Distorted Tone

Layla

Derek & The Dominos

Bassrock1970s

Original Gear

BassFender Precision Bass (late 60s, likely 1968-69, sunburst, rosewood board)

AmpAmpeg B-15N Portaflex (studio tube combo, 1960s-early 70s model)

PickupsSplit single-coil (Precision Bass standard)

Amp Settings

gain5

bass6

mid6

treble6

presence5.5

compression4

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1970, 'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs' album. Multiple sources and interviews (including engineer Tom Dowd) confirm Ampeg B-15N for Carl Radle's bass on this session.

Tone Character(10)

warm tube saturationpunchy low-midsnoticeable drive/gritslightly compressedrounded attackfull-bodiednot harsh or fuzzyvintage tube breakupsits under guitars but presentclassic rock drive

Difficulty

The line is mostly root-based with some syncopation and fills, requiring steady timing and a strong, consistent fingerstyle attack to maintain the drive and presence in a dense mix.

Sources

Bass tone on Layla? - Reddit Carl Radle's Bass? | TalkBass.com Derek and the Dominos Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard

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