landwomble Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Hi All, I was listening to a few old records over the weekend and one track jumped out at me. PJ Harvey's excellent early 90s album "Dry" has a track called "Sheela-na-gig" which has the grindiest bass tone that made me go "I want that!". I dug out some old Reading Festival videos and looks like the bassist uses a fretless Stingray with what sounds like a heavy scooped tone, but the bit I REALLY like is the grinding drive to it. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkS_R7RDuMc"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkS_R7RDuMc[/url] Is that just a touch of overdrive? It's not a fuzz and the tube drive on my amp doesn't quite get there. Any shortcuts to finding this tone much appreciated. I have a Jazz with a John East and a Precision and this track is not helping me avoid GAS and buying a Sterling SUB...! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Was this track also on Whistle Test? I've seen PJ Harvey doing this somewhere else too.... sure it was OGWT? Worth a search, I think... I like PJ Harvey, I must say. Not sure whether the guy on fretless appears on much of her material. Yes, I quite like the sound he gets on this track too. Perhaps it's also worth checking out other live stuff from around that same time. I tried a couple of Sterling SUB basses, and must say, I liked them Good luck in your search / quest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landwomble Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 I've seen Peej a few times back in the day (I think I was in the audience for this Reading festival, memory is a little hazy) and I think she worked with a couple of bassists. Would be good to get an idea of this is a "stingray" tone with a bit of drive or something else... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckinthepod Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 FYI there is Music Man Sub up for sale on Northwest Guitar/Am/ Gear exchange on Facebook for £200. A young lady is selling one up in Preston. Will PM you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 [quote name='landwomble' timestamp='1477303227' post='3161167'] Hi All, I was listening to a few old records over the weekend and one track jumped out at me. PJ Harvey's excellent early 90s album "Dry" has a track called "Sheela-na-gig" which has the grindiest bass tone that made me go "I want that!". I dug out some old Reading Festival videos and looks like the bassist uses a fretless Stingray with what sounds like a heavy scooped tone, but the bit I REALLY like is the grinding drive to it. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkS_R7RDuMc"]https://www.youtube....h?v=xkS_R7RDuMc[/url] Is that just a touch of overdrive? It's not a fuzz and the tube drive on my amp doesn't quite get there. Any shortcuts to finding this tone much appreciated. I have a Jazz with a John East and a Precision and this track is not helping me avoid GAS and buying a Sterling SUB...! Cheers [/quote] Will it work with the sound of your band? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 (edited) Isn't a lot of the "dirt" on the tone, the mwaahh from the fretless bass? Other than that isnt' is a fairly clean bass/mids tone? http://youtu.be/xkS_R7RDuMc?t=74 Edited October 24, 2016 by Grangur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landwomble Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1477319441' post='3161372'] Will it work with the sound of your band? [/quote] Probably. One way to find out. I sometimes find that a new sound from one band member generates a new sound from all, to be honest, a bit of innovation is never a bad thing. Got the classic P and J angles covered (as in Precision and Jazz, not PJ Harvey!) so something different probably wouldn't hurt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landwomble Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1477320247' post='3161384'] Isn't a lot of the "dirt" on the tone, the mwaahh from the fretless bass? Other than that isnt' is a fairly clean bass/mids tone? [/quote] I don't think it's just that, been listening to the studio version on headphones and there's definitely a bit of grit in the tone that I like, which I don't *think* is just the fretless effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.