Getting a good motown/R&B tone?

[Hutton]

Use the foam. Get a bongo. You will get a passable r&b/motown sound. However, if you want to sound like Jamerson and Babbit then there is only one way to go. Admittedly, you haven't said that you want to sound like the two guys who produced the motown sound but that you want to produce a motown-like sound. Read all the advice and make your choice. All the best!

 

[adouglas]

Okay, dumb question:

I assume that you make foam mutes yourself. I can't imagine actually going out and buying something like that...nor can I imagine anyone actually trying to sell something like that (wait a minute, Americans will buy ANYTHING if it's marketed well enough...).

Is there a preferred kind of foam?

I probably won't bother with it, just curious.

 

[tkarter]

Okay, dumb question:

I assume that you make foam mutes yourself. I can't imagine actually going out and buying something like that...nor can I imagine anyone actually trying to sell something like that (wait a minute, Americans will buy ANYTHING if it's marketed well enough...).

Is there a preferred kind of foam?

I probably won't bother with it, just curious.

I make mine out of the foam that is used in shipping. Just regular foam rubber. Just touching and not hard onto the strings.

I will insert said mute into my SR5 and take a picture of it this evening.

tk

 

[shamus63]

I'd imagine that even a thin sponge cut to size would do the job.

 

[tkarter]

I'd imagine that even a thin sponge cut to size would do the job.

I'd imagine it would also work.

adouglas PM me an address and I will send some foam to you.

tk

 

[adouglas]

I'd imagine it would also work.

adouglas PM me an address and I will send some foam to you.

tk

Thanks, man, but I'm sure I can find some foam kicking around someplace.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I assume that you make foam mutes yourself. I can't imagine actually going out and buying something like that...nor can I imagine anyone actually trying to sell something like that (wait a minute, Americans will buy ANYTHING if it's marketed well enough...).

Is there a preferred kind of foam?

Your homework is to rent "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" and watch Bob Babbitt closely. You'll see a lump of sponge foam jammed under the strings near the bridge.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Use the foam. Get a bongo. You will get a passable r&b/motown sound. However, if you want to sound like Jamerson and Babbit then there is only one way to go. Admittedly, you haven't said that you want to sound like the two guys who produced the motown sound but that you want to produce a motown-like sound. Read all the advice and make your choice. All the best!

I'm going to have to disagree that the only way to sound like Jamerson and Babbit is with a PBass. I've gotten some very convincing PBass tones out of my flatwound strung Bongos with a mute. And, if there are other instruments playing, I'd go so far as to say that my tone options are superior to a PBass considering that I have a 4 band EQ that I can use to further sculpt my tone so as not to get covered by other instruments.

 

[tkarter]

All adouglas needs to get a good tone is go to the front pup on the bongo and use that mute.

Then if it doesn't work he can come back and make fun of me.

The other way is redefine the sound for Motown. Jamerson isn't going to show up and tell you that you don't sound right.

I get that sound I need for when I play that kind of stuff on the single H Bongo 5 with flats and the mute.

Oh wait. Peavey amp. Ya gotta have one of those too to get that sound.




tk

 

[Psycho Ward]

I use Ronco’s “Motown Bass Foam”, and I just happen to have some for sale. They messed up my last order and sent the right handed version and you know I can’t use that!
All I want is my money back, send me $325.67 and I’ll even pick up the shipping, let me know.

 

[tkarter]

Pic of mute

Bass in mid detent everything else rolled off series on switch and Jamerson says he loves that sound. You should be able to tell what strings without me saying.


tk

 

[bovinehost]

I'm going to have to disagree that the only way to sound like Jamerson and Babbit is with a PBass. I've gotten some very convincing PBass tones out of my flatwound strung Bongos with a mute. And, if there are other instruments playing, I'd go so far as to say that my tone options are superior to a PBass considering that I have a 4 band EQ that I can use to further sculpt my tone so as not to get covered by other instruments.

As a primate who has long been enamoured of two things:

1. Music Man basses and
2. Old School tone

I have to say that I agree with Jason's disagreement. And it's a good thing, because after about ten or twelve years in the 70s and beyond with a P bass as my main player, I have to say that I really don't enjoy playing P basses now. (Yes, I've had a few recently and no, I didn't make a big public statement.)

Anyone who has heard me will agree, I THINK, that I get a pretty old school thump outta my pretty new school Bongos. It ain't rocket science. Roll the treble off, put some flats on, play with your fangers, EQ your amp properly.

Many of you saw coWpilot in Dallas. Was that a modern tone I was getting from a Candy Red Bongo 5 and a Markbass rig? Hmmm?

Jack

 

[shamus63]

Hmm...the Bongo as the modern "Funk Machine"...it's possible.

 

[tkarter]

Hmm...the Bongo as the modern "Funk Machine"...it's possible.

It is if you don't change shorts for a few weeks.


tk

 

[Hutton]

As a primate who has long been enamoured of two things:

1. Music Man basses and
2. Old School tone

I have to say that I agree with Jason's disagreement. And it's a good thing, because after about ten or twelve years in the 70s and beyond with a P bass as my main player, I have to say that I really don't enjoy playing P basses now. (Yes, I've had a few recently and no, I didn't make a big public statement.)

Anyone who has heard me will agree, I THINK, that I get a pretty old school thump outta my pretty new school Bongos. It ain't rocket science. Roll the treble off, put some flats on, play with your fangers, EQ your amp properly.

Many of you saw coWpilot in Dallas. Was that a modern tone I was getting from a Candy Red Bongo 5 and a Markbass rig? Hmmm?

Jack

The good thing about this forum is that Jack, Jason and I can agree to differ.

 

[MingusBASS]

It's cool. If I owned a P bass I'm sure I'd come up with an excuse to use it.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Play what works for you, and do what you need to get the job done. The foam mute trick works, and you'd be fine. Although I could never stand owning just one bass.
For me, variety is the spice of life, and while I love my MM's, I love others as well. I don't play my P much, but when I do it serves its purpose. It's just another tool in the toolbox.

 

[shamus63]

It is if you don't change shorts for a few weeks.


tk

Shorts, or strings?

 

[tkarter]

Shorts, try it and pick up your bongo.


tk

 

[shamus63]

Shorts, try it and pick up your bongo.


tk

Shorts: check

Bongo: out of stock...for now