Les Claypools Fretless 6 (Pachyderm?)

[JFlo]

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.

I'm pretty sure that's a regular EMG pachyderm 4 string pickup spaced farther apart for the 6 string.

 

[eude]

I'm pretty sure that's a regular EMG pachyderm 4 string pickup spaced farther apart for the 6 string.

That might explain narrower spacing?

 

[Les Fret]

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.

Good show! It is very hard to see the fretted 6, so it not really possible to see the string spacing in that video.

 

[Packard Goose]

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.

Yeah his signature P pickup on his 4 string Pachyderms doesn’t sound much like a trad P either. Les also manages to sound like Les to some extent regardless of gear. The Pachyderms are definitely more midrangey than his CT basses with EMG humbuckers. On Conspiranoia (which was recorded since he switched primarily to the Pachyderms) to me it almost sounds like a Rickenbacker at times.

 

[GTHintz]

Where does he buy his clothing from?

He raids all the thrift stores and Gypsy stands from Berkeley to Humboldt. lol

 

[ole Jason]

Where does he buy his clothing from?

I wouldn't be surprised if the jacket/vest were made for him. Despite the circus-y look of his clothes they are clearly very high end and well made.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Where does he buy his clothing from?

Same costumer who supplied "The Hobbit?"

 

[stevensivak]

It’s definitely unique and it’s definitely well-made…
Obviously, he’s got bank

 

[Packard Goose]

I'm pretty sure that's a regular EMG pachyderm 4 string pickup spaced farther apart for the 6 string.

Oh, I hadn’t even considered that, but you’re absolutely right. On the 4 string the pickup sticks out way past the strings, and there’s a lot of overlap between the two halves, but on the 6 it’s just barely past the string and almost zero overlap. Doesn’t really look like the string spacing is even very different. That pickup is certainly stretched to its maximum width on the 6.

 

[winston]

Where does he buy his clothing from?

Clearly, only from the finest of haberdashers, my good fellow!

 

[DJmtd]

$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.

I was shocked at how much I loved that bass! Perfect example of a list of specs that looks 'not for me' and then I actually got it in my hands and did a full 180.

 

[DMurphy]

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?

View attachment 7496488

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?

View attachment 7496488

If you search for Dan Maloney you’ll find more information. Not sure ,but I think Maegan Wells might help him with building these too.

 

[eude]

If you search for Dan Maloney you’ll find more information. Not sure ,but I think Maegan Wells might help him with building these too.

Yup, Maegan built the fretted 6er, but there's bugger all information about it.
I did find a Facebook post a while ago, but I couldn't find it when I went back to look, but it is very much to replace the fretted 6er, and it has very narrow spacing.

 

[Packard Goose]

Yup, Maegan built the fretted 6er, but there's bugger all information about it.
I did find a Facebook post a while ago, but I couldn't find it when I went back to look, but it is very much to replace the fretted 6er, and it has very narrow spacing.

Interesting. There’s a fretted 6 pachyderm now? It would make sense that that one would have narrow spacing if it’s replacing the CT fretted 6 he’s used to. That one has crazy narrow spacing. The CT website has great info on that bass (and all of Les’s CTs). It was apparently the first 6 string bass Carl Thompson ever built and was fretless, but he added frets to it for Les.