bass guitar from “december” by unwound | ToneDB
december
unwound
bass guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
Aggressive, distorted, and raw, the bass tone cuts through with a fuzzy, almost blown-out character. It's a driving force that adds to the song's intensity and chaotic energy.
Gear
- Fender Precision Bassinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Ampeg SVTamp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- Pro Co RATprocessing
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
The bass tone on Unwound's "december" was recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago, using a Fender Precision Bass through an Ampeg SVT amp with a Pro Co RAT distortion pedal for the signature aggressive fuzz. The signal was captured with a Shure SM57 microphone, which contributed to the raw, gritty character that cuts through the mix.
Production Credits
Producer: Steve Albini
Engineer: Steve Albini
Recorded at: Electrical Audio, Chicago
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Precision Bass
Amp: Ampeg SVT
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: Pro Co RAT
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Precision Bass for its fundamental tone.
- Use an Ampeg SVT amp model or similar for a powerful, clean bass tone as a foundation.
- Introduce a Pro Co RAT distortion pedal (or plugin equivalent) and adjust the gain to achieve the desired level of fuzz and aggression.
- Experiment with mic placement on the amp cabinet to find the sweet spot for capturing the distorted sound.
Original Gear
- Fender Precision Bass(guitar)
- Ampeg SVT(amp)
- Pro Co RAT(pedal)
- Shure SM57(mic)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Pro Co RAT distortion pedal
Current production version of the same pedal used on the recording, providing identical aggressive distortion character
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Pro Co RAT distortion pedal
Budget option that maintains low-end clarity while adding aggressive overdrive specifically designed for bass
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Ampeg SVT amp
Modern reissue of the classic SVT circuit providing the same powerful low-end response and tube saturation
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Ampeg SVT amp
Accurately modeled SVT plugin that captures the amp's characteristic power and warmth for home recording
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Fender Precision Bass
Modern version of the classic P-Bass design with the same fundamental tone and pickup configuration
ReverbSweetwaterSources
Frequently Asked Questions
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