Distorted Tone
Born to Be Wild
Steppenwolf
Bassrock1960s
Original Gear
BassFender Precision Bass
AmpFender Bassman (likely 100 or 50 watt, late 1960s tube head)
PickupsSplit single-coil (Precision style)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass5.5
mid6
treble6
presence6
compression3
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1967-68, original album session
Tone Character(9)
growly midrange punchraspy, saturated low-midsaudible tube overdriveaggressive, biting attackslightly compressedvintage tube breakupthick, gritty presenceclassic late-60s rock bass drivenot fuzzed out, but clearly overdriven
Difficulty
The part is rhythmically straightforward but requires a strong, consistent pick attack and control of dynamics to keep the overdriven tone tight and punchy throughout the song.
Sources
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Create Free AccountBassrock1960s
Original Gear
BassFender Precision Bass
AmpFender Bassman (likely 100 or 50 watt, late 1960s tube head)
PickupsSplit single-coil (Precision style)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass5.5
mid6
treble6
presence6
compression3
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1967-68, original album session
Tone Character(9)
growly midrange punchraspy, saturated low-midsaudible tube overdriveaggressive, biting attackslightly compressedvintage tube breakupthick, gritty presenceclassic late-60s rock bass drivenot fuzzed out, but clearly overdriven
Difficulty
The part is rhythmically straightforward but requires a strong, consistent pick attack and control of dynamics to keep the overdriven tone tight and punchy throughout the song.
More Steppenwolf tones
- Born to Be Wild · riff
- Born to Be Wild · solo
- Magic Carpet Ride · riff
- The Pusher · riff