Distorted Tone

Back In the U.S.S.R.

The Beatles

Bassrock1960s

Original Gear

BassFender Bass VI

AmpVox AC30 (likely, based on Beatles' White Album era studio use; no direct amp evidence for this track, but Vox AC30 and Bassman were common at Abbey Road in 1968)

PickupsThree single-coil pickups (strat-style, passive, with on/off switches)

Amp Settings

gain5.5

bass5.5

mid6

treble6

presence6

compression3.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1968, White Album sessions. Bass part played on Fender Bass VI, likely by Paul McCartney or John Lennon. Distorted section achieved via console/amp overdrive.

Tone Character(8)

plunky attackoverdriven, fuzzy edgeaggressive pick noisemidrange growlslightly compressedbuzzy, saturated low endvintage analog clippingnotably gritty, not clean

Difficulty

The part is rhythmically driving but not technically complex; the main challenge is maintaining tight, aggressive pick articulation at tempo and locking in with the drums.

Sources

Giles Martin either clears up (or confuses) an issue I believed for ..."Plunky" Beatles White Album bass tone? - TalkBass.com Explain the Fender Bass VI | Page 3 - TalkBass.com Bass Distortion in "Back in the USSR" : r/mixingmastering - Reddit 6 Classic Amps Every Bassist Should Know Part II

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