Pete Vuckovic Setup

[Ferengo]

Hi guys, Am new to the site so please bare with me.

Am getting back into playing the bass since being in a band playing keyboard and am needing a little help getting a particular sound. That being the bassist of 3 Colours Red Pete Vuckovic.

I've seen him play live and the last 3 times (Before they split) he was using an Ashdown ABM 500, ABM 1x15 and 4x10. He also uses a Gibson thunderbird as his main bass. I have both of these (Minus the 1x15 which I had) so what am I missing to get this tone? The sound in question can be heard on 3 colours red's song "Pure". Perhaps a drive of some sort or even a compressor?

Any help to get this would be awesome. Thanks.

Here's a link to the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmEElT-UcOs

[Kink Rimson]

Originally Posted by Ferengo

Hi guys, Am new to the site so please bare with me.

Am getting back into playing the bass since being in a band playing keyboard and am needing a little help getting a particular sound. That being the bassist of 3 Colours Red Pete Vuckovic.

I've seen him play live and the last 3 times (Before they split) he was using an Ashdown ABM 500, ABM 1x15 and 4x10. He also uses a Gibson thunderbird as his main bass. I have both of these (Minus the 1x15 which I had) so what am I missing to get this tone? The sound in question can be heard on 3 colours red's song "Pure". Perhaps a drive of some sort or even a compressor?

Any help to get this would be awesome. Thanks.

Here's a link to the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmEElT-UcOs

I'm afraid I don't know which effect is being used on this track, but I think it must be a studio thing as I saw 3CR a few times back in the day and he never sounded quite like that live if my memory serves me. I think he used to use Ampegs back in the late 90s.

I used to love this band, and what a bassist! Love's Cradle is one of my fave bass lines, not just the intro riff but the way he weaves through the verses. That bass solo in Fit Boy + Faint Girl does my head in though, there's a buzzy fret or something and it's all I hear!

I much prefer his tone on the second album, Revolt, which was recorded with the cheaper Epiphone non-reverse Thunderbird, I think it sounds much better! Sadly they don't make those anymore. Wish I still had mine.

[Ferengo]

Originally Posted by Kink Rimson

I'm afraid I don't know which effect is being used on this track, but I think it must be a studio thing as I saw 3CR a few times back in the day and he never sounded quite like that live if my memory serves me. I think he used to use Ampegs back in the late 90s.

I used to love this band, and what a bassist! Love's Cradle is one of my fave bass lines, not just the intro riff but the way he weaves through the verses. That bass solo in Fit Boy + Faint Girl does my head in though, there's a buzzy fret or something and it's all I hear!

I much prefer his tone on the second album, Revolt, which was recorded with the cheaper Epiphone non-reverse Thunderbird, I think it sounds much better! Sadly they don't make those anymore. Wish I still had mine.

I never heard that bit in Fit boy until now, lol.

Well I actually lucked out and managed to get in touch with Pete himself. He gave some really simple tips for getting that sound.

He agreed he used the Ashdown on the last tours 3CR did (I did see him use an Ampeg in the DVD that broke down, lol) and said that would be perfect for what I need. He also mention a little compression (Compressor now ordered ) but the main things are lots of treble and bass very little mid and to thumb the strings with the whole of my for arm and not to just use my wrist.

He was pretty cool in his email about it and he seems really excited his bands new album being finished.

Cheers for the help, Think I'll be looking for a non reverse Thunderbird as you're right, the sound he has on Revolt rocks. Did you ever hear 3CRs Union Of Souls Album? He has a pretty rocking tone on that too.

[Kink Rimson]

Originally Posted by Ferengo

I never heard that bit in Fit boy until now, lol.

Well I actually lucked out and managed to get in touch with Pete himself. He gave some really simple tips for getting that sound.

He agreed he used the Ashdown on the last tours 3CR did (I did see him use an Ampeg in the DVD that broke down, lol) and said that would be perfect for what I need. He also mention a little compression (Compressor now ordered ) but the main things are lots of treble and bass very little mid and to thumb the strings with the whole of my for arm and not to just use my wrist.

He was pretty cool in his email about it and he seems really excited his bands new album being finished.

Cheers for the help, Think I'll be looking for a non reverse Thunderbird as you're right, the sound he has on Revolt rocks. Did you ever hear 3CRs Union Of Souls Album? He has a pretty rocking tone on that too.

That's great you go to speak to Pete directly. I remember once I left a message on Fear Factory's website regarding bass gear and Christian Olde Wolbers got in touch personally. Top fellas! But I digress.

I never heard Union of Souls I'm afraid to say, but I think I will take the time to check it out. They fell off my radar a little. Funny as Revolt got me through some difficult, angsty teenage times...
I remember reading that their drummer had died a little while back, which was very sad.
But yeah, keep your eyes open for one of those early Epiphone Tbirds - they don't pop up much. They are Thunderbirds in name only really, having PJ pickups but they are great instruments in their own right