Paul D'Amour's tone

[K-Funk]

I've been listening to Undertow a lot lately, and have noticed that Paul basically has what I consider to be the perfect hard rock/metal tone.

However, I've had little luck deciphering his equipment. All I know is that I've seen videos of him with a Rickenbacker 4001CS Chris Squire bass, and later on a Musicman Stingray. For his amp, I've heard from multiple folks that he used an original Mesa Bass 400 (non-plus) (which I happen to have). Beyond that, no clue. I know he used Mesa/Boogie cabs, but what kind? does anyone know what effects he used, if any? strings? picks?

Thanks for your help!

 

[JFace]

He used a chorus sometimes, but for the most part his tone was in the 4001CS and his picking. From the clips of him I've seen on youtube, he's using the powerhouse 1000 cabs.

I also think his tone is perfect.

 

[MoD_Scotty]

So this thread made me wanna see some old Tool vids. I found this one of Cold and Ugly (one of my all-time favorites). But check out the riff in the very beginning! Straight up awesomeness.

 

[plastik-bass[?]]

I'm reviving this thread for my curiosity!

 

[sloppysubs]

Paul has used a lot of gear.

In the early days he used an Ovation Magnum bass with little to no effects. Maybe a distortion. I don't think he had Mesa then, maybe Trace or Ampeg.

During the Undertow stage, he used the Chris Squire sig. Ric. He also had an old white (faded out to yellow) with some sort of binding Ric, very cool. He may not've started with effects, but over time had a delay, chorus, distortion, whammy and maybe some others. He had the Mesa 400 and probably a 400+. Toward the very, very end he had the first run of Ashdown which, at the time was called the Klystron, but became the ABM EVO 900. He also was fully equipped with a sizable wardrobe of Hawaiian looking button shirts.

Now he uses his Ric(s) and Stingray with all Ashdown gear and probably a few pedals.

Thom, as Vegas5... (I forget the numbers), also knows quite his fair share of Paul's gear as well.

 

[GBGLJE]

So this thread made me wanna see some old Tool vids. I found this one of Cold and Ugly (one of my all-time favorites). But check out the riff in the very beginning! Straight up awesomeness.

That opening riff is from Rush: "Passage to Bangkok"

 

[plastik-bass[?]]

That opening riff is from Rush: "Passage to Bangkok"

I saw that on the youtube comments too. I thought it sounded familiar

 

[f'nar f'nar]

awesomeness incarnate

 

[Benjamin Strange]

Remember that Paul's tone also had a lot to do with the production of that record. Sylvia Massey produced that record, and damn does it sound good. I don't care much for Tool after Undertow - when Paul left Tool lost their testicular fortitude. The bass tone on Undertow is still one of my favorite recorded rock tones of all time. Great stuff.

By the way, I have an Ovation Magnum, which I run through a Mesa BassTriaxis and a Mesa Strategy 500 power amp, which can cop that Undertow tone pretty well. Still doesn't quite sound like the record (nor do I care), but it does go to show that no matter how much similar gear you get, you are NOT going to sound like anybody else.

 

[TimmyDX]

as i learned through a painfully embarrassing post on tool tabs....paul also used an ovation (not sure which model) for a while. It has more lows then a rick but is still awesome

oh and he also used octave on cold and ugly but yeah he used a chorus a fair bit as its been said

 

[bukowski12]

when Paul left Tool lost their testicular fortitude. The bass tone on Undertow is still one of my favorite recorded rock tones of all time. Great stuff.

+1. Somehow they replaced him with a better, more technical bassist and got worse.... I still love Justin and Tool (and Danny Carey, holy $hit what a drummer), but sorta like an old girlfriend that put on a bunch of weight.

 

[Brad de Impaler]

Remember that Paul's tone also had a lot to do with the production of that record. Sylvia Massey produced that record, and damn does it sound good. I don't care much for Tool after Undertow - when Paul left Tool lost their testicular fortitude. The bass tone on Undertow is still one of my favorite recorded rock tones of all time. Great stuff.

By the way, I have an Ovation Magnum, which I run through a Mesa BassTriaxis and a Mesa Strategy 500 power amp, which can cop that Undertow tone pretty well. Still doesn't quite sound like the record (nor do I care), but it does go to show that no matter how much similar gear you get, you are NOT going to sound like anybody else.

+1

 

[Trytoplay]

would it be possible to get close to his tone with another Rickenbacker? 4001 or 4003?

 

[rockstarbassist]

By the way, I have an Ovation Magnum, which I run through a Mesa BassTriaxis and a Mesa Strategy 500 power amp, which can cop that Undertow tone pretty well. Still doesn't quite sound like the record (nor do I care), but it does go to show that no matter how much similar gear you get, you are NOT going to sound like anybody else.

I think Justin C. proved that a good while ago too!

He single-handedly keeps Bass Whammy's and Wal's circulating in the used market!

 

[Benjamin Strange]

I think Justin C. proved that a good while ago too!

He single-handedly keeps Bass Whammy's and Wal's circulating in the used market!

I wouldn't go so far to say as single handedly, but yes, JC fanboys have made a big impact on those markets.

 

[Tbirdbassist]

Nothing left for me to say here really, haha. Everything's been covered.




Opiate he seemed to be using chorus on the studio recordings (Jerk-Off and Cold and Ugly were recorded live). If you listen to the Tool demo tape, his tone is a bit different. Not as good as Opiate and definitely no where near the ear rapage of Undertow.

I'll have to agree with Mr. Strange and say that the Undertow tone is one of my favorite recorded rock tones of all time. His tone definitely greatly inspired mine.

 

[nicsric]

Shortly after I started playing bass 15 years ago, I heard Sober for the first time. I have wanted a Rickenbacker ever since. Sooooo, this year I turned 30 and somehow my husband managed to present me with a 1978 Ric 4001 in Mapleglo. Same age as me. Isn't it heartwarming? The moral? Thanks Paul D'Amour.

 

[KPAX]

I have a Tool bootleg from 1992 that's post-Opiate, pre-Undertow (J.C. Dobbs club) where Paul plays the Magnum through SWR cabs. I can't see what head he used but he had his sound in droves.
I'm sure it's on YouTube. Search Tool J.C. Dobbs.

I've been listening to Undertow a lot lately, and have noticed that Paul basically has what I consider to be the perfect hard rock/metal tone.

However, I've had little luck deciphering his equipment. All I know is that I've seen videos of him with a Rickenbacker 4001CS Chris Squire bass, and later on a Musicman Stingray. For his amp, I've heard from multiple folks that he used an original Mesa Bass 400 (non-plus) (which I happen to have). Beyond that, no clue. I know he used Mesa/Boogie cabs, but what kind? does anyone know what effects he used, if any? strings? picks?

Thanks for your help!

 

[seang15]

Super crazy zombie thread refresh!!!

I am sad to see nobody mentioned my favorite bass for metal!! Ibanez ATK!! He had one custom made with a Badass bridge, and it killed. Still for sale on E-Bay last time I checked.

 

[StealthBanana]

Super crazy zombie thread refresh!!!

I am sad to see nobody mentioned my favorite bass for metal!! Ibanez ATK!! He had one custom made with a Badass bridge, and it killed. Still for sale on E-Bay last time I checked.

Really? I've done alot of research on Paul and his bass tone, not once have I heard of him using an ATK or Ibanez of any sort while he was part of Tool. He used the Ovation Magnum for Opiate (EP), Ric Chris Squire Signature 4001 for Undertow, and a Musicman Stingray 4 during the later end of his career with the band (was also used during the Ænima recordings and on "No Quarter" Led Zeppelin cover).