Tone Profile

A punchy and aggressive bass tone with a bright, slightly overdriven character that cuts through the mix. It emphasizes the attack and articulation of the bass, providing a driving force for the song.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• Flea is known for his aggressive playing style, which contributes significantly to the tone. He often plays with a high action and digs in hard with his fingers.
• The bass was likely recorded with a combination of a direct input (DI) and a miked amplifier. The DI signal captures the clean, fundamental tone of the bass, while the miked amp adds warmth and character.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a Music Man StingRay bass or similar instrument with active electronics.
• Use a Gallien-Krueger 800RB or similar solid-state amp known for its punch and clarity.
• Experiment with a Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI to add a touch of overdrive and shape the tone.
• If miking the amp, try a Neumann U47 or similar large-diaphragm condenser microphone.
• Play with an aggressive fingerstyle technique to emulate Flea's playing style.

Recommended Gear

• Music Man StingRay(guitar)
• Gallien-Krueger 800RB(amp)
• Neumann U47(mic)
• Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI(pedal)