Author Topic: Marvin Gaye's Bassist (Read 241 times)

afrobeat_fool · « **on:** August 07, 2011, 10:22:12 PM »

Montreux 1980 Marvin's bassist looks to be playing an Alembic SI. Sounds like it too. You can catch a glimpse at 5min. What do you guy's think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7eTOnNBwYU&playnext=1&list=PLD37C6FAC4CEB609E

Nick

elwoodblue · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2011, 11:03:34 PM »

It certainly sounds like one...it's got an assymetry to the body shape.
I added a high quality code (&fmt=22) to the url and got this pic...after a little adjustments you can see the bass better.

I thought Ibanez at first, until I heard it alone in that break : )

FC Bass · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2011, 11:24:11 PM »

My guess would be Aria SB

FC Bass · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2011, 11:46:49 PM »

Here's a better shot from this vid:

That would be an Aria Pro II SB900

elwoodblue · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2011, 12:39:54 AM »

nice shot FC ...no question about it

pierreyves · « **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2011, 06:15:12 AM »

How you can say it's a serie's sound ? its a flat sound, like boum boum.... or tak tak, no relief, no alembic sound, just a kalachnikov's cry LOL

terryc · « **Reply #6 on:** August 08, 2011, 07:57:42 AM »

you got to take into consideration the record quality and sometimes a flat sound may suit the music.
I don't think old Motown records would have sounded like they did without Jamerson's P bass with strings that were so old they were just about rusty!
Sometimes too hi fi would not suit the mood if you see what I mean

pierreyves · « **Reply #7 on:** August 08, 2011, 08:10:59 AM »

not really hi fi but the typical alembic serie I grain which can be ear on old record (Mother's finest for example), dont worry it was just my opinion.

nnek · « **Reply #8 on:** August 08, 2011, 08:48:45 AM »

I would agree that the sound has to fit the music. I thought the bass punch was just right as a thumping drive with nice pattern. There was a moment when there was more attack but he pulled right back into the groove. I was impressed with Marvin's command of the mic too. He held that SM58 pretty far away and at an oblique angle. The band must have been at a nice stage level for the sound guy to open that type of mic that wide.

pierreyves · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2011, 09:37:00 AM »

not really hi fi but the typical alembic serie I grain which can be ear on old record (Mother's finest for example), dont worry it was just my opinion.

bigredbass · « **Reply #10 on:** August 09, 2011, 10:52:22 AM »

IF I had to guess, I'd actually say it LOOKS like an Aria SB 900 (more than a little ALEMBIC influence !) :

http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/catalogs/c1980/c1980_catalog_pg9.jpg.html

J o e y

nnek · « **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2011, 03:22:03 PM »

I must say I do like his playing! Who is he? I started mining the video vaults for Marvin just to catch the bass player...
Obviously Jamerson's influence but with a little more articulation to the attack.

sonicus · « **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2011, 03:37:59 PM »

I like the Bass chops ! Sounds like CHUCK RAINEY ? http://www.chuckrainey.com/

Author Topic: Marvin Gaye's Bassist (Read 241 times)

afrobeat_fool