Sun King

[maplered]

The Jazz had flatwounds.

On a few of the isolated bass tracks that recently came out, there is quite noticeable string squeak, which would unmistakably be from a roundwound string. I figured it had to be the Jazz.

Flatwounds still have some string noise. From my experience w/ my mid-late sixties jazz basses strung w/ flatwounds, he's using flats. Roundwounds just sound different, they still sound much brighter than his sound on the tracks he's using a jazz bass.

[cassius987]

Flatwounds still have some string noise.

That's my experience as well. Especially the stiffer ones, not sure what Paul would have used. Also, a lot of times your flats will be squeaking but it disappears in "the mix"--but in a hi-fi setting you can hear it.

[rickinroma]

Flatwounds on a Fender Jazz Bass can really growl. Would you ever say that this the same bass I used for the Sun King demo with same flatwound strings?

http://www.gospel.bo.it/albums/userpics ... erbass.mp3
http://www.gospel.bo.it/albums/userpics ... guitar.mp3

[johnallg]

I think it's the 4001. The Jazz had a clankier tone - it was strung up with roundwounds. The bass here is really mellow. Also, the "fuzz" you speak of just sounds to me like the bass was recorded a little hot and doesn't seem intentional.

That was my feeling about the distortion - hot in the recording. No opinion on which bass was used, except to say Francesco's clips are very convincing for the Jazz.

[Billsbro]

I am wandering a bit from the topic (but it sounds like that might be a good thing!)...my first thought was wouldn't it be fascinating if there was a film record of most of their sessions? We'd know what was what...
I know, I know...pie in the sky...

But, my second thought keyed off of this idea: it was the memory of an NPR story I heard about 6 months ago. It started off with what we already know, many famous studios have shut down due to (a) the popularity of high-tech home studios and (b) the shrinking budgets and support from most record labels. The studios that have remained generally have become clever in the way they have diversified. The point of this story was that several of the studios in New York have successfully earned money by filming the recording process of various artists and then selling that footage to fascinated fans. Makes sense, eh? They have come up with a new product that helps pay the rent. I wonder how much this will be embraced by artists (they earn some $ on this too). Anyway, there is no way to go back to those old Beatles sessions but perhaps Mr. McCartney will see the value on this and we'll all have NEW topics to discuss!

Sorry to digress, folks!

[gearhed289]

So what's the general consensus on Band on the Run? I've only ever seen pics of Paul with the righty Jazz Bass from those sessions. Sounds like it sure could be the Ric though. I just got the remaster - doesn't sound that great to be honest, but the DVD with One Hand Clapping footage is great! Soily!!!