clunky sounding bass

[nddhc]

what type of bass would you recommend for that 60s beatles, beach boys clunky, thump bass sound? im not a big bass player so ive normally just used my friends basses, but now im looking for something of my own.

most basses ive ever played rattle really bad, but maybe its just my bad technique. ive taken a tip from the Carol Kaye website and placed a strip of felt under the strings near the bridge which definitely dulls the tone and helps the overall sound.


for an inexpensive bass (under $400) what would you recommend? id consider new or used!


thanks!

 

[c7sus]

Check out G&L Tribute basses. About $500 new and then another $80-100 to replace the plastic nut with bone and have it setup. I bought one for my kid and it sounds great and is fun to play. Humbucker pups and coil switching too.

 

[notCardio]

what type of bass would you recommend for that 60s beatles, beach boys clunky, thump bass sound? im not a big bass player so ive normally just used my friends basses, but now im looking for something of my own.

most basses ive ever played rattle really bad, but maybe its just my bad technique. ive taken a tip from the Carol Kaye website and placed a strip of felt under the strings near the bridge which definitely dulls the tone and helps the overall sound.


for an inexpensive bass (under $400) what would you recommend? id consider new or used!


thanks!

Which period of 60's Beatles are you referring to? Early Beatles was a Hofner, which Hofner has come out with an inexpensive version of. Later Beatles on through Wings was a Rickenbacker 4001.

Beach boys used primarily a Fender Precision, though I think I remember seeing someone (didn't think it was Brian, though) using a hollowbody, like a Guild or one of those types.

The dull thuddy sound is the easiest thing to achieve, afaik. Just get some flat tapewound strings, stuff something under the bridge to mute 'em, and there you go. If it's a dual pickup bass, just use the neck pickup. Play with your fingers, don't use a pick. It's all pretty common sense stuff.

 

[scrubs]

Carol Kaye played mostly a Fender Jazz, I think, for those Beach Boy sessions. You can get a MIM jazz for around $400. Very versatile axe.

The Hofner is a different sound. There are cheap hofners and hofner copies out there. The old ones are pricey.

However, when I think clunky, clicky bass, I always think Rickenbacker. You might look around for a used one.

Oh, and flatwounds...definitely flatwounds.

 

[notCardio]

Carol Kaye played mostly a Fender Jazz, I think, for those Beach Boy sessions. You can get a MIM jazz for around $400. Very versatile axe.

The Hofner is a different sound. There are cheap hofners and hofner copies out there. The old ones are pricey.

However, when I think clunky, clicky bass, I always think Rickenbacker. You might look around for a used one.

Oh, and flatwounds...definitely flatwounds.

Now see, when I think 'clunky and clicky', I think Hofner. Very upper midrangey with no real bottom, but not bright either, but a lot of that has to do with the recordings that you hear it on. I'd have to research (as in go and listen to Paul's new stuff) to make that a blanket statement though.

 

[rayc]

Flat Wound Strings.