What strings did Jaco use?

bremen nacht · #1 06-10-2007, 10:23 AM

anyone know? I can't even tell whether they were round or flat.

thanks!

Gene Leone · #2 06-10-2007, 11:30 AM

As far as I know Jaco used Rotosound Swing 66 on his bass.

WarriorJoe7 · #3 06-10-2007, 11:39 AM

I don't know abou the strings but the guy ate fried chicken with his bare hands before every gig and then didn't wash off the grease. I am sure this had something to do with the slickness of the string and I am pretty sure it affected his sound.

One Drop · #4 06-10-2007, 11:49 AM

I tink Rotos were a very big part of his sound, but these days of course there are a lot more rounds on the market than back then, and you could probably get in the ballpark with other rounds available today.

bremen nacht · #5 06-10-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorJoe7

I don't know abou the strings but the guy ate fried chicken with his bare hands before every gig and then didn't wash off the grease. I am sure this had something to do with the slickness of the string and I am pretty sure it affected his sound.

gah, I knew there was a reason I couldn't get that sound; I'm a vegetarian. Tofuburgers might not have the same effect...

Thanks to all who replied.

Asa Samuel · #6 06-10-2007, 03:07 PM

tut tut, your all wrong! about everything!

jaco pastorius used rotosound solo bass.

and jaco used goose fat on a hankercheif as a lubricant.

get yourself some rotosound solo bass and any form of lubricant, and a fretless bass and you'll be well on your way!

WarriorJoe7 · #7 06-10-2007, 06:32 PM

There are references about chicken grease on his fingers on these 2 pages... however it is also disputed.

http://jacop.net/faq.html

http://www.fenderplayersclub.com/art.../pastorius.htm

Just do a search (hit Ctr- F) for "chicken" on those 2 pages

eedre · #8 06-10-2007, 06:33 PM

you try to come up with your own sound!

A little innovation, please folks.

WarriorJoe7 · #9 06-10-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eedre

you try to come up with your own sound!

A little innovation, please folks.

What if he doesn't want to?

mwhite89 · #10 06-10-2007, 06:45 PM

Hi,
I had the priviledge of speaking with the guy who was instrumental in puting together the last Jaco anthology. Jaco did not set out to use chicken greese or any other before a gig. It just happened that he liked to eat fried chicken before playing (as has been stated) and never washed his hands and rarely changed strings. I think that is part of the reason his playing had that soulful "Bother-like" quality! (do not flame me I am a brother so I can say that)
Maurice

WarriorJoe7 · #11 06-10-2007, 06:55 PM

LOL I think I heard that too, that he just liked fried chicken! But I am pretty sure it affected his osund if he didn't wash his hands.

I probably wouldn't want to play that bass though LOL

bertbassplayer · #12 06-10-2007, 10:01 PM

Jaco just did a lot of unusual things and had a lot of unusual things that makes his sound so difficult to really replicate. The Rotos, the epoxy fretboard, the acoustic amp, the grease, the old strings, the fuzz... plus everyone's playing is different on top of that.

bremen nacht · #13 06-11-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eedre

you try to come up with your own sound!

A little innovation, please folks.

Naturally.

Just because I asked what strings he used don't mean I want to, or will ever be good enough to, imitate him! We're all standing on the shoulders of giants anyway.

Some good answers and links here, and of course much of it is contradictory.

He must have got asked questions about his gear all the time, and most certainly would make stuff up if he got bored with the same questions again and again.

thanks, all.

bertbassplayer · #14 06-11-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bremen nacht

Naturally.
Some good answers and links here, and of course much of it is contradictory.

Well some of it is because of the time, there wasn't 30000 reporters out there with cameras and video cameras and the home movie fans with their cameras out there. Also it depends on where you find him in his career and life, if you asked me what I used 5 years ago compared to what I use now it's completely different.

osciphex · #15 06-11-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Junkie

jaco pastorius used rotosound solo bass.
!

It was the rotosound swing bass, not the solo bass. He used roundwounds even on his fretless. Actually, I think this probably contributed significantly to the aggressive growl he got.

NKUSigEp · #16 06-11-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorJoe7

I don't know abou the strings but the guy ate fried chicken with his bare hands before every gig and then didn't wash off the grease. I am sure this had something to do with the slickness of the string and I am pretty sure it affected his sound.

Seriously? And all this time we were buying millions of dollars in gear trying to get good tone for nothing!

**WoodyG3** · #17 06-12-2007, 10:25 PM

Jaco could have used barbed wire and he would have sounded great.

I bet if he were still alive he would have changed brands of strings a few times. There are many more options these days.