What gives Flea his tone?

CaseLogic · #1 01-12-2008, 01:12 PM

For example, in the bass solo in "Naked in the Rain" where you can clearly hear his tone, it has a very distinct growl/crunch to it and it is almost comparable slapping but obviously not near as much attack. It's hard for me to describe in words the way it sounds, but what gives him this tone? I know the equipment plays a part but does it also have to do with a really strong attack he has when plucking?

I've only been playing for about 3.5 years but I have a musicman SUB and an ashdown amp and I've been trying to get that kind of growly tone but I don't know if it's completely possible with my setup.

Can you guys give me more info about his tone/EQ settings, etc that help him obtain that kind of tone? I talked to someone at Guitar Center (I don't trust these guys most of the time though) and he said that he also uses an envelop filter, is that accurate?

Sorry for the ambiguous questions =P

southshoreconor · #2 01-12-2008, 01:19 PM

sometimes the most overlooked part of someone's tone is their own playing. when you hear fleas bass cut through or distort it's because he's practically punching his low E and A strings and yanking the G and D about an inch an a half off the fretboard.

rporcupine · #3 01-12-2008, 01:20 PM

yeah flea just pounds it a good un.

thats really all there is to it, new strings, and plucking f'ing hard.

ksandvik · #4 01-12-2008, 01:21 PM

Yes, the more I play, the more I believe in Jeff Beck, use the fingers for all kinds of sounds. --Kent

rporcupine · #5 01-12-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaseLogic

I talked to someone at Guitar Center (I don't trust these guys most of the time though) and he said that he also uses an envelop filter, is that accurate?

go and smack them in the face, they dont know what theyre talking about.

an envelope filter is an auto-wah, the effect used in power of equality slap breakdown/coffee shop solo/and sir psycho sexy

CaseLogic · #6 01-12-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rporcupine

go and smack them in the face, they dont know what theyre talking about.

an envelope filter is an auto-wah, the effect used in power of equality slap breakdown/coffee shop solo/and sir psycho sexy

Yeah but if you have the envelope filter adjusted so it's very subtle, it's plausible isn't it?

unclekebm · #7 01-12-2008, 01:27 PM

+100,000 to all the above posts...

bassteban · #8 01-12-2008, 01:40 PM

He take special 'tone pills' that alter the listener's ears to make even awful playing sound good. He's really quite bad.
I can actually sell you some of these pills(I bought some but realized I don't need them; I'm actually quite good). They're a million dollars each & they're invisible.

rporcupine · #9 01-12-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaseLogic

Yeah but if you have the envelope filter adjusted so it's very subtle, it's plausible isn't it?

no

he barely uses it, apart from the odd occasion where you will definetly know about it

CaseLogic · #10 01-12-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rporcupine

no

he barely uses it, apart from the odd occasion where you will definetly know about it

Thanks =)

shannons · #11 01-12-2008, 02:33 PM

MM Stingray & Modulus basses into GK amps...and playing hard!

ibanezshredder · #12 01-12-2008, 06:59 PM

Alot of the times when I see him soloing he takes a very agressive attack, and basicaly plucks the **** out of the strings.

CapnSev · #13 01-12-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shannons

MM Stingray & Modulus basses into GK amps...and playing hard!

"Naked in the Rain" is actually recorded with a Wal through a Trace Elliot.

Trace Elliots are pretty reasonable to come by.

Good luck finding that Wal...

boglej2 · #14 01-27-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

He take special 'tone pills' that alter the listener's ears to make even awful playing sound good. He's really quite bad.
I can actually sell you some of these pills(I bought some but realized I don't need them; I'm actually quite good). They're a million dollars each & they're invisible.

How can u say that about flea, he is an absolute genius bass player and an astounding performer. Go listen to soul to squeeze, one of the greatest bass recordings i've ever heard, and its almost unheard of!!

superzeus · #15 01-30-2008, 02:38 AM

He does use an envelope filter in some of his songs. He's said so in interviews. He mostly uses that for smoother, funkier basslines, unlike the ones your talking about. He just plays really aggressively and attacks the strings. He's been known to break E strings before, so you can imagine how hard he plays.

bassteban · #16 01-30-2008, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boglej2

How can u say that about flea, he is an absolute genius bass player and an astounding performer. Go listen to soul to squeeze, one of the greatest bass recordings i've ever heard, and its almost unheard of!!

Dude. I like Flea. Reread my post- especially the smilies. Then Google the term 'sarcasm'.