BassDistortedDistorted
Reptilia Bass Tone Settings — The Strokes
The Strokes · 2000s · rock
studio
Original Recording
A reconstruction of the bass tone. Gear attributions and estimated settings are explained in the research notes below.
Bass
Fender Precision Bass
Pickups
Split single-coil (Precision)
Amp
Ampeg SVT Classic (likely vintage, studio use)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup only (Precision split-coil, no blend)
Studio recording, 2003 (Room on Fire album); Nikolai Fraiture is known to use a Fender Precision Bass and Ampeg SVT in this era; no direct evidence of alternate gear for this track.
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.
Mids6.5
Bass5.5
Gain6
Treble6
Presence6
compression4.5
Effects Chain
Fender Precision Bass → Ampeg SVT (amp overdrive, likely some compression) → studio console (possible DI blend, but amp is dominant)
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Tone Character
- gritty upper-mids
- aggressive pick attack
- slightly compressed
- punchy low end
- clanky, percussive highs
- midrange growl
- tight, focused sound
- audible overdrive but not fuzz
- present in the mix
Playing Technique
- pick
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
studio