ToneAdapt

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Distorted Tone

Bombtrack (Live at First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN - April 1993)

Rage Against the Machine

Bassrock1990s

Original Gear

BassErnie Ball Music Man StingRay (no pickguard, 4-string, likely stock electronics)
AmpAmpeg SVT (likely SVT-CL or SVT-II) into Ampeg 8x10 cabinet
PickupsSingle humbucker (Music Man StingRay configuration)

Amp Settings

gain7
bass5.5
mid6.5
treble6
presence6
compression3

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionCustom Custom-built distortion (wah pedal-based circuit, preamp/OD)

Notes

Live recording, April 1993, First Avenue, Minneapolis. Bass mic'd through Ampeg SVT stack, likely with some DI blend. Era: early RATM tours.

Tone Character(9)
aggressive midrange grindtight, focused low endclanky, percussive attackdynamic and touch-sensitivesaw-like overdrive (not fuzz)clear note separationslightly compressed but not squashedbiting upper midsamp-driven distortion character

Difficulty

The part requires strong fingerstyle technique with heavy attack to drive the amp/pedal into overdrive, while maintaining articulation and syncopation. The tone is touch-sensitive, so dynamic control is needed to avoid muddiness.

Sources

Tim Commerford and RATM - General Discussion - BasschatWith Rage Against the Machine, Tim Commerford pioneered an all-time iconic bass tone. No wonder he's cagey about his setupTim Commerford's quest for the ultimate bass tone | Guitar World

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Bombtrack (Live at First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN - April 1993) settings for your amp

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.

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