The bass line that’s been heard a million times by many millions of people. Every bass player needs to know this one.
No, really. Every bass player needs to know this. 🙂 It is “The Bass Line” that never gets old. Out of every single bass line you’ve ever heard, this is routinely in the top 5 for most players. It just is, and that’s the way it is. Learn it, love it.
Tips on how to get the “Good Times” tone easier
While true you can pretty much pick up just about any bass to get the “Good Times” sound, it does help if you specifically have a bass with a P/J pickup layout.
Is it required to have a P/J?
No. You could use a P or J bass or one loaded with soap bars or a Music Man or whatever you have.
However, the P/J in particular comes in quite handy here because you have the “blare” of the P in front and the “honk” of the J in the rear. To get closer to that just-right 1970’s tone, turning up the J, turning down the P slightly and then rolling off the tone can help out. It does take a fair amount of tweaking to nail the exact sound, but again, the P/J in particular helps out quite a bit.
If you want that super-duper sound that makes a bass sing for 1970’s style sound, consider the Aero P/J Type 1 set of pickups. And remember, if you need help with selecting pickups, call or email and we’ll be happy to help you.
Absolutely great lesson on Bernard Edwards classic line. Thanks so much
great tone!
Very good. However, I think he’s playing it ever so slightly incorrectly.
He used a P bass with flats for the recording.
yes…more like his interpretation of it
Appreciate you trying to teach this, but you are making quite a number of mistakes, and your timing (rhythm) is incorrect as well.
doesnt have the right feel
Passable rendition but not accurate. Phrasing merely adequate. This bloke’s some expert? I played better than this at 15.