How Do I get This Sound?

[gotmule?]

I am buying some strings tomorrow and was wondering what strings I should buy to get close to this tone. I have a Squier 70's Jazz Bass. Thanks!

 

[Parabolic Box]

Sounds like flatwound strings. And probably solo the neck pickup... but that 'cause a bit of undesired hum.

 

[Buskman]

Sounds like flatwound strings. And probably solo the neck pickup... but that 'cause a bit of undesired hum.

I agree. Flats (I'd recommend Chromes, since they're slightly brighter overall), but I wouldn't solo the neck pickup, just roll the bridge pickup slightly back (about 25% or so). Tone knob back about 1/4 also. All IMHO, of course.

BTW - Andy Hess groooves!

 

[Davo-London]

Play the neck PU and turn down the tone pot.

Davo

 

[slejhamer]

According to this site:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

He does indeed use "D'addario flatties" which of course would be Chromes.

 

[gotmule?]

According to this site:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

He does indeed use "D'addario flatties" which of course would be Chromes.

Thanks for the link. I will probably go with these then.

 

[Tom Howland]

60's P-bass.
Flats.
two SVT heads
Two 8x10 cabs.

And a great band to play with.

 

[Chris Breese]

I don't really care for his tone, but that's just me. I've seen the Mule twice, the first time with Allen Woody and the second with Hess. Hess is a great player, but without any top end, he got lost in the mix the time I saw him.

The quality in that vid is pretty good, so it's easy to see his tone not cutting through when the band starts to get heavy.

 

[One Drop]

+1 to everything above.

Rolling up the tone knob on a bit more or dialling in some more trble on the head would get a lot more cut with Chromes, but I doubt that's the sound he wants.

Cut is overrated sometimes, but our ears have become accustomed to hearing the bass more clearly these days, I guess. Blend is my friend.

 

[Thangfish]

Just a couple shots I got at a Mule show in April 2008

 

[Bassist4Life]

I'm thinking:

1. P-Bass
2. Flats (Maybe some sweet TI Jazz Flats)
3. Tube amp

In that order.

 

[ljazz]

Those don't look or sound like chromes to me. The dark blue silks stand out like a sore thumb against the maple headstock...... these look like there is no silk.

Anyway, I think his sound is awesome. I'm sure I'll get shot down for this, but I dig his sound and playing much better than Allen Woody's.

And Gov't Mule is a great band.

Ljazz

 

[Bluesbreaker5]

I've got the same bass and put Fender Tapewounds on it. Using the neck pickup only I get just about the same sound. And the black tapewounds look awesome on that bass!