krzysztof Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 mods please delete if not allowed or better yet please let me know where it could be discussed! [font=inherit][font=inherit][size=1][/size][/font][/font] ) hi guys I'm joining an 80's based function band and sound and tone are quite crucial. I Have a through neck 6 string that's rather hi fi sounding walnut body, quilt maple top and rosewood board and humbuckers. i also have an Ash/maple 5 string jazz with single coils. A very brief history of my own understanding on the development of bass tone favoured and used by bass players/producers/bands: -60's is your Abbey Road/Motown/Stax mutey souly/rocknroll meatnpotato bass playing etc Pbass and flats Jazz and flats. -70's is more articulated funk with the rise in popularity of round wound strings, rise of slap/percussive playing as well as led zep/yes/punk type of piano like tone players after more grit. bass and rounds, jazz and rounds especially maple and ash. I was born in the 90s so missed all those eras lol but from my recollection and watching a lot of reruns TOTP/youtube vids i've seen quite a few boutique basses such as ken smith/tobias/spector utilising neck through design that became popular in the 80s with the advent of non fender alternative 'boutique' basses. - to me 80's seems more polished even cleaner hi fi, pop production, clean, articulate bass tones as well as the rise of more synthesised bass sounds I have all my synth sounds sorted as i play keys too and have synths. I know its a lot to read above, I guess my question is there a general 80s bass sound that a certain type of bass would cater to? or just any old plank? Thanks in advance guys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 "Any old plank" supporter here. Define [i]crucial[/i]. Nice to have, or must have? Unless you're in a tribute band I don't believe you have to play a particular instrument. Your bass lines and how you play them are more important. I was playing in Blues and Soul bands in the 80's so what do I know, but my cover band of the last 15 years played a lot of 80's hits and I used my Mike Lull and US Lakland "planks" on every song. I'd play them in any band and any style. Look at Pino in The Who and Jerry Barnes in Chic. Both sound fantastic, but neither play or sound anything like the original bass player. I'd be [i]you[/i] on any bass [i]you[/i] own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 I think I`d look more at amps for this, and grab a Trace Elliot of some sorts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzysztof Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 oh yes its not a tribute band so to say however the MD and me too actually are quite perfectionists in tone. And forgot to say I'm using an Eden WT550 with 4x10 and 2x10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 I play in an 80s cover band and use a Ric 4003s and a Maruszczyk Elwood fretless through a Phil Jones rig and that works fine for me and have received compliments on the tone. I also add a bit of chorus and/or octave where required. I think you just have to avoid too much grit. YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 (edited) - Edited February 24, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 The 80s spans a vast range of sounds and styles from Post-Punk, via Synth Pop, New Romantic, Indie Guitar all the way to Baggy/Madchester and Acid House. Which style/era(s) are you covering? For early 80s pop you can't go far wrong with an Aria Pro II SB 1000 and a fretless Wal through a Trace Elliot amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1487352908' post='3239276'] For early 80s pop you can't go far wrong with an Aria Pro II SB 1000 and a fretless Wal through a Trace Elliot amp. [/quote] Pretty much covers it I'd say! Although, for a truly authentic tone you should probably also get a mullet haircut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 [quote name='krzysztof' timestamp='1487331645' post='3239006']mods please delete if not allowed or better yet please let me know where it could be discussed! [font=inherit][font=inherit][size=1] [/size][/font][/font] ) [/quote] I'm guessing we must have a reputation for being much stricter than we actually are!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 80s pop = chorus pedal and sh*t fashion. Bad news on both fronts I'm afraid 😞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 [quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1487362711' post='3239373'] 80s pop = chorus pedal and sh*t fashion. Bad news on both fronts I'm afraid 😞 [/quote] Oh come on. It's not all THAT bad. I quite like sh*t fashion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drake Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Lots of Peavey!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Loads of chorus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman68 Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 As already stated the 80's had a whole load of genres & sounds.. I'd personally go for something twin pick-ups both on (could go 60/40 bridge pick-up) with a very healthy dose of compression & a touch of chorus. That should cover the vast majority of it, but don't forget ya 'Mullet' & shoulder pads (with the sleeve's rolled up to your elbows?).. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 And a "Teach Youself Slap Bass" book/video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilco Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 If your basses aren't already so, an active instrument might be a good shout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman68 Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 [quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1487885634' post='3243969'] And a "Teach Youself Slap Bass" book/video [/quote] Remember you're normally never more than 4 bars away from some slap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 [quote name='Bassman68' timestamp='1487934316' post='3244265'] Remember you're normally never more than 4 bars away from some slap! [/quote] Really? There's plenty of great 80s songs that don't have or need a note of slap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Remember going into PCs venue on City Road Cardiff in the 80s and working out what sort of band would be on later from the bass set up. Gibson whatever with a scruffy Marshall Stack = Rocky Status ( or cheaper !) headless propped up in front of a Trace Elliot rig - 80's pop ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Used to be in an 80s tribute using a battered old fretless Pbass with flats on. Nobody noticed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 There were plenty of songs that didn't have any slapping bass lines, but many, many, many more did. It was the "style of the times". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 (edited) Pffft, Pino plays the same bass in The Who and Nine Inch Nails. EDIT - I take it back. You know you want a Steinberger. Edited February 27, 2017 by Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 A very short strap.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pendingrequests Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 I really don't think you need to go and splash out on specific amps and pedals. Thats a kind of needless expenditure. I recently played in a run of 'Rock of Ages' (80's musical) and my main tone was: P-bass Rotowounds - Pick stuff especially and sounds great with chorus and distortion Chorus pedal - Aguilar chorusarus. But choose one that fits your budget Boss BB1X - High tone turned up. But choose one that fits your budget EQ on Aguilar head - Mid range boosted. That's it. Adjust the tone and settings per song, but I wouldn't make this a massive excursion. Do what sounds right to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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