What bass did Bruce Foxton use on A Town Called Malice?

Bruce Foxton used his Rickenbacker 4001 bass guitar on "A Town Called Malice." This bass was his signature instrument throughout his time with The Jam and provided the bright, punchy tone characteristic of the band's sound.

How to get The Jam bass tone like A Town Called Malice?

To recreate this tone, use a Rickenbacker bass (4001 or 4003) through a Vox AC30 amp set to slight overdrive. Blend direct input with a mic'd amp signal and add compression to tighten the attack and enhance the punchy character.

What amp did Bruce Foxton use for bass with The Jam?

Bruce Foxton used Vox AC30 amplifiers for his bass sound with The Jam. While unconventional for bass, the AC30's tube warmth and natural overdrive created the aggressive, cutting tone that defined many of their recordings.

Where was A Town Called Malice recorded?

"A Town Called Malice" was recorded at Townhouse Studios in London with Vic Coppersmith-Heaven producing. The studio's facilities allowed for the combination of direct bass recording and amp mic'ing that created the song's distinctive bass tone.

bass guitar from "town called malice" by the jam

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Tone Profile

Aggressive and punchy bass tone with a clear, defined attack and a slightly overdriven edge. The sound is tight and focused, providing a strong rhythmic foundation for the song.

Shop This Rig

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Rickenbacker 4001(instrument)
Vox AC30(amp)
Neumann U47(microphone)

The Story

Bruce Foxton's bass tone on "A Town Called Malice" was recorded using his signature Rickenbacker 4001 bass through a Vox AC30 amplifier at Townhouse Studios in London, with Vic Coppersmith-Heaven producing. The recording combined direct input with a mic'd amp signal captured by a Neumann U47, creating the characteristic bright, punchy tone that drives the song's rhythm.

Production Credits

Producer: Vic Coppersmith-Heaven

Engineer: Vic Coppersmith-Heaven

Recorded at: Townhouse Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Rickenbacker 4001Shop on Reverb

Amp: Vox AC30Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U47Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a Rickenbacker 4001 bass or a similar model with bright, articulate pickups.
Set the Vox AC30 amp to a slightly overdriven setting, pushing the tubes to add warmth and edge.
Blend a direct input signal with the mic'd amp signal to achieve a balance of clarity and grit.
Use a compressor to tighten the sound and enhance the attack.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Rickenbacker 4003 BassShop on Reverb$2000-$2400

Alternative to: Rickenbacker 4001 Bass

Direct successor to the 4001 with the same bright, articulate pickups and distinctive Rick tone that defines this punchy bass sound

Epiphone Embassy Pro BassShop on Reverb$500-$600

Alternative to: Rickenbacker 4001 Bass

Budget alternative offering similar bright, cutting tone with dual humbuckers that can approximate the Rickenbacker's articulate attack

Vox AC30C2 ComboShop on Reverb$1800-$2000

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Current production AC30 maintains the tube warmth and slight overdrive character essential for this aggressive bass tone

Vox MV50 AC Head with CabinetShop on Reverb$350-$450

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Compact tube head that captures the AC30's signature overdrive and midrange character at bedroom volumes

Warm Audio WA-47 Tube CondenserShop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Neumann U47 Microphone

Faithful recreation of the U47's tube warmth and low-end capture capabilities for mic'ing bass cabinets

Sources

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bass guitar from “town called malice” by the jam | ToneDB