Turning a Squier P into a James Jameson P.

[H13]

YO.

...Thread title is a summary but basically:

I have a Squier Classic Vibe 4 string P. It's great! I put a DiMarzio Model P into it and that too is great!

HOWEVER:

Then I went and got an awesome Yamaha BB734a. Fantastic modern-ish sounding bass, which means the Squier P and the BB734 are now kinda doing the same job.

ERGO:

I would like to turn my Squier P into a vintage, motown machine. Which basically means: "How do I make a P-Bass sound like James Jameson"

NOTE: JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOT YOUR P-BASS TO BE LIKE SOMETHING JAMES JAMESON WOULD USE, YOU STILL GOTTA PLAY LIKE HIM. GOOD shagIN' LUCK.

But at least my P will be set up to do that vintage P bass thing and do a different job than my BB734.

From my understanding: Jameson was playing a pretty stock P-Bass, with well worn flatwounds and a block of foam near the bridge. I've heard stories that the neck on his P-Bass was twisted and warped and that he had an action that most people would describe as unplayable, but I'm not willing to be masochistic about this . (Note: Apparently he was also absolutely shitfaced drunk. If that's what I need to do to play like Jameson, then that's a sacrifice I am willing to make...)

So to "nail it" I'm assuming I grab some LaBella flats, a Fender C63 pickup and learn how to play the bass better than any other human on the planet?

 

[michael_t]

So to "nail it" I'm assuming I grab some LaBella flats, a Fender C63 pickup and learn how to play the bass better than any other human on the planet?

Also, make sure to play with only one finger, The Hook.

 

[H13]

Also, make sure to play with only one finger, The Hook.

Nah bro, totally using a pick for Jameson bass lines.

(Note: I'm taking the piss. But I do know that somebody read that sentence and burst a blood vessel in rage )

 

[DWBass]

Put on flats and raise the action.

 

[5StringBlues]

Pigfeet and cigars.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Send your nose picker to an eight week training camp and come out a'swingin'.

 

[H13]

At the risk of asking a more legitimate question...



Aside from the answer: "Because he's James shagin' Jameson"

How does he do those really quick notes with only one finger?

Or is it a bit of an exaggeration? Like how people say James Hetfield only downpicks, but...he clearly doesn't, otherweise Battery, One, Disposable Heroes and a whole bunch of other stuff wouldn't be possible.

 

[2F/2F]

Start by learning his name.

 

[antfarm]

Start by learning his name.

Something like this should work just as well with a bass.

The guitar Fender and whisky purveyor Jameson just partnered on is... quite something

Jameson now has its own Player II Telecaster electric guitar and Tone Master Princeton Reverb amplifier to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

guitar.com

 

[Yahboy]

YO.

...Thread title is a summary but basically:

I have a Squier Classic Vibe 4 string P. It's great! I put a DiMarzio Model P into it and that too is great!

HOWEVER:

Then I went and got an awesome Yamaha BB734a. Fantastic modern-ish sounding bass, which means the Squier P and the BB734 are now kinda doing the same job.

ERGO:

I would like to turn my Squier P into a vintage, motown machine. Which basically means: "How do I make a P-Bass sound like James Jameson"

NOTE: JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOT YOUR P-BASS TO BE LIKE SOMETHING JAMES JAMESON WOULD USE, YOU STILL GOTTA PLAY LIKE HIM. GOOD shagIN' LUCK.

But at least my P will be set up to do that vintage P bass thing and do a different job than my BB734.

From my understanding: Jameson was playing a pretty stock P-Bass, with well worn flatwounds and a block of foam near the bridge. I've heard stories that the neck on his P-Bass was twisted and warped and that he had an action that most people would describe as unplayable, but I'm not willing to be masochistic about this . (Note: Apparently he was also absolutely shitfaced drunk. If that's what I need to do to play like Jameson, then that's a sacrifice I am willing to make...)

So to "nail it" I'm assuming I grab some LaBella flats, a Fender C63 pickup and learn how to play the bass better than any other human on the planet?

Don't forget the legendary Ampeg B15 !

 

[DJ Bebop]

At the risk of asking a more legitimate question...



How does he do those really quick notes with only one finger?

He is raking across multiple strings with the one finger, is how some of it is done. Other times he is just very quick, with that one finger.

 

[ToddB1963]

How does he do those really quick notes with only one finger?

Or is it a bit of an exaggeration? Like how people say James Hetfield only downpicks, but...he clearly doesn't, otherweise Battery, One, Disposable Heroes and a whole bunch of other stuff wouldn't be possible.

There's a cat here in Australia who's an expert at using 'the hook'. His name's Harry Brus. Very soulful, very funky.

 

[H13]

Start by learning his name.

HA

poopie.

Hey I might not be abel to spell his name, but I can spot his bass playing at least

(Also I'm a teacher. Do you know how many different versions of that name I've seen?)

 

[SharpCat]

I built a tribute bass to him. Started with a Squier CV, but the poplar didn’t look right. Ended up using a Vintera body. Traded it recently.

 

[KYbass]

Or just wait for the 3k version coming soon

Also, have a warped neck…and foam…and be drunk…etc etc

 

[H13]

There's a cat here in Australia who's an expert at using 'the hook'. His name's Harry Brus. Very soulful, very funky.

shag a duck.

So he kinda alternate picks with his finger. Those rakes are so smooth it's almost like a sweep pick with an index finger.

That's some terrifyingly good playing from that guy.

 

[murphy]

shag a duck.

 

[murphy]

At the risk of asking a more legitimate question...



Aside from the answer: "Because he's James shagin' Jameson"

How does he do those really quick notes with only one finger?

Or is it a bit of an exaggeration? Like how people say James Hetfield only downpicks, but...he clearly doesn't, otherweise Battery, One, Disposable Heroes and a whole bunch of other stuff wouldn't be possible.

Very quiet recording but well worth listening to....
This should be a lesson for everyone

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Nah bro, totally using a pick for Jameson bass lines.

(Note: I'm taking the piss. But I do know that somebody read that sentence and burst a blood vessel in rage )

I would recommend an eBow

 

[KevInDaBassment]

It's been sort of mentioned prior, but having higher action than most people like contributes to the sound as well. Even with the pickup height adjusted the same, the distance from the fretboard makes the strings behave differently. Not as big a difference as flats and a foam mute, but part of the sound nonetheless.