• 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.

Fender J Experts ....

H

harlon

Jul 13, 2007
141
21
#1
How do I make a Geddy Lee Jazz sound like the bass in this track: (besides practice!).

I just love the tone. He stays very busy, but every note is very clear and not overpowering. Would you try a certain pickup setting? Compressor, EQ?

I'm buying a new GL soon and I was wondering how realistic it would be for me to get this tone. BTW - it's "Don't Look Back" by Boston - a CD or MP3 will sound better than this YouTube vesion.

Thanks.
 
#3
Tom Scholz the guitar electronics wizard more than likely had something to do with that sound... seems there was a Sholtz bass effect box all those years ago.
Click to expand...


Ah - I forgot about the Rockman stuff. Thank you! Something else for me to look into!!

Thanks again.
 
#4
first Fran Sheehan has got to be one of the most under rated rock bassists. His work on the first boston LP was fantastic. Sadly he does not play anymore due to an arm injury. Playing with fingers of course, moving the lines around the way he did, never got credit for his contributions or talent.

2nd, Tom was a Helios head, so bass DI > top vintage console, Helios or Pye, Neve etc. The first Boston LP was done on a Helios console. Thats the sound JazzBass > Helios. Same as first 3 Zeppelin LPs. (also Hendrix Marley, Uli Roth Queen ELO The WHO) Tom probably mixed in a little cabinet mic as well.

To get that sound out of your Jazz bass is another story, try 60/40 Neck bridge PU balance and roll the tone off about 3 clicks play through an SVT, Thunderfunk Marshall Major, HiWatt etc. A vibey tube head sound.
 
#5
Fran Sheehan was the live player, but just about all of the recordings were done by Tom Scholz...so the Boston sound is actually Tom. If you look at Boston's site, Fran only recorded a couple songs, all the other songs on all the albums were Tom. We know Fran used a Jazz Bass, but the only hint at what Tom used was a Gibson bass, no model given.
 
#6
I have played a few Geddy Lee basses and only in a music store. But if I recall they have a heavy midrange pop to them. You might want to change the capacitor value to .022 witch will round the tone out a little. take out some of the mids and giver you a little more bottom. That is the cap value they used in a pre CBS Jazz Bass.
 
#7
I have played a few Geddy Lee basses and only in a music store. But if I recall they have a heavy midrange pop to them. You might want to change the capacitor value to .022 witch will round the tone out a little. take out some of the mids and giver you a little more bottom. That is the cap value they used in a pre CBS Jazz Bass.
Click to expand...


See - that's why I like this place! Great info just like that. I learn new stuff every day! If indeed I get the Geddy (could still be a HW1 or a Squier VM) I will look into this.

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful suggestions.

How does a Bass Rockman record? Anyone? I used the guitar Rockman years ago in a studio session. That thing recorded pretty good. Not sure if the Bass version would be a good investment or not. I have a Bass Pod XT, but normally I just run direct to my RNP and record dry. I figure there's no way to have too many gadgets, so why not?!
 
#8
I did try to use a Bass Rockman a few times for recording back in the day "You know when we recorded 4 tracks on a cassette tape" I found the compression squelch to be a little over baring. Even though it had 3 or 4 settings on for compression, I could never get a good sound out of it. Plus the chorus had preset modulation so if it was not in time with the tune it was useless. I found the guitar version to be much better. For the time that it was around anyway.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back