timotei Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Probably like many of you, I have an ideal sound I'd like to get to. The sound I really admire is Pete Farndon's on the first 2 Pretenders albums. Have a listen to the intro to Mystery Achievement if you need any convincing. It's fairly natural I think, and really shows off the sound of a P bass So, I've got a pretty decent bass - Fender Precision Vintage 57 reissue, but I don't seem to be able to recreate that lovely natural P sound. What should I be concentrating on? Is it strings? - I use Fenders cos I really liked the feel of them when I first bought the bass Does maple or rosewood make a huge difference to thew sound? This bass has a maple fretboard Is it my amp set up? - I use a Little Mark II through a Markbass Traveller 12 (I generally only play pubs and small clubs so it's plenty loud). Is there a particular eq setting I should use Or is it just down to technique? I play with fingers, fairly adequately I like to think, but I'm always learning! Any advice would be most welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) I'm pretty sure he used a pick? I think? Nope, I'm wrong [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsdU1-ZBaQY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsdU1-ZBaQY[/url] Edited February 17, 2011 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 If I had to recall a sound of his, it would be Brass in pocket and that was a lively string sound played with a pick. I would start with the MB flat on the main controls and use the filters but I doubt you will get there as the sharp attack sound is the pick at work. Not much you can do to imitate that with fingers, IME.. unless you can get a nail in there. You may be able to thumb it...but unless you use that technique, you'll have to learn it, and if you do that..you may as well do that with a pick. Great sound, btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timotei Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Thanks for the advice, I'll give the pick a go. Maybe need some different strings too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd_david Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 (edited) No pick here either cool looking bass Edited February 18, 2011 by cd_david Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timotei Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 [quote name='cd_david' post='1132796' date='Feb 18 2011, 09:22 PM'] No pick here either cool looking bass [/quote] That's a fantastic clip - cheers. Great musicians, all of them. Thought I was right that he played with fingers - probably get proved wrong now with another clip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I'm afraid I wouldn't have a clue what makes his tone, but Brass in Pocket came on the radio yesterday and I too thought what a great sound. Nice bass line as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 1st Pretenders album. One of the truly great albums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gub Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 i like the bit where he hits a bum note and then looks down and twiddles with his knobs ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd_david Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) Looks like an Acoustic 220 and 2x15 cab? Edited February 19, 2011 by cd_david Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatboter Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Thanks for that great clip... When I heard the intro of Mystery Achievment when it came out I knew that I had to buy a bass and learn to play it. Farndon really was great.. what a tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) [quote name='cd_david' post='1132796' date='Feb 18 2011, 09:22 PM'] No pick here either cool looking bass [/quote] I would say that is a pretty dull old recording in terms of the presense of the bass sound. I certainly don't recall it being that muted and it is lacking in attack. Maybe he should have used the pick Edited February 19, 2011 by JTUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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