How do I get a Les Claypool type sound out of my bass

[cynicist]

I have been playing for a couple of years and I have learnt mostly Rush and Dream Theater material so far. Hence I feel fairly comfortable playing in that style and my freeting hand has got pretty disciplined.

Lately I have been trying to get into slapping, popping and flamenco especially Primus material. However I cannot seem to get anywhere near the sound I want and to be honest I doubt I am using my strumming hand in the correct manor to get this sound.

So what I want to know is where a good place to look is to find some imformation on how to do this. Also any advice any of you can givee would be much appreciated. I Particularly need to learn more about the actual technique used with the strumming hand.

[choss]

les is god , congrats, probably getting one of this you can get the sound .. or a least close to it.

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/7521/basspodxtbb2.jpg

[cynicist]

les is god , congrats, probably getting one of this you can get the sound .. or a least close to it.

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/7521/basspodxtbb2.jpg

Where might one purchase this and for how much? Does he use effects on all his songs to get that sound?

[Sketcher]

There's a reason why Les Claypool is considered one of the best, if not THE best...

[cynicist]

There's a reason why Les Claypool is considered one of the best, if not THE best...

Geddy Lee and John Myung are also often considered the best and I have learnt to play most their stuff competently enough, so I don't know why I couldn't learn to play like Claypool.

I know a lot of people who can play Wooten (my personal favourite), Claypool, Flea, Lee, Myung etc perfectly. Learning to play like a great musician is not impossible it just takes practice. What really seperates a great musician from a regular guy is creating the great music. Technique can be learnt, creativity cannot.

[Sketcher]

Geddy Lee and John Myung are also often considered the best and I have learnt to play most their stuff competently enough, so I don't know why I couldn't learn to play like Claypool.

I know a lot of people who can play Wooten (my personal favourite), Claypool, Flea, Lee, Myung etc perfectly. Learning to play like a great musician is not impossible it just takes practice. What really seperates a great musician from a regular guy is creating the great music. Technique can be learnt, creativity cannot.

My brother has been playing bass for a couple of years. I know he can play some of Flea's stuff, not sure about the others though. But he still has a hard time learning Claypool's. Maybe it's just something about his style that makes it hard to imitate. I don't play bass so I can't really comment from a technical stand point.

I agree with you about technique vs creativity, though. It's similar in my own profession.

[AsHopeDies]

You have to go to this place called the crossroads, where you'll meet a strange man. If you sell him something very important to you, only then can you capture Claypool's sound.

[biscuit]

^^^

was that stupid joke straight from the guy in your picture??


Try to get the bass pod on ebay...youll save yourself a good 50 bucks.....from there you have bass tone heaven at your fingertips.....the guitar vers. I purchased awhile ago is wonderful.

[cynicist]

^^^

was that stupid joke straight from the guy in your picture??


Try to get the bass pod on ebay...youll save yourself a good 50 bucks.....from there you have bass tone heaven at your fingertips.....the guitar vers. I purchased awhile ago is wonderful.

I think he was reffering to Robert Johnson who is said to have sold his soul to get his amazing guitar playing ability.

Anyway, thanks, I think I will do just that. Is their any model you would particularly reccomend?

Also does anyone have any advice on the actual technique? For example he seems to slap differently to Flee and does anyone have any idea how he flamenco strums.

[Roofus55]

Probably a stupid comment, but isnt part of his great bass sound from his carl thompson basses he uses. I heard there a shitload of money.

[cynicist]

Probably a stupid comment, but isnt part of his great bass sound from his carl thompson basses he uses. I heard there a shitload of money.

Not a stupid comment at all. Not having his equipment means I probably won't be able to sound exactly like him, but If I can get close to his sound on what I have (a less expensive set up) I know when I save up and buy a more expensive bass, amp etc I will have his sound nailed. Also I don't want to copy him I juts want to use his unique style (combined with some other styles) as a starting point to develope my own sound and techniques.

Update: After watching tons of instructional videos and a lot of practice, I think I am getting the hang of slap and pop. However, I still have no idea with flamenco, can anyone help?

[Ernie Shiester]

.... However, I still have no idea with flamenco, can anyone help?

Matt Garrison can help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7tIfOHruZA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Aplgh-lBU8

Check out his other vids if you like him. The man is insane.

[biscuit]

Not a stupid comment at all. Not having his equipment means I probably won't be able to sound exactly like him, but If I can get close to his sound on what I have (a less expensive set up) I know when I save up and buy a more expensive bass, amp etc I will have his sound nailed. Also I don't want to copy him I juts want to use his unique style (combined with some other styles) as a starting point to develope my own sound and techniques.

Update: After watching tons of instructional videos and a lot of practice, I think I am getting the hang of slap and pop. However, I still have no idea with flamenco, can anyone help?

considering his basses take years to make and are 4 grand the last time I checked...youre better off just playing with a mesa boogie amp with some distortion...itll give you a nice gritty tone like he uses.