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What strings for a Tony Levin/Paul Webb/Colin Moulding fretless sound?

Discussion in 'Strings [BG]' started by Barry Adamson Rules, Dec 19, 2014.

  1. Dec 19, 2014 #1
    Barry Adamson Rules

    Barry Adamson Rules Guest

    Dec 18, 2014
    Any idea on what type of strings (i.e. nickel wound, steel wound etc.) for this sort of tone?





     
  2. Dec 20, 2014 #2
    NealBass

    NealBass Supporting Member

    Jun 19, 2014
    Ontario
    From seeing Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel) and Colin Moudling (XTC) in the thread title, I was expecting to say Ernie Ball Slinkys. Once I listened to the tracks, I reconsidered. Here's my take, just from what I hear (I could be way off, every-ones ears are different).
    1. Lovetown - Thanks, I'd never heard that one. It was only released on the Philadelphia movie soundtrack in 1993. To me, it sounds like Tonys' Clevinger upright, which I think he also used on the Us album in '92. I'm guessing he used flatwounds on that bass (which was lost in the fire :().
    2. LOVE the Talk Talk. The Colour of Spring is my fav album of theirs. My Foolish Friend reminds me of Duran Duran. To me, this one seems trickier. I think there might be a bit-o-synth on that bassline, but if I had to guess, again I'd go flats, with a pick and a healthy dose of chorus effect.
    3. XTC - Mr. Colin Moulding (yay). I dig Skylarking, Oranges and Lemons and Nonsvch, myself. I use my EBMM Stingray fretless 5 and my Zeta Electric Upright to play Colins stuff (Ernie Ball Slinkys for my Ray, TI Flats for the Electric Upright). All I can do is guess that Colin is using flatwounds, again. This is all just speculation, hopefully someone with more knowledge can chime in.

    cheers,
    Neal.
     
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  3. Dec 20, 2014 #3
    Barry Adamson Rules

    Barry Adamson Rules Guest

    Dec 18, 2014
    Did a bit of research and it turns out to be a Guild Ashbory Bass - one of those tiny toy basses with silicone rubber strings. Who knew? So still fretless but otherwise way off mark.

    I guess I should have posted Slegehammer.



    Great to meet another fan. The Colour of Spring is an incredible record--rootsy yet otherworldly. Happiness is Easy is one of the greatest opening numbers to any album, really sets the tone.

    Here's another song from the same set. You can more clearly hear what's synth and what's not.



    Definitely agree with the Duran Duran comparison. Always thought early Talk Talk were like a darker, angrier cousin of DD.
     
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  4. Dec 23, 2014 #4
    Barry Adamson Rules

    Barry Adamson Rules Guest

    Dec 18, 2014
    Anyone else?
     
  5. Jan 1, 2015 #5
    Barry Adamson Rules

    Barry Adamson Rules Guest

    Dec 18, 2014
    Are those roundwounds on Sledgehammer?
     
  6. Jan 8, 2015 #6
    mccartneyman

    mccartneyman

    Dec 22, 2006
    Pittsburgh, PA
    I believe those are EB SLinkys on Tony's Music Man Sabre, heavily compressed, with an octaver and played with a pick.
     
  7. Mar 14, 2015 #7
    Tinderwet

    Tinderwet

    Apr 21, 2011
    Hungary
    All of those are roundwounds.