So I'm invited for a The Police tribute. Advices!!

Nasnederis · #1 09-03-2009, 01:56 AM

I recieved a call from a friend who wants me to join a Police tribute for a couple of dates in november. I'm not the big fan of theirs but I think I could help my friend plus there is some money there. The plan is to play around 17 songs, he's gonna give me the list of songs in the next couple of days, and I will confirm to take or not the gig after he gives me the list. The good thing is that we dont have to dress like them or anything, and we wil be 4 since I don't sing haha. I'm not very familiar to some popular of their songs but I think I do have enough time to get them right.

What do you think guys of sting playing? any advices in his sound? tricks etc. Any advice will be apreciated.

JimmyM · #2 09-03-2009, 02:18 AM

Just keep it rockin' and listen to some reggae.

EddiePlaysBass · #3 09-03-2009, 03:30 AM

If it's with these guys, lose weight

electracoyote · #4 09-03-2009, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasnederis

What do you think guys of sting playing? any advices in his sound? tricks etc. Any advice will be apreciated.

As for tone, I just got a Squier Classic Vibe 50s P recently, and the tone was so reminiscent of Sting, I had to dig out my Police CDs and play along. That single coil thud/thump seems to be the ticket.

Nasnederis · #5 09-03-2009, 01:45 PM

Do I need some effect pedal or something?

JimmyM · #6 09-03-2009, 01:51 PM

Nah. He used chorus occasionally, but didn't do much of it, so you can plug straight in and cop the vibe.

Webtroll · #7 09-03-2009, 04:14 PM

Not a huge fan but they wrote some good songs and he played some sweet grooves. I'd do it, and since it's only for a few dates that's a bonus.

THand · #8 09-03-2009, 04:24 PM

That sounds like a cool gig to me. But I'm a big fan of their music.

A couple of KISS tribute shows would be better, but just so I'd have an excuse to learn to breath fire.

TrevorOfDoom · #9 09-03-2009, 04:27 PM

either get a single coil p-bass, or a fretless p, or both!

Sting's a master of underplaying. every note is nigh perfect, and the music breathes.

THand · #10 09-03-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasnederis

Do I need some effect pedal or something?

other than the chorus JimmyM mentioned already, I think he used some flanger on some songs(but just slightly nothing Van Halen sounding).

As far as basses go, he used some of everything at one time or another. Fretless P, Jazz, Fretless Ibanez, Spectors, Steinbergers, EUB's, and the 54 he is know for the past decade or so. Probably alot more that I don't know about.

Sting would make a damn good "exhibit A" in a case for "your sound is in your hands, not the equipment", IMHO. As different as all those basses are, he always sounds like Sting.

kraigo · #11 09-03-2009, 04:44 PM

The early stuff was almost all P-Bass as far as I can tell from Stewart Copeland's documentary "Everyone Stares" - well quite a few shots of the Ibanez Musicians and the Hamer eight string fretless (strung with only four strings - red, Explorer shaped. Get right on that one, won't you?). Keep it simple and hit every note with strength and confidence. With Stewart and Andy both going off into the stratosphere (but in time), Sting's bass is the thing that keeps the music grounded.

KO

JimmyM · #12 09-03-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraigo

With Stewart and Andy both going off into the stratosphere (but in time)

You putting Stewart in that "in time" group? Nah, actually Stewart's tempos are pretty far all over the place. It's always been his one Achilles heel. Got him canned from the Doors tour from a few years ago.

kraigo · #13 09-03-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You putting Stewart in that "in time" group? Nah, actually Stewart's tempos are pretty far all over the place. It's always been his one Achilles heel. Got him canned from the Doors tour from a few years ago.

The tempo goes up and down, but the beat is never dropped or hiccups. Yes I agree that tempo is his Achilles heel.

KO

jonotronic · #14 09-03-2009, 05:20 PM

Changing tempo is not a bad thing. It gives a little bit of dynamic to music, which all too often is recorded slaved to a click track.

CatfishStudios · #15 09-03-2009, 05:27 PM

Id take the gig in a heartbeat.... fairly easy to cop the tone, sweet basslines that are really uncomplicated but vital to the sound..and you dont have to sing or dress like sting, AND its just a short gig... yeah ..bring a P bass and learn the lines, listen to Stewart Copeland and get that reggae feel going ...a very sweet gig I think. Good Luck!

millsbass5 · #16 09-03-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You putting Stewart in that "in time" group? Nah, actually Stewart's tempos are pretty far all over the place. It's always been his one Achilles heel. Got him canned from the Doors tour from a few years ago.

That was THE main reason Sting & Stewart fought all the time,his timing.But,damn if I don't like his style.Also,I love playing with a drummer that hits hard like he does.

THand · #17 09-03-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraigo

The early stuff was almost all P-Bass as far as I can tell from Stewart Copeland's documentary "Everyone Stares" - well quite a few shots of the Ibanez Musicians and the Hamer eight string fretless (strung with only four strings - red, Explorer shaped. Get right on that one, won't you?). Keep it simple and hit every note with strength and confidence. With Stewart and Andy both going off into the stratosphere (but in time), Sting's bass is the thing that keeps the music grounded.

KO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wpX6drarrs

You can see and hear that fretless P there ^^

There is a thread on TB dedicated to his Ibanez Musician.

His Fender Jazz can be seen in "Everyone Stares" too. It is in the part towards the end when they are on the island recording to have privacy, and Stewart is complaining that he and Sting are having issues because at that point, Sting was basically bringing in music and telling them what to play; instead of working together as a band, IIRC. Stewart made the shot "slow-mo" of Sting playing. It worked really well in that scene.

tinjenbass · #18 09-03-2009, 11:04 PM

Do it and check out the way he plays live nowadays, hes got alot of the thumb picking style going on, not slapping but fingerstyle thumb, the way they used to play in the '50s eg. Brian Wilson. Learn King Of Pain, killer song!!

PJSShearer · #19 09-04-2009, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THand

Sting would make a damn good "exhibit A" in a case for "your sound is in your hands, not the equipment", IMHO. As different as all those basses are, he always sounds like Sting.

+1

Also, Stings Bass lines are pretty straightforward - nothing too technical to learn.

Go for it.

ZoomBoy · #20 09-04-2009, 08:10 AM

Do your best to learn the tunes and just have fun! I think it's a cool gig but then again I'm a fan of their stuff.