Distorted Tone

Black Hole Sun

Soundgarden

Bassrock1990s

Original Gear

BassFender Jazz Bass (likely 1970s, Ben Shepherd's main studio bass for Superunknown era)

AmpAmpeg SVT (classic tube head, likely with 8x10 cab, studio standard for 1990s grunge/rock)

PickupsDual single-coil (Jazz Bass configuration)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass5.5

mid6

treble6

presence6

compression4

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1993-1994 (Superunknown sessions); Ben Shepherd is credited with Jazz Bass and Ampeg SVT in multiple interviews and gear rundowns for this era.

Tone Character(10)

gritty overdrivemidrange growlpunchy attackfull-bodied lowsslightly compressedclear note definitionamp-driven distortionnot overly scoopedpresent in the mixclassic grunge/alt rock bass

Difficulty

The part is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight control of dynamics and articulation to cut through the mix with overdrive. Drop D tuning and maintaining clarity with a gritty tone add moderate challenge.

Sources

Soundgarden Gear Guide: Thayil, Cornell, Shepherd - Premier Guitar Soundgarden – Superunknown (Super Deluxe) - Gear & ...Looking for a tone… new distortion and more.i love them but genuinely how did soundgarden think of ...

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