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How to Sound Like Thundercat

Discussion in 'Bassists [BG]' started by droo46, Jan 10, 2022.

  1. Jan 10, 2022 #1
    droo46

    droo46

    Jun 16, 2011
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    I see Thundercat's tone get asked about a lot, so I have broken it down into simple terms so anyone can replicate his very funky and iconic sound.



    TL;DW

    Extended range bass with flats and run both pickups

    Aguilar amp and cab

    Pitch shifter>Envelope Filter>Phaser
     
  2. Jan 11, 2022 #2
    Bob_Ross

    Bob_Ross Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 29, 2012
    I'll bet you could forego the first two and just go straight to "Pitch shifter>Envelope Filter>Phaser" and 95% of listeners would say you sound like Thundercat.
     
    chilliwilli and BarfanyShart like this.
  3. Jan 11, 2022 #3
    droo46

    droo46

    Jun 16, 2011
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    True. Once you start stacking effects like this, the character of the bass starts to matter very little. That said, Thundercat has a lot of music that's just straight up bass with no effects, and having the right instrument helps for that.
     
    Bob_Ross likes this.
  4. Jan 11, 2022 #4
    Bob_Ross

    Bob_Ross Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 29, 2012
    tbh I have never heard any Thundercat tunes where he wasn't using the envelope filter. Got any recommendations that feature his "straight up bass" tone?
     
  5. Jan 11, 2022 #5
    ugly_bassplayer

    ugly_bassplayer

    Jan 21, 2009
    Québec
    My favorite stuff of his is on older Flying Lotus albums such as Cosmogramma.
     
    Bob_Ross likes this.
  6. Jan 11, 2022 #6
    droo46

    droo46

    Jun 16, 2011
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    From his newest record, Black Qualls is one where you hear his clean tone throughout as well as some slapping.
     
    Bob_Ross likes this.