Distorted Tone
Psycho Killer
Talking Heads
Bassrock1970s
Original Gear
BassFender Mustang Bass
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (live), likely Ampeg B-15 or similar in studio
PickupsSingle split-coil (Mustang style)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass5.5
mid6
treble6
presence6
compression4
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1977, Talking Heads: 77 album. Distorted section is present in both studio and live, but gear references are mostly for live.
Tone Character(9)
gritty upper-midsslightly fuzzy edgepunchy attackmidrange growltight low endclanky pick transientarticulate note separationmodest sustainnot overly saturated
Difficulty
The line is rhythmically steady and mostly root notes, but requires tight, consistent pick technique and timing to match the song's drive.
Sources
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Create Free AccountBassrock1970s
Original Gear
BassFender Mustang Bass
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (live), likely Ampeg B-15 or similar in studio
PickupsSingle split-coil (Mustang style)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass5.5
mid6
treble6
presence6
compression4
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1977, Talking Heads: 77 album. Distorted section is present in both studio and live, but gear references are mostly for live.
Tone Character(9)
gritty upper-midsslightly fuzzy edgepunchy attackmidrange growltight low endclanky pick transientarticulate note separationmodest sustainnot overly saturated
Difficulty
The line is rhythmically steady and mostly root notes, but requires tight, consistent pick technique and timing to match the song's drive.
More Talking Heads tones
- Burning Down the House · riff
- Found a Job · riff
- Psycho Killer · riff
- Psycho Killer · clean