What bass did John Deacon use on Another One Bites the Dust?

John Deacon used a Fender Precision Bass for the recording of "Another One Bites the Dust." The P-bass's split-coil pickups provided the punchy, defined tone that became central to the song's groove.

How to get John Deacon's bass tone on Another One Bites the Dust?

Use a Fender Precision Bass with flatwound strings through an Ampeg SVT amp set for a clean, punchy tone. Focus on keeping the signal clear and defined rather than adding distortion, and consider blending a direct input signal with the amplifier for maximum clarity.

What amp did Queen use for bass on Another One Bites the Dust?

The bass was recorded through an Ampeg SVT amplifier at Musicland Studios in Munich. The SVT provided the powerful, defined low-end that anchors the song's iconic rhythm section.

What strings should I use to sound like John Deacon?

Flatwound strings are recommended to achieve John Deacon's tone on "Another One Bites the Dust." Flatwounds provide the rounder, less harsh tone compared to roundwounds and help achieve that smooth, punchy character heard on the recording.

Where was Another One Bites the Dust bass recorded?

The bass was recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany, with engineer Reinhold Mack. The studio was known for its excellent acoustics and high-end recording equipment during Queen's sessions there.

bass guitar from "another one bites the dust" by queen

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Tone Profile

This bass tone is punchy, clean, and articulate, providing a solid foundation for the song's iconic groove. It's characterized by its clarity and defined low-end response.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Precision Bass(instrument)
Ampeg SVT(amp)
AKG D12(microphone)

The Story

John Deacon recorded his bass for "Another One Bites the Dust" using a Fender Precision Bass through an Ampeg SVT amplifier, with the cabinet miked using an AKG D12 microphone. The recording took place at Musicland Studios in Munich with engineer Reinhold Mack focusing on capturing a clean, direct tone that would provide the punchy foundation for the song's distinctive groove.

Production Credits

Producer: Queen

Engineer: Reinhold Mack

Recorded at: Musicland Studios, Munich

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Precision BassShop on Reverb

Amp: Ampeg SVTShop on Reverb

Microphone: AKG D12Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a Fender Precision Bass or similar bass with flatwound strings for a rounder tone.
Dial in a clean and punchy tone on an Ampeg SVT or similar bass amp.
Avoid excessive distortion or overdrive to maintain clarity.
Use a microphone known for its low-frequency response, such as the AKG D12, placed close to the cabinet.
Consider blending a direct input signal with the mic'd amp signal for added clarity and control.

Original Gear

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Fender Precision BassShop on Reverb(guitar)
Ampeg SVTShop on Reverb(amp)
AKG D12Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Squier Classic Vibe '70s Precision BassShop on Reverb$350-$400

Alternative to: Fender Precision Bass

Delivers the essential P-bass tone with flatwound-friendly neck and pickups that capture the punchy midrange character of Deacon's original

Fender Player Precision BassShop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Fender Precision Bass

Modern interpretation of the classic P-bass with improved hardware while maintaining the fundamental split-coil pickup tone that defines this track

Ampeg SVT-CL ClassicShop on Reverb$2000-$2200

Alternative to: Ampeg SVT

Current production version of the original SVT circuit, providing the same powerful tube saturation and low-end definition

Plugin Alliance Ampeg SVT-VRPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Ampeg SVT

Officially endorsed digital recreation of the SVT sound, perfect for capturing the clean but harmonically rich tone in a DAW

AKG D112Shop on Reverb$150-$180

Alternative to: AKG D12

Modern evolution of the D12 with enhanced low-frequency response and the same dynamic capsule design ideal for bass cabinet recording

Sources

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