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

town called malice

the jam

bass guitar

AI generatedv1.0

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.

Gear

Rickenbacker 4001instrument
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Vox AC30amp
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Neumann U47microphone
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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 4001

Amp: Vox AC30

Microphone: Neumann U47

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

  • Rickenbacker 4001(guitar)
  • Vox AC30(amp)
  • Neumann U47(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Rickenbacker 4003 Bass$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

ReverbSweetwater
Epiphone Embassy Pro Bass$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

ReverbSweetwater
Vox AC30C2 Combo$1800-$2000

Alternative to: Vox AC30

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

ReverbSweetwater
Vox MV50 AC Head with Cabinet$350-$450

Alternative to: Vox AC30

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

ReverbSweetwater
Warm Audio WA-47 Tube Condenser$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

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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