Polythene Pam ?

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Fri May 05, 2006 6:50 am

It's been sometime since I listen to Abbey Road for any length of time. I put the CD on yesterday, and I really love the sound of the bass track on PP.
Who's playing bass?
What bass is it?
What kind of effects if any are being used?
I have to capture that fuzzy sound.

revolver323 · Post by **revolver323** » Fri May 05, 2006 7:26 am

In Geoff Emerick's book, he says it was Paul on bass, but I don't think he named which bass. He did say that Paul left in a mistake -- on the slide just before the guitar break leading to "Bathroom Window," Paul overshoots the note and slides back down to it, then back up to the "Wrong" note. It sounded so good that he kept it.

byu · Post by **byu** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:39 pm

I agree. It's a very musical sounding mistake.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:43 pm

In the same ballpark, what fuzz pedal is used on the bass on "Mean Mr. Mustard"? Or was it just done through the board?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:59 pm

I don't know but it sure sounds good, I'd love to be able to get that sound live. I bet they double tracked it with one dry track as all the fuzzboxes of that time killed all the bottom.

glass_onion · Post by **glass_onion** » Mon May 08, 2006 8:49 pm

is it the same fuzz that was used on think for yourself?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed May 10, 2006 6:51 pm

Doesn't sound at all the same to me.

rickinroma · Post by **rickinroma** » Wed May 10, 2006 9:20 pm

Think for yourself sounds different IMHO

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:01 pm

I checked Babiuk's book, which says "Think For Yourself" was either a Vox Tone Bender or an EMI-built fuzz box.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Thu May 11, 2006 3:45 am

Funny, but I never liked the fuzz bass tone. I very much prefer the "clean" Rick tones.