Help to identify bass in recording

[user362432]

I remember back in time this sound. It was played with the pick. Not just this band, but several other bands in USA, too had this bass sound. The "fashion" of this particular sound did not last long, maybe couple of years and I remember it well. I've see this band, had a chance to meet their bass player, who lives in Atlanta, now.
I remember, he had a P, than J, later white Ric and couple of other basses. But, live, he never had that sound. I tried to research on their old videos, if he played something else and had a little suspicion what might be. But, I am not sure...
Maybe, someone of the old guys can remember this particular sound at the end of 60s and the beginning of 70s, who can try to to help me to identify it. It is very distinctive sound, which can be emulated by damping the strings on P bass. But, it's not that.
Can someone chime in with idea?

 

[Warpeg]

This might not be the answer that you want to here, but that sound can be achieved by a handful of basses. The instrument is only one part of the equation. Other factors are playing style, control settings, strings, amp, effects (both at the amp and in the control room), and acoustics of the studio.

 

[user362432]

This might not be the answer that you want to here, but that sound can be achieved by a handful of basses. The instrument is only one part of the equation. Other factors are playing style, control settings, strings, amp, effects (both at the amp and in the control room), and acoustics of the studio.

Nope. I've seen the guy numerous times live and in his later recordings and never later had that sound. Plus, later on he switched to finger style playing, what took him further from that sound. I've heard numerous other recordings done with the same guy and same band and never again had that sound.
His brother is also bass player. But, he had a different approach, different music and mostly played Gibson EB0 or P...

 

[Slater]

That sounds like a tic tac double track, where the bass line is copied with a baritone guitar. That’s the main reason the sound wasn’t duplicated live.

 

[ajkula66]

Wow. Haven't heard this one in decades. Thank you for the memories...

Isn't the gentleman who played this still around and actually living in the States ? That's the last I heard of him many moons ago. Going to the source - presuming that my information is correct to begin with - would clear the confusion once and for all...

Good luck.

 

[fretno]

I have no idea but if I were to attempt to approach it I’d use a p with flats tone rolled off with a bridge mute.

 

[AGCurry]

That sounds like a tic tac double track, where the bass line is copied with a baritone guitar. That’s the main reason the sound wasn’t duplicated live.

Well, it could be that. I doubt it, due to the very close coincidence of the picking sound with a very busy bass line. It seems unlikely that one could nail it that closely.

I suspect that the pick-attack sound is recorded with a microphone on the picking hand, playing a hollow-bodied bass.

 

[TheArchitect]

Well, it could be that. I doubt it, due to the very close coincidence of the picking sound with a very busy bass line. It seems unlikely that one could nail it that closely.

I suspect that the pick-attack sound is recorded with a microphone on the picking hand, playing a hollow-bodied bass.

No different than doubling a guitar solo. In a studio where you can punch in etc, it could be done.

 

[Flaked Beans]

That sounds 100% like a jazz bass with flats, both pickups on, played with a pick through a vintage tube amp.

 

[user362432]

Looking around, I found one picture of the man holding something in the shape of 335.....
I suspect he used Gibson EB2 for recording.
Is there anyone who has experience with EB2 who can confirm it might be it?

 

[ThudThudThud]

That sounds like a tic tac double track, where the bass line is copied with a baritone guitar. That’s the main reason the sound wasn’t duplicated live.

It does have that 'Danelectro Longhorn' tic tac vibe.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

This might not be the answer that you want to here, but that sound can be achieved by a handful of basses. The instrument is only one part of the equation. Other factors are playing style, control settings, strings, amp, effects (both at the amp and in the control room), and acoustics of the studio.

Agreed. Well said.

 

[stigbeve]

Ric O Sound??

 

[frankie5string]

Wow... I used to be neighbours with a classically trained pianist that used to sit in with a Toronto-based Indexi tribute... For some reason it was a big deal in Toronto around 2010-2012.
To me that track sounds like an EB-2. It's very similar in sound to some of the Canterbury Prog stuff I have and a lot of them used EB-2s in the 70s. The decay is just a bit too wooly sounding to me to be a plain Jazz bass.

 

[Timmah]

My first thought was some sort of semihollow with flats, muted pick, and a lot of compression. I like the idea of a double tracked tic tac approach, but the line is very closely matched and very busy.

Ric O Sound??

I like this idea- maybe they achieved a faux tic-tac sound by running the neck pickup with the tone rolled back and the bridge pickup with the tone up, each into different tracks.

Ultimately there's too many factors at play, as far as bass, strings, and studio magic, but I'd bet that any passive old-school bass with some flats and a pick and a palm mute will be 80% of the sound.

 

[C Stone]

It's a hollow-body, a Gibson EB2 with flats played with plectrum...

 

[stigbeve]

It's a hollow-body, a Gibson EB2 with flats played with plectrum...

I messaged the bass player and he responded ‘Gibson semi acoustic’ so I think you’re right.

 

[Flaked Beans]

That sounds 100% like a jazz bass with flats, both pickups on, played with a pick through a vintage tube amp.

I messaged the bass player and he responded ‘Gibson semi acoustic’ so I think you’re right.

Oh my bad, it sunded like a jazz bass on my 2×0.5W lap top speakers!

 

[user362432]

It's a hollow-body, a Gibson EB2 with flats played with plectrum...

This is exactly what I first had in the mind. But, I needed help to be sure in it. Thanks.

 

[user362432]

I messaged the bass player and he responded ‘Gibson semi acoustic’ so I think you’re right.

With a couple of phone calls, I could get man on the phone (probably). But, I did not want to disturb him about something so trivial.