60's effects...

bassninja7 · #1 11-23-2008, 11:42 PM

So i got asked to play bass in the HS musical, godspell. i was told that the music will be very 60's early 70's
this will take place in may, so i have some time to gather effects.

so question is, what would be the best/or most practial to use. as well as a cool effect to use in a classic-ish rock band. i dont wanna buy an effect just for the musical....
i currently have a q105 wah and a pbddi.
i will be getting the VT soon, maybe like feb.

i am open to any and all, and price will most likey not matter lol.
thanks.

JimmyM · #2 11-23-2008, 11:50 PM

Effects were rare on bass in the 60's and 70's. And as someone who has done the pit band in a local church's production, and also starred as Jesus in my high school production of Godspell, I think I'm qualified to speak on the usage of effects in Godspell.

You don't need any

Mark Olson · #3 11-23-2008, 11:56 PM

Well, I don't believe effects on bass were incredibly widely used during that era, but I would recommend a vintagey sounding bass fuzz, there were a number of bass players to use fuzz around then: Larry Graham from Sly and the Family Stone, Paul McCartney, Jack Casady, etc. Other than that, flatwound strings can help you get a real "old school" vibe, though there were players (I believe starting with John Entwistle) using roundwound strings starting I'm not so sure when.

I also personally use a fairly amp-like sounding Tremolo, which was big on some 60's psychedelic tracks I really like, of course wah, though the 105Q doesn't quite have the right vibe for it I don't think, and some guitar fuzzes, I'm rather fond of some Fuzz Face-esque pedals for example. Those would be more fun I think, not so necessary if you have a guitar player who can cover those tones, and not necessarily era appropriate on bass (except maybe for the Fuzz Face, I know it caught on with some bass players in the 70's at least).

Alright, so I hope that helps.

bassninja7 · #4 11-23-2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Effects were rare on bass in the 60's and 70's. And as someone who has done the pit band in a local church's production, and also starred as Jesus in my high school production of Godspell, I think I'm qualified to speak on the usage of effects in Godspell.

You don't need any

ok(: thanks for the info.

now let me chuck this at ya: what kind of a tone should i go after?
i dont want people to think "damn, why is the bass too bright. or too boomy"
i want em to say "damn! the bass player nailed it!"

but, yes i know, the main focus will be on the play, and not the pit, but i still want to sound amazing.
any tips?

sonic assassin · #5 11-24-2008, 12:09 AM

dont scoop the mids away. thats a modern rock trend (that needs to die. die. die.)

think jaco. mids to the roof, jazz bass and big speakers. high mid grind would be over the type. and i wouldnt overdo the highs.

thats all i can think of.

markjazzbassist · #6 11-24-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassninja7

now let me chuck this at ya: what kind of a tone should i go after?
i dont want people to think "damn, why is the bass too bright. or too boomy"
i want em to say "damn! the bass player nailed it!"

i'd say fender with flats would get you the 60's tone.

bassninja7 · #7 11-24-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

i'd say fender with flats would get you the 60's tone.

never played flats before hmmmm

ive only played DR(junk) and EB slinkys (amazing!!)

ill look into em.

Deluge Of Sound · #8 11-24-2008, 12:23 AM

As someone who has been forced to listen to the music of Godspell, I suggest this:

Put down your bass, plug in a Merzbow CD instead.

JimmyM · #9 11-24-2008, 12:27 AM

All you have to do to nail "Godspell" to the wall is get a good basic flat clean tone, be able to cope with odd time sigs in "Alas For You," and play your butt off. There's a lot of opportunities to overplay tastefully in Godspell. Strings don't matter, the bass doesn't matter, just find your own way and make it your own. It's very adaptable like that.

bassninja7 · #10 11-24-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

All you have to do to nail "Godspell" to the wall is get a good basic flat clean tone, be able to cope with odd time sigs in "Alas For You," and play your butt off. There's a lot of opportunities to overplay tastefully in Godspell. Strings don't matter, the bass doesn't matter, just find your own way and make it your own. It's very adaptable like that.

thanks man, ill keep that in mind(: