Synchronicity II by The Police Bass

[Bassist96]

Hey Guys!

wasn't sure what thread to post this in. but I have a gig coming up and we have been ask to get as close to the recordings as possible. Synchronicity II is one of those songs. my question is, is this a Fretless or Fretted bass sound or a chorus pedal or even all three, I've read how sting used to double track his sound + how cool is this song??!! probably a question with an answer already on here but i can't find it lol

 

[craigie]

Sure sounds like fretless on the "daddy only stares...". Just the way his notes seem to bloom makes me think fretless. A bit of chorus and overdrive will get you close.

 

[tim gueguen]

Hugh Padgham says Sting alternated on Synchronicity between a DIed Jazz Bass and a Steinberger, mixed in with an Van Zalinge Z Bass electric upright. CLASSIC TRACKS: The Police 'Every Breath You Take' |

 

[skwee]

I recall a couple of articles mentioning Sting's doubling of electric and upright on that Police stuff.

 

[tfer]

Pick, chorus and a touch of OD.

Surprisingly, it's not doubled, but there's a keyboard pad.

 

[socialleper]

This song does have a fun line to play.
When I learned it, I didn't feel the need for a fretless anywhere, but I did go pretty light on the EQ. It is a pretty easy, vanilla tone without a ton of deep low end or harsh articulation. I played it finger just because that was easier for me.

 

[winterburn69]

I use a chorus, light overdrive, a fretless and a pick and I feel that gets me pretty close to the album recording.

When I play along with Certifible (which I often do), I just use a fretted Precision.



Personally, I think it sounds like two basses.

 

[craigie]

I just watched a Police concert (in black and white) from '80 and Sting used his electric upright "Bruce?" on a lot of songs and his natural fretless P with maple board with a pick on the rest. Sounded like some OD and chorus. Also had a synth beside him that played some annoying drone notes and I saw him flip a switch on it while switching basses so I wondered if the bass was somehow run into it. Didn't see anyone activate the drone notes so I wondered how it was done.


Now a concert from '82 and he's using a headless Steinberger. Looks stupid but sounds good. Goes with his early 80's hair and outfit lol. Walking on the moon was way better with the upright. Now I'm gassing for one of those (I used to play upright)!!! Any suggestions for a good one that's not too expensive are welcome. Not a "self supporting" one though. Need to be free to swing like Sting!!

 

[tim gueguen]

That's a Minimoog beside Sting in the Capitol Theatre footage. Andy Summers also had one. Both of them had Moog Taurus bass pedals, and it's possible they used them to trigger the Minis. When they toured in support of Ghost in the Machine Sting added an Oberheim OBXa synth to his onstage setup. You can see it beside Sting in the Gateshead footage.

 

[Arohana]

Hugh Padgham says Sting alternated on Synchronicity between a DIed Jazz Bass and a Steinberger, mixed in with an Van Zalinge Z Bass electric upright. CLASSIC TRACKS: The Police 'Every Breath You Take' |

So that's it. Thought it was a Beckstein.. if such exists.

 

[80jazz]

Hugh Padgham says Sting alternated on Synchronicity between a DIed Jazz Bass and a Steinberger, mixed in with an Van Zalinge Z Bass electric upright. CLASSIC TRACKS: The Police 'Every Breath You Take' |

IIRC, the fretless he purchased on October 20/21, 1978 was also in that equipment mix.

 

[Arohana]

The Zalinge is predominant, to my ear.