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bass guitar from “funeralopolis” by electric wizard | ToneDB

funeralopolis

electric wizard

bass guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A monstrous wall of fuzz, doom-laden and incredibly heavy. This bass tone is the foundation of Electric Wizard's signature sound, characterized by its thick, saturated distortion and overwhelming low-end.

Gear

Rickenbacker 4003instrument
Reverb$2499Sweetwater
Orange OR120amp
ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57microphone
ReverbSweetwater
Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzzprocessing
Reverb$375Sweetwater

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The Story

Electric Wizard's bass tone on "Funeralopolis" was built around a Rickenbacker 4003 bass run through a Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz pedal into an Orange OR120 amplifier. The recording combined both direct input and a mic'd amplifier signal, with the Shure SM57 capturing the amp's output. Multiple bass tracks were layered to create the overwhelming thickness that defines this doom metal classic.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Rickenbacker 4003

Amp: Orange OR120

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Rickenbacker 4003 or similar bass with humbucker pickups.
  • Use an Orange OR120 or comparable high-wattage tube amplifier.
  • Engage the Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz pedal and adjust the settings to achieve a thick, saturated distortion.
  • Experiment with different microphone placements to find the sweet spot for your amplifier.
  • Combine a direct input signal with the mic'd amplifier signal for added clarity and low-end definition.
  • Consider double-tracking or quad-tracking the bass to further enhance the thickness of the sound.
  • Use EQ to shape the tone and ensure that the low end remains clear and defined.
  • Slight compression can help to even out the dynamics and add sustain.

Original Gear

  • Rickenbacker 4003(guitar)
  • Orange OR120(amp)
  • Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz(pedal)
  • Shure SM57(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

EHX Bass Big Muff Pi$80-$100

Alternative to: Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz

Provides the saturated fuzz distortion essential to this tone, specifically voiced for bass frequencies

ReverbSweetwater
Orange AD200B Bass Head$1800-$2200

Alternative to: Orange OR120

Modern Orange tube bass head that delivers the same warm, vintage overdrive character as the OR120

ReverbSweetwater
Way Huge Swollen Pickle$150-$180

Alternative to: Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz

Offers similar aggressive fuzz saturation with better low-end retention for doom bass tones

ReverbSweetwater
Yamaha BB734A$600-$800

Alternative to: Rickenbacker 4003

Humbucker-equipped bass that can handle heavy fuzz while maintaining clarity, at a more accessible price point

ReverbSweetwater
Neural DSP Darkglass Ultra Plugin$100-$120

Alternative to: Orange OR120 + Boss FZ-2 combination

Digital recreation of heavy bass distortion with amp modeling, perfect for home recording this style

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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