Journey tone?!?!?

Blasto · #1 09-23-2010, 10:55 AM

I play in a show band that just happens to do some Journey. One in particular is "Who's Crying Now". Can anyone tell me how I can get that sound? It has a midrange growl, so to speak. But I can't help but to think that he has some type of effect on it. Tips?

Joe Nerve · #2 09-23-2010, 10:58 AM

I've wondered the same thing with Don't Stop Believing, so I'm plugged in.

Blasto · #3 09-23-2010, 10:58 AM

Matter of fact, I was about to post on that. We do that one, too.

Johno Dunn · #4 09-23-2010, 11:08 AM

Sounds like a mellow Chorus. It almost sounds fretless.

J!

Journey rulz!

Blasto · #5 09-23-2010, 11:10 AM

I was thinking chorus. Fretless is out of the question seeing I don't have one. I am thinking about boosting mids on a parametric just for these songs.

loend68 · #6 09-23-2010, 11:17 AM

Maybe a little chorus and play closer to the bridge?

electracoyote · #7 09-23-2010, 11:19 AM

Get yourself a Peavey T-40 and be done with it.

jpTron · #8 09-23-2010, 11:24 AM

I always wondered that about Don't Stop Believing. But mostly because I hate the tone of the bass in that song. Not that I like the song much either. It sounds fretless even though I don't think it is

PDK · #9 09-23-2010, 11:26 AM

If you have a J bass try favoring the bridge pickup more. Use a pick and if you have it use chorus.

The Nameless · #10 09-23-2010, 11:26 AM

Ross Valory of Journey, one of my ALL time faves, played Steinbergers at that time. I"ve played a few. The tone is all in his EMGs and BRAND new strings. I never got on wit the stylin or feel of the Steinberger bodyless basses. But, wit a Spector loaded w/EMGs and new, steel strings, runnin back, J pickup soloed and boostin the bass by about half, I get that exact tone, no chorus, when I perform those tunes. I think the key is new, steel strings and EMGs. IMHO.

Chad Michael · #11 09-23-2010, 11:27 AM

On a 2-pickup bass, use only bridge pickup and roll off the treble. This will get you close.

TrevorOfDoom · #12 09-23-2010, 11:29 AM

Ross also played Ovation Magnums for a while, and when i had one it got that tone hard! my Lakland Decade can get close, but not quite. maybe the Peavey T40 will do the job...

The Nameless · #13 09-23-2010, 11:29 AM

Ah, nice, Chad. I forgot, I roll the treble off all my EMG loaded basses. Almost off. I never touch it once set, so forgot I cut them. Heh. Good call.

The Nameless · #14 09-23-2010, 11:34 AM

Oh, yeah. I remember those Ovations. Strongest output signal EVer. But in the videos for those tunes, seems to me I saw "in studio" shots that showed Ross playin the Steinbergers. I kept up cuz even my big hero Geddy was usin them. And the tones from Rush's Signals album, and subsequent releases, matched close those tones on Journey's Escape. I just assumed, though those Ovations some monster basses for rock. They no joke. So maybe I'm wrong.

bucephylus · #15 09-23-2010, 11:37 AM

Aside from the chorus/flanger, a Fender J/DR HiBeams with the pick near the bridge and both pups on full gets more than close enough for me. The actual recording has the effects, probably in parallel with dry; which sounds great for that recording, but probably not worth the effort live - no one but you will notice. My 2c.

electracoyote · #16 09-23-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Nameless

Ross Valory of Journey, one of my ALL time faves, played Steinbergers at that time.

Some sources also site the Ovation Magnum as the bass he used on that track.

So it was either a T-40, Steinberger, or Magnum.

Can anyone say for certain and provide a reliable source?

modulusman · #17 09-23-2010, 02:18 PM

I use to be able to get that tone with the T-40. As Chad Michael said on a jazz bazz roll off the treble and use the bridge pick-up. You might need to add alittle of the neck pick-up depending on the bass.

Disco Batman · #18 09-23-2010, 02:21 PM

Great songs but I've always hated that Bass tone. I always figured it was a fretless with chorus.

Blasto · #19 09-23-2010, 08:44 PM

I do indeed have a '97 Fender Jazz. I rolled the top pickup completely off, but it really looses bottom when I do. I would like to change from V-V-T, to Vol-(pan)-Tone. Any suggestions?

As far as picking near the bridge, oh yes, it works. I wouldn't mind having an old T-40. I have been a proud owner of several Peavey Products over the years. I still use a PV2600 in my rig. Although, I am trying to get into Carvin for a new head.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I am gonna see about adding a little chorus.

Now, does anyone have tabs for Limelight?

**baba** · #20 09-27-2010, 12:45 PM

I always thought that signature Journey bass tone was a T-40.