Distorted Tone
Ace of Spades
Motörhead
Bassrock1980s
Original Gear
BassRickenbacker 4001
AmpMarshall Super Bass Head ('Murder One') into Marshall 4x12 and 4x15 cabinets
PickupsDual single-coil (neck and bridge)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass5.5
mid7
treble6
presence7
compression2
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1980, Ace of Spades album
Tone Character(10)
extremely aggressive midrangeraspy, biting overdrivevery little low endguitar-like distortionspiky, percussive pick attackraw and uncompressedpower chord claritynoisy, clanky upper midsno warmth or roundnessin-your-face presence
Difficulty
While the line is rhythmically straightforward, the speed, stamina, and aggressive pick technique required, along with power chord chording, make it moderately challenging for most bassists.
Sources
10 timeless bass guitar tones and how to recreate them | MusicRadarLemmy’s bass tone on Motörhead’s Ace of Spades: secrets revealed | Guitar WorldMotörhead Members, Gear & Sound | EquipboardHow can I sound more like Lemmy? : r/Bass - RedditMy band is doing a cover of Motörhead - I need help with Lemmy's EQ.
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Create Free AccountBassrock1980s
Original Gear
BassRickenbacker 4001
AmpMarshall Super Bass Head ('Murder One') into Marshall 4x12 and 4x15 cabinets
PickupsDual single-coil (neck and bridge)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass5.5
mid7
treble6
presence7
compression2
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Sources
10 timeless bass guitar tones and how to recreate them | MusicRadarLemmy’s bass tone on Motörhead’s Ace of Spades: secrets revealed | Guitar WorldMotörhead Members, Gear & Sound | EquipboardHow can I sound more like Lemmy? : r/Bass - RedditMy band is doing a cover of Motörhead - I need help with Lemmy's EQ.
Notes
Studio recording, 1980, Ace of Spades album
Tone Character(10)
extremely aggressive midrangeraspy, biting overdrivevery little low endguitar-like distortionspiky, percussive pick attackraw and uncompressedpower chord claritynoisy, clanky upper midsno warmth or roundnessin-your-face presence
Difficulty
While the line is rhythmically straightforward, the speed, stamina, and aggressive pick technique required, along with power chord chording, make it moderately challenging for most bassists.
Ace of Spades settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
More Motörhead tones
- Ace of Spades · riff
- Stay Clean (Live In England 1981) · distorted
- Ace of Spades · clean
- Ace of Spades · solo
- Ace of Spades (40th Anniversary Master) · riff
- God Was Never on Your Side · riff
- Hellraiser · riff
- Iron Horse / Born to Lose · riff
- Louie Louie · solo
- Louie Louie · distorted