Help! Advice on pedal for 70s R&B sound

[Holdsg]

Got an audition in a few weeks for an old-school 70s R&B dance band. Been listening/working on the setlist, and I can get almost any sound I need out of my Big Al, but what I can't is that synthy 70s sound used on tracks such as "Cut the Cake" by AWB. I was thinking it should not be difficult to get in a pedal, just wondering if the forum had any suggestions.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

This looks pretty cool:
MarkBass Super Synth

There was also the Akai Deep Impact, but they were discontinued a long time ago and if you find one used, they are usually very expensive now.

 

[Mabongohogany]

Hmmmm...
Interesting in that I just added "Cut the Cake" to my repertoire for my 3-piece Rhythm Section backing Female Vocals. Of course a great cut, kind of timeless.

Mebbe my ears are hearing a bit different, but to me the Hamish (?) forgot his name (Stewart?) he played a Mustang bass I believe), sound was straight-thru, not synth-like at all.

In fact, the point of AWB was to be old-school- Me, I play that on my Sterling
or HH Bongo, thru just about any rig (tubes are kewl) almost flat, and you get old-school Motown-like phunk attack.
Sure, there are a plethora of pedals, but "Cut the Cake"?

I'd go clean signal chain for that sucka,

 

[adouglas]

Since I play that kind of music in my band....

For the audition, to be honest I'd focus on just playing. Don't worry about nailing a specific tone. The pedal isn't going to get you the job... your fingers will.

I don't know if you've ever been in an old-school R&B band, but doing it well is not quite as straightforward as it might seem... though it's not rocket science to be sure. This music is very much about getting the vibe and the groove right. If you can get the feel, you'll get the job. If you approach it like rock or even blues, it won't come out right.

Example: Have a listen to the original Sam & Dave "Wrap it Up" and then listen to the Fabulous Thunderbirds cover of the same song. Even though the T-Birds did a pretty straight cover, the two versions are very different in feel. Personally I like the original much better.

My point is that it's not about the gear. It's about you.

Regarding the pedal... I played with a Boss bass synth pedal briefly and felt I'd need to give it a lot of time and practice to get exactly what I was looking for out of it. If I can find the blasted thing I'll give it another try... we're learning Sly Stone's "Thank You Falettinmebemyself".

 

[Holdsg]

The version I have of "Cut the Cake" is a live version, on Rhino records, its definitely not clean. And it's awesome, includes a bass solo in it. reminds me a lot of the bass tone in the song "Money", you know, "money money money money MOney".

But I agree 100% with what you have all said thus far. Its in the fingers and the groove. A funk-DNA transplant is what I really need. Maybe BP can lend me some?

Hmmmm...
Interesting in that I just added "Cut the Cake" to my repertoire for my 3-piece Rhythm Section backing Female Vocals. Of course a great cut, kind of timeless.

Mebbe my ears are hearing a bit different, but to me the Hamish (?) forgot his name (Stewart?) he played a Mustang bass I believe), sound was straight-thru, not synth-like at all.

In fact, the point of AWB was to be old-school- Me, I play that on my Sterling
or HH Bongo, thru just about any rig (tubes are kewl) almost flat, and you get old-school Motown-like phunk attack.
Sure, there are a plethora of pedals, but "Cut the Cake"?

I'd go clean signal chain for that sucka,

 

[five7]

adouglas makes a great point, play the song and the tone of your MM will make it come alive. I played that song on my old ray H and loved it because the ray tone really makes a song like that pop.

 

[bassmonkeee]

The version I have of "Cut the Cake" is a live version, on Rhino records, its definitely not clean. And it's awesome, includes a bass solo in it. reminds me a lot of the bass tone in the song "Money", you know, "money money money money MOney".

But I agree 100% with what you have all said thus far. Its in the fingers and the groove. A funk-DNA transplant is what I really need. Maybe BP can lend me some?

Well, the O'Jays' "For the Love of Money," was recorded by Anthony Jackson using a P Bass, a pick and a phaser pedal.

 

[Randracula]

Ibanez.com | Electronics, Tuners, Pedals, Accessories | SB7

Ibanez SB7 Tone Lok at zZounds

 

[drTStingray]

The version I have of "Cut the Cake" is a live version, on Rhino records, its definitely not clean. And it's awesome, includes a bass solo in it. reminds me a lot of the bass tone in the song "Money", you know, "money money money money MOney".

But I agree 100% with what you have all said thus far. Its in the fingers and the groove. A funk-DNA transplant is what I really need. Maybe BP can lend me some?

Hamish Stewart used a Mustang on the studio cut, and it sounds as though it has no effects. The live version is probably a Mustang but by then Hamish had started to use a phaser pedal which is what you hear on the live album.

By 77 or so he'd started to use a Stingray (as did Alan Gorrie) and on the Live at Montreux DVD they play the track with Hamish using the phaser pedal (which can be seen on the stage) and a sunburst Ray. IMHO the sound is far better than with the Fender - basically a tightened up and more defined sound, but very warm (especially Alan Gorrie who plays fingerstyle - Hamish plays with a pick so it's a bit more aggressive). I can't believe people moan that Ray's are not warm sounding - these guys were playing through Acoustic rigs and the sound is incredibly warm.

So for this sound, a Ray with a phaser pedal should do the job. Another cool 70s effect is an EH Bassballs but this gives a slightly different range of sounds (but very 70s).

 

[TheAntMan]

For the audition, to be honest I'd focus on just playing. Don't worry about nailing a specific tone. The pedal isn't going to get you the job... your fingers will.

....

My point is that it's not about the gear. It's about you.

+1

--Ant

 

[Mabongohogany]

Or....

They might just hire...

THE PEDAL!!!


Jest funnin' good luck w/ or w/out pedal power.
PHUNK it up.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I should have added that there is no need to buy a pedal for an audition. I get plenty funky on a gig-ly basis with no effects.

A phaser is a lot of fun, though--I suggest buying one with $$$ from the first gig after you nail the audition.

 

[syciprider]

You can't get the sound of a phaser through "feel" or via your fingers. If the funky, Larry Grahamesque phaser whoosh is what makes you feel the funk then you get a phaser. It will add that much to your playing at both sonic and subconscious levels. The EHX Small Stone is a warm and nice sounding pedal.

 

[Mabongohogany]

I have (2) basses with 13-pin hexaphonic jacks, one with the GHOST piezo system, that allow access to a GR-20 Guitar/Bass synth. There are more patches there than you can even imagine.
I have a Bass Moogerfooger which is unreal and colorful, and an array of Boss Pedals including their SYB synth pedal, a Bass Chorus, and the BF-2 flanger which I think is rich, and also the ME-20B board that offers a lot of fun.

The GR-20 lets me mix mag pup and synth levels for the over/under tones that's more fun than....stuff.

Yet 95% of the time I play a straight-thru signal chain. Go figure.

My advice is first get the feel as best you can, then have fun embellishing.
If you've got the bass part(s) down and it's all arranged within a Rhythm section, watch the audience react with pleasure when the bass goes into efx mode...

 

[drTStingray]

and on the Live at Montreux DVD they play the track with Hamish using the phaser pedal (which can be seen on the stage) and a sunburst Ray

I just checked this again and I don't think he uses the phaser on Cut the Cake on the live DVD with the 'Ray (he definitely does use it with the 'Ray on TLC, and it also appears on the studio track I'm the One - which sounds like a 'Ray also).

As others have said, try a phaser for a whooshy sound but specifically for Cut the Cake, you won't need it to get the studio or later live sound (the live album you mention seems to have phaser on most tracks played by Hamish Stewart - it is possible he was just trying the focus the slightly wooly Fender sound to match the studio versions better?)

 

[Bobbo 77]

Órale!
Phaser=70's Funk!

 

[AtomicPunk]

Is the phaser sound the same sound as the bass on "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent?

 

[Holdsg]

You guys are the best, this is the best forum. Thanks for all the advice. I am now leaning towards an EXH Small Stone, I can get one used at GC for about 50 bucks, we'll see if that "cuts the cake".

Bet I can use it for "Boogie Nights" as well!

Many thanks