spongebob Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I've recently been re-discovering some early Stranglers material, and just love the 'classic' JJ tone circa up until, and including, 'Black And White'. Thing is, I'm in the need for a back-up bass. I've currently got a Ged Jazz (love it to bits) and and a Jag (superb bass but not for me). Question is, do I go for another Ged to replace the Jag, and re-string with flats, etc, and have another option....I do love the feel, weight, and tone of the Ged. Or do I try to go for a JJ-type sound? If so, how do I do it? Can I re-create it with a MIM P? (Although they scare me a little...) I'm an ex-Ric man on a budget! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 (edited) JJ used a stock Precision, a lot of his tone was in the amp and blown guitar cab he used. Probably best if you use some form of P and get the tone with a pedal (sansamp or similar) .... assuming you don't want to play through a blown cab! PS, he uses Rotosound Swing bass stainless steel rounds now, 45-105 (not sure what he used back in the 70s/80s) Edit (from Wikipedia): " In the early days Burnel's distinctive aggressive sound was created using a Fender Precision Bass with RotoSound roundwound strings played with a plectrum very close to the bridge, through Hiwatt all valve amplification" Edited September 20, 2009 by Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 [quote name='Clarky' post='603612' date='Sep 20 2009, 03:17 PM']JJ used a stock Precision, a lot of his tone was in the amp and blown guitar cab he used. Probably best if you use some form of P and get the tone with a pedal (sansamp or similar) .... assuming you don't want to play through a blown cab! PS, he uses Rotosound Swing bass stainless steel rounds now, 45-105 (not sure what he used back in the 70s/80s) Edit (from Wikipedia): " In the early days Burnel's distinctive aggressive sound was created using a Fender Precision Bass with RotoSound roundwound strings played with a plectrum very close to the bridge, through Hiwatt all valve amplification"[/quote] I can get a similar tone on the Orange when i play right near the bridge with the same model of bass and strings...having a medium thickness plectrum helps a bit too to give it some bite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 I'm a bit worried abut the MIM Fenders..... I play through a Markbass amp....with a pick, but... after playing a Ged, the general action, bridge, and quality issues have concerned me about about the MIM Fenders! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 [quote name='spongebob' post='603657' date='Sep 20 2009, 05:19 PM']I'm a bit worried abut the MIM Fenders..... I play through a Markbass amp....with a pick, but... after playing a Ged, the general action, bridge, and quality issues have concerned me about about the MIM Fenders![/quote] I'd get a decent second hand Jap Fender (or Squier). The 80's versions are generally regarded as better quality than the US equivalent. I also think the majority of the sound is in the feel and the way you play it. (I use a valve combo by the way, I'm not some Digital fiend). Good taste BTW Spongebob - Isn't the intro to Hanging around one of the best sounds ever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 And bang that treble knob way round to the right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 (edited) Burnel is quoted as saying that he tried loads of Precisions and that none of them came close - through Hiwatts or whatever - to the old dog that he used. Listen to [i]Rattus Norwegicus[/i]: the bass tone is not always the same, although the grunge is still there, so it can't all be blown cabs or the studio board/fx. Edited September 20, 2009 by Stacker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 +1 to the earlier advice. Steel strings, treble boosted, and play with a pick near the bridge. Plus I'd recommend trying the Ashdown James Lomenzo pedal - you can get very close to that distorted trebly early Straglers sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Suck out the mids as well. You can probably get the same effect with a solid state amp and a good dirt pedal....Tonehammer or the classic Sansamp BDDI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 Thanks guys! Good advice on there.... I've been away for a few days, hence the delay in response. I'm still quite tempted by the MIM P's - I've seen them for around £399. Any thoughs/opinions on the these? My biggest thing is weight - compared to the Ged Jazz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 the bass sound on the first 3 stranglers was a fluke, JJ could only get it with his green P bass, once he'd broke it in half punching it during a gig he couldn't get that wonderful tone again, perhaps it was a flaw in the wood of the bass that enabled it to sound like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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