Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Yes!!! I've always loved that gritty, nasty tone Paul got during White Album. It appears that the Jazz had more top end to it than the Ric, but that was because I think Paul had the tone open for the Jazz.

I've played an AVRI '64 Jazz Bass, two 4001V63 and a 4001C64, all within a little over a year of each other, but they were all through different amps. All the same, with enough tweaking, a Ric can sound like a Jazz, but not vise-versa, at least for me. The Precision bass has been the only bass I've played that rivals a Rickenbacker for thump (maybe even surpasses it), but keep in mind, bass is not my main instrument. I play lightly, with a medium-gauge pick.

Rob, you would happen to remember what your pickup/tone settings were, do you? Bridge pickup and open tone seem to nail that gnarly "Yer Blues"/"Glass Onion" growl...

JakeK wrote:Rob, you would happen to remember what your pickup/tone settings were, do you? Bridge pickup and open tone seem to nail that gnarly "Yer Blues"/"Glass Onion" growl...

The video I posted was tone knobs neutral, and switch on the neck pickup as I understood Paul only used. I tried switch on both pickups, but it was way too "clicky."

I did try, but couldn't get that "Yer Blues" growl sound out of my 4001c64. He had to have been using something else. Either a different bass, or some kind of tube box like somebody posted above. To my electrical-engineer ear, it sounds like some severe analog clipping going on. I just can't re-create that with this bass, I dunno.

RobW wrote:

JakeK wrote:Rob, you would happen to remember what your pickup/tone settings were, do you? Bridge pickup and open tone seem to nail that gnarly "Yer Blues"/"Glass Onion" growl...

The video I posted was tone knobs neutral, and switch on the neck pickup as I understood Paul only used. I tried switch on both pickups, but it was way too "clicky."

I did try, but couldn't get that "Yer Blues" growl sound out of my 4001c64. He had to have been using something else. Either a different bass, or some kind of tube box like somebody posted above. To my electrical-engineer ear, it sounds like some severe analog clipping going on. I just can't re-create that with this bass, I dunno.

And, both those tunes are well known to be Jazz bass tracks on that album too. Keep in mind, that a 4001 lacks bit in the lower mids -120 - 600Hz. And, (a P-bass in particular), excels in that area. It owns the mid-range. They are easier to dial in quickly in a studio. Consider the studio gear that was available at Abbey Road and the Eq's. ('Recording The Beatles' book). There are many links in the chain.

Another thought...

You may wish to search out Ronn Roberts (iamthebassman), to see if he may have some suggestions for you too. He's a very knowledgable and nice guy. Moreover, he plays in a Beatles tribute band and knows the sound you're seeking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRtW3bukJNc

Captain Bob wrote:...Ronn Roberts (iamthebassman).....plays in a Beatles tribute band...

I hear their pretty good............

jps wrote:

Captain Bob wrote:...Ronn Roberts (iamthebassman).....plays in a Beatles tribute band...

I hear their pretty good............

Actually, they're pretty good!

Oy! Eye nu taht! Kantspill wurt e yarn!

I love the Yorkville XM200, too.

Captain Bob wrote:Another thought...

You may wish to search out Ronn Roberts (iamthebassman), to see if he may have some suggestions for you too. He's a very knowledgable and nice guy. Moreover, he plays in a Beatles tribute band and knows the sound you're seeking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRtW3bukJNc

That's nowhere near the original tone to "Walrus." I wonder why he's doing it with a pick, and sounds like both- or bridge-only pickup.

Rob, I didn't place the link there so you could hear some fellow's mobile phone recording. It was a pic of Ronn so you could put a face to the username. But, now that you mention it...those drums aren't covered with tea towels either...
He's been doing that for a living for a long, long time. A student of the Beatles, and he's been in studio's a fair amount. Seek him out if you want to ask his opinion . Or, don't.

Here's Japanese fellow who always achieves the stylistic nuances of Macca's recorded tracks. Since these two are most likely a Jazz bass on the White album, here they are on a C64. He lists his gear too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyoB7jgfEP4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrmNAwBs1II

I have a hazy memory (hey, quit laughing back there!) of a post that might have been on this site somewhere, or might have been somewhere else people "talk" about "bass"... something about Paul in the studio with a low wattage tube amp really cranked up, a DI, and ... not sure what else.... But the gist was that his somewhat distorted tone was not achieved with one simple signal path, it was an inspired mashup and mix of who knows what.

Maybe the Rain/Paperback 'speaker as a mic,' sessions?

On another subject, I just read an article about the band Tin House recording their only lp at CBS studios NY. Sixth floor Studio E. Their drummer, and Rascal drummer Dino Danelli, went down to the second floor and were rummaging around a storage room trying to find percussion pieces, wood blocks, and a cowbell, when they could hear a bass being played thru the door that led to Studio B.

They carefully opened the door to see McCartney standing on a milk crate or soap box recording with a Fender Jazz bass.
They both went in and sat unnoticed for 10 minutes, when Macca spotted them and nodded. The tune was Uncle Albert.

Another member here who ALWAYS seems to consistently nail Paul's tone, no matter what bass he plays is our own Francesco Fai, known here and on YouTube as rickinroma. He's one of the best.

Captain Bob wrote:Rob, I didn't place the link there so you could hear some fellow's mobile phone recording. It was a pic of Ronn so you could put a face to the username. But, now that you mention it...those drums aren't covered with tea towels either...
He's been doing that for a living for a long, long time. A student of the Beatles, and he's been in studio's a fair amount. Seek him out if you want to ask his opinion . Or, don't.

Yea, I didn't mean to sound harsh, I was just curious. When I gig I don't fuss with the tones song-to-song other than maybe switch the pickup. I was just curious how a professional Beatles cover player chose his tones and why.

Thanks for the links to that Japanese guy. He has audio software in his post-processing -- I wonder if some of that tone comes from that?