Classic Rock recordings featuring bass OD

[Guiseppe]

...I realize there's such a subjective take on if a tone is Overdriven or distortion. I came across a couple cool used OD pedals and got to thinking "What are some great examples of bass OVERDRIVE in classic rock recordings?" I have a pretty large music library, my first thought was JPJ on Led Zeppelin II.

What say you pros?

 

[Nebadon2000]

Dusty Hill [ZZ Top] used natural overdriven Tube Tone as did many; Jack Bruce

 

[Guiseppe]

Dusty Hill [ZZ Top] used natural overdriven Tube Tone as did many; Jack Bruce

Nice take.

 

[squarepeg]

Tim Bogert of Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Beck Bogert & Appice...

 

[squarepeg]

Another good example:

 

[Thumper]

Mel Schacher of Grand Funk, combined a Gibson Pickup at the neck position of his Jazz bass to over drive his tube amps. I don't think any Classic Rock tones were derived by the use of pedals.

 

[Guiseppe]

Mel Schacher of Grand Funk, combined a Gibson Pickup at the neck position of his Jazz bass to over drive his tube amps. I don't think any Classic Rock tones were derived by the use of pedals.

Mel is probably my biggest influence. I personally consider HIS tone a full on fuzz. Total tube amp goodness.

 

[Thumper]

Mel is probably my biggest influence. I personally consider HIS tone a full on fuzz. Total tube amp goodness.

Mel also my #1 then and now

 

[Guiseppe]

Mel also my #1 then and now

I heard the first notes of "Are You Ready" off the Live Album and I was hooked. E Pluribus Funk and "Footstompin' Music" are a really really close second. I have a pretty good fuzz for when I want to play some bong-rattling Schacher stuff.

 

[Thumper]

I heard the first notes of "Are You Ready" off the Live Album and I was hooked. E Pluribus Funk and "Footstompin' Music" are a really really close second. I have a pretty good fuzz for when I want to play some bong-rattling Schacher stuff.

I use SushiBox tube pedals and Gibson Thunderbird pickups in J & P basses

 

[dbsfgyd1]

...I realize there's such a subjective take on if a tone is Overdriven or distortion. I came across a couple cool used OD pedals and got to thinking "What are some great examples of bass OVERDRIVE in classic rock recordings?" I have a pretty large music library, my first thought was JPJ on Led Zeppelin II.

What say you pros?

Mountain.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Did everyone forget Geddy in Rush?

 

[Guiseppe]

Mountain.

Good pull. I thought of them, too.

 

[Guiseppe]

Did everyone forget Geddy in Rush?

He'd probably be in there. Would that early Geddy Rick tone be OD, or distortion? (I personally would call it distortion but it's almost entirely a subjective list.) I'm going to be doing some A/B tests of some new OD pedals and refreshing my memory of some players is part of the prep

 

[themickster]

...I realize there's such a subjective take on if a tone is Overdriven or distortion. I came across a couple cool used OD pedals and got to thinking "What are some great examples of bass OVERDRIVE in classic rock recordings?" I have a pretty large music library, my first thought was JPJ on Led Zeppelin II.

What say you pros?

Lemmy had his Marshall on full gain

 

[micguy]

James Jamerson (most of Motown) was pushing his amp and/or the mixing board on pretty much every recording - part of his sound was that the loud parts are a bit distorted.

 

[Guiseppe]

I'd be remiss if I didn't include Roger Glover and his early 70's stuff w/ Deep Purple. Just a Rickenbacker driving the hell out of an SVT. I do wonder if any of these old pros did anything to boost their signal to intentionally overdrive their gear. Basic stuff, but remember MUCH of that older stuff didn't have pedals!

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

In terms of more natural overdriven coolness? Duff McKagan gets overlooked. That dude could really cook when he dug in. It isn't all that chorusy thing he does all the time.

All out distortion. Can we consider Geezer Butler? Sooo many try to get that sound!

 

[getrhythm]

Felix Pappalardi of Mountain?

 

[micguy]

I'd be remiss if I didn't include Roger Glover and his early 70's stuff w/ Deep Purple. Just a Rickenbacker driving the hell out of an SVT.

Jon Lord used to overdrive Marshalls with his keyboards as well. That was a BIG part of their sound.