What bass was used on You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'?

The exact bass model hasn't been definitively confirmed, but it was likely a Fender Precision Bass, which was the standard studio bass in the mid-1960s. Studio bassist Jimmy Bond was among the musicians who played on the session.

How to get that vintage 60s bass tone like Righteous Brothers?

Use a Fender Precision Bass with flatwound strings through an Ampeg B-15 or similar tube amp. The key is the natural tube compression and the smooth tone of flatwound strings that eliminates finger noise and emphasizes fundamental frequencies.

What amp was used for You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' bass?

While not definitively documented, an Ampeg B-15 is the most likely candidate based on what was standard at Gold Star Studios during this period. The B-15 was the go-to bass amp for many 1960s recordings due to its warm tube tone.

Who played bass on You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'?

Jimmy Bond was among the studio musicians who played bass on Phil Spector sessions during this era, though the exact personnel for this specific track isn't always precisely documented. Spector used a rotating group of top LA session players known as the Wrecking Crew.

What strings should I use for 1960s bass tone?

Flatwound strings are essential for authentic 1960s bass tone. They provide a smooth feel with reduced finger noise and emphasize fundamental frequencies over overtones, creating that classic warm, punchy sound heard on Wall of Sound recordings.

bass guitar from "you've lost that lovin' feelin'" by the righteous brothers

you've lost that lovin' feelin'

the righteous brothers

bass guitar

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Tone Profile

Warm and round bass tone with a touch of vintage character, providing a solid foundation for the track. The bass sound is full and present, typical of early rock and roll recordings.

The Story

The bass on "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" was recorded at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood as part of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound production. The track featured studio musicians including bassist Jimmy Bond, using typical early-to-mid 1960s recording techniques. The bass was likely recorded direct and through an amp simultaneously, which was common practice at Gold Star Studios during this period.

Production Credits

Producer: Phil Spector

Engineer: Larry Levine

Recorded at: Gold Star Studios, Hollywood

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Precision Bass

Amp: Ampeg B-15

Microphone: Neumann U47

Recreation Tips

Use a Fender Precision Bass with flatwound strings to capture the vintage vibe.
An Ampeg B-15 or similar tube bass amp will get you close to the original tone.
Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot that captures the warmth and fullness of the amp.
Avoid adding too much compression or EQ; the goal is to capture the natural sound of the instrument and amp.

Original Gear

Substitutions & Recommendations

Fender Player Precision Bass$650-$750

Alternative to: Fender Precision Bass

Modern version of the classic P-Bass design with the same split-coil pickup configuration that delivers the fundamental warm, punchy tone

Ampeg B-15N Heritage Series$2,200-$2,500

Alternative to: Ampeg B-15

Faithful reissue of the original B-15 tube amp that provides the same warm, compressed tone with natural tube saturation

La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass Flatwounds$45-$55

Alternative to: Flatwound strings

Period-correct flatwound strings that eliminate finger noise and provide the smooth, fundamental-heavy tone typical of 1960s recordings

Ampeg SVT-VR$1,800-$2,000

Alternative to: Ampeg B-15

All-tube Ampeg head that captures the vintage tube warmth and compression, though with more power than the original B-15

Plugin Alliance bx_bassdude$99-$149

Alternative to: Studio recording chain

Models classic tube bass amps including B-15 style circuits with authentic vintage compression and warmth

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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bass guitar from “you've lost that lovin' feelin'” by the righteous brothers | ToneDB