Gang of Four sound

[RobOtt]

Howdy all! I'm looking to emulate Dave Allen's bass sound on the early Gang of Four Records. I know he played a P-bass and it sounds to me like his sound is pretty compressed. Any ideas on this and on what type of (reasonably priced) compressors I might try? Thanks!

[precision punk]

It sounds like he used flats with a creme Dimarzio model p pickup.

[fu22ba55]

Such great bass sound on those records.

[RobOtt]

Originally Posted by precision punk

It sounds like he used flats with a creme Dimarzio model p pickup.

Wow, flats, huh? I wouldn't have guessed that. Thanks for the tip on the DiMarzio's. I've found that using a big felt pick is also helpful getting close to this sound. My lil' Fender practice amp is helping, too.

[BassBrass]

One thing that helps the GO4 sound is that the bass isn't covered up (or blanketed) in guitar power chords...what a relief! An ardent jazzer, GO4 turned me on to rock again because it was a new way of doing business. I once read that they built their songs from the drums up...aint no guitar playing singer songwriter dictating what the bass is to do...to hell with that.

[RobOtt]

Good news that, Hugo was(is) a huge talent. I think I remember reading that there was a lot of 'discussion' over parts and arrangement between drums and bass, but oh what the creative tension brought!

[bassteban]

just a quick *oh what a sweet bass tone*
I imagine he hit the bass pretty hard too