Duff McKagan, best known as the bass player for the band Guns N’ Roses (he has also been the bassist for Velvet Revolver and Jane’s Addiction, to name a few,) is without question a P-bass player.
While true that Duff has played different basses over the years, his preference is a P-bass, whether a Precision with a split-coil or a Precision with a P/J pickup set in it.
He can be seen here years ago with a P/J, as in a made-in-Japan Fender Jazz Bass Special. This particular bass has a Jazz neck on it and a Precision body.
…and here with a traditional P (USA Professional model):
How to get the Duff McKagan sound?
Whether you use fingers or pick is up to you, as Duff uses both.
Duff’s tone is a trebly sound, so go head and crank up the tone knob all the way and leave it there.
Another thing however that is heard clearly is the use of a chorus effect. Originally, Duff used an Ibanez CS-9 effect pedal, then later switched to a 1U rackmount Yamaha SPX-90, then later to a bass-specific chorus, the MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe. And yes, we can get one for you.
Once you fire up that bass chorus, that’s when “Duff tone” really starts to happen.
As far as how you set your MXR chorus effect, the general rule of thumb to get that Duff tone is to use a slower rate, medium intensity and medium-to-wide width. There aren’t any exact settings to use because you will have to set the pedal to how your bass and amp sounds, as some basses are more trebly than others and some will require more effect than others for the chorus to be heard.
Should you use the older Ibanez or Yamaha chorus units? You can, but they may prove to be a bit noisy compared to the clearer sound of the MXR. Remember, the MXR is specifically designed for electric bass use. Also remember that the MXR does in fact have a switchable flanger, so it’s more than just chorus alone.
Don’t forget a Gallien Krueger 400rb/800rb. It’s essential for that driving sound from the guns albums. That GK rails growl is a huge part. Also, a 2×15 cab is what he he recorded those albums with. Again, way different sound than 10s. Lastly, bright, aggressive strings. Duff has always used rotosound rs66. Makes a big difference in the mix.
Totally agree. Like I commented, listen to Sav’s tone on the newest Def Leppard album. He uses the same GK set up as Duff these days. The bass tone on Diamond Star Halo’s is killer. If you didn’t know it you would think Duff was playing on some of that stuff.
Does Duff role in a little of his J pickup on the old specials? i’ve never been sure but having my first PJ I’m starting to think he might.
I believe I read he had both pickups and tone on full, basically all the time.
He
is a Bass Owner.
You
are a Genius.
You have to get a GK setup as well. The growl on those GnR albums come from the GK rig. Another good example is to listen to Rick Savage’s tone on the new Def Leppard album as he uses a GK set up. Sav’s tone is really close to Duff”s on Diamond Star Halo’s.