Chris Squires tone on "America."

Mike M. · #1 02-21-2011, 10:01 PM

I was listening to this old track earlier today. Good God, but what a great tone CS gets on this track.

Just out of sheer curiosity, does anyone know what amp he used for that? I know back then for live performances he used a Sunn Coliseum head and a Sunn 6X12 cab...not sure if he used that in the studio or not on that track.

I also remember reading from around that time (maybe a year or two prior to "America") where he said he used a Vox AC30 a lot for recording. Maybe he used that amp?

Whatever he used it's a great sound.

the byronic man · #2 02-21-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike M.

I was listening to this old track earlier today. Good God, but what a great tone CS gets on this track.

Just out of sheer curiosity, does anyone know what amp he used for that? I know back then for live performances he used a Sunn Coliseum head and a Sunn 6X12 cab...not sure if he used that in the studio or not on that track.

I also remember reading from around that time (maybe a year or two prior to "America") where he said he used a Vox AC30 a lot for recording. Maybe he used that amp?

Whatever he used it's a great sound.

love the tone. not quite as good as the tone on his solo album, but still wonderful.

PhR · #3 02-22-2011, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the byronic man

not quite as good as the tone on his solo album, but still wonderful.

Which tone? He used many basses on his solo album like the Telecaster on "Lucky Seven" and Thunderbird and the 8-string Rick on "Safe".

Mrdak · #4 02-22-2011, 04:44 AM

Here ........ a good live vid.. wish I could've been there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdsUP...eature=related
I saw a svt cabinet back there.

Hoover · #5 02-22-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike M.

I know back then for live performances he used a Sunn Coliseum head and a Sunn 6X12 cab

Really? I thought he was using the Marshall SuperBass head (that he still uses to this day, though now in conjunction with SVTs) for all the early 70's shows. Meh, what do I know?

Ric5 · #6 02-22-2011, 02:46 PM

He did use a pair of Sunn 6x12s for a while in the 70s. I have also seen him use Marshall and Ampeg. I have seen old pics of him using old Fender amps.

Old Ric basses work well with old Marshall amps.

Ric5 · #7 02-22-2011, 02:58 PM

Get a good effects pedalboard. Then you can dial several different signature sounds no matter what bass or what amp you use.

Stingray5 · #8 02-22-2011, 07:16 PM

plus Rick with a Pick never fails

loendmaestro · #9 02-22-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhR

Which tone? He used many basses on his solo album like the Telecaster on "Lucky Seven"

God I love his tone on that tune! That tele had a jazz p/u in the bridge....apparently it was stolen a few years later.

PhR · #10 02-23-2011, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loendmaestro

God I love his tone on that tune! That tele had a jazz p/u in the bridge....apparently it was stolen a few years later.

According to some it was also used on "Southside Of The Sky".

darthbatman · #11 02-23-2011, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrdak

Here ........ a good live vid.. wish I could've been there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdsUP...eature=related
I saw a svt cabinet back there.

great video but there were some serious lmao moments with the singer

Ezbass · #12 02-23-2011, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingray5

plus Rick with a Pick never fails

I take your point (this certainly seems to be the norm when playing a Ric and always has that sound) but there used to be a video on the Lakland site of Yes where Chris was playing a Bob Glaub (as it was then) and he just sounded like he was playing his normal Ric. Another instance of it's often more the player rather than the instrument.

Back on topic America is probably my favourite Yes track. The use of Bernstein's America as bass line in the opening sequence is inspired, and Chris' tone in quiet section is a masterclass in the use of the full possible tonal range of his bass.

Mike M. · #13 02-23-2011, 05:04 AM

Yeah, whatever he used it's just a great sound. I fully agree that a Ric with a pick and the way one attacks the strings is a huge part of it because I use to use that myself way back then. But it's that "grind" to the sound that still gives me goose bumps.

Yeah, I saw them three times way back in the day and all three times he used a Sunn Coliseum Lead head and one Sunn 6X12 cabinet.

Mrdak · #14 02-23-2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darthbatman

great video but there were some serious lmao moments with the singer

yeah.. he must have had monitor issues.

watch these 2 vids in this order.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_j9VAHELF0 and then http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjDLn33KHKE

In the first one you can really hear the Rick, along with some good shots of his technique. In the second vid.......done years later, Chris is using an AEB and it still almost sounds like a Rick.

Freddy-G. · #15 02-23-2011, 05:37 PM

I bought the single when it came out. (It was later released on a collection). I remember thinking that Chris' tone was even more edgier than ever, if that was possible. Also, IMO, the reproduction on the single is very different than that on the collection (I'm referring to the sound quality, not the fact that it was edited for the single). It sounds more immediate, like you're in a small, intimate space with them. The later version seems more distant, with more reverb to the bass.

Yes did very few covers, but this one is a gem!