Wilton Felder - The Crusaders

[markjazzbassist]

I just picked up a couple Crusaders records and I'm really digging Wilton Felder's groove. He doesn't overplay, he plays just whats needed and really digs in the groove. Simple and tasteful. He also plays tenor sax which is really cool cause i also play saxophone. Anyone know what gear he used (bass, amp)?


Anyone else digging Wilton Felder?

[jerry]

Longtime fan! There's a reason his name is on so many recordings coming out of L.A. in the early 70's, including Motown......awesome groove! His stuff with the Jackson 5 alone is worth bass hall of fame status.

[JimK]

Pretty sure it was a Fender Jazz.
...Jerry?

[Peter McFerrin]

Felder's playing on Grant Green's Live at the Lighthouse is just vicious. It sounds like a J with flats to me--it has that sorta "hollow" sound, versus the Precision's always-audible low-mid grunt.

[flatwoundfender]

Originally Posted by Peter McFerrin

Felder's playing on Grant Green's Live at the Lighthouse is just vicious. It sounds like a J with flats to me--it has that sorta "hollow" sound, versus the Precision's always-audible low-mid grunt.

There are some awesome lines on that album, I love Grant Green's funky stuff.

[jerry]

I've seen pics of him with a Jazz and it sounds like a jazz and some sounds like a P-bass, but I'm not sure.

[flatwoundfender]

Originally Posted by jerry

I've seen pics of him with a Jazz and it sounds like a jazz and some sounds like a P-bass, but I'm not sure.

It's quite possible he played both.

[markjazzbassist]

sounds good guys, im glad there are some other people diggin on felder. I gotta check out this grant green cat now and get some of his stuff.

[Peter McFerrin]

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

sounds good guys, im glad there are some other people diggin on felder. I gotta check out this grant green cat now and get some of his stuff.

All highly recommended:

• Live at the Lighthouse
• Matador
• I Want to Hold Your Hand
• Idle Moments
• Born to Be Blue
• Feelin' the Spirit

[steveb98]

I remember some pictures of Wilton back in the 70's playing what we called Telecaster basses. They were the early 50's PBass's with the squared edges. Guess today they would be the Fender Sting bass.

Yes Wilton was a groove master on both tenor and bass.

[Lo.]

Originally Posted by steveb98

I remember some pictures of Wilton back in the 70's playing what we called Telecaster basses. They were the early 50's PBass's with the squared edges. Guess today they would be the Fender Sting bass.

Yes Wilton was a groove master on both tenor and bass.

He uses the Tele bass on Jimmy Smith's great live album "Root Down".

[KJung]

Originally Posted by jerry

Longtime fan! There's a reason his name is on so many recordings coming out of L.A. in the early 70's, including Motown......awesome groove! His stuff with the Jackson 5 alone is worth bass hall of fame status.

+1 One of my faves and a big influence... some of the first real groove playing that I was turned onto many years ago.

[Lorenzini]

Just purchased Live at the Lighthouse for $7 at half.com

I highly recommend that website!

[Mojo-Man]

Originally Posted by Peter McFerrin

Felder's playing on Grant Green's Live at the Lighthouse is just vicious. It sounds like a J with flats to me--it has that sorta "hollow" sound, versus the Precision's always-audible low-mid grunt.

I love Live at the Lighthouse,

[markjazzbassist]

i just picked up Images and Those Southern Knights on vinyl. Man, the bassline to Keep On, Keep That Same Old Feeling is hot. Gotta love that groove!