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Les Claypool new pedals

Fynn

Fynn

Jan 6, 2022
1,152
1,406
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Germany
#1
Very recently Primus performed with members of Tool and Troy Van Leeuwen at a benefits concert for Jimmy Hayward. Through a video posted on Instagram, you can get a peek at Claypools newest iteration of his pedalboard.
upload_2023-4-20_2-23-10.png


Besides the obvious (DM4, AX300B, BOOMERANG), there's also some new things here. For one you can see the new mk2 of the DL4 (on the left), but there's also two new things in the middle of the picture.
I would guess that the brownish looking thing in the middle is the MXR M81. Atleast that would be my best guess, because of the color, the 6 knobs, and Les history with MXR pedals.
However, I have absolutely no idea what that thing between the MXR and the DM4 is. If anybody could help me out here, I would really appreciate it! I was hoping that the hivemind Talkbass could figure this out.

For anybody interested in the video
 
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#4
I’m pretty sure the middle pedal is a Cali76 comp - I heard he was switching to it recently.

Also heard he was adding one of the newer Sansamp pedals to his board, but that blueish pedal doesn’t appear to be a YYZ - really hard to make it out with that lighting.
 
#6
Steve9842008 said:
I’m pretty sure the middle pedal is a Cali76 comp - I heard he was switching to it recently.

Also heard he was adding one of the newer Sansamp pedals to his board, but that blueish pedal doesn’t appear to be a YYZ - really hard to make it out with that lighting.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that might just be it.

I feel like he got rid of that sansamp again. It used to be where the AX300B is now. He had the new version of the Sansamp VT DI, from like 2019 to 2022. Apparently that's gone now.
You could also see the YYZ (not the YYZ pedal, im talking about the rack thing that geddy had with tech21) rackmounted a little before 2019, I'm not sure about the dates anymore though.

Also, could you tell me where you heard that he switched to the Cali76? A bit odd to add a compressor, when he got those API strips, and those are definitely still in his rack and turned on at this exact show

Edit:
Probably switched the Sansamp for that MXR DI, because why would he need two preamps? He's always used one kind of preamp, like that MXR M80 before. Although he had two of those M80s on his board at some point in time, but same pedal you know
 
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#11
BrentSimons said:
Hey Guys,
When I saw Primus last year and they were playing Rush's A Farewell to Kings (Awesome by the way!) I know he had a Fractal AX-8 in there somewhere?
When they recorded Desaturating Seven most of Les' tracks came from a MXR M80 and a MXR eq pedal.
Brent
Click to expand...
I don't think he has used that AX8 for a while now. Unless it's somewhere not on his pedalboard anymore, but I haven't seen that thing in a while.
 
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#12
Fynn said:
Thanks, that might just be it.
Also, could you tell me where you heard that he switched to the Cali76? A bit odd to add a compressor, when he got those API strips, and those are definitely still in his rack and turned on at this exact show
Click to expand...

I'm up in the bay area and have been rather fortunate over the past ~15 years or so to see just about every local Les & co / Primus show, and attend all the local wine & various parties. The Cali76, Sansamp, and DL4 mkII pedalboard overhaul bits came from a trip up to their tasting room back in the fall - along with discussing some other gear topics.

The API 7600s are definitely still running in the rack, but not sure how they're actually being used these days beyond possibly as a backup. From what I gather, the SVT-VR (with some custom circuit work) in the bottom of the rack is the primary active amp live now.

IMG_4081.jpg


His tone is so interesting these days and seems to be changing up quite a bit. There's also some other new stuff on his board from the show on Monday that I can't quite make out either. The tone on the new 6 string Pachyderm is killer as well.

BrentSimons said:
Hey Guys,
When I saw Primus last year and they were playing Rush's A Farewell to Kings (Awesome by the way!) I know he had a Fractal AX-8 in there somewhere?
When they recorded Desaturating Seven most of Les' tracks came from a MXR M80 and a MXR eq pedal.
Brent
Click to expand...

Yeah - he ended up ditching it somewhat recently and adding the Korg AX300B back in. The envelope he was using on the AX-8 was good, but there's something about the old Korg that is really difficult to replicate. I've tried a few times with the C4 and while it can sort of get there, I always go back to the AX300B - even though it takes up way more real estate.
 
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#13
Steve9842008 said:
I'm up in the bay area and have been rather fortunate over the past ~15 years or so to see just about every local Les & co / Primus show, and attend all the local wine & various parties. The Cali76, Sansamp, and DL4 mkII pedalboard overhaul bits came from a trip up to their tasting room back in the fall - along with discussing some other gear topics.

The API 7600s are definitely still running in the rack, but not sure how they're actually being used these days beyond possibly as a backup. From what I gather, the SVT-VR (with some custom circuit work) in the bottom of the rack is the primary active amp live now.

View attachment 5037250

His tone is so interesting these days and seems to be changing up quite a bit. There's also some other new stuff on his board from the show on Monday that I can't quite make out either. The tone on the new 6 string Pachyderm is killer as well.



Yeah - he ended up ditching it somewhat recently and adding the Korg AX300B back in. The envelope he was using on the AX-8 was good, but there's something about the old Korg that is really difficult to replicate. I've tried a few times with the C4 and while it can sort of get there, I always go back to the AX300B - even though it takes up way more real estate.
Click to expand...
That's some great info. I can't really attend any such shows or events, because I'm on an entirely different continent. But I've always been very fascinated with his tones.

From the video of that benefits concert, the Pachyderm 6 does sound quite similar to the Rainbow bass though. Atleast I was expecting some more difference, altough that can be due to the video just comperssing the ever living f*** out of it.

I was always wondering how the SVT plays into his whole rig. He's been using that for over 3 years now I think, but if it's one of those old SVTs, then it doesn't have a DI out, right? And hes not micing the cabs. So how does that actually affect his live tone?

Edit:
I imagined that the APIs would be at the end of the chain, giving compression and final EQ. Either that or at the very beginning. I can't imagine that he somehow put them into the entire loop of his effects or such. But I do think they're still being used actively, because I think I saw the LEDs move when he was playing still. He's always had the lows boosted on those APIs (around 40hz I believe) and when he started using the APIs in the 2000s, I think he also boosted his low mids quite a bit (around 400hz).
I imagine he did that to remedy the lack of low end that you have with a bass that has a single pickup that close to the bridge.
 
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#16
landrybass said:
I LOVE Claypool. He’s hanging on art all over my house. I started a duo de twang cover band! And I seriously do not care at all what pedals Claypool uses. Not. At. All. Go make music guys n gals!
Click to expand...
Well, i love both. I love pedals and gear, but i also love Claypool. That's why I spent the time and learned 40 different songs of his. Although some have probably escaped me again, but I've spent a lot of time studying his work, his technique, and tried putting all of that tastefully into my own playing, besides all the other things I've learned over the years
 
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#17
Fynn said:
That's some great info. I can't really attend any such shows or events, because I'm on an entirely different continent. But I've always been very fascinated with his tones.

From the video of that benefits concert, the Pachyderm 6 does sound quite similar to the Rainbow bass though. Atleast I was expecting some more difference, altough that can be due to the video just comperssing the ever living f*** out of it.

I was always wondering how the SVT plays into his whole rig. He's been using that for over 3 years now I think, but if it's one of those old SVTs, then it doesn't have a DI out, right? And hes not micing the cabs. So how does that actually affect his live tone?

Edit:
I imagined that the APIs would be at the end of the chain, giving compression and final EQ. Either that or at the very beginning. I can't imagine that he somehow put them into the entire loop of his effects or such. But I do think they're still being used actively, because I think I saw the LEDs move when he was playing still. He's always had the lows boosted on those APIs (around 40hz I believe) and when he started using the APIs in the 2000s, I think he also boosted his low mids quite a bit (around 400hz).
I imagine he did that to remedy the lack of low end that you have with a bass that has a single pickup that close to the bridge.
Click to expand...
You can hook up a DI that does speaker level between amp and cab. Do I know if he does that? No. But I’ve done it and it’s divine.
 
#19
Whatever was going on, the right side of his board had his tech out repeatedly troubleshooting.

Justin Chancellor's tone was phenomenal as always, albeit it took about 5 songs for them to find the mix at the Belasco. Tough room there, but was a treat of a show.
 
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#20
musicmansf said:
Whatever was going on, the right side of his board had his tech out repeatedly troubleshooting.

Justin Chancellor's tone was phenomenal as always, albeit it took about 5 songs for them to find the mix at the Belasco. Tough room there, but was a treat of a show.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I saw that in the video. But I don't think it was a problem with his new pedals. Maybe a switcher, or the midi controller there. I believe he got a new tiny midi controller for his synth.
You almost can't hear Justin in any of the videos. Very much a shame, because he's way up there as one of my favorites. Les' sound really cut through well though
 

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