How do I get this sound? The Jam's Bruce Foxton

[Robert Sjea]

I just plug in and play - Rickenbacker 4001, Precision, Ampeg Vfb, no frills. In other words, I need help in having you explain to me how to get this sound at the start of these two songs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN9JE...eature=related or
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9xo_owtOX4g
It must be fairly simple, so I'd appreciate it if someone would indulge me. THanks,
bs

[MrBorisSpider]

Bruce Foxton plugs usually a Precision into an overdriven tube amp, usually a Marshall or an Ampeg. To the best of my knowledge he doesn't use many pedals, if any at all.

[bongomania]

In the first cut, the intro sound is a guitar doubling the bass. The bass is completely without any effects. In the second cut, it's just bass- plain, no effects, no doubling, nothing but whatever dirt resulted from the tube amp and the poor quality recording.

[jojo99]

Nordstrand NP4, parametric mid eq, sansamp BDDI for grit-- nails the typical 1978 era punk/pop sound. All you really need to do is shape the midrange and add a little overdrive and you can get close if your pickups are decent-- and dig in with the right hand.

[The Lurker]

bass--> tube amp. Roto strings too.

FWIW, most of the early Jam stuff was either a rick or, as backup or alternate, an ibanez rick clone.