How to Dial In "More Bounce to the Ounce" by Zapp - Bass Tone Settings
What Zapp Actually Used on "More Bounce to the Ounce"
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.
The famous low line is a synth bass, not a bass guitar — Roger Troutman cut it on a Minimoog at United Sound, Detroit (Terry Troutman is the album's credited bassist; Bootsy Collins co-produced and played guitar). The character is a fat, filter-shaped tone with a hard front edge, no fret noise and no finger-sustain decay. The StingRay here is a translation target for playing it on electric bass, not a documented instrument: firm fingerstyle near the bridge, treble up, and heavy compression so notes stay flat-topped and even like a synth. Nothing went through an amp.
Common Questions About the "More Bounce to the Ounce" Tone
What bass did Zapp use on "More Bounce to the Ounce"?
Zapp tracked "More Bounce to the Ounce" on a Music Man StingRay Special (released 1980). Pickup selector: single pickup on the bass. Tuned to standard (bass) (E A D G).
What amp settings does "More Bounce to the Ounce" need?
On the original amp: Gain 3, Bass 6.5, Mid 6, Treble 7.5, Presence 7, Volume 7. 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 "More Bounce to the Ounce" 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 "More Bounce to the Ounce" 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 "More Bounce to the Ounce" by Zapp are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.