McCartney's tone On Abbey Road

Craig_S · #1 07-15-2011, 05:07 PM

Incredible... Big gooshy tube goodness, all gritty and warm. So wonderful I wish I could make a blanket out of it.

that's all. carry on.

5StringBlues · #2 07-15-2011, 05:11 PM

staindbass · #3 07-15-2011, 05:27 PM

awesome.... im gonna jam "you never give me your money" RIGHT NOW.

Craig_S · #4 07-17-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staindbass

awesome.... im gonna jam "you never give me your money" RIGHT NOW.

enjoy!

I'm just discovering how wonderful these recordings are.

timbob1986 · #5 07-18-2011, 01:07 AM

Gah, love The Beatles! Now I can't pick a favorite but songwriting wise (and the fact that he was originally a guitarist), it's McCartney for me...

OldDog52 · #6 07-18-2011, 08:37 AM

The Beatles - I Want You (She's So Heavy) Isolated Bass Track - YouTube

Bob C · #7 07-18-2011, 11:29 AM

That isolated track sounds out of tune and has more than a few clams. But in the full mix it really works.

OldDog52 · #8 07-18-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

That isolated track sounds out of tune and has more than a few clams. But in the full mix it really works.

That's what I love about it: It's not perfect playing, it sounds just a little "off", yet it fits. I have no idea whether he played the whole thing in a single take but it sounds like maybe he did. I'm guessing he might have been half-baked at that session.

chris4001asat · #9 07-18-2011, 11:56 AM

"Something" is the first chapter in pop bass playing...or is it the final exam????

iiipopes · #10 07-18-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris4001asat

"Something" is the first chapter in pop bass playing...or is it the final exam????

More like a Master's thesis.

Aussie Player · #11 07-18-2011, 12:47 PM

It is easy to criticize bass playing as an imperfect technique. It is hard. It really is. Listen to your own playing on tape. You won't believe it is you because you spend so much time playing with a stereo player that it covers your technique.

I try and concentrate very much on that aspect when I play now, as I self critique my own playing more than anything going on around me. I have become very fussy about playing as perfectly as I can, as well as in note selection with the the right balance of fill runs and highlights than make me, me.

Craig_S · #12 07-18-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDog52

I'm guessing he might have been half-baked at that session.

half?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie Player

It is easy to criticize bass playing as an imperfect technique. It is hard. It really is. Listen to your own playing on tape. You won't believe it is you because you spend so much time playing with a stereo player that it covers your technique.

I try and concentrate very much on that aspect when I play now, as I self critique my own playing more than anything going on around me. I have become very fussy about playing as perfectly as I can, as well as in note selection with the the right balance of fill runs and highlights than make me, me.

I gave up on perfect long ago. Perfect didn't groove. Perfect was too perfect.

**peledog** · #13 07-18-2011, 01:22 PM

My band covers 'Uprising' by Muse. It's fun to play, and I have to mimic the synth bass line. We recorded it for promo purposes - and even though I had a click track - I just sounded off - I listened to the my track soloed. But when everyone else is in the mix, it sounded fine. Meh.

+1 on 'Something' BTW

Bob C · #14 07-18-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie Player

It is easy to criticize bass playing as an imperfect technique. It is hard. It really is. Listen to your own playing on tape. You won't believe it is you because you spend so much time playing with a stereo player that it covers your technique.

I try and concentrate very much on that aspect when I play now, as I self critique my own playing more than anything going on around me. I have become very fussy about playing as perfectly as I can, as well as in note selection with the the right balance of fill runs and highlights than make me, me.

I don't know if this is in response to my post, but I totally agree. I wasn't "dissing" McCartney. I think he's great, and I love the Beatles.

I too have learned so much about my playing from doing home recording. It is amazing how many flubs surface, but also how things sound different (and sometimes better) in the full mix.

darkhorse9 · #15 07-19-2011, 08:28 AM

I have heard that McCartney's tone at that time was rather surly and sarcastic.

Oh, wait, that was his tone of voice. Sorry. You mean somethign else.

Ric5 · #16 07-19-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

Incredible... Big gooshy tube goodness, all gritty and warm. So wonderful I wish I could make a blanket out of it.

that's all. carry on.

Remember on any Beatle bass track you can have McCartney, Lennon, or Harrison playing bass.

MLysh · #17 07-23-2011, 07:00 AM

George Martin, Geoff Emerick, Ken Smith, et al...

Rocker949 · #18 07-27-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

Incredible... Big gooshy tube goodness, all gritty and warm. So wonderful I wish I could make a blanket out of it.

that's all. carry on.

Probably tied with Sgt Pepper for my favorite bass playing on a Beatles album.

OldDog52 · #19 07-27-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLysh

George Martin, Geoff Emerick, Ken Smith, et al...

I think you mean Norman Smith...

EDIT: Well I tried to insert a link to wikipedia but it keeps getting mangled. Anyway I'm pretty sure you meant Norman Smith.

masonsjax · #20 07-27-2011, 07:52 PM

I have a 64 Hofner Beatlebass. Those things really were junk, doesn't stay in tune for anything no matter how perfect your technique.