TONEDB

bass guitar from “are you gonna be my girl” by jet | ToneDB

are you gonna be my girl

jet

bass guitar

90% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A punchy, driving, and slightly overdriven rock bass tone with a strong pick attack, forming the backbone of the track. It's gritty yet defined, sitting prominently in the mix and providing much of the song's iconic riff.

Signal Chain

Instrument: 1970s Fender Precision Bass

Amp: Ampeg SVT head with Ampeg SVT-810E cabinet

Microphone: Neumann U47 FET (on cabinet)

Processing: Studio Compression (e.g., Urei 1176 or similar)

Other: Played with a pick. The final sound is a blend of the miked cabinet signal and a separate DI signal (DI box model unspecified in sources, likely a high-quality passive unit) to capture both amp character and clean low-end.

Recording Notes

  • The bassline is the main riff and iconic hook of the song, driving its raw energy.
  • The tone was achieved with a Fender Precision Bass (reportedly a '70s model favored by Mark Wilson) played with a pick, into an Ampeg SVT head and 8x10 cabinet pushed for natural tube grit.
  • According to a Mix Magazine interview from 2004 regarding the album 'Get Born', the bass cabinet was miked with a Neumann U47 FET. This signal was blended with an unspecified DI box signal.
  • The resulting tone is aggressive and powerful but maintains essential note clarity and definition, crucial for its melodic and rhythmic role in the dense rock mix.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a Fender Precision Bass or a similar instrument equipped with passive pickups. Fresh roundwound strings are key for the brightness and aggressive pick attack.
  • Employ a fairly stiff pick (e.g., Dunlop Tortex 1.0mm or similar) and use consistent, energetic downstrokes for the driving rhythm.
  • Utilize an Ampeg SVT amplifier or a high-quality software emulation. Push the gain stage to achieve a slight tube overdrive – enough for audible grit and harmonics but not full-blown distortion.
  • If possible, blend a clean DI signal with your miked (or emulated) amp tone. The DI signal should provide solid low-end fundamental frequencies and clarity, while the amp signal contributes the midrange punch, growl, and overdrive character.
  • Apply subtle compression (either a pedal like an MXR M87 or a studio plugin like an 1176 emulation) to even out dynamics, enhance sustain, and help the bass sit consistently forward in the mix.
  • Focus on a strong midrange presence in your EQ (particularly in the 400Hz-800Hz range) to help the bass cut through the guitars, balanced with sufficient low-end power and enough high-end to define the pick attack.

Sources