Can't seem to get that duff sound using a fender rumble 40. I know Duff is a GK guy but I can't even get anything remotely close. Making me sad. Anyone have any success with such a small combo amp?
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Duff sound
- Thread starter Jeremy9874
- Start date
Duff McKagan Bass and Guitar Gear Rig and Equipment
The above includes some of Duff's equipment.
Don't forget that he has some pedals involved.
A lot of folks here are of the opinion that GK and Fender are pretty far apart in tone.
Perhaps if you posted a video that has an example of the sound you're after, that might help some folks steer you in that direction.
Anyway... good luck and welcome aboard.
The above includes some of Duff's equipment.
Don't forget that he has some pedals involved.
A lot of folks here are of the opinion that GK and Fender are pretty far apart in tone.
Perhaps if you posted a video that has an example of the sound you're after, that might help some folks steer you in that direction.
Anyway... good luck and welcome aboard.
Spaghetti Duff? Plenty of mids and a mild as mild overdrive pedal. Then you want your guitars to get the hell out of the bass dept and not be too loud. Good luck.
Other stuff will have a larger impact than the amp. Duff McKagan uses stainless steel roundwounds and plays with a pick. That's going to have a way bigger impact than the amp will. If your bass is passive, run with your knobs all the way up. That, and emulating his technique will get you there a lot better than using the same amp that he does.
And the PUPS on the Jazz Bass Special are extremely nasal and midrangey, a huge part of that sound
I'm running some rotosound nickel on stainless roundwounds. My first time with the nickel, I usually use just the stainless roundwounds. I think I might switch back. My squier seems to produce more of the duff sound than my fender duff signature. I'm running a chorus pedal but not an overdrive. Might need to look into that.
- Aug 3, 2007
- 1,678
- 2,146
- Disclosures
- Current: Blackstar, DR strings, Nady. Previous endorsements with: GK, Rotosound, Ernie Ball, Cleartone, EMG, Dean, Dava Picks, Rebel Straps, Dickies
Duff switched to endorsing Fender amps a while back. He uses the new Fender Bassman head, as well as GK MB's and RB's depending on the bands he plays with. There's a good picture of his settings floating around. You can cross-check the frequencies of the GK heads settings with the settings on your Rumble combo. That should get you a rough ballpark.
- Aug 3, 2007
- 1,678
- 2,146
- Disclosures
- Current: Blackstar, DR strings, Nady. Previous endorsements with: GK, Rotosound, Ernie Ball, Cleartone, EMG, Dean, Dava Picks, Rebel Straps, Dickies
When anyone talks Duff's tone, they are definitely talking appetite and illusion tone. For appetite Duff used;
Jazz bass special
(He replaced the bridge J with a Duncan STK J2b but unknown if that was before recording).
His bass had the very distinctive large pole pj pups.
He used a GK 400rb into a single 2x15 custom (brand) cab with EV speakers.
There were no other pedals other than the chorus Wich was an ibanez cs9.
.73 tortex picks and rotosound RS 66 standard gauge strings. (45, 65,80,105)
He used the same gear for the illusion albums with more chorus.
You must have a GK for that sound, that GK rails sound is key. Later he upgraded for the illusion tour to 800rbs and later the 2001rb. Now he uses fender heads and cabs.
Duff used different GK cabs live but always that 2x15 in the studio. The 400rb combined with a 2x15, and the right pj bass will do it.
This is from years of experience in my part and research.
I rehearse with that same rig but I use a 2001 live.
Jazz bass special
(He replaced the bridge J with a Duncan STK J2b but unknown if that was before recording).
His bass had the very distinctive large pole pj pups.
He used a GK 400rb into a single 2x15 custom (brand) cab with EV speakers.
There were no other pedals other than the chorus Wich was an ibanez cs9.
.73 tortex picks and rotosound RS 66 standard gauge strings. (45, 65,80,105)
He used the same gear for the illusion albums with more chorus.
You must have a GK for that sound, that GK rails sound is key. Later he upgraded for the illusion tour to 800rbs and later the 2001rb. Now he uses fender heads and cabs.
Duff used different GK cabs live but always that 2x15 in the studio. The 400rb combined with a 2x15, and the right pj bass will do it.
This is from years of experience in my part and research.
I rehearse with that same rig but I use a 2001 live.
The jazz bass special was an 85 or 86. They have a very pronunced mid honk due to the wood and pickups which have never seen on any other fender bass. His bass also had the fender tbx tone pot which boosts the treble (it's perceived that way). Passive bass always tuned to Eb.
He used other pedals over the years but not then.
He used other pedals over the years but not then.
Thank you for the information. Very helpful. I can get ballpark to the some of the illusions material now but it just sounds off to my ears. I def regret stringing my new duff signature model with the roto nickels. I will change back to the swingbass R66. I do believe your right with the sound only coming from GK. The good news is there are some great deals on used 400rbs. The bad news is none of my local GC carry GK so I will have to order online. I always like to try gear before buying. Bad habit but I don't think I can go wrong with GK.
I see 400s on here all the time, $200 is a good price but you want the early series, grey cord. Having the 200w allows you to crank it to get the rails without being too loud. 200 if the loudest watts you'll ever hear.
My 400 is an 83, my 800 is an 87. They usually have a date on the back by the power cord example; 2-83
Seems lime you're getn good info already. I'll just swing by and say Welcome to TalkBass!!!!
Great one here, worth maybe $250 but still would buy for $300 all day
Look at this on eBay Legendary 1st Generation Vintage Gallien-Krueger 400RB Bass Head | eBay
Look at this on eBay Legendary 1st Generation Vintage Gallien-Krueger 400RB Bass Head | eBay
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I thought he was using the Yamaha SPX-90...
Yes he added that later when they got bigger but pre appetite and even after that it was the pedal. Btw, I got an 80s MIj Version, killer sounding on bass. Duff all the way
Nice!
For the record, I love his Spaghetti tone. Down on the Farm showcases it pretty well.
For the record, I love his Spaghetti tone. Down on the Farm showcases it pretty well.
For the clearest example of his tone, his album Believe in Me. He recorded it during the illusion tour.
