Gimme the Night Bass tone

IncaRoads · #1 12-10-2008, 10:33 PM

The bass tone in this classic George Benson tune is so cool IMHO. Kind of synthy, warm, and oh so funky. I believe Louis Johnson is playing the bass guitar.

Does anyone know how to achieve this tone?

Someone suggested that is just flat wounds played thru a classic ampeg 1x15, with some chorus.

But I am skeptical.

Ideas?

JimmyM · #2 12-10-2008, 11:39 PM

I don't recall it having any effects on it. Haven't heard it in a while, though. I think just playing in that style would get you closer to that sound than anything.

TomB · #3 12-11-2008, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I don't recall it having any effects on it. Haven't heard it in a while, though. I think just playing in that style would get you closer to that sound than anything.

It is pretty effected. I recall playing w/some pedals back then but never got close. I finally told myself ''must be a keyboard'' as synth-bass was getting pretty common then so it's interesting that you know it was Louis Johnson. Now I'm interested again!

kevteop · #4 12-11-2008, 01:07 AM

Sounds to me like a very subtle filter if anything.

Ba55Man1ac · #5 12-11-2008, 04:26 AM

Yeah it's gotta be a keyboard for the main parts - it's too tight and perfect. You can hear when a 'regular' bass comes in in the bridge bits ("So come on out tonight..."). It's a totally different tone.

DWBass · #6 12-11-2008, 05:59 AM

I'm convinced it is a synth bass.

fightthepower · #7 12-11-2008, 07:09 AM

For those who don't know the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olvnzOZEULA

In this video, it sounds to me like a filter on the down swoop.. No chorus. Maybe octave, but I think just filter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=641t-B_LELQ

But then in this better quality video, same recording, it think it sounds more like a keyboard... It could definitely be done live with a filter and bass guitar, but my guess is a synth on the recording.

IncaRoads · #8 12-11-2008, 07:14 AM

Thats an interesting theory, that the verses are keyboard, and the chorus is "real" bass. But either way, I want to emulate that verse tone. In this day and age, there must be a way!

Also, doesn't the bass tone sound similar to the tone in "Don't Stop till you Get Enough" (Micheal Jackson)

IncaRoads · #9 12-11-2008, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fightthepower

For those who don't know the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olvnzOZEULA

In this video, it sounds to me like a filter on the down swoop.. No chorus. [i]Maybe[/b] octave, but I think just filter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=641t-B_LELQ

But then in this better quality video, same recording, it think it sounds more like a keyboard... It could definitely be done live with a filter and bass guitar, but my guess is a synth on the recording.

This is helpful. You think it is an envelope filter? Any specific pedal model recommended?

I guess I should continue my so far unsuccessful fiddling with synth bass pedals. I never seem to get a tight managable tone with them. I probably need more time to tweek settings.

dougjwray · #10 12-11-2008, 07:24 AM

I'm almost positive it's real bass on the bridges ("So come on out tonight") and synth everywhere else. On the 2nd bridge, you can hear Louis throw in a quick pop and a funky slur (not synth-like).
Having said that, it might be possible in 2008 to process a bass to sound almost like the synth on this recording... but I haven't dabbled in that enough to recommend anything.

DWBass · #11 12-11-2008, 11:51 AM

Rod Tempterton wrote the song and was big on synths at the time. There may be some real bass inflections here and there but I think it's mostly synth.

kevteop · #12 12-11-2008, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

Rod Tempterton wrote the song and was big on synths at the time. There may be some real bass inflections here and there but I think it's mostly synth.

I still find it hilarious that a bloke from Cleethorpes was ever a huge influence on funk.

The more I think about it, the more I hurt myself laughing.

God bless Rod Temperton.

JimmyM · #13 12-11-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevteop

I still find it hilarious that a bloke from Cleethorpes was ever a huge influence on funk.

The more I think about it, the more I hurt myself laughing.

God bless Rod Temperton.

Rod Temperton was also the keyboardist and songwriting force behind the band Heatwave, which had two of the funkiest disco tunes in history, "Boogie Nights" and "Groove Line."

fightthepower · #14 12-12-2008, 04:18 AM

I heard he had a temper.