James Jamerson

James Jamerson bought his "Funk Machine", a Fender Precision, in 1962 and played that bass for most of his career.

In a YouTube video by Scott's Bass Lessons titled "How to Get The James Jamerson Motown Bass Sound," James Jamerson is noted for using La Bella 760FS Deep Talkin' Flat Wounds strings to achieve his iconic sound.

In an interview featured on Rick Suchow's website, James Jamerson mentions using a Fender Bass V, along with other instruments in his collection, highlighting his diverse bass setup.

According to Standing in the Shadows of Motown, Jamerson used a B-15 live (and occasionally in the studio), sometimes with an extension cabinet; the amp would be set with the bass knob all the way up and the treble knob on half.

James Jamerson is frequently associated with the Ampeg Portaflex B15-N bass amplifier, as detailed in the PBS feature "Motown Amp" on History Detectives. This amplifier is often credited for contributing to his distinctive Motown sound.

"I have an old German upright, a Fender 5-string, a Hagstrom 8-string, and the Precision."

In an article by Rick Suchow, James Jamerson is noted to have owned several basses, including a Hagstrom 8-string Bass, Precision Bass, Fender Bass V, and a German upright bass. This collection reflects his use of various instruments, including the 1948 Kay M-5 Upright Bass.

La Bella Strings mentions on their website that the La Bella 760M Deep Talkin' Flatwounds are the original 1950s string set used in the 1960s with Motown Records, and specifically by bassist James Jamerson.