Strings for Retro sound

[coolhandjjl]

I've been hearing a lot of retro type of songs where the bass line is more of like a sharp attack or thunk with almost no over tones or harmonics at all. Almost like the mute was used on the bridge, but not quite. Is this what Pyramids or TI Flats are geared towards?

Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi - Black - starring Norah Jones

[sloop_john_b]

I can't watch that video at work, but heavy picking/palm-muting (or using the Rick's mute) in conjunction with flatwound strings is probably the sound you're thinking of. I suppose you could do it with roundwounds but I wouldn't. Compression would help too.

Like the tone on "With A Little Help From My Friends"?

[iiipopes]

In addition to the above, a lot of neck pickup, only a little, if any, treble pickup, and a medium thin or thin pick. Raise the mute to taste. As far as flatwounds, something with nickel or chrome, like TI's or light D'addario chromes, or the new Optimas, will have a "hollower" tone than the growly Fender Flats 9050CL (I prefer the growl, but that's for another thread).

[gearhed289]

Yep, flats played with a pick, and some muting will get you on the right track.

[coolhandjjl]

In addition to the above, a lot of neck pickup, only a little, if any, treble pickup, and a medium thin or thin pick. Raise the mute to taste. As far as flatwounds, something with nickel or chrome, like TI's or light D'addario chromes, or the new Optimas, will have a "hollower" tone than the growly Fender Flats 9050CL (I prefer the growl, but that's for another thread).

Ironically, Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi have another tune called "Her Hollow Ways", which has the same bass style.

[Ivan3000]

That is a Great sound!

[woodyng]

+1. Great sound,seemed like it was picked and palm muted on flatwound strings to my ears.

[cassius987]

+1. Great sound,seemed like it was picked and palm muted on flatwound strings to my ears.

That and a solid preamp stage with some mid scoop and an above-average gain boost for a pop mix possibly.

[woodyng]

And the player was wearing a plaid shirt....yeah,plaid shirt definitely...

[coolhandjjl]

Follow up: I ordered some Pyramid Golds from Strings and Beyond. Great price with free shipping. On my 4003s with its RIHS and Toaster, they sounded really great! Definitely the thunky clunky vintage tone from late '50s early 60's.

[teb]

Those of you with Ric-O-Sound capabilities might find it worth playing with for getting this type of sound as well. You run your neck pickup to one amp. channel or track, set very deep and bassy. The bridge pickup is set just as bright as you can get it (full treble, no bass, bright switch, etc.) and about all it is providing is the click when you pick the string. You then adjust the balance until you get the sound you want and can mute or palm mute if you want to shorten the sustain.

I used to play and record this way all the time with my old stereo-wired fretless Gibson LP, flat-picked with tape-wound strings. Check out the sample clips for "Let's Take A Weekend" and "Get Right With God" and you can hear the results here:
http://www.theshipmusic.com/left_in_the_wake_album.html

[mikko]

Optima flats have that kind of sound when played with pick.

Here another example. A little brighter sound.

[coolhandjjl]

Great suggestions!

[coolhandjjl]

Those of you with Ric-O-Sound capabilities might find it worth playing with for getting this type of sound as well. You run your neck pickup to one amp. channel or track, set very deep and bassy. The bridge pickup is set just as bright as you can get it (full treble, no bass, bright switch, etc.) and about all it is providing is the click when you pick the string....

Thanks Todd. Right now, my 2009 4003 with Rick-O Sound is set up with the stock hi-gains, and I use steel rounds on it. It is my go-to bass for growly, grindy, clanky, cut through the mix stuff. It is set up just right and sounds perfect for that, so I really don't want to touch it. My other Ric is a 4003s modded with a RIHS and Toaster, has a mono jack. In time, I could replace the jackplate with a stereo one and re-wire it. For now, I can get the distinctive 'click' from the Pyramid Golds by the way my finger tip hits the string. I have read that Thomastik TI Flats just won't have that same characteristic click no matter what. Is that true?

[woodyng]

For sure,There's a world of difference in the TI's and the PG's. The pgs are a heavier gauge,and a higher tension,and just feel so different to the TI's. But as i have found ,if you get a great set up,any number of different combinations can work well. I would think the PG's would tend to have a crisper edge to the tone overall.