Berry Oakley's "The Tractor" tone from a pedal?

Jerry J · #1 07-11-2009, 08:36 PM

Now I know that Berry Oakley's tone on "One Way Out" was attributed the his bass "The Tractor".

Has anyone ever found an overdrive that would emulate that tone?

JimmyM · #2 07-11-2009, 10:22 PM

I just spent a half hour trying to find what he used for amps, but I couldn't see a thing in these Youtube vids, and nobody ever mentions anything but his bass on websites. At any rate, a VT would probably be your best bet, though it's really all about Berry himself and very little to do with equipment.

denton57 · #3 07-11-2009, 10:25 PM

I always heard it was sunn heads. 2000s I believe live

J. Montgomery · #4 07-11-2009, 10:38 PM

Funny that you mention that tune since I've been working on it for the past few weeks. Despite it being a very basic part it has taken me a lot of work to get the overall feel and groove ingrained in my brain and hands.

I play in a cover band with a fairly broad repertoire and "I" think I do a decent job of emulating different bassists' sounds with a single bass and amp. IMO, tone comes more from your hands. Hit it with a strong attack and you can get that overdriven sound. No need for a pedal

Jerry J · #5 07-12-2009, 04:39 PM

I was kinda thinking that using an Electronix GeminiDrive would move things a bit closer to the Tractor tone. This is going by the clips on the site.

http://www.musicelectronix.com/clips/geminidrive.html

bigblondeafro87 · #6 07-12-2009, 05:13 PM

I thought he used acoustic amps, but don't quote me on that...

I tend to blend quite a bit of bridge pickup in and play with a pick fairly close to the bridge to get that tone, but his tone varies a lot from song to song as well so it requires some variation in technique as well. Adding some high mids will get you closer too...

Jerry J · #7 07-12-2009, 06:45 PM

It appears that Berry did use Fender, Sunn, Acoustic and McIntosh with 15" JBL's amps at various times.

I'm not really looking to play like Berry...like I could even get close to his playing in this lifetime. I'm just looking to get close to his tone on One Way Out.

You know I really never heard the bass until I was in my new car that has a great sound system and a subwoofer. Man that bass tone would just grind like no tomorrow.

I also read that he played with a pick so I'll have to dig out some picks.

Jerry J · #8 07-28-2009, 03:12 PM

Just reviving this thread....

Berry had the tractor tone on One Way Out now I'm thinking that Flea has a similar tone on Busta Move with his Stingray. I've also found a similar tone The Smithereens tune Blood and Roses (I know that Mike Mesaros tuned down for this song. I and I do get very close with my Jazz bass tuned the same). So three different basses/players with a very similar tone.

I was thinking that there has got to be an overdrive pedal that would do this without pushing tubes to the limit or having to play with a pick.