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bass guitar from “sabotage” by beastie boys | ToneDB

sabotage

beastie boys

bass guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A punchy and aggressive bass tone with a slightly overdriven character, providing a driving force for the track's energy.

Gear

Fender Jazz Bassinstrument
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Ampeg SVTamp
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AKG D112microphone
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The Story

The Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" bass tone was recorded using a Fender Jazz Bass through an Ampeg SVT amplifier at G-Son Studios in Atwater Village, CA with Mario Caldato Jr. producing and engineering. The bass was captured using a combination of direct input and an AKG D112 microphone on the bass cabinet, creating the track's signature punchy, aggressive sound that drives the song's energy.

Production Credits

Producer: Mario Caldato Jr.

Engineer: Mario Caldato Jr.

Recorded at: G-Son Studios, Atwater Village, CA

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Jazz Bass

Amp: Ampeg SVT

Microphone: AKG D112

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Fender Jazz Bass and an Ampeg SVT amplifier.
  • Experiment with overdrive settings on the amp to achieve the desired level of aggression.
  • Use an AKG D112 or similar microphone to capture the amplifier's sound.
  • Blend the mic'd signal with a direct input signal for added clarity and punch.
  • Consider using a compressor to even out the dynamics and further enhance the attack.

Original Gear

  • Fender Jazz Bass(guitar)
  • Ampeg SVT(amp)
  • AKG D112(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Fender Player Jazz Bass$700-$850

Alternative to: Fender Jazz Bass

Delivers the same Jazz Bass pickup configuration and tone character as the original, with modern reliability

ReverbSweetwater
Ampeg SVT-CL$1,800-$2,200

Alternative to: Ampeg SVT

Current production SVT that maintains the classic all-tube circuitry and aggressive overdrive character of vintage SVTs

ReverbSweetwater
Ampeg SVT-VR$2,400-$2,800

Alternative to: Ampeg SVT

Vintage reissue SVT that more closely matches the specs and tone of the original 1970s SVT heads

ReverbSweetwater
AKG D112 MKII$180-$220

Alternative to: AKG D112

Updated version of the original D112 with the same low-frequency response and high SPL handling for capturing aggressive bass cabinet tones

ReverbSweetwater
Neural DSP Parallax$80-$100

Alternative to: Ampeg SVT

Digital recreation of Ampeg SVT tones with built-in DI blending capability for the punchy, overdriven bass character

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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