BassDistortedDistorted
My Name Is Mud Bass Tone Settings — Primus
Primus · 1990s · funk
studio
Original Recording
A reconstruction of the bass tone. Gear attributions and estimated settings are explained in the research notes below.
Bass
Carl Thompson 6-string fretless (The Rainbow Bass)
Pickups
Dual soapbar pickups (custom, passive wiring)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Bass 400+ head with Mesa/Boogie 2x15 Diesel cabinets
Pickup Position
Both pickups balanced (Claypool typically blends both on the Rainbow Bass)
Studio recording, 1993 (Sailing the Seas of Cheese sessions); Les Claypool's main studio rig for this era
Amp Settings
Suggested starting points on a 0–10 scale, not documented studio knob positions. Match to your gear for controls specific to your setup.
Mids6
Bass5.5
Gain6.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
compression5
Effects Chain
Carl Thompson 6-string fretless → Mesa/Boogie Bass 400+ (tube overdrive, amp EQ) → Mesa 2x15 cab (mic'd, likely DI blend in studio)
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Tone Character
- gritty midrange growl
- clanky percussive attack
- deep but tight low end
- raspy tube overdrive
- slightly nasal upper mids
- fast transient response
- aggressive slap articulation
- audible fretless mwah
Playing Technique
- slap
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
studio