Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer (Bass Cover)

Details

Description

Released in 1986 as a single off Bon Jovi's third album, 'Slippery When Wet', 'Livin' on a Prayer' was a massive chart topper that became staple tune of people who grew up in the 80s and early 90s.

Although the founding and touring bassist was Alec John Such, I only recently found out that the bassline in the original studio recording was written and laid down by session ace, Hugh McDonald, who currently still tours with the band.

The vamped riff in Em during the verses created tension as the chord progression shifted to C and D, while the melodic chorus brought incredible movement to the choruses.

I'm learning it by ear for an upcoming wedding gig, so I just took this chance to record the way I play this tune, and hope I do justice to a song that was a huge part of my childhood.


Equipment used:
Bass:
'FrankenPee'
Circa 2002 Fender Japan 1975 Reissue Jazz Bass neck
Salvaged Fender Japan machine heads
Allparts Alder body
Allparts tortoiseshell pickguard
Allparts chrome dome knobs and string retainer
Bartolini 8CBP neck pickup (100%)
Dimarzio Split-P bridge pickup (100%)
Alpha 500K volume pot (neck pickup)
Alpha 1 Meg volume pot (bridge pickup)
Alpha 500K tone pot
0.068uf Russian tone capacitor (tone wide open)
GHS Brite Flats (0.045 to 0.098)
EADG tuning

Audio:
Boss GT-1B used as audio interface
Ampeg SVT amp sim with organic cab sim
Edited in Reaper (Light compression added)

Video:
DJI Osmo Action 3
Edited in Davinci Resolve 16