• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bass effect used on the original Dirty Harry theme?

miles'tone

miles'tone

Feb 26, 2008
975
353
Wales, U.K
#1
Hi all.

I'm taking part in a project that will be playing a Lalo Schifrin medley and I'm a bit stumped as to what effect is used on the bass on the original Dirty Harry theme (it's on youtube as 'Dirty Harry theme song' - that classic bass motif kicks in at 00.30- sorry I can't link to it directly on my crappy phone, my only internet access right now). I've got the part down using my P-bass with flats, foam mutes and picked near the neck a'la Carol Kaye.

Any thoughts as to what pedal I could use to cop that sound?

cheers,

Miles.
 
#3
Interesting
Great soundtrack, always liked the music to that movie.
never thought of searching for it on youtube. My father had a great collection of movie soundtrack records and CD's. Dont think he had Dirty Harry. So it has been fun listening to it.

I'm not sure there is any effects on the bassline, unless I am missing something. I think I hear a little natural reverb in the recording that is about it. Might be just from the room it was recorded in.

also as a side note the soundtrack to Taxi Driver by Bernard Herrmann is rather dark and famous for the saxophone and harp movements. not really related at all to the dirty harry soundtrack. so not sure why I'm mentioning it. just one of my favorites.
 
#4
slurpy said:
is this the link?



some sort of filter or maybe an autowah should get you close. i can get something similar out of the digitech BSW, but its not spot on.
Click to expand...


Yes! Thank you very much Slurpy.

Interesting suggestions, it does sound like there might be a touch of wah effect going on there. I've been playing for a long time but I've never owned an effects pedal in my life so I don't even know what filters might do or even what types there are, it's a new thing for me.

it's such a cool sound, so 70's.
 
#5
BogeyBass said:
I'm not sure there is any effects on the bassline, unless I am missing something. I think I hear a little natural reverb in the recording that is about it. Might be just from the room it was recorded in.
.
Click to expand...

I think you may be right regarding reverb but there is definitley some kind of wah-like effect there. It is very subtle though.
Hey if you liked hearing that, you should go back to youtube and listen to 'Scorpio's theme' it's filthy!

+1 with Taxi driver by the way.
 
#7
I've always thought it was Carol Kaye using a P-bass on this track (but can't remember where I got that info now)

Anyone else know what effect might have been used to achieve that sound back then or indeed is there a pedal available now that will get me there?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back