What bass did Sting use on Spirits in the Material World?

Sting used a Fender Jazz Bass on "Spirits in the Material World." The Jazz Bass was his primary instrument during The Police years and provided the bright, punchy tone characteristic of the band's sound.

How to get Sting's bass chorus sound on Spirits in the Material World?

The chorus effect comes from a Roland Dimension D unit, which adds subtle width and shimmer without sounding overly processed. Set the chorus rate and depth low for a natural spatial enhancement rather than an obvious wobbling effect.

What amp did The Police use for bass recording?

The bass was recorded through an Ampeg SVT amplifier, which provided the punchy low-end and warm tube saturation. The signal was captured using both direct input and an AKG D12 microphone on the cabinet.

Where was Spirits in the Material World recorded?

"Spirits in the Material World" was recorded at AIR Studios in Montserrat with Hugh Padgham producing and engineering. The studio's well-treated acoustic environment contributed to the clean, defined bass sound on the recording.

bass guitar from "spirits in the material world" by the police

spirits in the material world

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Tone Profile

A clean, punchy bass tone with a slight chorus effect that gives it a subtle shimmer and width. The overall character is articulate and sits well in the mix without being overly aggressive.

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Fender Jazz Bass(instrument)
Ampeg SVT(amp)
AKG D12(microphone)
Roland Dimension D(processing)

The Story

Sting's bass tone on "Spirits in the Material World" was recorded using his Fender Jazz Bass through an Ampeg SVT amplifier at AIR Studios, Montserrat, with producer/engineer Hugh Padgham. The distinctive character comes from the Roland Dimension D chorus unit, which adds subtle width and shimmer to the bass line. The recording utilized both direct input and a miked amplifier signal using an AKG D12 microphone to achieve the punchy yet clear sound that sits perfectly in The Police's sparse arrangements.

Production Credits

Producer: Hugh Padgham, The Police

Engineer: Hugh Padgham

Recorded at: AIR Studios, Montserrat

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Jazz BassShop on Reverb

Amp: Ampeg SVTShop on Reverb

Microphone: AKG D12Shop on Reverb

Processing: Roland Dimension DShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Fender Jazz Bass with roundwound strings for a bright, clear fundamental tone.
Use an Ampeg SVT amplifier or simulator to capture the low-end punch and warmth.
Apply a touch of chorus using the Roland Dimension D to add subtle width and shimmer. Set the chorus rate and depth low for a natural sound.
Blend a direct input signal with the miked amplifier signal to achieve the desired balance of clarity and warmth.
Use a light touch of compression to even out the dynamics without squashing the tone.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Fender Player Jazz BassShop on Reverb$750-$850

Alternative to: Fender Jazz Bass

Current production Jazz Bass with the same pickup configuration and bright, articulate tone character as Sting's original

Ampeg SVT-3 ProShop on Reverb$600-$700

Alternative to: Ampeg SVT

Modern SVT head that delivers the classic Ampeg punch and warmth in a more practical package

Boss Dimension CShop on Reverb$120-$150

Alternative to: Roland Dimension D

Roland's current production chorus pedal based on the same circuit as the vintage Dimension D, providing identical spatial enhancement

Neural DSP Darkglass UltraPlugin Boutique$100-$140

Alternative to: Ampeg SVT

High-quality bass amp simulation that includes vintage SVT models with DI blending capabilities for home recording

Sire Marcus Miller V7Shop on Reverb$400-$500