Strings for Berry Oakley sound

LAW · #1 11-10-2007, 11:46 AM

Flats or rounds to get that Allman Bros. Berry Oakley sound on my 60th anniversary jazz?

Thanks

BellBottomBlues · #2 11-10-2007, 12:04 PM

Flats with a pick my friend.

emblymouse · #3 11-10-2007, 12:20 PM

+1 and I'll add neck p/u only.

DavePlaysBass · #4 11-10-2007, 12:21 PM

Great sound. When I listen to the Fillmore recordings from way back I think that we really don't need any more technology.

LAW · #5 11-11-2007, 09:50 AM

Next question is can you suggest some good flats. Never used them before and don't really know what brands are good. Mainly been a rotosound and dean markley user.

Thanks

BellBottomBlues · #6 11-11-2007, 10:32 PM

Well Roto makes the Jazz flats which are very good strings (clanky when new but eventually mellow out and give it an upright jazz tone, hence jazz strings) but for Oakley you're looking for thump... well more like thunk! My opinion would be for LaBella flats.

Also, as an aside, if you want that Berry Oakley sound, he also used a modified Jazz bass called the Tractor Bass. It was basically a jazz bass but with the mid position pickup replaced with a humbucker from a Hagstrom I believe. You might wanna try a DiMarzio Model One.
I'd steer clear of Dark Stars. Too "airy" if you know what I mean.

LAW · #7 11-15-2007, 03:17 PM

Know all about Oakley's Tractor bass. Not a chance that I would replace any of the pickups in my new fender as it is a collector's edition. Might be hot-roddin my old Ibanez though. Has a good sound already. Might be rewiring for a stereo output so that I can bi-amp. I play alot of Yes tunes to go along with the Allman Bros, so I figured the ibanez for Yes and the fender for Allman Bros. Now if I could only drum up the money for the rewiring job and new pickups. Still paying for the fender. Ha

Thanks for the info.

Michael4bass · #8 08-20-2011, 08:55 PM

Berry used Rotosound Swingbass strings.

JTE · #9 08-21-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael4bass

Berry used Rotosound Swingbass strings.

I recall a Guitar Player one-page article around '74 that said he used Fender nickel rounds. And that sound is partly the combination of the two Jazz PUPs AND the Hagstrom Bi-Sonic.

John

MLysh · #10 08-22-2011, 05:12 AM

In my experience, Oakely sounded very different live than he sounded on all the Allman Brothers' recordings. He was moved back in the mix and a lot of treble was removed from his sound. The first time I saw them live in '72, I was shocked at what a Chris Squire-like bass sound he had. The sound had great clarity and really cut through the band. After hearing "...Filmore East" and the other records, I, too, assumed he was using flat wound strings, but thirty seconds into "Statesboro Blues," I was convinced otherwise.