Does anybody have any information on these fretless 6 Les has, I haven't seen any information on the Pachyderm website and can't find much for photos. This must be the replacement for his CT rainbow?
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Les Claypools Fretless 6 (Pachyderm?)
- Thread starter Iron Ostrich
- Start date
Definitely looks like a Pachyderm, but Ms. Wells (who makes them) told me that at least for the time being, the only one they're selling to the public is the "sleek" model, in black satin 4-string.
Yes, its the replacement for the rainbow. There wasn't much of an announcement when Les got it. A post on Instagram from Les and a little chatter on Reddit from the Bass Crowd there.
If you look up some concert footage from that time, it seems that he immediately utilized it.
However, from what I saw I dont think there is much to say about it. Construction wise it seems to follow mostly with what was done with the 4 strings.
If you look up some concert footage from that time, it seems that he immediately utilized it.
However, from what I saw I dont think there is much to say about it. Construction wise it seems to follow mostly with what was done with the 4 strings.
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You can hear him play it in all the drummer tryouts on YouTube.
Yes it’s a Pachyderm. Probably too expensive for normal folks…
Looks and sounds nice. Although I prefer the sound of his CT basses over the Pachyderm basses. His CT basses have a bit more distinct sound.
Looks and sounds nice. Although I prefer the sound of his CT basses over the Pachyderm basses. His CT basses have a bit more distinct sound.
$8700 for the black 4-string version; who knows what the kind Les gets would cost. It's a ridiculous amount of money, but I fell in love with that damn bass at NAMM and am half trying to justify getting one for myself next year for my 50th bday.
When I saw him last year he was using Carl Thompson fretless but that is probably a pachyderm. I liked having the mix of pachyderms, a ric, and the Thompson fretless in the set he did on the sessanta tour with Puscifer and a perfect circle.
Do you know when that was announced? Last year even he played the Carl Thompson rainbow fretless in the 2 shows I saw him in.
The real question
The real question mark for me with the 6 string Pachyderm is the pickups. Did EMG build special 6 string versions of his signature P pickup just for him? They only sell the 4 string version to the public.
Interesting. I saw him on the Sessanta tour as well and he only played the 4 and 6 string Pachyderms at that show.
The real question mark for me with the 6 string Pachyderm is the pickups. Did EMG build special 6 string versions of his signature P pickup just for him? They only sell the 4 string version to the public.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s very similar to the emg pups in his Thompsons. That tone is very signature to all the Primus stuff.
One thing I know is when the first sessanta tour was on it was different from the 2.0 they did after. Basses were different, set lists were different, even Herb wasn’t drumming in the 2.0 tour. The new guy definitely brings a different vibe. He’s great but it’s definitely something else. I’m very excited for whatever new material they write together going forward.
Yeah. I saw them a couple years ago on the last tour with Herb, and despite playing perfectly the whole band sounded bored. Saw them again last year on Sessanta 2.0 tour and with Hoffer they sounded completely reenergized. I’m so excited that he’s got them laying Brain era songs again too.
Going to see the Claypool Gold show on Saturday and can’t wait to see what takes place. It seems like Sessanta inspired Les. Hoping for randomness, like Sean Lennon singing a few Primus tunes. Should be interesting,
The EMG in his CT rainbow bass was originally a 45dc (humbucker), then he swapped it for a 45J (slanted j bass in a humbucker housing) in the early aughts. That’s why it sounds so different on the C2B3 record than on Pork Soda and Tales From the Punchbowl for example.
His pachyderm basses clearly all have his signature gold split P pickup so far… but EMG appear to only offer that in a 4 string version, so it’s gotta be bespoke for Les. That’s all I can figure.
The Pachyderm fretless 6 seems to have a very small string spacing, maybe 15mm? I like such small spacing on a 6-string. His CT fretted also has that tight spacing. I think that one is 14mm or so. This one I mean. It's my favorite Claypool bass.
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Some more pics from a Facebook Group >>
I'm not sure it's super narrow spacing, maybe 17 or 18mm?
I'm not sure it's super narrow spacing, maybe 17 or 18mm?
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Interesting, I just assumed it was severe EQ at plasy.
I've heard this new bass live on Youtube and it really doesn't sound like a P pickup at all, it's quite nasal, not unlike his Rainbow bass after that pickup swap.
Found some video footage of his new fretted Pachyderm bass.
I think as mentioned above, this one has super narrow spacing, to replace the fretted CT.
I think as mentioned above, this one has super narrow spacing, to replace the fretted CT.
