80’s bass tones

[JJTee]

Lots of mentions of Duff McKagan. He’s the reason I picked up the bass, and this is still my favourite ever pick tone 35+ years later. Fender Jazz Special (the TBX circuit gives a certain emphasis in the upper mids/low highs, that’s not present in my other PJ basses), fresh round wound strings, Dunlop Tortex pic (the yellow 73mm one):

 

 

[Lozz196]

That is a great tone, I’m a Duff fan too

[Stub Mandrel]

3 hours ago, JJTee said:

Lots of mentions of Duff McKagan. He’s the reason I picked up the bass, and this is still my favourite ever pick tone 35+ years later. Fender Jazz Special (the TBX circuit gives a certain emphasis in the upper mids/low highs, that’s not present in my other PJ basses), fresh round wound strings, Dunlop Tortex pic (the yellow 73mm one):

 

 

 

That's an 'I change my strings for every gig' tone

[Musicman666]

20 hours ago, Cat Burrito said:

Personally I like the tones of Simon Gallup (The Cure) and Craig Adams (Sisters of Mercy era), and both helped shaped my early playing days.

...add hooky and severin while your at it...  opening bars of israel and rock and a hard place ...less is more. 

[MacDaddy]

Deon Estus.

 

His bass work for Wham! was sublime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 10 hours ago by MacDaddy

[LowB_FTW]

On 27/10/2025 at 19:05, JJTee said:

Dunlop Tortex pic (the yellow 73mm one)

Erm …

 

Mark

[JJTee]

5 hours ago, LowB_FTW said:

Erm …

 

Mark

Ooh, yeah, that would be a bit chunky…. 

[Crusoe]

On 27/10/2025 at 10:59, Russ said:

Er… someone needs to tell ChatGPT that a Yamaha BB2000 is a bass, not an amp! 

 

I think Rourke used pretty much whatever was available in terms of amps, I don’t think he has a preferred brand. Back then, if you were northern and played any kind of rock, you probably had a Laney, Hiwatt or Carlsbro rather than the American brands or “boutique” stuff like Trace. But that sunburst P-Bass was ever-present. 

😄 I didn't even notice that bit. I did copy and paste the AI result of a Google search, but only because I was in a rush. I don't know how it managed to get the Yamaha as an amp. If you follow the link that it used for the info, it gives Peavey and Trace Elliott for his amps and further down the list, the Yamaha as one of his basses. interestingly, he also used a Squier Precision, according to the source website.

Edited 6 hours ago by Crusoe

[Misdee]

2 hours ago, Crusoe said:

😄 I didn't even notice that bit. I did copy and paste the AI result of a Google search, but only because I was in a rush. I don't know how it managed to get the Yamaha as an amp. If you follow the link that it used for the info, it gives Peavey and Trace Elliott for his amps and further down the list, the Yamaha as one of his basses. interestingly, he also used a Squier Precision, according to the source website.

I saw the Smiths play live with Andy Rourke using a Trace Elliot rig. What a band, what a bass player.

 

I also remember him using that black Squire P Bass and a Peavy rig in the very early days. I had a JV Squire back then, and it made me happy to see him using one too.

 

I think the Yamaha BB2000 was primarily a recording bass and he used it extensively. A lot of The Smiths album and Meat Is Murder feature that bass heavily. A lot of what people assume is a P Bass is actually that Yamaha.

[Linus27]

The 80's is the generation that influenced me as a bassist and a lot of the great bassists who's tone and playing style has already been mentioned. My own favorites are John Giblin (Simple Minds and Kate Bush), Derek Forbes (Simple Minds), Pino Palladino (Paul Young), John Taylor (Duran Duran), Adam Clayton (U2), Peter Hook (New Order), Paul Webb (Talk Talk), Gary Garry Beers (INXS). Saying that, the 80's is full of other incredible bass players from bands like Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, Big Country. Deacon Blue to name a few.

 

As for effects then as already mentioned then Chorus and Flanger were super popular as was an Octave pedal.