What bass guitar was used on Fortunate Son by CCR?

A Fender Precision Bass was used on "Fortunate Son." The P-Bass's split-coil pickup provides the warm, punchy fundamental tone that anchors the track.

What amp did CCR use for bass on Fortunate Son?

The bass was recorded through an Ampeg B-15 tube amplifier. This classic amp is known for its warm tube saturation and was a studio standard in the late 1960s.

How to get CCR Fortunate Son bass tone?

Use a Fender Precision Bass through an Ampeg tube amp, preferably a B-15 or similar. Blend a DI signal with a mic'd cabinet, and use flatwound strings for the authentic vintage character.

Who played bass on Fortunate Son CCR?

Stu Cook played bass on "Fortunate Son." He was CCR's bassist throughout their career and his playing style was integral to their rhythm section sound.

What studio was Fortunate Son recorded at?

"Fortunate Son" was recorded at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco. The studio was a popular recording destination for many major artists in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

bass guitar from "fortunate son" by creedence clearwater revival

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Tone Profile

The bass tone is punchy and warm, providing a solid foundation for the song. It has a slightly overdriven character that helps it cut through the mix without being overly aggressive.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Precision Bass(instrument)
Ampeg B-15(amp)
Neumann U47(microphone)

The Story

The bass on "Fortunate Son" was recorded using a Fender Precision Bass through an Ampeg B-15 tube amp, with a Neumann U47 microphone capturing the sound. The recording took place at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco with engineer Russ Gary. The warm, punchy tone comes from the tube saturation of the B-15 combined with the DI blend and the natural character of the P-Bass.

Production Credits

Producer: John Fogerty

Engineer: Russ Gary

Recorded at: Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Precision BassShop on Reverb

Amp: Ampeg B-15Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U47Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a Fender Precision Bass with flatwound strings for a similar fundamental tone.
An Ampeg B-15 or similar tube amp with a 15-inch speaker will get you close to the original sound.
Experiment with microphone placement to find a balance between direct sound and room ambience.
If you don't have an Ampeg B-15, try an Ampeg SVT or a similar amp simulator plugin.

Original Gear

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Fender Precision BassShop on Reverb(guitar)
Ampeg B-15Shop on Reverb(amp)
Neumann U47Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Squier Classic Vibe '60s Precision BassShop on Reverb$400-$450

Alternative to: Fender Precision Bass

Budget-friendly P-Bass with split-coil pickup that delivers the fundamental warmth and punch needed for this CCR tone

Ampeg PF-50T PortaflexShop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Ampeg B-15

Modern tube amp that captures the warm saturation and vintage Ampeg character of the original B-15

Plugin Alliance Ampeg SVT-VRPlugin Boutique$50-$100

Alternative to: Ampeg B-15

Authentic Ampeg tube modeling that recreates the warm overdrive and vintage character heard on the recording

Warm Audio WA-47Shop on Reverb$900-$1000

Alternative to: Neumann U47

Vintage-style tube condenser that captures the warm, full sound of the original U47 on bass cab recording

Radial Engineering JDIShop on Reverb$150-$200

Alternative to: Direct Input blend

High-quality passive DI that provides the clean direct signal to blend with mic'd amp for added clarity and definition

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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