How to Sound Like Bass Legend James Jamerson On Two Different Budgets

Head over to the Andertons website to find the products in the video! | tinyurl.com/27gsswfq
Electric Guitar Department | tinyurl.com/2ah7ele5
Acoustic Guitar Department | tinyurl.com/23tr727d
Bass Department | tinyurl.com/24yqm6sy
Guitar Pedal Department | tinyurl.com/287hdxhq
Amp Department | tinyurl.com/28vnqtu5
The links below may be outdated, use the links above to start browsing the website.
👆 Nathan and Lee try to sound like bass legend James Jamerson on two budgets.
Fender American Original 60s P Bass - goo.gl/vQsnc9
Mesa Boogie Subway D-800+ Bass Head - goo.gl/1YyMQq
Mesa Boogie Subway 1x15" Bass Cabinet - bit.ly/2lpY2dn
Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass - goo.gl/73a89c
Fender Rumble 100 V3 - bit.ly/2K0pjSB
Nathan is playing Pete's ES335 through a Kemper.
Interested in other Andertons KZbin channels? Click on one of these links to find out more…
Andertons Guitar & Bass KZbin Channel: goo.gl/wRsx1P
Andertons Drummers KZbin Channel: goo.gl/gjAEAs
Andertons Keyboard KZbin Channel: goo.gl/kFxnYu
Andertons Music Tech KZbin Channel: goo.gl/a2vnDT
Andertons Shopping Web Site: goo.gl/TPsG2Q
Buy a T Shirt: goo.gl/4mRRyy
Make sure to subscribe to Andertons TV for more great videos like this!
Interested in other Andertons KZbin channels? Click on one of these links to find out more…
Andertons Guitar & Bass KZbin Channel: goo.gl/wRsx1P
Andertons Drummers KZbin Channel: goo.gl/gjAEAs
Andertons Keyboard KZbin Channel: goo.gl/kFxnYu
Andertons Music Tech KZbin Channel: goo.gl/a2vnDT
Andertons Shopping Web Site: goo.gl/TPsG2Q
Buy a T Shirt: goo.gl/4mRRyy
Make sure to subscribe to Andertons TV for more great videos like this!

[@angeltorio7173]

Can Sound Like Bassists Series be a thing?

[@tobiastnielsen9262]

PLEASE LET IT BE A THING !

[@Ben_Mdws]

Yes please. Next: Lemmy.

[@davidmckelvey2601]

I vote Colin Greenwood

[@JUNKO____]

Sound like Geddy Lee

[@chriscuthbertson]

My suggestions; Steve Harris, Stuart Zender, Dirk Lance, Rex Brown. Louis Johnson. and Mark King ;)

[@aavila1206]

YES!!! finally a sounds like bassist series. Please please do more bassists, from all genres like jazz, funk, and rock.

[@chriscuthbertson]

Mute + P Bass + Flats + Playing in front of the pickup = Motown

[@livarot1]

It's even better than the original sound like because they explain the technique, strings etc. Two thumbs up! : )

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Nice

[@yetanotherbassdude]

FYI for people new to the Jamerson sound, if your bass doesn't have a mute you can just use a piece of sponge or upholstery foam wedged under the strings at the bridge to get the same effect. Also, the amp might not make a huge amount of difference but I would absolutely add an overdrive pedal to add some grit and fuzziness to your tone. Go and actually listen to Jamerson's isolated bass tracks and you'll hear that the DI and desk preamp they recorded with added a lot of clipping and distortion into the sound so don't be afraid to add some to get closer to the man himself. Just keep the treble on the EQ quite low to avoid fizziness and you'll be all set!

[@aavila1206]

yetanotherbassdude very clever nice tips

[@OriginalOldSkoolFunk]

yetanotherbassdude Great tips...but no DI back then. Also, gotta use 1 finger on the right hand. lol

[@adamr63]

Eeeeeexactly.

[@adamr63]

Yes, they used a custom DI, one of the first ever, by Wolf. It had a transformer and is famed for the quality and solidity of the lows. Just another part of his voice. But most of all it was Jamerson's feel, unequaled still.

[@OriginalOldSkoolFunk]

adamr63 Interesting. Thanks for the info...

[@alihart7849]

Hope you keep doing more of these!

[@rebootver]

Finally, sounds like for bassplayers !! Thank you.

[@paul_grimsley]

I'm really pleased you mentioned the strings! So many players use different strings that really affect the way the bass plays and sounds. Steve Harris of Iron Maiden uses flat wound strings, which always blows my mind. Great video.

[@robertnewquest656]

Paul Grimsley true :) although they should have used LaBella flats, that's what JJ used.

[@firemarshal2629]

Robert Newquest true but them things are outrageously expensive lol. Would see a waste just to take em off afterwards.

[@musicman2705]

Great video. Love the All About the Bass series, and this one was especially great. I'd love to see an interview series similar to Captain's, but with these guys chatting up bass players.

[@Tomsewell07]

Great seeing Nathan King!

[@jorgesxbass7606]

Oh yes the sound of Guitar!!! Nice job..folks!!!

[@thewickedwizard]

Love James Jamerson. An unsung hero of Motown. I'd love to hear a Sound like Cliff Burton

[@ethanbennetts6598]

1:19 nice!

[@FotnoLafontaine]

Great job Nathan & Lee! I've been hoping you would do a "Sounds Like" for bass for a long time.

[@benjaminrneal]

I could watch you guys jam all day.

[@yocraigst]

I know I'm out of step with the times, but I LOVE the sound of flat wounds!

[@The404Erorr]

Please let this series become a regular every blommin' week!

[@jal8195]

Please make this a series

[@lz4005]

Lovely tone on both parts at the beginning. In regards to Jamerson using DI or B15, it was actually both. The DI they used could be put between the head and speaker, and often was.

[@youngmusicianinprocess7753]

So smooth now this is real music

[@stevesmith3990]

Its back! Good video.

[@Quilkoe]

The bass playing at the start of this video was killllleeeeeerrrrrrrrrr!

[@dylanpollard890]

Timmy C's tones off Battle Of Los Angeles, please. Never heard anyone else replicate those wah/distortion tones properly.

[@bentpolski]

That Squire sounds GREAT as well!

[@gglibert3238]

How to sound like the bassist from parcels would be pretty dope. Great job guys

[@kevinkennedy-spaien8163]

Ooh! How about: Pino Jaco The Ox Tony Levin Chris Squire Larry Graham

[@stuart9534803]

Mercy, Mercy Me thats a sweet jam in the intro!

[@bentpolski]

YEH LEE! You Killed It!

[@facemonger66]

Some great funking tones

[@PwNaGeDoHnUtS]

Chris Wolstenholme from muse would be a banging guy to sound like

[@KozmykJ]

Nice Motown sound bass there. Those chords took me to Robert Palmer's - Every Kind Of People. More by way of feel than direct progression I guess. Mind you Bob Babbitt did trade gigs with James Jamerson in the Funk Brothers so ....

[@droogii1142]

A bass video with Nathan and Lee and it's not Friday? Right on!

[@revsharp777]

New series in the making! Do it!

[@NickScott86]

I'll be looking forward to this series! How about Chris Squire, Cliff Burton, Jason Newsted, Jaco, Paul McCartney, Geezer Butler, Mike Dirnt, Flea, Thundercat, Steve Harris, John Deacon, and Steve DiGiorgio?

[@bentpolski]

John Paul Jones was a Big Jamerson Fan as well. It's amazing at around 13:00 when Lee is playing how much it reminds me of JPJ's Sound. Funny how close JPJ's Jazz sounded like a P Bass. He must have killed the Bridge pickup for his tone on his Jazz.

[@wesmatron]

That intro jam was delicious

[@beebee404]

You guys should do a Sound Like Bernard Edwards, I'm sure not much more needs to be said!

[@torjusgravirklykken555]

More off this!!

[@prelovedguitarsni1436]

Very good, about time we ha bass "sounds like"

[@chuckandkonnie2415]

Fabulous

[@nileshnaran6257]

"The claw" is from Liar, Liar (Jim Carey film). Just in case you were still wondering Lee :)

[@seanmccarthy7591]

I thought it was from Toy Story

[@jkees6751]

"The color of this pen is REEEE-"

[@markbass354]

wow very nice

[@antioche6276]

Aaaah fixed audio, thanks guys !

[@kernel1949]

It's got that Funky Sound!!!

[@willbrock6799]

opening jam 10/10

[@beeftheheat]

Adam Clayton LOVES this guy's work. for what it's worth. anyone can save their 'u2 sux' ignorance. yeah-that motown tight, beautiful groove!

[@brockadcock2735]

that guy on the right is not to be fooled with. He is a groove machine.

[@stanlee5465]

It appears they managed to sort out the sound!

[@desvonbladet]

Well this is just great (although I'm not sure I will ever be reconciled to Squier's insistence that the PJ configuration should be standard on precision basses).

[@desvonbladet]

To my ears, the American bass sounded a LOT better than the Squier.

[@ChrisArmstrong1310]

Sounds like, a great idea. Can I add Mick Karn to the suggestions please? For an obscure one.

[@sjlacey65]

+1 for Geddy Lee

[@edadams5679]

it would be a quick video but god damn i'd love to see you guys do Lemmy!

[@beatmaster]

Larry Graham has to be next ;)

[@v1rtualnish]

The ''All About the A$$'' sign in the lefthand corner. Noice.

[@rickdicoulus4728]

please, the next video, please!!!!

[@mericle123]

the claw is from yes man with jim carrey

[@mondo2501]

Need advice, I'm interested in getting one of those Fender Rumble amps. Currently have the Rumble 60 version 1, loads of power for home practice, great tone, lots of headroom for effects. But it weighs a ton (not literally), and I was hoping for something I can bring to gigs; small to medium sized venues. I love the compact Rumble 100, like the one being used in this video but should I be considering the Rumble 200 instead? I agree that the 100 is plenty powerful, but I heard the tweeters on the 200 and it blew me away. AB'd the heck out of it on/off and it was awesome for slap tones. Apart from being more expensive, I'm worried the Rumble 200 is as heavy as my Rumble 60 v1. Thanks!

[@LeeHutchingsdrumsUK]

Can you do Sound Like John McVie? I love McVie, and he's such an underrated legend!

[@johncrafton8319]

Why not use the Ampeg BA‑115v2? It seems like it'd be pretty much the perfect amp for the James Jamerson experience, and it's not pricey at all. I love mine, and it gives me that B15 sound any time I want it. Yes, it's only 150w, but you can always spring for a "fridge" for gigs or mic it up and go through the mixing board like a normal musician. PS: The "Scramble" circuit on the amp does a pretty good job of getting that overdriven tone Jamerson often used.

[@FUNKMASTERFOURTWO]

hey, Nathan and lee 1stly great vlogs yeahhhh !!!!! 2nd what about your brother Mr mark king sounds like gear review and 3rd could you ask Nathan when will there ever be a new level 42 album ???? cheers rob

[@PaulHofreiter]

Oh was the lack of the guitar not intentional on the previous upload of this video? I thought that was to hear the bass clearly - kind of a cool idea. Either way they should have mentioned that anyone can add a mute by using some foam to get closer to that sound. Good video though - James Jamerson has one of if not the best electric bass sounds ever.

[@rich_in_paradise]

Just wondering how many bassists are watching this thinking that the first version of this video where you could only hear the bass was better :)

[@GravyHucker]

You know I had heard the first one on my phone yesterday (as I was working through Ain't no Mountain as a coincidence) and I listened to this on my headphones today and thought I could just hear the guitar better. Was messing with my head!

[@Chudhole]

Maybe I’m going deaf. I like Nate’s guitar playing , no complaint there. But I couldn’t hear the bass in the intro.

[@39MercFlathead]

I could barely hear the bass. I could always hear Jamerson in the mix. A country that produced Trace Elliot and Ashdown ought to be able to come up with an amp I can hear. Certainly my old Ashdown ABM500 115 combo could have been heard, much less my rack rig.

[@harryws3542]

Ken Not Cat you should check out level 42 live videos (Tracie is the one that comes to mind because of his solo) he absolutely shreds on a guitar!

[@alexw597]

Can we have Nathan and Lee back

[@remy7092]

What was that first bassline they played?

[@TheProgGuy]

Sound like... Geddy Lee Geezer Butler John Paul Jones Steve Harris Justin Chancellor

[@gibsona01]

McCartney!

[@lithrawri]

Tim Cummerford Chi Cheng DAVE ;) Jon Stockman Mike Dirnt Nolly Getgood

[@marcocarretero4190]

Chris Wolstenholme??

[@stanislavmigra]

Colin Olsen, these guys were just lucky, that their guitar players was not jerks and dont ocupy all the sonic space ...

[@jonathantrueman5118]

Paul Simonon Neil Murray

[@B0BHW]

Well, I could so nearly hear Marvin Gaye's mellifluous​ vocal in there. Well done guys!

[@JesseJames11602]

Wow cool video. Now you guys should do a Cliff Burton rig. I'm sure a lot of other bassists out there would love to see that!

[@theoperkins9404]

I also like the combination of without busting and busting

[@theoperkins9404]

whens the next one?

[@MellonVegan]

If I could make a suggestion (though maybe it would be better down the line bc one might want to bring someone from that genre in like Dave Hollingworth or so), I would love to see a sound like Jon Stockman (Karnivool). Sound like Mark King would be great, as well. And same goes for Victor Wooten or Marcus Miller (since you have all them Miller basses in stock anyways :P).

[@s4tto826]

I believe the actual strings he used were Labella 52-110 flats

[@richardbeaton7324]

What's the name of the song at the beginning ? ..

[@paulcrumley3057]

David Hood!!!

[@grewejames1]

Sounds like Carol Kaye

[@mattiasjp]

Jim Grewe Pretty much the same set-up, isn’t it? That is more a question of phrasing, I would say.

[@HeretekNC]

Carol Kaye also primarily played with a pick iirc. It's not just phrasing, but also a matter of attack.

[@mattiasjp]

You are right, but it’s basically the same gear. But if you ever feel like getting your head screwed back on the right way, there is a great interview with CK somewhere on YT that really made me reevaluate my playing and the choices I make.

[@jeffmason8401]

The joke is that Carol Kaye claims to have actually played most of Jamerson's lines instead of Jamerson. She's wrong, but she claims it.

[@adamr63]

What's different here is the lack of thump and sustain from old big flats, that makes each note more round like a hit on drum..

[@JesterfaceBassplayer]

13:55 When you tell a guitarist the cost of strings for the bass guitar.

[@MrSteviethegreat]

sound like Pino Paladino would be awesome! as well as sounds like thundercat.

[@luckyllou7325]

Lee Leemerson 👍

[@lloydtoh4000]

look at the pickup guard at 14:44

[@paul_grimsley]

Do Rutger Gunnarsson!!

[@alejandrodgalli]

Do Cliff Burton and Duff Mckagan

[@MellonVegan]

Oh and Sound Like Muse would be cool, too :)

[@kingstumble]

Take 2......

[@Anonymous-mm8uh]

Cliff Burton!

[@wadecourtney8958]

Do a sounds like Lemmy! Cliff Burton, David Ellefson, Gene Simmons, Nikki Sixx

[@dominiccrimmings6925]

Do a sound like Chris Squire - be awesome

[@coreydavison4971]

Sound like Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band)?....plz k thnx

[@bacicinvatteneaca]

Very important to note: his strings were MASSIVE. More resistance, less sustain, lower resonant frequency.

[@ddactar]

Les Claypool!

[@fullmoon7192]

*Next Please !!!* Sound like JACO (!) Including: Ripping all frets right out with the kitchen knife (in front of a camera of course), and filling empty fret-holes with... aaaaaa whatever..., *Crazy Glue* or something like that... *Pleeeease !!!!!*

[@discostuvw]

Please do "Sound Like Justin Chancellor of Tool".

[@jussikaipainen]

Duff McKagan. GnR is currently the hot topic.

[@lansley8621]

Hello

[@yixuanwang2466]

what is the first chord nathan play at the beginning of the video?

[@AleksandarStanojkovic]

emaj7

[@yixuanwang2466]

I just realized it's marvin gaye's whats going on....silly me

[@AleksandarStanojkovic]

you said chord

[@lowendvibeswesleyhorn8053]

Squier combo actually sounded better to me

[@Empyrean55]

Awwwww yisssssssssss

[@stevenfinley9280]

McCartney please

[@v1rtualnish]

Not that you should do this next, because he usually used the same kind of P bass with the same accoutrements, but How to Sound Like Roger Waters would be interesting.

[@bentpolski]

Larger Gigs he used a Blue Kustom Amp with 2 -15"

[@EpictheEpicest]

3rd Budget: take a piece of soft foam and stick it in front of the bridge of your current bass. Cost: $0

[@Rayn3]

Sound like cliff burton

[@VWINGforthewin]

Joe Dart!