So I have this idea, that I believe to be very possible. I just dont know how to get there.
I believe that good country bass lines are founded on the simple concept that you are driving some sort of large vehicle. Whether it be a train, farm tractor, tractor trailer or 3/4 or 1 ton pickup truck(half tons and smaller are for city slickers and pop country).
Anyway we are covering “Long White Line” sturgill simpson style. Obvious tractor trailer vibes. Well if you’ve spent any time in or near a tractor trailer you know what the “Jake brake” is. It’s official name is an engine brake and it’s job is to slow you down without hitting the actual brakes. That’s my goal. Slow down not stop.
There is a spot in the song where we start driving the beat faster. As it comes to its peak, we slow it back down to the normal tempo. This is where I want to exert redneck dominance and hit the Jake brake. I’m talking full mullet, denim on denim, rollin’ coal style of lick here. That’s the mental picture im seeing but falling short. Ive tried just sliding 14→2 on the E string (f# is the key). Ive also tried playing it like a chord, root, 5th, octave at the 14th fret and sliding back to the 2nd fret. It sounds better but still not as powerful as I want it to be. Any suggestions on how to make this idea a reality? Chorus or delay pedal? I’ll try anything. I thought about walking down the pentatonic too. It also works but it doesn’t hit like a want (add fuzz/distortion) the actual jake brake sounds metalic and clanky. Help please.