff they’re playing It just ain’t worth my sayin’ People want music to get’em movin’ We don’t want labels We want music on the table We all like it-rock and roll We all want it-on your show Play it loud,don’t play it low Blow your speakers with rock and roll We all like it-rock and roll We all want it-on your show Play it loud,don’t play it low Blow your speakers with rock and roll We got lots of stations Around the nation And the stuff they’re playing It just ain’t worth my sayin’ We all like it-rock and roll We all want it-on your show Play it loud,don’t play it low Blow your speakers with rock and roll" __________________ :: my band is called protoangel [size="1"]. My guitars: Atkin OM (sitka spruce top walnut back: sweet mids):: Atkin Small Jumbo (cedar top, rosewood back: big bottom, sparkly top):: Jap Tele with fat frets (rude and fat):: . My amps: 1973 Hiwatt DR504::Framus Dragon ... Latest purchases Kel Audio HM-2d TC Electronic Nova System, Chameleon Labs 7602 Digi 002 + PTLE, Addictive Drums

21st February 2006, 08:05 AM	#2
Bastian Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: houston tx Posts: 27	i have to vote for beastie boys - futterman's rule the bass on we are family is bad ass though

21st February 2006, 11:38 AM	#6
remo Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 388	man that dude from Korn has the best bass tone ever..

21st February 2006, 12:57 PM	#8
covert Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: capitol district NY Posts: 523	The bass sound on most of the Blue Oyster Cult records, at least with the original lineup, has been my sound to shoot for, for a long time.

21st February 2006, 01:06 PM	#9
macr0w Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: Charlotte N.C. Posts: 831	How about the bass tone on Larry Grahams "Earthquake"? If you haven't heard it you need to. __________________ Art is making something out of nothing and selling it. Frank Zappa www.clearspotrecording.com

21st February 2006, 01:16 PM	#10
mig27 Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Berlin Posts: 407	We are family I'm almost certain it was Bernard Edwards - Read about this in a lengthy interview on Chic. Cheers. Michael

21st February 2006, 01:51 PM	#11
heyman Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Waterbury CT, then Providence, RI Posts: 1,805	a dam good bass tone can be found on sick of it all's "scratch the surface" I second that vote.. Also anything from Mike Mills from REM . Great bass sound. Lets not forget Flea from RHCP Also Geddy Lee from Rush __________________ Teee hee ha ha .... I wanna play wit chew. Butter's Does Samwell! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4y...-in-the-bu_fun

21st February 2006, 02:23 PM	#12
Blast9 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: London Posts: 2,672	dUg pinnick - King's X: Check out "Fool You" from Dogman. Huge deep/clear/overdriven SVT tone Robert Deleo ex STP. Check out the McCartney-esque fatness/round deep tone on "Days of The Week" Billy Sheehan on Dave Lee Roth "Eat 'em and smile" - Fat vintage-esque neck pickup tone Alembic fans should check out the hi-fi tones and tasty playing of Jimmy Johnson (Allan Holdsworth). Flea: Sir Psycho Sexy. Punchy but not twangy finger-playing tone. __________________ :: my band is called protoangel [size="1"]. My guitars: Atkin OM (sitka spruce top walnut back: sweet mids):: Atkin Small Jumbo (cedar top, rosewood back: big bottom, sparkly top):: Jap Tele with fat frets (rude and fat):: . My amps: 1973 Hiwatt DR504::Framus Dragon ... Latest purchases Kel Audio HM-2d TC Electronic Nova System, Chameleon Labs 7602 Digi 002 + PTLE, Addictive Drums

21st February 2006, 02:55 PM	#14
mig27 Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Berlin Posts: 407	I would have posted a link if I still had it... Probably some older SOS article - but I could be wrong. Sorry. M.

21st February 2006, 03:01 PM	#15
mig27 Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Berlin Posts: 407	And to actually get back on topic: My favourite bass tone of all times is on "Here comes the sun" by the Beatles. Unfortunately, there seems to be very little info floating around on how it was done. Most people say Mr. McCartney used a Rickenbacker for this song. That's the only guestimate I have. Any further insight is warmly welcome. Cheers. Michael

21st February 2006, 04:03 PM	#16
Bob Ross Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 1,584	I could probably fill out a list a mile long if I stopped to think about it for 2 seconds, but the one that always pops into my mind whenever this question comes up is the bass sound on The Cars' "It's Magic" ...though I wouldn't swear it's not a keyboard.

21st February 2006, 07:48 PM	#19
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,472	Best bass tone ever....for what? That fits the song? That I personally like soloed? Not to sound like someone over on the RAP forum, but that's a hard one to answer. Some that come to mind....other than Bernard mentioned above on just about everything he's done.....are Larry Graham in the funk areas. For rock tone, give me Deep Purple Machine Head era Glover. A P into a great big tube amp....does it get any better? Also, The Wizard from Black Sabbath comes to mind as a great bass tone. It's funny...I happen to play currently with one of the tops in bass...both playing and tone. He can get a tone out of whatever he's playing. Doesn't matter if it's an old Dano bass, Musicman, P or a cheap Mexi-P.....he's just a monster. It's all in the fingers. m

21st February 2006, 08:10 PM	#20
tedcrop Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 293	Eddie Jackson, Operation Mindcrime/Empire Dug Pinnick, Dogman

21st February 2006, 10:16 PM	#23
dbbubba Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,337	You can't beat Jaco period! His first LP which starts with "Donnalee" pretty much says it all. DB

21st February 2006, 10:26 PM	#24
neve1073 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,210	I wouldn't argue with mccartney or bernard edwards. Here are a couple more player names to throw on the table: Mingus (eg on Money Jungle) Aston Barrett Jackie Jackson on the rocksteady dynamic recordings Duck Dunn None of those guys ever have a less than great bass tone. __________________ =================== "Let's be discrete"

22nd February 2006, 03:15 AM	#25
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,472	Yeah, I was gonna say Mingus, Paul Williams and maybe Willie Dixon, but didn't want to sound like a jazz snob. Man, could they make an upright growl.... m

22nd February 2006, 05:12 AM	#27
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 11,181	Greendays song "When September Ends" (title??) the punk grind ballad - Bass gtr sounded AMAZING on my shitty car speakers the other day... I had parked but became neighbour from hell by cranking it and rocking out to the whole tune.. nearly blew out the windows!! (yes I AM THAT sort of kerAzy person) Anyhow for bass on a contemporary rock record it sounds pretty damn stellar - pfffaaaT and 'organic' to me... __________________ Jules "presently in between sig files" Last edited by Jules; 22nd February 2006 at 05:18 AM.

22nd February 2006, 05:35 AM	#29
PRobb Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 6,674	We can't possibly be 28 posts into a bass thread without James Jamerson. P-bass with THICK flatwounds. And, of course, one of the greatest bassists ever.

22nd February 2006, 05:39 AM	#30
Saucyjack Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Knoxville,Tn Posts: 569	Zombies-Care of a cell. I've always loved that Bass sound. A few others Fugazi-Repeater and Beatles -Rain. __________________ If you really want to make orginal results,work fast and cheap,because there's more of a chance that you'll get somewhere that nobody else did. Brian Eno

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