The Beatles - White Album

bassboysam · #1 03-07-2010, 07:24 PM

Any ideas on how the bass was recorded, what bass amp combo were used?

Sorry, typo in the subject line. "Beatles", but you knew that...

becker4567 · #2 03-08-2010, 11:00 AM

The whole album? By the time the White Album was recorded, the Beatles were not the closest of friends. Depending on whose song it was, it was probably recorded without the other Beatles in attendence. George usually did his own bass tracks, as Paul did his own lead tracks. I really don't think there was a preference to amps and they usually used whatever Mal set up on that particular day. Since the album was recorded over a period of months, it was probably a variety of combinations that was used.

jerry · #3 03-08-2010, 01:18 PM

Check out Geoff Emerick's book* it's a great read on the subject, and he was partial to Paul. It's been awhile, but I remember he went mostly direct and added his bass last so he could really work out his parts.

*I lent it to a friend and I'm yet to get it back, or I would have looked it up for ya.

JimK · #4 03-08-2010, 03:35 PM

Agree w/ Becker (I kinda chuckle when people cite "The White Album" as their favourite Beatles' album) & Jerry...Emerick's book is a good read.

bassboysam · #5 03-08-2010, 03:57 PM

How about Helter Skelter specifically then? Sounds like a Ric to me, but I could be wrong, I love the overdrive sound on it too.

mccartneyman · #6 03-08-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

How about Helter Skelter specifically then? Sounds like a Ric to me, but I could be wrong, I love the overdrive sound on it too.

This has been discussed several time here. The bass on "Helter" is a Jazz.

becker4567 · #7 03-08-2010, 04:29 PM

Paul was partial to Rics and used them alot during and after the Peppers album, but again, whether he was around during the Helter Skelter session is the question. John was a very good bassist in his own right, so he might have done it himself. Geoff Emerick's book is a good one, but I doubt if even he remembers what instrument was used on what song. JimK, I agree with you, the folks who think the White Album is a real Beatles album don't really know much about the Beatles during that time period.

5StringBlues · #8 03-08-2010, 04:32 PM

Paul would have been around for the Helter Skelter session,it's his song.

cb56 · #9 03-08-2010, 04:36 PM

On the song "I will" the bass is actually a human voice.

bassboysam · #10 03-08-2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becker4567

the folks who think the White Album is a real Beatles album don't really know much about the Beatles during that time period.

Didn't know it was a prerequisite.

Bigjohn · #11 03-08-2010, 09:21 PM

When did Lennon ever play bass on a Beatles recording?
George played the Fender Bass VI sometimes at live in studio performances (for TV) when Paul played piano (Hey Jude and Let It Be) but Paul played most of the bass, no matter who's song it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by becker4567

Paul was partial to Rics and used them alot during and after the Peppers album, but again, whether he was around during the Helter Skelter session is the question. John was a very good bassist in his own right, so he might have done it himself. Geoff Emerick's book is a good one, but I doubt if even he remembers what instrument was used on what song. JimK, I agree with you, the folks who think the White Album is a real Beatles album don't really know much about the Beatles during that time period.

superhand · #12 03-08-2010, 09:28 PM

Well, we got a lot of nice Beatles trivia here, but no one has answered the original question.

C64 · #13 03-08-2010, 10:05 PM

At the time he was using a Fender Bassman, mic'd.
His Rick and Jazz bass were in use at this time.
The Ric was used most of the time from rubber soul till this point.
Cheers,
Henry

Top_Ten · #14 03-08-2010, 10:46 PM

I'm no Beatles expert, but I did just read the Geoff Emerick book. He goes into quite a bit of detail about recording Paul's bass, and I don't recall any mention of John or George playing bass at all. On the other hand, apparently Paul played a lot of the guitar parts that George couldn't pull off!

JimK · #15 03-09-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigjohn

When did Lennon ever play bass on a Beatles recording?

In George Martin's book, All You Need Is Ears, he talks about Lennon's bass playing...IIRC, Lennon played on Paul's "The Long & Winding Road"...Martin said Lennon's bass playing on that tune was akin to musical sabotage. There are numerous flubs & clams, IIRC...somewhere, there's a transcript of each flub & the minute/second mark where it occurred.

cb56 · #16 03-09-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

Any ideas on how the bass was recorded, what bass amp combo were used?
Sorry, typo in the subject line. "Beatles", but you knew that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by superhand

Well, we got a lot of nice Beatles trivia here, but no one has answered the original question.

Well since there were several players and setups, I answered correctly for one song.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb56

On the song "I will" the bass is actually a human voice.

whitespike · #17 03-09-2010, 04:11 PM

fun thread. we should compile a list of the best beatles music related books. there are so many...

JimK · #18 03-09-2010, 04:24 PM

I think that thread already exists...I seem to recall seeing it around Xmas time.

kevbassman · #19 03-09-2010, 04:31 PM

Check out "The Beatles Record Recording Sessions" by Mark Lenoisen? I forgot his last name, but that is the bible along with Geoff Emericks book.
I believe everything as Everything was DI ....for the White LP.

Tim C. · #20 03-09-2010, 04:36 PM

The Beatles were so overrated.

The Beatkes - now there's a band!