How to Get this Sound?

[DrC]

Various past threads have recommended 'give an example of particular tracks, to know what kind of sound you are going for'.

I love the sound of the bass on Joe Jackson's 'Big World' album- for instance, the songs "Right and Wrong" and "Soul Kiss".

Can anyone give me information as to what equipment Rick Ford was using on those recordings, and even better- advice on amps, cabinets, (bass?) to get that kind of sound?

Thanks for your help!

[Queg]

You'll get better response if you provide links to the songs.. youtube or whatever.

[Weedeater]

@ Queg : use Grooveshark

I would say, the essential is a jazz bass, with the neck pick up rolled down a bit. And 10inchs speakers.

It's pretty close from the sound I get from my reissued 62 jazz with Ampeg V4B and traynor TC410 I use at rehearsal studio.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX1uPxqsrkQ

[Eric Moesle]

Haven't listened to those particular tracks, but given the time period the odds that the bass was DI'd directly to the board is pretty great.

[davidprice]

I saw him around that time and I think he was using a Fodera (? - or maybe it was a Ken Smith but I'm pretty sure it was a Fodera 5 or 6 string)...

[DrC]

Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-iBsaNUdV4

And I couldn't find one for the start of Soul Kiss, but here is part of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwWid5uulx4

By the way, the info I read said that each musician was individually miked and recorded, not done with a direct DI.
Maybe I put the question wrong... in that I am more interested what equipment would 'get close to that tone now', vs. knowing exactly what it was originally recorded with.
Thanks again!

[davidprice]

Yeah, that album was recorded live with a small audience (asked not to applaud) and, I believe, no overdubs.

Though that doesn't answer the question of how to get close to that tone now but I don't think it was DI (or DI alone).