Curtis Mayfield Bass Fuzz

[joshuajbrooks]

hey everyone,

been listening to a lot of Curtis Mayfield recently and have found it very hard to track down any info about his bass player, Joseph "lucky" Scott, and specifically any sort of insight into how he got his bass fuzz. It's such a great tone. Anyone got any hints, suggestions or know any pedals to mess around with. I play a jazz bass into an ampeg b15 flip top.

 

[jerry]

I always thought it might have been the one built into the Acoustic 360s back then. I love his playing!

 

[superheavyfunk]

Can you post an example? I find myself thinking of Larry Graham's bass fuzz... I think I remember reading that he used the built-in fuzz on the old Acoustic amps and a Juggernaut after that.

 

[jerry]

Can you post an example? I find myself thinking of Larry Graham's bass fuzz... I think I remember reading that he used the built-in fuzz on the old Acoustic amps and a Juggernaut after that.

 

[Michael4bass]

That's the Acoustic 360 fuzz. There was a company that made the 360 preamp in a pedal assembled or as a kit, not sure if they're still in business though. A cheap alternative is the Bass Brassmaster kit;
Maestro Brass Master | General Guitar Gadgets

Bassically, Michael

 

[JimK]

I recall an old Guitar Player magazine with a 'Pro's Reply' on a very young Ralphe Armstrong (19 at the time?)...he mentioned using a Maestro Brass Master (Jazz bass w/ a fretless P-neck).

 

[JimK]

Playing that one right now...channeling Mel Schacher or what?!?

 

[jerry]

Playing that one right now...channeling Mel Schacher or what?!?

In my old man memory I seem to remember Grand Funk’s producer Terry Knight taking credit for Mel’s distortion by poking holes in his speakers.

 

[Michedelic]

In my old man memory I seem to remember Grand Funk’s producer Terry Knight taking credit for Mel’s distortion by werepoking holes in his speakers.

Naw, it’s just his 6550(or KT88)powered West amps cranked to literally meltdown volume.

 

[JimK]

...Terry Knight claimed credit for everything

 

[markjazzbassist]

I'm a big lucky scott fan, one of my biggest influences. Every live/studio photo i've ever seen of him he's playing a Fender Showman into a 2x15 Fender Cab with likely JBL D140F speakers EXCEPT 2 photos. One is in Europe some off brand german rig. The other is an Acoustic 360 rig, which is likely what the fuzz tone on this is.

Joseph "Lucky" Scott

check out that thread for more info.

 

[joshuajbrooks]

thanks for all the info. So it seems that an acoustic 360 fuzz pedal or maybe one of the Malekko B:Assmaster might do the trick. Anyone have experience with either? I assume the malekko is a little more versatile? will dig into that other fourm tonight.

 

[JimK]

Wow...just looked at some of the prices (Reverb.com) for a Maestro Brassmaster.
Forget it.

 

[jerry]

Wow...just looked at some of the prices (Reverb.com) for a Maestro Brassmaster.
Forget it.

I bought one of the ones made from a kit for a good price, it didn't turn me into Ralph Armstrong so I gave it to one of my guitar buddies.

 

[markjazzbassist]

The malekko bassmaster us supposed to be a clone and they are reasonably priced.

 

[Formula73]

The malekko bassmaster us supposed to be a clone and they are reasonably priced.

$600+ is reasonably priced?

 

[jerry]

$600+ is reasonably priced?

They go for about 250 bucks.

 

[markjazzbassist]

$600+ is reasonably priced?

you quoted a post from 6 years ago

 

[Formula73]

you quoted a post from 6 years ago

D’oh.

 

[Grinderman]

I read the OP... That's the track I hear in my mind instantly.