Clean Tone
Don't Cry
Guns N' Roses
Bassrock1990s
Original Gear
BassFender Jazz Bass Special (MIJ, 1980s, black, passive electronics)
AmpGallien-Krueger 800RB (studio era, late 80s/early 90s Duff standard)
PickupsP/J configuration (Precision split-coil neck, Jazz single-coil bridge)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble6
presence5
compression4
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1990/91, Use Your Illusion sessions. Duff McKagan's main bass for this era was the MIJ Jazz Bass Special, typically run into a GK 800RB. No direct evidence of amp settings for this song, but this is consistent with all available interviews and era photos.
Tone Character(10)
clear and articulatetight low endslightly scooped midsbright but not harshdistinct pick attackstudio-polishedno audible distortionsits well in the mixcontrolled sustainsubtle compression
Difficulty
The bass part in 'Don't Cry' is straightforward, with slow, root-based lines and no complex fills or syncopation. The main challenge is maintaining consistent pick attack and dynamic control for a clean, even tone.
Sources
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Create Free AccountBassrock1990s
Original Gear
BassFender Jazz Bass Special (MIJ, 1980s, black, passive electronics)
AmpGallien-Krueger 800RB (studio era, late 80s/early 90s Duff standard)
PickupsP/J configuration (Precision split-coil neck, Jazz single-coil bridge)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble6
presence5
compression4
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1990/91, Use Your Illusion sessions. Duff McKagan's main bass for this era was the MIJ Jazz Bass Special, typically run into a GK 800RB. No direct evidence of amp settings for this song, but this is consistent with all available interviews and era photos.
Tone Character(10)
clear and articulatetight low endslightly scooped midsbright but not harshdistinct pick attackstudio-polishedno audible distortionsits well in the mixcontrolled sustainsubtle compression
Difficulty
The bass part in 'Don't Cry' is straightforward, with slow, root-based lines and no complex fills or syncopation. The main challenge is maintaining consistent pick attack and dynamic control for a clean, even tone.
Don't Cry settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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- Paradise City · riff
- Knockin' On Heaven's Door · solo
- Don't Cry · solo
- Nightrain · riff
- Estranged · solo
- Don't Cry · riff