A Perfect Circle: Bass sound analysis

[SteveFromBerlin]

Hi there,

I really love the production of 13th Step and also the new Elephant... The mixes are perfect overall, drumming is badass, and there is a wonderful thing to the bass sound that I‘d like to be able to replicate as I consider it to be a great rock sound.

I‘d like to know your opinion on how to get this specific tone: I assume it’s P Bass and Ampeg / maybe Mesa 400+.

I own a V4B but struggle to get the drive / crunch and the fat scoop.

How‘d you achieve this sound?

SVT 2/3/4 Pro?

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

Do you think there is some kind of BDDI involved?

 

[Plastalmonus]

Matt McJunkins plays for them now but Jeordie White was their bassist on 13th Step.

How much they played in the studio is anyones guess.

I know Matt often plays a Mesa 400+ and the below board:

Jeordie also uses a Mesa 400+ and I know he has a Mesa Flux Drive (or similar pedal) and Malekko Diabolik Fuzz.

Basically I'd say look at the 400+ and some fuzz/drive pedals.

 

[Plastalmonus]

Also Matt plays P Basses and Jeordie plays Grabbers and Stingrays if my memory serves me right.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

Thanks!

I‘m pretty sure Billy Howerdel played on most of the studio work. I‘d love to know what he was using!

 

[Plastalmonus]

Thanks!

I‘m pretty sure Billy Howerdel played on most of the studio work. I‘d love to know what he was using!

From a few gear forums over the years I have established that the bass was recorded on 'some amp with like 15 tubes in it'.

If that doesn't scream Mesa 400+ then nothing does

 

[Plastalmonus]

Actually all this talk of the bass tone on 13th Step is making me question why I don't yet own a 400+.

Damnit, thought I'd rid myself of GAS.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

You‘re welcome!

I‘m in this position myself but over here in Berlin it’s hard to find these at all!

 

[klejst]

I'm going to see these guys live next week! Mer de Noms is my favorite album by them, however Thirteenth Step is a very close second. I just liked Paz's tone...not to mention she was/is a fox!

 

[RadioactiveGuy4]

I just liked Paz's tone

Paz is a great player but Billy Howerdel recorded the bass for the album 1st album and when it came time to start the second she had quit to work on other projects.

 

[Wasnex]

Actually all this talk of the bass tone on 13th Step is making me question why I don't yet own a 400+.

Damnit, thought I'd rid myself of GAS.

I bet you could get pretty close with your AD200B and a good P bass with a pick. Dial up a little grit in the pre and push the master till the output is hummin; then hit it!

 

[Plastalmonus]

I bet you could get pretty close with your AD200B and a good P bass with a pick. Dial up a little grit in the pre and push the master till the output is hummin; then hit it!

I am yet to find a P Bass I actually like playing. Travesty, I know.

 

[BigDrew]

Based on this recording, I think a Sansamp will get you very close.

 

[E.J. T.N.T.]

It seems to me that they have all been playing the same/similar bass as well. An older P-bass deluxe.

Paz


Jeordie


Matt
http://www.mesaboogie.com/media/Artists/Matt McJunkins/Matt-McJunkins-400.jpg

 

[chaosMK]

From what I understand the classic APC tone was a P into 400+. Sounds like it to me with some of the generally tight clear midrange.

 

[gregmon79]

Hi there,

I really love the production of 13th Step and also the new Elephant... The mixes are perfect overall, drumming is badass, and there is a wonderful thing to the bass sound that I‘d like to be able to replicate as I consider it to be a great rock sound.

I‘d like to know your opinion on how to get this specific tone: I assume it’s P Bass and Ampeg / maybe Mesa 400+.

I own a V4B but struggle to get the drive / crunch and the fat scoop.

How‘d you achieve this sound?

SVT 2/3/4 Pro?

Do you think there is some kind of BDDI involved?

Matt McJunkins plays for them now but Jeordie White was their bassist on 13th Step.

How much they played in the studio is anyones guess.

I know Matt often plays a Mesa 400+ and the below board:
View attachment 3010612

Jeordie also uses a Mesa 400+ and I know he has a Mesa Flux Drive (or similar pedal) and Malekko Diabolik Fuzz.

Basically I'd say look at the 400+ and some fuzz/drive pedals.

That OCD probably had a lot to do with the hair you hear. Other than that it sounds like a P bass played aggressively through a raunch tube head.

 

[HoboCop]

When I listen to that the first thing I notice is that you need a pick.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi there,

I really love the production of 13th Step and also the new Elephant... The mixes are perfect overall, drumming is badass, and there is a wonderful thing to the bass sound that I‘d like to be able to replicate as I consider it to be a great rock sound.

I‘d like to know your opinion on how to get this specific tone: I assume it’s P Bass and Ampeg / maybe Mesa 400+.

I own a V4B but struggle to get the drive / crunch and the fat scoop.

How‘d you achieve this sound?

SVT 2/3/4 Pro?

Grab a pick, and stand next to Maynard. The peices should fit.



Nah, it doesn't really sound like a whole lot. Just an amp, a drive pedal maybe, high mids boosted a little. Sounds like a pretty basic tone to me. It's most likely an SVT though.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Also Matt plays P Basses and Jeordie plays Grabbers and Stingrays if my memory serves me right.

It does have a stingrayish vibe to it. Powerful with the crisp high end.

 

[InhumanResource]

Sounds like a precision played with a pick and a little OD but not much. Flat or perhaps cut in the mids, boosted lows.