Tool - Undertow bass tone... how to get it?

panazza · #1 03-02-2005, 05:54 AM

I was trying to recreate the bass tone heard on tool's undertow with my sansamp but I can't get it...

anyone knows how to get a similar tone?

I saw on the tech21 site they made a sound clip called "tool" with the landmark amps... I am searching for that tone, I think I can find it using a sansamp (pedal version...)

any suggestions? (other than buying a rickenbacker bass!!)

**Adam Barkley** · #2 03-02-2005, 07:10 AM

First thing I'd is tune to Drop D, and increase the Presence control until it was clacky enough. I also would probably put the blend right about 12 oclock and work your eq from there.

And of course play it with a pick with your bass' tone control wide open.

bryan bailey · #3 03-02-2005, 09:13 AM

Roto strings, pick, Rick(still), gain, light chorus.

Benjamin Strange · #4 03-02-2005, 10:10 AM

Get Sylvia Massy to produce your record.

Puarija · #5 03-02-2005, 10:37 AM

I think Justin Chancellor's tone is a good bit similar. He uses a little chorus and plays a Wal. I'm not real sure of the amps/effects.

I just remembered... I've got a friend on IM who says he has "the Tool tone" down. He uses a Sansamp RBI and Mesa heads and cabs. I'll ask him what his settings are.

Jake

panazza · #6 03-02-2005, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puarija

I think Justin Chancellor's tone is a good bit similar. He uses a little chorus and plays a Wal. I'm not real sure of the amps/effects.

I just remembered... I've got a friend on IM who says he has "the Tool tone" down. He uses a Sansamp RBI and Mesa heads and cabs. I'll ask him what his settings are.

Jake

that would be very useful... thanks!

bryan bailey · #7 03-02-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puarija

I just remembered... I've got a friend on IM who says he has "the Tool tone" down. He uses a Sansamp RBI and Mesa heads and cabs. I'll ask him what his settings are.

Jake

Both Tool bassists use mesa amps. I think Justin uses a demeter pre too. And a myriad of effects.

I really hope I spelled myriad right.

edit(robot): Sorry Bryan it's Myriad, not miriad.

Rumzini · #8 03-02-2005, 02:41 PM

Did, (the name escapes me), the first bassist use a Stingray at all? Also I heard Justin used a lil Flang effect for sure...

zongeek · #9 03-02-2005, 02:41 PM

paul used (over his time in tool):
ovation magnum bass
rick 4003 chris squire bass
stingray bass
ashdown amp heads
mesa cabs
distorion
delay
chorus (not all the time though)
pick and he played that thing hard
he mightve had mesa amps im not sure and possibly a whammy

justin (as far as i can remember):
stingray bass
wal basses
mesa amps (m-200, 400+, m-pulse 600)
mesa cabs
demeter pre
distortion (probably a few)
delay
flanger
chorus
autowah
whammy
spectrum (boss)
eq
bass driver
and im sure a few other assorted effects
im sure hes got some more rack gear
hes also got his amps foot switches for whatever he wants
he plays with a pick too and hard too

Rumzini · #10 03-02-2005, 02:56 PM

Just lately my band has decided to do a TOOL cover or two...and I've never played with a pick. So...I wasn't quite getting the tone until I was just hammering at the strings with the pick...yeah they play hard.

Oh yeah...Paul was his name. What is he doing these days. Would like to hear something from him now.

Any idea whe new TOOL album is due?

I'm in a TOOL mode going on 2 months now.

JamesM · #11 03-02-2005, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumzini

Any idea whe new TOOL album is due?

I'm in a TOOL mode going on 2 months now.

I heard Maynard has been laying down his lyrics. But knowing TOOL the album probably wont be out for ages. I hope they still put out that live dvd they said they were gona put out.

zongeek · #12 03-02-2005, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumzini

Just lately my band has decided to do a TOOL cover or two...and I've never played with a pick. So...I wasn't quite getting the tone until I was just hammering at the strings with the pick...yeah they play hard.

Oh yeah...Paul was his name. What is he doing these days. Would like to hear something from him now.

Any idea whe new TOOL album is due?

I'm in a TOOL mode going on 2 months now.

paul did a project called replicants, then he did his own weird pop band called lusk and now hes doing his new rock project feersum ennjin (www.feersumennjin.com)

new tool...rumored this month, maybe maybe not

bryan bailey · #13 03-02-2005, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryan bailey

edit(robot): Sorry Bryan it's Myriad, not miriad.

Damn. Sleep deprivation sucks.

Matt Till · #14 03-03-2005, 12:26 AM

This one is a bit obvious, but it's something that often helps me... new strings! On a similar note, I was really curious how Doug from King's X got his bass tone. I threw on some new strings, cranked my gain a bit, some EQing and I was pretty similar.

zongeek · #15 03-03-2005, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Till

This one is a bit obvious, but it's something that often helps me... new strings! On a similar note, I was really curious how Doug from King's X got his bass tone. I threw on some new strings, cranked my gain a bit, some EQing and I was pretty similar.

+1. not sure if paul did, but i believe justin changes his for every show

Matt Till · #16 03-03-2005, 12:14 PM

MMMm, new strings every show... ahh to be rich... and in a band.

panazza · #17 03-03-2005, 01:12 PM

I know justin sends three signals to the board... two clean (mesa/demeter) and one slightly overdriven...

I would like to know if paul did the same thing on undertow...

count_funkula · #18 03-04-2005, 08:53 AM

Go to Tech21's web site and listen to their Sansamp Bass Driver samples. I think they have one setting for a Tool sound. It sounds a lot like Stinkfist.

panazza · #19 03-06-2005, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by count_funkula

Go to Tech21's web site and listen to their Sansamp Bass Driver samples. I think they have one setting for a Tool sound. It sounds a lot like Stinkfist.

yes but where to get the settings??!

Tooltabs.net · #20 03-16-2005, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panazza

I know justin sends three signals to the board... two clean (mesa/demeter) and one slightly overdriven...

I would like to know if paul did the same thing on undertow...

Justin uses 2 different Mesa Boogie heads....he uses the M2000 for his clean signal and an Mpulse 600 for his dirty signal. I am positive, I have owned both (currently use the mpulse)....the M2000 has alot more tonal options, but the mpulse has some serious gain and a much simpler EQ system.