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Classic Rock Bass sound

Precision Bass: Perfect for classic rock! :thumbsup:

If your idea of classic rock includes 70s British bands I strongly recommend Rotosound 66 stainless steel (orange packaging). They're extremely bright for the first week or so but mellow out relatively fast. Roto 66 steels = THE sound of British 70s rock.

Hartke.... As far as I can see you didn't specify which exact Hartke amp/cab you're using. Every Hartke amp I've played has been VERY bright, especially if the cab is also Hartke. A good ALL-tube amp with a "vintage" voiced cab would be a much better choice for classic rock.

With the right amp the only pedal I would personally want for classic rock is a tuner pedal. I would definitely avoid any kind of multi-effect pedals. Bass players didn't really use effect pedals back then.

If replacing the Hartke isn't an option, maybe a suitably voiced low/medium gain dirt pedal could be cool, to mellow out the tone and simulate overdriven tube amps (or mic pres!) which they DID use a lot back then. Just make sure you don't get an aggressive, bright, "modern" sounding dirt pedal. The EBS ValveDrive is my weapon of choice when I need to soften a bright/aggressive amp a bit. It can also provide a bit of dirt. The Valvedrive can be a bit woolly/muddy sounding with some amps/setups, and it obviously won't give you the tone and feel of playing an all-tube amp, but it is absolutely superb for mellowing out both the tone and the dynamics of bright/aggressive amps.

Indeed, I was about to say that string choice for classic rock (and possibly also punk & new wave) tone hadn't been mentioned.

What else would you recommend besides Roto 66?
 
The only thing I can add to the "bass --> amp" equation is I have fallen in love with flats for classic rock (and country) in the last couple years. And this coming from a life-long round wound player.
Yea, actually that's the first thing I did, I also always played round wound string, Rotosound. But when I was ask to join the band I did my research to see how to get 'that sound' one of the first thing was the strings, never tried before and so far so good. it is a strange feeling in my fingers for sure, but I get it why people like them. I got what is seems the 'standard' for flats, if there is such thing La Bella Deep Talking. very thick sound and even thoguh my bass has an active circuit also, to my ears the passive circuit sound better for this style.
 
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I just need this one pedal for that song , turned into this as I went from band to band playing various cover set lists. And , all this still goes through a GED 2112 and two channels…almost forgot , now there is also a Digi-Drop on one end and a volume pedal on the other.View attachment 5317546
ha ha ha ha exactly it is like a meme, I just need this pedal LOL. Well if you play with different bands then it make seance. I am just the weekdn warrior now I guess and mostly planning to play Grand Funk Deep purple, Some Rush, Black Sabbat that kind of fun.
 
I don't use any amp nor a cabinet anymore. After a long period using that stuff, I ended up with a Kemper Stage and an in ear system. With this, all needs can be fulfilled. The need of moving heavy devices is gone, now I can move all the equipment with just two hands. Instead of the in ear, I can attach a wedge monitor instead when needed. The Kemper gives me also the possibility, to try different amps. I would never go back to the old, classic stuff.
So I believe because technology thing will move into this direction for sure. I have seen some band already doing something similar and they sound great, That's why I meant to post this question here, to see how many people were using this equipment.
 
Regarding the equipment yes I did mentioned that I have an HartkeLH1000 with a HD410 cab. and yes overall is mostly clean sound, that is what I wanted, because I wasn't sure what I wold be playing I though in getting enough power for practice and gigging, and then put the flavor with effects. I Wasn't sure to go the route of single pedals or a multi effect modeler style. Testing at home the Zoom B1 works just fine but while practicing with the band I noticed the OD kind of loosing ball at higher volume. I know a true classic amp and just a bass should do for 'classic sound', but again I already explained my situation. Great information guys, lots of good options, now I just need money LOL
 
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ha ha ha ha exactly it is like a meme, I just need this pedal LOL. Well if you play with different bands then it make seance. I am just the weekdn warrior now I guess and mostly planning to play Grand Funk Deep purple, Some Rush, Black Sabbat that kind of fun.

A couple recommendations above included a Sansamp to get some drive and signal massaging, and I see you plan to play some Rush. This is what you need!

C27ACC71-A7D1-4618-85EC-CC806F72A3B8.jpeg
 
Yea I was wondering about that, so the Lh1000 it supposed to be two amps working together, but when used in parallel you only use one fo them since it does have a tube pre-amp then using a single less power amp it should create distortion as it gets louder. It is sad that that amp doesn't have a input gain, the would really helps.
I'll give a try for sure, thanks
 
I just need this one pedal for that song , turned into this as I went from band to band playing various cover set lists. And , all this still goes through a GED 2112 and two channels…almost forgot , now there is also a Digi-Drop on one end and a volume pedal on the other.View attachment 5317546
Your board almost looks like an MXR ad-& I mean that in the best possible way.
 
I will test those pedals, the Mojo Mojo and the Blumes, and leave the zoom for another effect, such as chorus and whatnot; that's a great idea.

Do you guys use the effect loop in your amps?? or do you run everything linear into the input of the head? I read several opinions but it is always good to ask. I guess I could put the compressor, the overdrive into the head and use the loop with the Zoom for extras?? that's a lot of cables any ways.
Thank you.
If it was me I'd skip the Mojo Mojo its a very dark pedal on bass IMO haven't tried the Blumes but for $99..00 USD it would be hard to beat also many folks around here love the TC Electronic Spark.
 
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For that sound, the best option would be a preamp that can add some grit and can get into svt+8x10 cab territory. I feel that preamp gets more of that overdriven amp tone that is thge core of classic rock bands. You have cheaper and more expensive options. The Tech 21 Sansamp has good options, either the BDDI or the VT, but the YYZ is a great option for that sound, as well as the SH-1. Then you have some preamps that try to get that SVT tone in a box, like the Origin Fx Super Vintage or the Ampeg SGT-DI. A great option is also the Aguilar Tone Hammer with the AGS on.
But you can get that OD tone with an overdrive as well. Some have have sugested the TC MojoMojo and that's a great pedal for that tone and it's quite cheap. Also the TC Spark with the 4 knobs. But eventually any overdrive that is good for low gain is a good choice for this: Way Huge Pork n' Pickle, Solidgold Beta, Spaceman Saturn VI, Fairfield Barbershop, JPTR Jive, Wren&Cuff Phat B.
I haven't tried the Blumes but I tend to not like tube screamer based pedals because I feel they lack in the low end area, but maybe this one is better.
 
Trying to search for all the suggestion you guys have mentioned so far, The Aguilar Toner Hammer sounds really good, () and I like the option of two switches. but to my ears it sound more like distortion instead of pre amp saturation, maybe is the video.
The Blumes in the other hand sound incredible () I guess I would use with less distortion but I can image using it in combination with the Zoom B1 with the SVT sim if the Harkey still too clean. I think that can be simple and very wide sound. The Mojo Mojo also sounds like amp saturation, but it seems a little less hot, Ii wonder if with the Hartke I would need a little more. I am making a list now and see if my local stores have them to test them out. I wish some music store have the same system that glasses online resellers do, you can order different ones and only purchase what you like.
 
Jamerson and Kaye used p basses and Osborn used a j
So when people talk about vintage or classic tone I always wonder which one?
Osborn played a Precision up until 1960 when he was hired to back Ricky Nelson on record and tours. Fender gave him a 1960 Jazz bass which puzzled him, being a P player but it was their new bass and Fender wanted to promote it.

Osborn grew to like the narrow neck which allowed faster playing.

Plently on Info available on The Wrecking Crew DVD which is also streaming now.
 
Osborn played a Precision up until 1960 when he was hired to back Ricky Nelson on record and tours. Fender gave him a 1960 Jazz bass which puzzled him, being a P player but it was their new bass and Fender wanted to promote it.

Osborn grew to like the narrow neck which allowed faster playing.

Plently on Info available on The Wrecking Crew DVD which is also streaming now.
Very good. I didn’t know that about Joe using a precision but that stands to reason seeing that was about the only option out there at the time. But he was always known mostly for his best up old jazz
Thanks!