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Is it a pick sound?

Discussion in 'Technique [BG]' started by Mr Cup, Oct 7, 2001.

  1. Oct 7, 2001 #1
    Mr Cup

    Mr Cup

    Mar 2, 2000
    Howdy, I'm trying to get the sound that the Smiths used or more specifically, the bass sound in Led Zeppelin's D'yer Maker. I think its just a pick maybe a lot of trebble, but I can't get that sound. I use a fender p bass and an ampeg setup. Any ideas?
     
  2. Oct 7, 2001 #2
    Peter McFerrin

    Peter McFerrin

    Jul 4, 2000
    Valencia, CA 91354
    I think JPJ used a Jazz Bass for "D'yer Maker." Since he almost always used flatwounds, it's pretty clear that he used a pick on that tune.
     
  3. Oct 8, 2001 #3
    Bruce Lindfield

    Bruce Lindfield Unprofessional TalkBass Contributor Gold Supporting Member In Memoriam

    Dec 13, 1999
    Brighton, England, UK, Europe
    Yes- strange one that. I saw Led Zep live in London at about the time the album was released and this was the only track they didn't play - JP-J seemed to be playing fingerstyle throughout on his Jazz Bass.

    Maybe they were a bit embarassed at how badly their attempt at Reggae had turned out. Reggae was getting popular in the UK and by the time Houses of the Holy was reeased, we had heard Bob Marley; so in comparison, D'Yer Maker sounds like a bit of a poorly-executed or heavy-handed joke! ;)
     
  4. Oct 8, 2001 #4
    Lovebown

    Lovebown

    Jan 6, 2001
    Sweden
    D'yer maker aint really a reggae song to me...i mean ..the drums aren't doing the backbeat thing and during the refrain the guitar chugs along kinda good....

    But yeah, if it was an attempt to make a reggae song it was fairly weak :p

    /lovebown
     
  5. Oct 8, 2001 #5
    Bruce Lindfield

    Bruce Lindfield Unprofessional TalkBass Contributor Gold Supporting Member In Memoriam

    Dec 13, 1999
    Brighton, England, UK, Europe
    Well "D'Yer Maker" is a old and well-know English phonetic joke for "Jamaica" :D

    They did get heavily criticised for this at the time in the English music press - but they were falling out of favour by then anyway.
     
  6. Oct 8, 2001 #6
    Lovebown

    Lovebown

    Jan 6, 2001
    Sweden
    Well, the press was never quite fond of Sabbath nor Zeppelin were they? I've heard most critics in the 70s dismissed the guitarbands as too loud and noisy... heheh..

    /lovebown