Mars Volta

[odub]

Right, I've done a search, I've read the wiki, I've read wikipedia and seen the equipment list, but could anyone offer any opinion on how exactly the bass tone to "the Widow" on Francis the mute is created?

[cheddatom]

I'm not sure what track it is but on that album he just uses some distortion, and what sounds like a ring modulator and a wah.

[DanOwens]

71 fretless P. Thats gotta be the biggest influence on that sound!

Dan

[odub]

Hmm I was hoping it'd be more like a pedal I could just turn on, now I need a 71 fretless P and the ability to play one,

That is a killer tone though

[DanOwens]

I know, in listening to it to figure it out, you've (yes, I'm blaming it all on you odub) made me decide to switch my fretless neck to my Darkstar Precision and make my Jazz fretted.

You!!!

PS. Sorry for that badly formed sentence!

[harvey1-8]

I'm a huge Mars Volta fan but I've never thought about the bass tone. I will have a listen *grabs iPod*.

[odub]

I manipulate other peoples instruments, it’s what I do.


[quote name='DanOwens' post='463950' date='Apr 16 2009, 02:12 PM']I know, in listening to it to figure it out, you've (yes, I'm blaming it all on you odub) made me decide to switch my fretless neck to my Darkstar Precision and make my Jazz fretted.

You!!!

PS. Sorry for that badly formed sentence![/quote]

A quick edit to say, this song proves without a shadow of a doubt that no matter how good the song is, there is NEVER space for 3 minutes on unlistenable self indulgent twonk on the end.

Edited April 16, 2009 by odub

[jacojacojaco]

hi,

I used a 1971 Fender Fretless with a jazz pickup installed. If you go to www.bassplayer.com, the article has info on that bass. The only pedal I used on that track, and have used on almost all my recordings, is a Boss compressor that has three knobs (the two knob and 4 knob do not sound good to me). It helps bring out harmonics and with the fretless, it makes it a lot more compressed (obviously) and mid-range-e.

Hope that helps,

Juan

[jmesa]

Wow!

Thanks for all the wonderful music Juan.

[OldGit]

[odub]

I'm just amazed, and really ashamed at my comment about the bit at the end.

Juan you're one of my favorite ever players, thanks so much for replying to me directly.

[Wil]

[quote name='jacojacojaco' post='464182' date='Apr 16 2009, 05:31 PM']hi,

I used a 1971 Fender Fretless with a jazz pickup installed. If you go to www.bassplayer.com, the article has info on that bass. The only pedal I used on that track, and have used on almost all my recordings, is a Boss compressor that has three knobs (the two knob and 4 knob do not sound good to me). It helps bring out harmonics and with the fretless, it makes it a lot more compressed (obviously) and mid-range-e.

Hope that helps,

Juan[/quote]



Crikey!

Big respect to you Juan, your playing has always made me think "wow!" from Racer X to the Mars Volta. Keep it up!

[OldGit]

[quote name='odub' post='464724' date='Apr 17 2009, 09:50 AM']I'm just amazed, and really ashamed at my comment about the bit at the end.

Juan you're one of my favorite ever players, thanks so much for replying to me directly.[/quote]


Ho ho
You may want to keep an eye on your audiences for a while, odub.....

Edited April 17, 2009 by OldGit

[cheddatom]

[quote name='jacojacojaco' post='464182' date='Apr 16 2009, 05:31 PM']hi,

I used a 1971 Fender Fretless with a jazz pickup installed. If you go to www.bassplayer.com, the article has info on that bass. The only pedal I used on that track, and have used on almost all my recordings, is a Boss compressor that has three knobs (the two knob and 4 knob do not sound good to me). It helps bring out harmonics and with the fretless, it makes it a lot more compressed (obviously) and mid-range-e.

Hope that helps,

Juan[/quote]

WOW! Hello Juan. I saw you play in Birmingham with Mars Volta and it was honestly amazing. I was staring at you almost the whole time, I love the way you have a little corner set-up for yourself!

I've read that article a few times, great stuff.

[Shockwave]

Hey Juan

Will you be doing this anytime soon again?

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOW_-OESnq0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOW_-OESnq0[/url]



[s]Do you still have that Jazz bass by the way?[/s] (oops sorry checked your wiki, you sold it on ebay for charity never mind!) I could tell there was a good tone there even though the recording wasent great. Care to give me any insight as to what you were using in those early days?

Cheers mate!

Rob.