Clean Tone

Stairway to Heaven

Led Zeppelin

Bassrock1970s

Original Gear

BassFender Jazz Bass

AmpVintage Ampeg SVT (early 1970s model, likely blue line)

PickupsTwo single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid5.5

treble5

presence4.5

compression3.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1971, Led Zeppelin IV sessions at Island Studios, London. John Paul Jones is widely documented as using his Fender Jazz Bass and Ampeg SVT for most of Led Zeppelin IV. No evidence of alternate basses or amps for this track.

Tone Character(10)

deep and supportive low endsmooth, rounded attacksubtle midrange presencewarm, vintage characterclear note definitionno audible drive or gritsits under the mix, not prominentclassic 1970s studio bass toneslightly compressedno slap or pick noise

Difficulty

The clean section of 'Stairway to Heaven' features straightforward root notes and a gentle, supportive approach with no technical challenges beyond basic timing and tone control.

Sources

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV (Remaster) - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard John Paul Jones' Keyboards and Synthesizers | Equipboard John Paul Jones Auctions Personal Studio Gear, Including Vintage Guild Thunderbass Amp – No Treble John Paul Jones is a hell of a bass player.

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