The J.B.’s Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Members

Select a The J.B.’s band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Bootsy Collins

Roles:

Singer Bassist

Groups:

Funkadelic Praxis Deee-Lite Parliament Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s Deadline Bootsy Phelps And Gary World-Wide-Funkdrive Houseguests George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars The House Guests Flo George Clinton and Family The P-Funk Mob Bonzo Goes to Washington Bootsy Collins And The Funk Unity Band Bootsy, Phelps & The Complete Strangers Malcolm McLaren and the Bootzilla Orchestra The GrooveGrass Boyz Bootsy's New Rubber Band Science Faxtion Material Bootsy's Rubber Band Parliament-Funkadelic Claude VonStroke & Bootsy Collins George Clinton & Bootsy Collins Bootsy Collins & Bootsy's New Rubber Band

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James Brown

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

James Brown & The Famous Flames Various Artists for Children's Promise Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s The Famous Flames George Clinton and Family F.O.E The Soul Generals

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Catfish Collins

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Funkadelic Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s Bootsy's Rubber Band Bootsy, Phelps & The Complete Strangers Bootsy Phelps And Gary Houseguests The P-Funk Mob

Needs more gear

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"Sweet" Charles Sherrell

Roles:

Singer Bassist

Groups:

Johnny Jones & The King Casuals

Needs more gear

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Jerry Poindexter

Roles:

Keyboardist

Groups:

The Soul Generals

Needs more gear

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Fred Wesley

Roles:

Trombonist

Groups:

Parliament Soulive The Fred Wesley Quartet J-Funk Express The Horny Horns Bootsy's Rubber Band

No gear added

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Maceo Parker

Roles:

Saxophonist

Groups:

Parliament The New Power Generation Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s Prince & The New Power Generation J-Funk Express The Horny Horns Maceo and All the King's Men George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars Sweat Band The P-Funk Mob F.O.E The One Nite Alone Band

No gear added

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St. Clair Pinckney

Roles:

Saxophonist

Groups:

Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s

No gear added

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Fred Nestley

Groups:

Funkadelic

No gear added

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Phelps Collins, Jr.

Groups:

Bootsy, Phelps & The Complete Strangers Houseguests

No gear added

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Don Juan "Tiger" Martin

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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John Starks

Roles:

Singer Drummer

No gear added

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Clayton Gunnells

Roles:

Trumpeter

Groups:

Funkadelic Houseguests Flo

No gear added

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Frank Waddy

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Bootsy's Rubber Band Bootsy's New Rubber Band Houseguests

No gear added

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Philippé Wynne

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Funkadelic The Spinners The Put Yo' Body Where Yo' Mouf Iz Choir

No gear added

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Robert McCollough

Roles:

Saxophonist

Groups:

Houseguests The House Guests Flo

No gear added

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About

The J.B.'s were a seminal American funk band, originating in the late 1960s as the backing ensemble for the legendary James Brown. Known for their unparalleled precision and groove, the group was a revolving collective of elite musicians, including notable figures like Maceo Parker (saxophone), Fred Wesley (trombone), and Bootsy Collins (bass). The J.B.'s played a pivotal role in defining the sound of funk, blending elements of jazz, soul, and jazz funk into their music. Their reputation was built on high-energy performances and tight, infectious rhythms that left a lasting impact on the genre.

How to Sound Like The J.B.’s

The sonic character of The J.B.'s is rooted in tight, rhythmic grooves and vibrant horn arrangements, creating a sound that is both dynamic and infectious. Their music often features percussive bass lines, a hallmark of Bootsy Collins, who used instruments like the Fender Precision Bass and Warwick Bootsy Collins Infinity Signature Bass to craft his iconic sound. The use of effects such as the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter added a distinctive, funky edge to the bass. The horn section, led by Parker and Wesley, delivered punchy, soulful blasts that were essential to the band's energetic style. The J.B.'s sound can be described as raw yet meticulously orchestrated, with each element working in perfect harmony to create a groove that compels listeners to move.

Discography

Food For Thought

1972

Doing It To Death

1973

Hustle With Speed

1975

Funky Good Time: The Anthology

1995

Groove Machine

2012

These Are The J.B.'s

2015

We Came to Play

2019

More Mess On My Thing

2019

Get the The J.B.’s Sound

Want to sound like The J.B.’s? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.