bass guitar from “the pot” by tool | ToneDB
the pot
tool
bass guitar
Tone Profile
A distorted and aggressive bass tone with a thick, scooped midrange, providing a solid foundation for the song's heavy and psychedelic atmosphere. The tone is characterized by a blend of fuzz and overdrive, with a touch of wah-like filtering.
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The Story
Justin Chancellor's bass tone on "The Pot" was recorded using his signature Wal MkII Custom bass through a Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400 power amp. The signal chain included a SansAmp Bass Driver DI and a Colorsound Tone Bender for additional fuzz distortion. Chancellor's approach involves blending a direct signal with a mic'd cabinet, captured with a Neumann U47 microphone, to achieve both clarity and aggressive saturation.
Production Credits
Producer: Joe Barresi
Engineer: Bob Ludwig
Recorded at: Unknown
Signal Chain
Instrument: Wal MkII Custom BassShop on Reverb
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400Shop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U47Shop on Reverb
Processing: SansAmp Bass Driver DIShop on Reverb, Colorsound Tone BenderShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Wal bass or similar instrument known for its clear and articulate tone.
- Use the SansAmp Bass Driver DI to create a distorted foundation and blend it with the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400 for power and punch.
- The Colorsound Tone Bender (or similar fuzz pedal) adds vintage-style fuzz.
- Experiment with microphone placement on the cabinet to capture the desired low-end response and cabinet resonance.
- Blend the DI and mic'd signals to achieve a balanced and dynamic bass tone.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Wal MkII Custom Bass
Active electronics and mahogany body provide similar clarity and punch to the Wal's articulate tone at a budget price point
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400
Modern Mesa bass head maintains the brand's signature power and low-end response with updated reliability
Alternative to: SansAmp Bass Driver DI
Direct replacement of the original pedal used on the recording, providing the same amp simulation and distortion character
Alternative to: Colorsound Tone Bender
Provides similar vintage-style fuzz saturation while maintaining low-end clarity crucial for bass applications
Alternative to: Complete signal chain
Digital recreation of Justin Chancellor's entire rig including Wal bass models, Mesa amps, and his signature pedal chain
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