Claypool's rig

[Buck Naked]

Les is pretty much my idol. What I want to know is what strings he uses and the effects that he uses. I know he plays a Fender J and like 6 Carl Thompson basses through Ampeg amps (these days. Back in the day he used Mesa's.). So any input would really help out.

 

[superbassman2000]

the only advice that i could give is turn up your mids, and slap, slap, slap!

 

[duckbutter]

I know at one point he used an ADA G****r Pre Amp, and he uses 2 A strings and 2 D strings.

 

[Buck Naked]

I thought that was the case with the two A and D strings I just wasn't quite sure. Do you know what brand he uses by any chance? Also what kind of pre amp is it?

 

[duckbutter]

I found this, but I'm not sure how old it is...
It doesn't list the string type, but I remember seeing him do an add for Carl Thompson strings.

Les' gear
Basses
Carl Thompson Rainbow Bass(six string fretless (36' scale))
Carl Thompson four string (Kahler tremolo)
Carl Thompson four string (maple body, backup for above)
Carl Thompson six string fretted (Hamburger Train)
Zeta Eletric upright
Kay upright
Fender Jazz Bass
Tune fretless six-string( pre-CT six, seen in Bill And Ted's Bogus Journey)

Live amp rig( from Bass Player Jan 93)
ADA MB-1 bass preamp
ADA MP-1 guitar preamp (modified by ADA's Todd Langer)
Mesa/Boogie Bass 400 Plus power amp
(2) Mesa/Boogie 2x15 cabinets
Digital Music Midi Ground Control footpedal

Studio Rig(Pork Soda)
ADA MB-1 bass preamp
Meyers EQ
Alesis Micro Limiter
ADA Stereo Tapped Delay
Systech Harmonic Energizer

 

[Buck Naked]

Thanks a lot man. That helps loads.

 

[Phe]

He also plays Rickenbacker on 5 gallons of diesel-dvd with Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains.

 

[GSRLessard14]

www.ctbasses.com

Les uses Dean Markley Blue Steels 45-100s. He doesn't string AAGG anymore.

 

[Buck Naked]

Ahhh. Ok now can someone explain to me all about a piccolo bass? I would like to know more.

 

[paul n]

Les Uses Carl Thompson Strings these days (40-100, though I've heard he's using 45-110 these days), and Ampeg SVT 5's (last I saw) with four Ampeg Pro 1x15 cans and two Pro 4x10 cabs (both models no longer made). Not sure about the effects, not my bag o' chips.

The Picolo bass, isn't really a picolo any more. A picolo bass is a bass tuned an octave higher than standard. Les' main bass was built as a picolo with a 32" scale and standard picolo tunning. When Les bought the bass (secondhand) he added a Kahler tremolo and restrung the bass with regular strings and tuned standard. He also put an EMG pickup in it (the same kind found in the old Stienbergers). Currently it has a regular EMG soap-bar, though I don't know the model.

Oh, you get Carl THompson strings from Carl. Go to ctbasses.com and contact Aaron to find out how.

~Paul

 

[Muzique Fann]

Thinking out loud here:
What the hell is Les doing these days?
Is he in 'retirement' for now?

I know he won't rest for long...

I say we need more Oysterhead! Let 'em practice for a bit then tour for months.. then Take Their Time recording another studio disc - that first one was so rushed.

 

[MaskedJackal]

Tune fretless six-string( pre-CT six, seen in Bill And Ted's Bogus Journey)

Primus/Les was in that? When/where?

 

[henryjurstin13]

2 A strings & 2 D strings?!?!!?

I know at one point he used an ADA G****r Pre Amp, and he uses 2 A strings and 2 D strings

Please explain.

 

[superbassman2000]

Thinking out loud here:
What the hell is Les doing these days?
Is he in 'retirement' for now?

I know he won't rest for long...

I say we need more Oysterhead! Let 'em practice for a bit then tour for months.. then Take Their Time recording another studio disc - that first one was so rushed.

i would love to see oysterhead get back together...on paper, it was a great band!

 

[Vox Populi]

Primus is in the studio at the moment, and Les also just wrote a novel. So he's staying active.

 

[Hamzter]

yeah rumour has it that the new album is called Time 4 Luv

 

[irjason]

Primus/Les was in that? When/where?

They were in the battle of the bands.

 

[Matt Till]

2 A strings & 2 D strings?!?!!?



Please explain.

He tunes the standard EADG style, but his E string is an A tuned down... I could have swore he had two Gs, aka the D string was a G tuned down.. wouldn't make much sense to have your G string a D tuned high.

But anyways, it's all for the benefit of making it easier to chord.

 

[paul n]

Supposedly he doesn't do that any more. Acordin to Carl he just uses a regular light set (40-100) these days.

Also he was on tour a bit last year with his "Fancy Band" and Gabby Lala.

~Paul

 

[Alex]

He supposedly uses the EMG extended series pickups ie the 35TW. PM me iif you want to buy one.