getting the jaco fretted growl

[pbass888]

I play a fretted jazz and do a few songs with local musicians (the chicken, teen town, birdland). I have a video of jaco doing a fretted version of the chicken below. Ive never gotten that growl on my jazzes and would love some advice if anyone has any suggestions. Ive done the usual (pluck near the bridge, use the back pup, etc) but not with this nasally growl.

Is this tone a function of the amp (old tube?) , strings ,or purely in the fingers? Clearly some combination..

Thank you for your help.


jaco tutorial video with a fretted electric bass below
JACO PASTORIUS- The Chicken- Studio Live&John Scofield - YouTube

[pbass888]

bump

[darius8]

That Jaco is smooth bro! Yeah, he plays REALLY close to that bridge, like, almost over it. AND, with his fretting fingers he lifts them as soon as he plucks a note but just enough to get that fretty growl your after.
I think he's trying to mute the notes by just lifting his finger off the fretboard but still touching the strings to mute them.
To make it easier, fret the notes directly between the frets and not close to one.

Jaco uses Acoustic amps, I'm sure thats part of that "sound".

[sammyp]

yup! he plays on the bridge pickup ....besides that it all in his hands....cause in that old instructional video he is unplugged sometimes if i remember correct ...and he still growls!

he had stunning strenght and technique in both hands!

nah i'm wrong ...he's always plugged in in that vid ....but you get the drift ...there is no major production..he's just plugged in to an old tube amp being Jaco!

yeah that vid with Scofield ...damn he was so good!

[pbass888]

guys thank you for the great advice. i have a light touch (Study with todd johnson (who studied with gary willis) so i have to learn to dig in, which i usually dont do. darius great point about the fretting hand. and sammy you are right about the strength. Im transcribing that video as an exercise (jam in e etc) and there are some amazing stretches (6-9 frets etc across strings).

Always takes me back to the shed when i watch that old video!