How do I get this sound? The Jam's Bruce Foxton

[Robert Sjea]

I just plug in and play - Rickenbacker 4001, Precision, Ampeg Vfb, no frills. In other words, I need help in having you explain to me how to get this sound at the start of these two songs

It must be fairly simple, so I'd appreciate it if someone would indulge me. THanks,
bs

 

[MrBorisSpider]

Bruce Foxton plugs usually a Precision into an overdriven tube amp, usually a Marshall or an Ampeg. To the best of my knowledge he doesn't use many pedals, if any at all.

 

[bongomania]

In the first cut, the intro sound is a guitar doubling the bass. The bass is completely without any effects. In the second cut, it's just bass- plain, no effects, no doubling, nothing but whatever dirt resulted from the tube amp and the poor quality recording.

 

[jojo99]

Nordstrand NP4, parametric mid eq, sansamp BDDI for grit-- nails the typical 1978 era punk/pop sound. All you really need to do is shape the midrange and add a little overdrive and you can get close if your pickups are decent-- and dig in with the right hand.

 

[The Lurker]

bass--> tube amp. Roto strings too.

FWIW, most of the early Jam stuff was either a rick or, as backup or alternate, an ibanez rick clone.