JJ Burnel Amp Recommendation please

[markyted]

Hi Gals/Guys, Very recently back on the bass, having been press-ganged into a Stranglers covers band. I’ll be playing a passive USA Fender Precision, any tips on amp/cabs for the JJ Burnel sound? Done some Googling but I think it would take me until The End of Time to trawl through all the reviews. Any info would be much appreciated, I would need some distortion to be available for some tracks and would only be playing in pubs (bars).
Thanks in advance, Mark

 

[Michedelic]

Hi Gals/Guys, Very recently back on the bass, having been press-ganged into a Stranglers covers band. I’ll be playing a passive USA Fender Precision, any tips on amp/cabs for the JJ Burnel sound? Done some Googling but I think it would take me until The End of Time to trawl through all the reviews. Any info would be much appreciated, I would need some distortion to be available for some tracks and would only be playing in pubs (bars).
Thanks in advance, Mark

As far as the original era, all photographic/video evidence shows that he used a Hiwatt head/Marshall 4x12 set-up, and the classic albums certainly sound like it. Why that combo? Well, when you’re broke and scrounging around for gear, anything will do; by the time they were recording, that became his sound. When I saw them in ‘81, he had moved to a preamp/power amp rig, which was becoming the thing to do(sorry, I can’t remember brands), with multiple small cabinets(single 12’s or 15’s). Later on, Ashdown. If you’t go down the authentic route, maybe check into Hiwatt simulator pedals like the RAH or Leeds to get the grind?

 

[Mr. Foxen]

The Leeds pedal will def help. Hiwatts breaking up like that are kinda going wrong, a lot was probably cab breakup. Lot of valve amps that aren't trying to be a Marshall will give that sort of grind at a certain point. The valve grind feature on Ashdown ABM can prob dial it in, a lot is that playing hard thing.

 

[markyted]

Ooh! Top tip re the pedals, that is new information, I’ll have a look tonight. Sounds like that might be an easier option to switch sounds live. Genuine thanks, Mark.