How does he get that sound?

limit6 · #1 12-23-2009, 05:08 PM

Really, really inspiring player and tone. What's this guy's background like? What kind of rig is he using? What drugs do you recommend I use to play more like him?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aePPK...layer_embedded

Taxt · #2 12-23-2009, 05:11 PM

his tone reminds me of Jaco alot

Newbie-Doo · #3 12-23-2009, 05:44 PM

I'm a newb bassist, but let's examine the evidence...

I can see he's playing a Fender Jazz Bass..

Sounds like his tone control is rolled back some, that eliminates a lot of the scrapey noises from the strings...

...he's using his fingers and you'll have to as well to get that fat, thumpy attack...You won't get that sound with a pick...

...Fender Amps...can't tell what kind...can't tell what size speakers he's using...

Now for some guestimatin'...

...I'm thinking he is pumping up the low-mids to get more thump and pulling back on the lowest lows for better definition...

...The sustain on the sliding notes makes me believe he is using some type of compression...

...at various points I hear some chorus/flanger/phaser type sounds in there...

Most of his "tone" is coming from his hands/technique though, and that's something that comes from God and practice.

Let me know if anything I said was actually close to the mark and helped. haha

Good luck!
D

Crockettnj · #4 12-23-2009, 05:57 PM

this is wild! nice link. Dude jams. Its a little gritty/distorted too, no? ( Could be my speakers. )

knumbskull · #5 12-23-2009, 06:03 PM

who is this new band? they are so fresh faced.

bit of chorus on the, well, the choruses. and a bar or so of phaser at the end of each one. he seems to be slapping a bit too.

this kind of music gives me a tension headache.

knumbskull · #6 12-23-2009, 06:05 PM

oh god now the drummer's doing one of those solos where he plays EACH tom tom for 1 minute or so.

knumbskull · #7 12-23-2009, 06:07 PM

back on topic, he seems to be using an envelope filter for his bass solo, on top of the chorus.

let the record show he is also wearing dungarees.

EDIT sorry to the OP, i don't mean to be a jerk all over yr thread

...have tried to include useful info too. there may well be some overdrive in his sound but i think it's probably tube amp clipping. someone more knowledgeable will hopefully be along shortly...

thombo · #8 12-23-2009, 06:37 PM

great clup Limit6, i love this tune. the brecker bros always kill it!

what Neil Jason is using:
-jazz bass w/ a lot of back pickup, not sure if there is any rear pup. i think his tone knob is on full (sorry newbie-doo), though i could be wrong. he's got some switches on the bass, don't know what for.
-peavey amp (probably solid state) with the mids bumped
-chorus effect (around 1:18)
-envelope filter during chorus
it sounds like he has listened to a lot of Jaco, Stanley Clarke, Larry Graham, and electric Miles Davis, and maybe some Marcus Miller (he wasn't all that well known in '80).

honestly, Jason has killer chops and a sound that is "in his hands." most any gear he played through would sound like this.

there are tons of resources for this sound, all of which require a lot of practicing, regardless of drug choices.

limit6 · #9 12-23-2009, 06:54 PM

Alright guys, you're all very helpful. Thank you. But in all seriousness, just tell me about the drugs. I want very badly to become a great bassist. I really feel like it's the missing link.

Newbie-Doo · #10 12-23-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limit6

Alright guys, you're all very helpful. Thank you. But in all seriousness, just tell me about the drugs. I want very badly to become a great bassist. I really feel like it's the missing link.

Ritalin or Adderall are pretty good at keeping you from doing this

when you should be practicing.

Demon_Hunter · #11 12-23-2009, 09:46 PM

http://www.youplayalong.com/watch_vi...7d33110dacbd56

ErnieD · #12 12-24-2009, 02:27 AM

nice find of 'marloweKbass' or whatever his youtube vid full name is. Man, I've watched this guys vids over and over again. He nails the cover demos and even improves on some. I really dig this cat's style as he even has some lesson vids and slows em down to show all the correct chops. Just a great player IMHO.

Merry Christmas TB brethren everywhere!

Hoover · #13 12-24-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbie-Doo

Most of his "tone" is coming from his hands/technique though, and that's something that comes from God and practice.

Mostly the latter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thombo

it sounds like he has listened to a lot of Jaco, Stanley Clarke, Larry Graham, and electric Miles Davis, and maybe some Marcus Miller (he wasn't all that well known in '80).

I think it's probably fair to say that in 1980 Marcus Miller had listened to a whole lot more Neil Jason than vice-versa.