Sting's bass effects circa 1979-80

[New Zealand Promoter]

Perhaps this is a good question for other Police tribute band folk -
What pedal effect did Sting use to get that bulbous, auto-wah-ish sound in 1979-80 live shows? He used it a lot during 'beds too big' and during the jam in 'Roxanne'. I know Andy used a Mutron III for his guitar (ie 'Hole in My Life").

[Dietmar]

this is just out of memory - but I'll check if it's correct:

https://www.gpanagopoulos.com/eshop/ima ... ASE+90.jpg

[New Zealand Promoter]

[quote="Dietmar"]this is just out of memory - but I'll check if it's correct:

https://www.gpanagopoulos.com/eshop/ima ... ASE+90.jpg[/quote]

thanks dietmar

yeah apparently sting had one of these in his inventory (tour booklet 1982 states as much) but the phaser doesn't produce that effect. the phase 90 produces that 'swooshy' sound you can hear in very early police sets during some guitar solos and perhaps 'truth hits' but we're talking just the first half of the outlandos tour at that. it wasn't used much after that.

the effect i've referred to (and which the sample demonstrates) is an envelope filter effect of some sort - similar to that used for andy's guitar in 'hole in my life' - otherwise called an 'auto wah'. i just don't know if sting used the same pedal as andy (mutron III) - i hope not because they are expensive, and the clone (Neutron) is hard to make. I am betting it's some kind of auto wah kinda pedal for bass but have no idea which one.

[Dietmar]

which sample ?

the Phase 90 was used well into 1980

[New Zealand Promoter]

[quote="Dietmar"]which sample ?

the Phase 90 was used well into 1980[/quote]

oops!

http://www.thedelorean.net/audio/police ... sample.mp3

if you are asked for log / pass, it's zenyatta / mondatta

[New Zealand Promoter]

[quote="Dietmar"]which sample ?

the Phase 90 was used well into 1980[/quote]

actually you know what
i think you might be right! checked out some youtube - i think it's the pedal - probably sounds way different on bass than guitar hey. interesting!

[Dietmar]

I'll investigate...

[New Zealand Promoter]

i'm 99% convinced. check out 0'18 - 0'23:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1RgeATGnyw

[ilbolchini]

Is the Phase 90. There a Vintage version you can find now, it is based on a '74 one owned by a Dunlop emplyee. It has a script logo instead of the block of the modern version, and sounds different.
I have one, with a fretless try to play the Bring on the night bass solo intro of the late '79 lives, and that's it!
Try one.

[ilbolchini]

http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?page ... pip&id=368

[olivier]

I confirm !
I've got the same effect, plus the Ibanez Musician fretless bass and it sounds strictly the same !

[ilbolchini]

I confirm !
I've got the same effect, plus the Ibanez Musician fretless bass and it sounds strictly the same !

Doh! I have a Musician fretless as well.... I wonder why......

[Dietmar]

got one, too

[New Zealand Promoter]

phase 90 it is. grazie!

[olivier]

I confirm !
I've got the same effect, plus the Ibanez Musician fretless bass and it sounds strictly the same !

Doh! I have a Musician fretless as well.... I wonder why......

got one, too

Yeah !!! let's make a Facebook group : "best Police fans owners of Ibanez Musician fretless bass" !