Larry Graham GCS Fuzztones

Mark Olson · #1 04-08-2008, 02:23 PM

Ok so a search reveals that there has been some talk about Larry Graham's fuzz tones during the Sly and the Family Stone days, but I can't find anything regarding the fuzz tones used in Graham Central Station. I'm particularly interested in the fuzz tones on a couple tracks, The Jam, and Earthquake. You can check out the Jam here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocn7rqbEKG0

Check out the bass solo at about 5:54. There is some foot phaser thrown in there courtesy his Maestro fuzz phaser. Maybe he's using the fuzz on the Maestro? At any rate it's a very transparent fuzz, just adding some balls and sustain to his sound.

Also check out the track Earthquake. You can hear some fuzz bass on it on the Amazon soundsample here (track 3 disc 2):

http://www.amazon.com/Jam-Graham-Cen...7685127&sr=8-5

And also you can hear most of the song in the background of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLL4t8sJXf0

So that's a fuzzier fuzz, a little bit farty but Larry still gets an aggressive sound out of it. Very funky.

So my question is, has anyone out there tried any units good for getting these sorts of tones without going over the top with the fuzz and saturation like a modern Big Muff? I've gotten some ok sounds in this realm out of the Frantone Lo Tone Classic Fuzz and the Dunlop Hendrix Fuzz as well as out of some distortion pedals like a cranked Z. Vex Box of Rock, for example, or out of an old Rat. I'm also curious about the OLC Chunky Cheese, a clone of the pedal I've seen Larry Graham use more recently for his fuzz tone, and the Audio Monk Fuzzpotion, which is advertised as awesome on bass. Is there anything else out there you would bring to my attention?

vinxbass · #2 04-08-2008, 02:38 PM

Back in 1977 I used sit it my camaro with my Ricky 4001 and have my cassette player on learning all of Larry Grahams slappin techniques. WOW!! I haven't heart The Jam in 20 years, man that brought back memories. I'm not sure what he used but he definitely has some type of overdrive device kick'n up his sustain.

Ryan Mohr · #3 04-08-2008, 03:33 PM

I know he used a Pro Co Juggernaut in a video I saw, but here is the list of pedals from the interview with bassplayer - Morley Power Fuzz Wah, Maestro Fuzz Phaser, Roland Jet Phaser, DigiTech BassSynth Wah, Mu-Tron Octave Divider, Danelectro Fab Tone. I know this isn't what he used, but might give some insight into the fuzz tones he likes.

Mark Olson · #4 04-08-2008, 03:46 PM

Yeah, I've seen the videos and read the articles. I haven't played the Juggernaut but the sounds I've heard from it that didn't come from Larry Graham weren't too hot. I also have a Dano Fab Tone, and while that pedal is (was?) popular with the whole Prince crowd I'm not as excited about the way that one sounds. It does sound kind of cheap and gets a little too saturated for my tastes.

Darkstrike · #5 04-08-2008, 03:53 PM

I heard that he played through over 100 Juggernauts to find one that sounded good, dunno if thats true though.

Mark Olson · #6 04-08-2008, 06:54 PM

I've heard plenty of times he's had to sift through X amount of Juggernauts, and whether it's true or not that's not the era tone I'm talking about anyway.

Is there no one else out there interested in the 70's era Larry Graham fuzz tone? If you're not familiar with it you should check out the links I posted above because you're in for a treat.

diechris · #7 04-08-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

I heard that he played through over 100 Juggernauts to find one that sounded good, dunno if thats true though.

somehow... every time i hear someone say that he tried over 100 of them... i think... "what the hell man.... why would ANYONE ... WANT to love a pedal that much.."

seriously... whoo tries out a pedal over 100x after they think the first one they tried sucked?

The Lurker · #8 04-08-2008, 08:56 PM

this has been covered before-- to put a nail in the coffin of the juggernaut thing, bear in mind that the Juggernaut wasn't manufactured until some years after that song was recorded.

Basically, what he used in the video is probably not what he used on the original, and what he uses now ain't what's in the video.

My guess for the phase is the Maestro; as for the fuzz, it could have been any number of things.

primussucks9126 · #9 04-08-2008, 09:14 PM

I find that the Morley Power Fuzz Wah can get me sort of close.

Mark Olson · #10 04-08-2008, 10:47 PM

Really? I noticed that's listed in the gear he's using now, but I don't know any tracks on which he's used it, though I'm not familiar with his newer stuff. Any tracks you could point out? I do happen to own a Morley Power Fuzz Wah so I'll have to try it out. I haven't plugged that thing in in years and I don't remember being too impressed with the fuzz on it. But I'll crank 'er up loud and see. Thanks!

primussucks9126 · #11 04-09-2008, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

Really? I noticed that's listed in the gear he's using now, but I don't know any tracks on which he's used it, though I'm not familiar with his newer stuff. Any tracks you could point out? I do happen to own a Morley Power Fuzz Wah so I'll have to try it out. I haven't plugged that thing in in years and I don't remember being too impressed with the fuzz on it. But I'll crank 'er up loud and see. Thanks!

Well its not quite there. It's a little too heavy, but if you roll the tone and dist knobs off a little they can add just a touch to the sound. I was searching for the sound on The Jam as well, and thought the morley did it at least ok. I've got a ton of other distortion pedals too, I'll try some of em out and let you know if i find anything better.

Rickett Customs · #12 04-09-2008, 05:36 AM

Larry definitely used the Juggernaut, most of his career. IIRC he's had the same one since playing with Sly long ago.

primussucks9126 · #13 04-09-2008, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alembicplyr

Larry definitely used the Juggernaut, most of his career. IIRC he's had the same one since playing with Sly long ago.

I've got a Juggernaut. I got one because of the pedal demo Larry does in his video (also got the jet phaser because of that). The sound of that pedal isn't even remotely similar to the sound Larry gets. I hated it at first because I was so disappointed. Now I gave it another go and use it for other sounds, but if you want Larry's sound, don't get a Juggernaut.

Rickett Customs · #14 04-09-2008, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primussucks9126

I've got a Juggernaut. I got one because of the pedal demo Larry does in his video (also got the jet phaser because of that). The sound of that pedal isn't even remotely similar to the sound Larry gets. I hated it at first because I was so disappointed. Now I gave it another go and use it for other sounds, but if you want Larry's sound, don't get a Juggernaut.

yeah, the Jet phaser was a Roland, IIRC. I think Rick Derringer was another one that loved this one.

primussucks9126 · #15 04-09-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alembicplyr

yeah, the Jet phaser was a Roland, IIRC. I think Rick Derringer was another one that loved this one.

Yep, its a Roland, and it's awesome. Ernie Isley used one for his sound on That Lady.

Mark Olson · #16 04-09-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alembicplyr

Larry definitely used the Juggernaut, most of his career. IIRC he's had the same one since playing with Sly long ago.

No. I'm pretty sure the Rats have only been around since the 80's, the Juggernaut in particular. I don't know if ProCo was even around in the sixties. Listen to Larry's sound in Sly and the Family Stone and in the tracks I posted. His sound is very clearly fuzz, not distortion.

I've also had the Roland Jet Phaser. It's pretty cool! Had to sell it though. Got a lot more than I paid for it anyway.

Darkstrike · #17 04-09-2008, 12:46 PM

Juggernaut - 1979
Juggernaut Bass Rat - 2003

Rickett Customs · #18 04-09-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

No. I'm pretty sure the Rats have only been around since the 80's, the Juggernaut in particular. I don't know if ProCo was even around in the sixties. Listen to Larry's sound in Sly and the Family Stone and in the tracks I posted. His sound is very clearly fuzz, not distortion.

I've also had the Roland Jet Phaser. It's pretty cool! Had to sell it though. Got a lot more than I paid for it anyway.

IIRC, I think It was from an old Acoustic ad, I believe Larry used the "built in fuzz" that came on the acoustic 360's at the time,subsequently, I think he went to a morley fuzz thereafter.

But also a clip of him and his jauggnaut sometime between the 80's? 90's? (can't really date the vid)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSiACMzEKRM

Also the jauggnaut manufacture dates were from '79 to '84
http://www.ratdistortion.com/history.htm

/Jason

Mark Olson · #19 04-09-2008, 01:10 PM

Yes, and "The Jam" is from 1975, "Earthquake" is 1977. I've also heard he used a Shin-ei fuzz, but I'm not really concerned with what was used during the Sly and the Family Stone days, and I've seen Larry's instructional vids many times. But thanks anyway!

Mark Olson · #20 04-10-2008, 03:05 PM

I dug out my old Morley Power Fuzz Wah today. Thanks for the tip! It is a pretty cool pedal. I got a really badass tone from the fuzz on it. Real buzzy with incredible sustain and singing feedback. Too bad it doesn't have more bass or it'd be a real killer! Definitely added to my list of stuff that can sorta make you sound badass like Larry Graham.