Tone Profile

The bass tone is warm, round, and supportive, providing a solid foundation for the Motown groove. It has a classic, clean sound with a subtle vintage character that blends perfectly with the other instruments.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The bass was likely recorded in a dedicated studio space at Hitsville U.S.A. (Motown headquarters).
• The direct bass signal was likely captured and blended with the amp's tone to achieve the desired sound.
• Given the era and Motown's production techniques, the bass was likely compressed subtly during mixing to ensure it sat well in the mix.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a Fender Precision Bass with flatwound strings for that classic Motown tone.
• Use an Ampeg B-15 or a similar tube bass amp to get the warm, round sound. Dial in a clean tone with a slight emphasis on the low-mid frequencies.
• If you don't have access to an Ampeg B-15, try using a bass amp simulator plugin and adjust the EQ to emulate a similar tone.
• Use a touch of compression to even out the dynamics and make the bass sit nicely in the mix.

Recommended Gear

• Fender Precision Bass(guitar)
• Ampeg B-15(amp)