Jame Brown

Sub5ound · #1 02-02-2009, 10:38 PM

This may get moved to the string forum but I thought it would be more likely I find the answer here. Does anyone know what type of strings/bass (strings more of what I'm looking for) were used on the most well known songs? Particularly his 20 All Time Greatest CD? Any info would be much appreciated and the most detailed, accurate info recieves a free set of D'addario halfwounds (45-65-80-100) used on my P bass for less than an hour(not my thing) Thanks!

Buskman · #2 02-03-2009, 11:10 AM

Well - different eras, different players, different basses, different strings, etc...

I'm afraid there's no "easy answer". I know that Bass Player magazine did an article on the JB bassists a little ways back (not sure of exact date - anyone?), and there was some detailed info on gear.

Mushroo · #3 02-03-2009, 11:15 AM

If you think a new set of strings will make you sound like James Brown's bass player...

Back then, there were not a lot of different options. Did the players choose a particular brand of strings because they were after a certain sound, or because they were the only strings readily available? Did JB choose his bass players because of their string brand, or because of other factors (like a good sense of time)?

Anyhow, I think a passive P or J bass with flatwounds will get the sound you're after. I like the TI jazz flats personally. Hope that helps...

Jim Campbell · #4 02-03-2009, 11:55 AM

does anyone even remember who it was that played for jb before he canned them because they insisted beyond all reason on being paid.......he was known for fining guys for clam notes (live on stage,while playing) or for un-shined shoes,un-pressed uniforms and the like.......

i do know that jamerson used labella flats exclusively and if you choose that route instead ill gladly take that set off your hands

Sub5ound · #5 02-03-2009, 04:56 PM

I'm ntt trying to achieve that sound right now, the D'addario's are unrelated. Just wondering. Ok, do you think the majority of the songs (pre-73) were recorded with flats?

Jim Campbell · #6 02-03-2009, 05:08 PM

i dont recall rounds getting popular until later when slap/pop got going in earnest......the earlier fenders had strips of muting stuff glued to the inside of the bridge covers for a deader sound and jamerson was known for keeping strings well past the sell by date

One Drop · #7 02-04-2009, 02:18 AM

I would be willing to bet most if not all the tracks recorded up to '73 were done with flats equipped basses.

JB had a sponsorship deal with Vox for a few years in the late '60s and everyone on stage used their instruments and amps (and I've seen studio pix with Country Kellum on a Vox bass), but otherwise Ps seem to have gotten the most play. Odum played a '56 P pretty much exclusively, and I think so did Tim Drummond. Charles Sherrel played Vox for a bit, too, I think.

Bootsy recorded most if not all his lines with a J, I believe.

Mushroo · #8 02-04-2009, 05:27 AM

Did James Jamerson ever play with James Brown???

One Drop · #9 02-04-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Did James Jamerson ever play with James Brown???

Nope.

etoncrow · #10 02-04-2009, 12:29 PM

Check this out: http://www.bassplayer.com/article/ja...ts/mar-05/3352

Buskman · #11 02-04-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etoncrow

Check this out: http://www.bassplayer.com/article/ja...ts/mar-05/3352

Exactly the article I mentioned in the previous post - good find!

Here's the deets:

"Bernard Odum used a flatwound-strung ’56 Fender Precision for much of his career. He was also photographed in the studio with Vox “teardrop” basses. At the end of ’65, James secured an endorsement from Vox and outfitted the entire rhythm section with Vox equipment, including 120-watt Westminster 1x18 bass combos. Bootsy Collins used a Fender Jazz Bass and Ampeg SVT amps during his tenure with James Brown. Fred Thomas did all of his classic Brown sessions with a Fender Precision, except for a few he did with James’s Fender Jazz. Fred’s current bass, however, is a Carvin 5-string. In the early ’70s he played through Peavey amps and cabinets before moving on to Ampeg SVTs. Ray Brundidge plays a Music Man Sabre, strung with GHS Medium Bass Boomers, through an old SVT head and an SWR Megoliath 8x10 cabinet."

bass12 · #12 02-04-2009, 04:11 PM

It's "James", not "Jame". Come on...

Sub5ound · #13 02-04-2009, 10:22 PM

It's lookin' more and more like flats....

Sub5ound · #14 02-04-2009, 10:23 PM

Thanks! Pretty detailed info from all! Hmmm....

Buskman · #15 02-06-2009, 07:24 AM

Hey all,

Just wanted to let everyone know that 'Sub5ound' is a man (I'm assuming?

) of his word.

He actually PM'ed me about sending me the strings (see opening post). How cool/nice is that?

Just figured it was worth mentioning. Thanks again, Sub5ound!