• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Sting Sound

A

AndreasBassman

Feb 1, 2009
47
0
#1
Hi!

Just need to ask if the sting sound is just his bass. I know he playes a P bass 57 thats about it. Any spesific amp or effects he uses also?

Thinking mainly on the sound im hearing here: okey didnt find it, but it was a quite low punchy attacking bass, perfect for seven days or likewise. Lets call it the sting sound,I dont listen much to it, sorry.
 
#5
Make sure you have your dynamics right. Sting either uses a pick or his thumb, as in that video.

In a song like Field of Gold, he is very light and emotional. But in a song such as Synchronicity or Walking on the Moon he is very deep into the bass.

Just like most bassists, such as Jamerson and The Ox, its in the fingers more so than the equipment.
 
#6
While he does have a 55 and 57 P (not sure which one he uses the most) He is actually playing a 62 Jazz in those videos you linked.

I have never played a 50's style P though so maybe you can get his tone outta one of those too???

either way great sound!
 
#7
Sting is pretty much one to go direct in the studio. I'm just amused that it takes the last 30 seconds of the "Fields of Gold" video before Vinnie Colaiuta (one of the genius drummers of our time) gets any face time.

Anyway, I'm not usually one to point out that it's all in the fingers, but in this case it's a lot of fingers and a good signal chain direct to the recording media. I'm still looking for the tone of Pete Farndon of the Pretenders (You Tube: "Pretenders Live Fridays"). In that case you can definitely point to a P-Bass into an SVT. In Sting's case here, it's "direct" coupled with tasteful orchestration: Notice that on "Heavy Cloud but No Rain" the keys and guitar are really lightly comping outside of the guitar solo. The bass sounds great because the bass is given room to sound great - it's vocals, bass and drums with some light comping from the guitar and keyboardist.

KO
 
#8
Hey it is Vinnie! cool!

While I'm sure Sting uses a pretty extensive signal chain it still sounds like a Jazz bass (to me anyway...)

Like a few of you have mentioned it has a lot to do with technique. On fields of gold he uses is thumb for a nice soft sound and with fingers on heavy clouds for a bit more funk. The most important thing to notice though is that on both he is playing up by the neck for a softer fatter almost P ish sound.

He is really good at making the bass fit into the song like this.
 
#11
i have owned and played many P basses. none of them ever had the sound that sting gets out of the 50s P bass he plays lately, imo. maybe that's because i didn't play ampeg at that time.

now i play a 66 jazz almost exclusively. i'm not sure about what volume knob settings sting used in the ten summoner's tales vids posted above, but it sounds just like my J bass with both volume knobs all the way and the treble from 40-60%.

if you like the tone on those vids, and you don't already have these albums, get the sting albums "all this time (1991)" and "ten summoner's tales (1993)". the 62 J bass is used extensively on these sets, and sounds better than any other bass he ever played, imo.

while on the topic of sting, i'll mention that i have a black ibanez roadstar II fretless (RB888) like the one standing behind sting in those vids. it's a truly unique looking, playing, and sounding bass. i love it!!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back