|  | | 
03-01-2007, 07:04 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago, IL | | | Patrick O'Hearn's tone on Frank Zappa's "Rubber Shirt"
Sign in to disble this ad
I've been listening to Zappa's "Rubber Shirt" (from the Sheik Yerbouti album) and I've been wondering for years how Patrick O'Hearn got that incredible tone (and I'm aware that it's merely an overdubbed guitar solo). If you're not familiar with that particular recording, check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKiRYW8lPvc for a similar bass tone.
He seems to be favoring the bridge pickup a bit but other than that, I'm stumped. How did he EQ to make it sound like that? My ear isn't as good as some of you guys so I'd appreciate the help. |
03-03-2007, 06:16 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Scotland | | Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyfish  I've been listening to Zappa's "Rubber Shirt" (from the Sheik Yerbouti album) and I've been wondering for years how Patrick O'Hearn got that incredible tone (and I'm aware that it's merely an overdubbed guitar solo). If you're not familiar with that particular recording, check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKiRYW8lPvc for a similar bass tone.
He seems to be favoring the bridge pickup a bit but other than that, I'm stumped. How did he EQ to make it sound like that? My ear isn't as good as some of you guys so I'd appreciate the help. | Rubber shirt is a musical master piece.Bringing together two individually pieces of recorded music (bass and drums) was nothing less than genius by Frank Zappa and the time signatures further lay testimony to this work of art.Asto how Patrick O' Hearn set his bass sounds...I don't know.A truly great track of bass brilliance brought together with drums under the mastery of Frank Zappa.
I'm very surprised that no one else herein has acknowledged that. |
03-03-2007, 11:25 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco Bay Area | | | Frank Zappa is God. EVERY bassist that played for him is incredible...and from what I hear that had to be because he was an incredible prick to work for. |
03-04-2007, 06:19 PM
|  | Deteriorating faster than I can lower my standards | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Frederick MD USA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Zappstorius Frank Zappa is God. EVERY bassist that played for him is incredible...and from what I hear that had to be because he was an incredible prick to work for. | Y'know, I've often wondered about that. If he was such a prick, then why did they always sound like they were having a ball live? 
__________________
"...we're narcissistic, self-serving ba*****s..." -B.Springsteen
Herding noodlemeisters since 1971  |
03-04-2007, 07:59 PM
| | | | Frank was the master of tape tricks, and studio magic. You can bet he had a lot to do with what is on that record. That era was the height of his studio mastery, IMHO. |
03-04-2007, 08:12 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco Bay Area | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Lazylion Y'know, I've often wondered about that. If he was such a prick, then why did they always sound like they were having a ball live? | Have you listened to the lyrical content of FZ? FZ himself called it "stooge rock". I've seen interviews with FZ where he has stated that he's a prick to work for. He was a perfectionist, and demanded perfection from his musicians...which isn't always easy to do when you might be playing in 6 or 7 different time sigs in a single song.
But FZ is still the man to me! |
03-04-2007, 08:36 PM
| | | | If you're referring to that little bit at the end, the fretless sound really comes through. If you're talking about the fuzziness heard elsewhere, I think it's a bari-sax playing the same line at the same time. |
03-04-2007, 10:28 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oklahoma City, OK | | | Sounds like straight-up Pbass to me. |
03-05-2007, 12:17 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago, IL | | Quote:
Originally Posted by ElMon Sounds like straight-up Pbass to me. | Wow you're right, the one he's playing in the video I linked IS a P-bass. I had seen him in other videos playing jazz basses and I didn't look closely enough at the body in the video I linked.
Now I have serious P-bass GAS.  |
03-05-2007, 08:02 AM
| | | | Patrick O'Hearn's Precisions are modded, just look at closeups on the "Baby Snakes" DVD. On both his fretless and fretted P's, he has what looks like a makeshift ramp near the bridge held onto the bass with what looks like duct tape. But I think there must be some kind of pickup underneath it because there is an extra knob (maybe two) on the basses also. Check it out. |
03-05-2007, 08:06 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Saratoga county,New York,U.S.A | | | Did'nt Scott Thunes play on baby snakes???
__________________
WHAT?
|
03-05-2007, 08:16 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by rekesbass Did'nt Scott Thunes play on baby snakes??? | No, Thunes played on "Does Humor Belong In Music?", as well as some footage from the Halloween '81 concert which appeared on "Dub Room Special" (I taped the whole Halloween '81 concert off of MTV as it was broadcast live). There is also a video of an '88 show from Barcelona Spain with Thunes playing bass.
Last edited by zombywoof5050 : 03-05-2007 at 08:45 AM.
|
03-05-2007, 08:55 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Edinboro, PA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Lazylion Y'know, I've often wondered about that. If he was such a prick, then why did they always sound like they were having a ball live? |
I'm sure he was a prick to work for, but I'm also sure if you were good enough to be in his band, he probably loved you and treated you awesome. I'm sure they had a great time live.
__________________
Mediocre Bassist Club Member #4
|
03-05-2007, 09:19 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Saratoga county,New York,U.S.A | | Quote:
Originally Posted by zombywoof5050 No, Thunes played on "Does Humor Belong In Music?", as well as some footage from the Halloween '81 concert which appeared on "Dub Room Special" (I taped the whole Halloween '81 concert off of MTV as it was broadcast live). There is also a video of an '88 show from Barcelona Spain with Thunes playing bass. | considering your username,I'll take your word,it's been a while since I watched any live footage of Zappa..
__________________
WHAT?
|
03-05-2007, 10:50 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyfish I've been listening to Zappa's "Rubber Shirt" (from the Sheik Yerbouti album) and I've been wondering for years how Patrick O'Hearn got that incredible tone (and I'm aware that it's merely an overdubbed guitar solo). If you're not familiar with that particular recording, check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKiRYW8lPvc for a similar bass tone.
He seems to be favoring the bridge pickup a bit but other than that, I'm stumped. How did he EQ to make it sound like that? My ear isn't as good as some of you guys so I'd appreciate the help. |
You can email him at his website. I got a reply from him when I asked him a couple qustions. |
03-06-2007, 04:57 AM
| | | | Just throwing this out there-
Always dug O'Hearn's tone on "Give" by Missing Persons.
__________________
No Leo Fender & I'm a drummer...
"2 through 10" Learn it-Know it-Live it
|
03-06-2007, 06:16 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Blackburn Lancashire | | | The tone of the bass on Brand X 'Livestock' album shares similar qualities to that of Patrick O'Hearns I've just noticed.
__________________
[ Derren Lee Poole ]
The audience simply doesn't know, or care what bass you play. If it feels good, play it!
|
12-02-2009, 07:53 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL | | Quote:
Originally Posted by zombywoof5050 Patrick O'Hearn's Precisions are modded, just look at closeups on the "Baby Snakes" DVD. On both his fretless and fretted P's, he has what looks like a makeshift ramp near the bridge held onto the bass with what looks like duct tape. But I think there must be some kind of pickup underneath it because there is an extra knob (maybe two) on the basses also. Check it out. | My curiosity never quits when it comes to what is going on there near the bridge of his P's. Does anyone have any ideas? ... 2 filter switches, 3 pots.. ? |
12-02-2009, 08:02 PM
| | | Quote:
Just throwing this out there-
Always dug O'Hearn's tone on "Give" by Missing Persons
| I think he was playing carvins then. I saw that tour(as well as the Spring Session tour)
Amazing band. absolutley amazing. |
04-13-2011, 12:50 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pacific Wonderland | | Quote:
Originally Posted by zombywoof5050 Patrick O'Hearn's Precisions are modded, just look at closeups on the "Baby Snakes" DVD. On both his fretless and fretted P's, he has what looks like a makeshift ramp near the bridge held onto the bass with what looks like duct tape. But I think there must be some kind of pickup underneath it because there is an extra knob (maybe two) on the basses also. Check it out. | You know I just asked him about that!
Hello,
You have no doubt have answered this a zillion times, but I have not heard. Your fretless P bass with Zappa, under the strings, by the bridge. Ramp or muting device or?
I thank you for your time.
Phil
Hi Phil,
A device I fashioned to make playing bass guitar feel a bit closer to upright, which I was more accustom to at that time . (right hand pizz off the fingerboard) I eventually removed it as was no longer needed for feel. Also moved to playing closer to neck and fingerboard anyway. -- fuller, rich and darker tone for me.
Best regards,
Patrick
-
So, what the kids refer to as a ramp I believe. like the Gary Willis thing. As always, you were ahead of your time. Still are
And a big THANK YOU MAN for answering back.
Do you mind if I tell TALKBASS.COM community about this, or is it our little secret ?
Peace and love
Phil
Thanks Phil. --and certainly feel free to mention.
Cheers!
There you go!
__________________
"Pass the Peas" "Soul Brother Number One" BIG CAB CLUB member #170 and proud of it!...Not so much now that I'm old and fat! Oregon Bassist's Club member #46
| | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | | |
