Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
This video is a play-through of Mark King's bass part from the Level 42 instrumental 'The Return of the Handsome Rugged Man'. This relatively obscure track was recorded during sessions for the band's third album, The Pursuit of Accidents. It was released as the B-side to 'Are You Hearing? (What I Hear)'. Featuring punchy slap grooves, open string harmony, harmonics, funky fingerstyle grooves and more, this is one of Mark's finest recorded bass parts.
A full transcription of this piece can be found in The Mark King Bass Book. This book contains 10 instrumentals that King recorded with Level 42 and as a solo artist, all meticulously transcribed in standard notation and TAB. Each song also has a set of detailed performance notes. The book also includes transcriptions of three of King's bass solos, and has an in-depth style analysis which carefully breaks down his unique playing style.
The book is available from Amazon here: geni.us/fzAfEp5
And from Bassline Publishing here: basslinepublishing.com/product/the-mark-king-bass-book
I recorded this piece using my GB Guitars Rumour bass strung with Rotosound strings. I used gauges .060, .080 and .100 for the D, A, E-strings, and used a .030 for the G-string. This lighter gauge makes the harmonic bends possible. Both pickups were used and the tone controls were centred. The bass was recorded via a SansAmp Bass Driver DI, all controls set flat. A small amount of compression was added digitally.
Don't forget to like the video and subscribe so that you see more great bass content from me in the future.
Follow Bassline Publishing:
Facebook: facebook.com/BasslinePublishing
Instagram: instagram.com/stuartclaytonbass
Twitter: twitter.com/BasslinePublish
This video is a play-through of Mark King's bass part from the Level 42 instrumental 'The Return of the Handsome Rugged Man'. This relatively obscure track was recorded during sessions for the band's third album, The Pursuit of Accidents. It was released as the B-side to 'Are You Hearing? (What I Hear)'. Featuring punchy slap grooves, open string harmony, harmonics, funky fingerstyle grooves and more, this is one of Mark's finest recorded bass parts.
A full transcription of this piece can be found in The Mark King Bass Book. This book contains 10 instrumentals that King recorded with Level 42 and as a solo artist, all meticulously transcribed in standard notation and TAB. Each song also has a set of detailed performance notes. The book also includes transcriptions of three of King's bass solos, and has an in-depth style analysis which carefully breaks down his unique playing style.
The book is available from Amazon here: geni.us/fzAfEp5
And from Bassline Publishing here: basslinepublishing.com/product/the-mark-king-bass-book
I recorded this piece using my GB Guitars Rumour bass strung with Rotosound strings. I used gauges .060, .080 and .100 for the D, A, E-strings, and used a .030 for the G-string. This lighter gauge makes the harmonic bends possible. Both pickups were used and the tone controls were centred. The bass was recorded via a SansAmp Bass Driver DI, all controls set flat. A small amount of compression was added digitally.
Don't forget to like the video and subscribe so that you see more great bass content from me in the future.
Follow Bassline Publishing:
Facebook: facebook.com/BasslinePublishing
Instagram: instagram.com/stuartclaytonbass
Twitter: twitter.com/BasslinePublish
