How to Dial In "That Lady (Part 1 & 2)" by The Isley Brothers - Bass Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "That Lady (Part 1 & 2)"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These are the numbers on the record. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their bass configured for this take.
Marvin Isley's job is to stay round, warm and completely unfussy while Ernie Isley's phased fuzz guitar takes all the air above it - fingerstyle, close to the neck, long even notes with the sustain intact rather than clipped. The line is a repeating minor vamp that locks to the congas as much as the kick, so the groove is in the note lengths and the held root, not in fills. Resist adding sixteenths; the space is what lets the guitar solo breathe.
Common Questions About the "That Lady (Part 1 & 2)" Tone
What bass did The Isley Brothers use on "That Lady (Part 1 & 2)"?
The Isley Brothers tracked "That Lady (Part 1 & 2)" on a Precision Bass (released 1973). The Fender Vintera II '60s Precision Bass named above is a modern equivalent, not the bass on the record. Pickup selector: single pickup on the bass. Tuned to standard (bass) (E A D G).
What amp settings does "That Lady (Part 1 & 2)" need?
On the original amp: Gain 2, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 4, Presence 3, Volume 6. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "That Lady (Part 1 & 2)" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "That Lady (Part 1 & 2)" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "That Lady (Part 1 & 2)" by The Isley Brothers are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.