Elvis liked lead bass ...

[uwe]

He really seems to enjoy listening to it and watching Jerry Scheff play:



As you would expect from someone like the King who wasn't a bassist himself but still had a Gibson EB doubleneck 4-string bass/6-string-bass custom-made for himself. Though I would imagine that the 6-string was probably tuned as a baritone guitar.

I like the gusto in Scheff's playing - that solo isn't perfect and has rhythmic inaccuracies, but it lives.

His son's Jason (the Peter Cetera successor in Chicago) homage to his dad Jerry ...



Kind of how you like to be remembered by your kids, isn't it?

[Dave W]

Note his one-finger technique.

Not a good tone, IMHO. No doubt it's what Elvis wanted, since Jerry's tone elsewhere was clean.

[uwe]

It's what you do for an audience that otherwise won't hear the bass!

[gearHed289]

Nice. Interesting tone for sure.

[4stringer77]

Jerry was a big part of what made the Doors LA Woman a great album.
He could also keep up with Barney Kessel and that's no small feat.

[Pilgrim]

Jerry was a big part of what made the Doors LA Woman a great album.

Every time I listen to LA Woman I marvel at his playing. Outstanding bass player.

[uwe]

Note his one-finger technique.

Yeah, and he "rakes" like after an autumn storm! 

[Alanko]

Any guesses as to what he was using for dirt? A P Bass set up with flats for I-V-I-V cowboy music just isn't a great solo instrument!

[gearHed289]

Any guesses as to what he was using for dirt? A P Bass set up with flats for I-V-I-V cowboy music just isn't a great solo instrument!

I was thinking Big Muff.

[Dave W]

Any guesses as to what he was using for dirt? A P Bass set up with flats for I-V-I-V cowboy music just isn't a great solo instrument!

I was thinking Big Muff.

I've read a few interviews with him over the years, he never mentions pedals but does mention setting his preamp to get distortion when needed

He does have an official FB page so you could ask him.

[uwe]

... set up with flats for I-V-I-V cowboy music ...

I felt honor-bound ...  No one insults one of Ian Gillan's great idols here! 

[Dave W]

Profiles in Tone: Jerry Scheff

In these three examples, at least, he says he used roundwounds.

[uwe]

That solo sure sounds roundwound to me. Not sparkly fresh roundwound, but "seasoned roundwound".

[gearHed289]

I've read a few interviews with him over the years, he never mentions pedals but does mention setting his preamp to get distortion when needed

He does have an official FB page so you could ask him.

I could see that. I used to be able to get massive fuzz out of my Peavey Mark III head by cranking the pre.

[ilan]

Jerry was a big part of what made the Doors LA Woman a great album.
He could also keep up with Barney Kessel and that's no small feat.

First time I hear him play upright.