Jazz Curious

[pbass2]

Hi JMJ, just curious if you whip out a Jazzbass much these days for your own bass sessions, or to put into the hands of clients you're producing. If so, what do you like them for? Rock roundwound grind, flatwound retro vibes, etc? As I say, just curious!

 

[MartinzeBassman]

I have roundwounds on my Jazz Bass, sounds especially great when playing rock and funk, gives a splendid bass sound. I like flats on jazz too, especially when playing reggae and jazz.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Good thread title. I rarely ever use it, maybe twice a year. Last thing was for bass on an album by Daniele Luppi, in which I was tasked with a deep emulation on some tunes to do the Dave Richmond/Herbie Flowers thing a la Melody Nelson. The tapewounds on that bass really help the cause and I can get it to sound not too far away from a Burns Bison (bass on those original recordings).

All that said, I'd love to equip it with some rounds someday to cop that David Wm. Sims tone. I can kinda get that with my Geddy Lee with DiMarzio's that I also have, but those pickups aren't single coil and not quite bright enough. I do have one more Jazz, a Custom Shop that was done in the style of a '64, and it's great. But it's sitting at my cartage company and hasn't been pulled out for use in at least 5-6 years. Maybe I need to reconsider sometime.

 

[pbass2]

Good thread title. I rarely ever use it, maybe twice a year. Last thing was for bass on an album by Daniele Luppi, in which I was tasked with a deep emulation on some tunes to do the Dave Richmond/Herbie Flowers thing a la Melody Nelson. The tapewounds on that bass really help the cause and I can get it to sound not too far away from a Burns Bison (bass on those original recordings).

All that said, I'd love to equip it with some rounds someday to cop that David Wm. Sims tone. I can kinda get that with my Geddy Lee with DiMarzio's that I also have, but those pickups aren't single coil and not quite bright enough. I do have one more Jazz, a Custom Shop that was done in the style of a '64, and it's great. But it's sitting at my cartage company and hasn't been pulled out for use in at least 5-6 years. Maybe I need to reconsider sometime.

Very cool! Yes, I do love me some Herbie Flowers vibe. Have never tried flats on a J but if I did that's what I'd be after. I too have a Geddy w Model J's with crusty old nickel rounds, and it is indeed beefy but I hear ya, a bit dark, doesn't get very clangy. Thanks for the info. I will look for that Daniele Luppi album--Cheers!

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Very cool! Yes, I do love me some Herbie Flowers vibe. Have never tried flats on a J but if I did that's what I'd be after. I too have a Geddy w Model J's with crusty old nickel rounds, and it is indeed beefy but I hear ya, a bit dark, doesn't get very clangy. Thanks for the info. I will look for that Daniele Luppi album--Cheers!

Let me make the distinction: that '67 J has tapewounds, not flats. I had flats on it before, but it didn't get "that" vibe until I put the tapes on.

 

[pbass2]

Tapes, check. Haven't used them in years--had them on a Yammy BB1200 ages ago. Might be time to revisit this idea....
I recently came across a Herbie Flowers playlist someone had made on Spotify. So many great tracks. Man, he got away with some pretty busy playing back in the day!

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Tapes, check. Haven't used them in years--had them on a Yammy BB1200 ages ago. Might be time to revisit this idea....
I recently came across a Herbie Flowers playlist someone had made on Spotify. So many great tracks. Man, he got away with some pretty busy playing back in the day!

He did indeed! As did quite a few of the greats of his generation.