Carl Thompson Bass Deep Dive - This Abnormal Bass Never Felt More Normal - LowEndLobster Fresh Look
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
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Hey everyone! Today we're checking out a bass I never though I'd be able to play, let alone be in the same room as.... We've got a Carl Thompson! (temporarily). Featuring a 38" scale neck, passive Kent Armstrong pickups, and more types of wood than a small country, this incredible abnormality is a bass that is surprisingly.... normal! Big thank you to Brian Kelly for letting me borrow this bass. Let's check it out!
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Any primus fan has dreamed of a ct bass. I'll prob never see one in person but i'll always dream of it.
Agreed I dream of making a bass as good as a CT bass
:(
Currently in the works of getting one! Waiting in line is exciting but its testing my patience! 😂😂😂
I saw those and the pachyderm in person… at a primus show haha
Same been dreaming since I was 14 I’m 40 now lol might just have to make my own and make it look like a CT
What a dream!!! Now a mighty Wal
Seconded! There are no proper demos of Wal basses out there, just rich suburban dads sitting in their living rooms butchering Schism over and over
AHAHAHA This made my morning. I will absolutely jump on the opportunity to play one for the channel. I'll do my best!
@@ileutur6863 hands down one of the most accurate things I've ever heard 🤣
@@LowEndLobster there's a reason I've been subbed for over a year !!
I'm a huge Primus fan and so I have a real romantic attachment for Carl Thompson basses
but still I'm surprised by how good that sounds!
Especially with that scale length!
For me, even a 34" scale feels too tight on the G string - the tension seems to strangle the fundamental, leaving sounding too thin.
But that bass sounds really rich - amazing :)
Right?! It's a very strange experience because of how... normal and playable it was.
@@LowEndLobster When i asked Carl why he likes that scale he said, "because I like Bass" ... haha Oh Carl
The closest i ever got to one was seeing Les Claypool play one on stage.
The 36" usually have lighter gauge strings... 40-95. not sure what he puts on the 38" scale...
Nice, man!
I used to own a 4 string 36" scale Carl Thompson. It was absolutely stunning to look at and to play. They truly are unbelievable creations. Unfortunately, I ended up not loving the dark tone it had and there wasn't much of anything I could do about that fact... So I sold it. I couldn't afford to have $8k locked up in an instrument that wasn't absolutely perfect for me.
I still miss it, though.
if you still miss it, then perhaps the dark tone was more suited to you than even you know.
Sometimes the instrument knows us better than we know ourselves...
This doesn’t sound dark at all .
why not just change thheh electronics?
When I saw this notification I freaked out, I never thought I’d see the day where I’d hear a proper demo rather than the primus cover band people playing two primus songs
I was looking for a Stanely Clarke song since he was Carls first "big" client lol
Carl really knows how to make a great bass.
I just found this bass on Carl Thompson’s website! It’s the 12-5-20 model. Lucky guy!
38” scale. Holy moly!
I love how happy people look when they have a CT in their hands. I’ve got 2 so I get it lol. Brian is a good guy. Cool video man
Thank you! I had so much fun with this bass and Brian rules
Oh my that sounds as good as it looks.
Dude your playing absolutely brings out the spirit of that bass. it is no wonder it came into your life.
Such a beautiful bass! I can’t imagine having the opportunity to play a CT bass. One day hopefully
No matter where you set that bass it always sounds beyond awesome!! Just damn!! Great playing too!!💜
Yes! So excited to see this review. Carl Thompson's have always fascinated me as a Primus fan so it's going to be very awesome to hear your opinions on it.
...Yes...everyone has a bass lair!
Or
They have a Carl Thompson
Amazing bass. Thank you for sharing
Wow! A Carl Thompson!!!! That's my dream bass right there!
I'm amazed to see you with a CT Bass Lobster! always wondered how many frets were on these and the scale length! I think Les Claypools basses and some others have more than 24 frets
Thank you! Indeed Les does have some crazy ones with a very extended high end
@@LowEndLobster I counted 32 frets on a bass that Carl had made on instagram I think that one was a 35" scale, or a longer model, which is rather interesting, I think that's also what gives Les the ability to play Defy the Laws of Tradition, I do love the way Carl builds them, I do love how thin the necks and bodies are too, much like the high end Ibanez basses, I was gonna get a Ibanez, cause it was super comfy, this was before I got my Low Rider bass, though I was not a fan of the body shape
@@pilummurialis6490 32 frets?! Bro even 24 frets are more than enough for me haha
Definitely one of the best sounding CT basses I’ve ever heard
Great Review! Even among us CT owners, Brians Bass is pretty sexy. Brian is a swell fella too! Cheers!
Was looking up carl thompson and this popped up.... crazy only just posted. great video dude
The stars, moons, and basses aligned for this one. Glad you found the channel!
i imagine they feel like an epiphany lol, so much joy in this video!
Thanks! What a scale length! 😎
Sooo cool. I got to play one at a music store in NYC somewhere in village. It had a single cut shape. Mahogany wood body. Really Light weight. Passive Schaller humbucking pickups , tuners and bridge. I think the price at the time was like $650. Being a teenager at the time, I couldn't get the cash together, but I'll never forget it.
A stunning-looking bass!!! The tone with both pickups and the tone all the way up sounds like a combination of a P bass and an Alembic. Serious growl!!!
Awesome review on the Carl Thompson. Beautiful bass. And yes Lobster, you did it justice! Peace 🎸🎸🎸
Great bass. Excellent video too. It's cool when Santa finally delivers that special bass
Hey Lobster, absolutely lovely instrument. The shaping and look are gorgeous. The variety of tones is greater than I expected from the simplicity of the controls. Having said that, there were not many (none) tones that I didn't like. Thanks for the deep dive. Btw, I checked your Reverb affiliate link and there weren't any of these available! You might want to get on that.
Thanks Philip! Ahahaha I don't think Brian would appreciate if I posted this for sale ;P
@@LowEndLobster Shhh...don't tell him, it can be our little secret.
You have the same enthusiasm with that bass as I would with Geddy Lee's main Jazz. I love it.
Thank you!
38 inch scale, you could tune it down to drop e and still have a tight sound
Yup, but with huge string gauge... and to be honest, it sounds already extremely dark in standard tuning, wouldn't put too much hope in lower tunings
That was a super funky slap section 👍🏻
NO STRAP !?!?
Living on the edge there Lobster !!
Maybe I've not been looking in the right places but I've never seen anyone so excited about trying a bass (apart from my 15 year old self some 33 years back) question is....did you enjoy it :)
OH YEAH! :)
Thats soooo cool! amazing you got the opportunity to look at this bass.
THANK YOU LOBSTER!!
I ordered a CT after hearing one being played by Carl on one of his videos here, and hearing his philosophy on building, YOU made the best deep dive I’ve heard, and makes me look even more forward to what will be made!
Thank you! I really enjoyed my time with this bass. I hope you enjoy your CT!
By far the coolest bass you have featured so far! All those woods combined to make a unique looking and great sounding instrument. You have done a great service to many of us by showing and playing this one.👍👍 Once the kids braces payments are over watch out Carl Thompson here I come!😆
I’m friends with Brian, Super cool guy and an amazing bassist. And that CT is beyond amazing!
Definitely a unique bass in built and sound. I like the neck pickup and both pickups together but not so much the bridge pickup.
A treat for the ears indeed! Also a treat for the eyes but I'm guessing not the wallet. 😊 Gotta appreciate that level of craftmanship as well as the customers that keep these luthiers in business!
Mr. Lobster, woah, buddy ! what a bass ! I first started playing live jobs in Upstate NY in the mid 80's.. the local music store carried Carl T's famous handwound beauties. My go to was always the Jeff Berlin
solid nickel 40,60,80,100. These strings. at the time were 40$ when the other sets were 20$... A bargain
These strings actually helped me craft my sound, but that was so long ago. I have not even played bass in years. So glad I found your channel, I think Mr. Thompson I=is truly a HERO of modern bass guitar,
nobody, nobody makes strings like his today. no , not even close.. Thanks for the videos.
Peace. Tom
Awesome!! I have always been curious about Carl Thompson. Thanks for doing this amazing review.
OMG! Living my dreams Lobster!! Keep the fire coming my friend.
I have always wanted one of these. And a Wal.
Cosmic highway! Nice one!
Very nice sounding bass... :)
Great Lobster! Always good content, different basses... tks for sharing with us.
I'm getting more and more interested in longer scale bass lol. Awesome playing!
what a beautiful and meaty sounding bass, absolutely love Carl Thompsons
Thanks Liam! Me too
HEY BRIAN! Love ya brother!
Great bass. You're as happy in this video as I was the first time I tried an Alembic at Guitar Resurrection in Austin years back (late 80's/early 90's). There is something so special in trying out a truly special instrument. Now only if I could afford these!
It’s my dream bass for sure, being an immense Primus fan … bravo on the video❤❤❤
Hell yeah man!
Holy fucking shit. Enough said. Coincidentally learned a cool Claypoole right hand slap technique earlier this evening/morning. Only guy I know who actually plays a Carl instrument.
38" scale, Uff-da! What a beautiful piece of woodworking. The tones on it even sound "woody" to me. That upper horn on the body is wicked cool! How do you get a Carl Thompson? Buy a bass made from a guy named Carl Thompson?!
Being a les Claypool fan I've always wanted to get one of these.. Awesome man.. Awseome video man.
In the early nineties I had a chance to play a used CT in Manny's in NYC for about ten minutes and it was a really memorable experience. The one I played was a really basic model, but one thing that I do remember about it was that the balance was really superb, it never moved once and stayed at a perfect playing angle.
Love the "woody" sound, especially when slapped, very organic!
Best episode ever!
Also.. You should play earthquake on every bass! Sounds good!
Thank you! I love that song (and GCC in general - EARTHQUAAAKE!)
Awesome lobster!! All of us have been asking for this!! So cool!! Let’s get into it!! This is a dream bass for all of us watching! Thanks Brian Kelly for letting us drool over your bass lol you don’t want to stop playing this for us I can feel it lmao
That is a beauty, I saw one on Carls website he made for someone, with a solid black top ebony sandwiched with some purpleheat and padauk and Iis still the coolest bass I ever seen.
I met Anthony Jackson with a Carl Thompson prototype 6- 36" scale, tuned to A, made of pine or some other cheap wood with no finish.
Woah! This is awesome Lobster! Great review. Thank you for showcasing the tonal possibilities of the instrument. Absolute dream bass! 🤩
JEEZ~ that first fret is as wide a a ham & cheese sandwich. I keep thinking about Primus songs~ 'Jerry Was A Racecar Driver' is the main one.
Wow! Just a real sweet sounding bass. Nice job on the demo!
Thank you Anthony!
Dream bass right there, I'd love one myself
I’m sure Les Claypool often says: “I’m no Lowendlobster”!
It almost sounds like some kind of natural chorus effect when both pickups are selected.
Now if only something that sounds like this could be available at the Squier Affinity range price point! 🤪
Ahahahaha thanks Rev! Interestingly enough, Brian sent me the link to the Kent Armstrong pickups that are used here. Only $160 for the set... Now I just need to find a cheap bass with a 38" scale neck!
@@LowEndLobster is that what Carl originally had put in the bass?
Bass is stock
Always wanted one. Liked the cosmic highway play through haha.
The Les Claypool Frog Brigade - Cosmic Highway: 15:55
Primus - Tommy The Cat: 16:28
The hero we need
Hey that's what he played on the Schecter 8 string, Cosmic Highway! I haven't listened much to the Frog Brigade.
Your smile says it all!!
Damn. 38” scale? That is a beast. I was extremely lucky and got a semi frills ct second hand years ago. Think it’s a 32” scale with 27 frets. Same Kent Armstrong pick up les has in his. Specs wise I’m pretty sure it’s actually the same as lea claypools old main ct. The woodwork is so incredible. The weight and thickness of the bass is mind blowing. It’s so weird I can pick up my guitar that’s like half the size but weighs like twice as much. You have to be so gentle when you pop notes because it’s so light it you end up lifting up the bass when you pop.
Wow.
Just beautiful
I got to play one that was in my local guitar shop. It needed a truss rod adjustment badly and it had wood saddles so it was very warm sounding. Nothing like Les Claypool’s tone but it was a work of art.
Every bassist's dream. You're a lucky lobster just for being able to play one!
Awesome episode lobster man you need one of your own
You're having WAAAAAY too much fun with that :D
For ordering a CT like most custom bass its go to their website and submit and order form. Everything is POR now but back in the late 2000s I did find a price list. And if I had to guess now I would say a basic semi frills bass is probably 4-7. The example in this video was probably 7-10 (depending on when it was made) being a full frills. And the always lusted after rainbows start around 10 and just go up from there. CT also does sell basses that have made their way back to them on their website.
One thing I've always found funny being a bassist. Sure you can a top of line instrument from one of the major brands. But there is nothing stopping you from getting something truly unique. Whether it from CT, Alembic, Wal, Fodera, etc. There is no shortage of boutique builders.
Loved you channel, video, and joyful vibe and smiles! Congrats for the great work !!
easily the most gorgeous bass you've ever featured. Only the custom basses for Prince even come to mind as a possible contender. But the sound doesn't leave an impression. I'm guessing it has to do with recording limitations. They all sound very similar to me.
I was expecting to see neckdive galore with that huge headstock but that lower horn was so well thought-out as to balance the bass so nicely when seated.
What a beautiful bass! I just don't get the point of having a 38 inch scale if you are just going to tune to E standard. I bet that bass would sound amazing tuned to BEAD
My thoughts exactly.
always wondered what basses les claypool is playing...now i know🤗👍
Oh that's nice!
Beautiful.
Wow, you get to play a Carl Thompson at 33.3K subs! Maybe the spirit of The Most High is with you as well as your friend Brian!
Nice! So nice I will watch it twice. Great t-shirts U.S.S. Enterprise and Straight out of Cookies. You are so real, that is great. Did not know who Carl Thompson was(is) until the first comment stated Primus. Your Friend shares my first name I hope he spells it the right way?
At least one Brian owns this monster Bass. When I win the lottery I will, lol.
Thanks Alan!
What a fantastic bass! I'd love to just have 10 minutes to play one. Great demo as usual!
Thanks for bringing up the Cosmic Highway - I immediately felt an impulse to grab a bass and and start playing it :)
My first impression as Claypool's psycho-fan: it doesn't sound as expected. But the slap sound is definitely nicer than when playing with fingers. Maybe that's the secret - a dark sounding bass, but played very hard?
Would it sound good in a band? Would it be a good base for creating a wild almost overdriven Claypool's sound? I don't know, to be honest. Thanks for showing it.
What's next from my GAS list? A Wal? :D
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed enjoyed this. Cosmic highway and that whole purple onion album is an interesting one that I enjoy
@@LowEndLobster IMHO Claypool's solo stuff survived a test of time better than Primus.
You missed shooting the headstock!
... and an "s" on Thompson... Your title reads Thompon haha
Whoops! Fixed the title
Carl Thompson Brand Tampons called "Thompons"
Love your work as always Lobster
This is the first video I've heard where the CT bass sounds great. I'm wandering about your playing, which also sounds great. How long have you been playing and please say something about how you learned to be so good.
"Niiice!"
I think CT basses look really cool and are definitely something unique, though I always felt like that's the only thing going for them.
Tone-wise they are not super unique or anything you can't get on different basses, and their prices are ridiculous!
Then again as I said, they are 100% unique in looks and aesthetics, and I wouldn't say no to trying one out... Just not actually buy one haha :D
I guess that's the good thing about Lobster! I get to hear and see these unique basses through him and his shenanigans 🦞
I haven't watched the video (yet) so not sure if these finer points were covered, but to address that the aesthetics are the ONLY thing going for a CT. I have a pair and have had a few others in my time and the reason I LOVE these basses so much is the design. Not the shape, but the design...what does that mean? It means that the neck angle is such that it is ergonomic (36" or 38" scales are as comfy as 34" - these days I play his 32" scale basses due to joint issues). You'll notice a small shim under the bridge on Carl's basses to get that angle. Additionally, the body is SUPER thin, and light...I've never had a CT that was heavier than 6 lbs. This is why there is that little football for the input jack, because the bass is thinner than the jack, so you need to account for that with the little wood football. The strap buttons are placed so the bass hangs right. The bass balances when seated - meaning you can rest it on your lap with no hands on instrument and it won't fall to the floor...no other builder (who hasn't worked with Carl) has instruments that won't fall to the floor when you let go of it on your lap. There are many other design improvements that Carl's years and years of working with basses have lead to but those are just SOME examples.
As for people saying that they are ridiculously priced, I would beg to differ. Yes, they are not cheap, but the used market is way inflated vs new and there are many other high end basses that sell for much more and most are just jazz bass derivatives.
No knock on anyone's opinions, nothing is for everyone, but Carl's basses are way more than just an exotic body shape.
Unique? Well you might say that they even...*defy the laws of tradition*
@@russellzauner lol nice one
@@cosmicevan Well as I said I've never played one and unfortunately will never get the chance to either, and I don't think his basses are bad by any means.
I do however think they are more of a novelty thing/something to get if you have loads of money to spend, the same as I'd say about Fodera, high end Sadowsky and Warwick and the likes.
I also don't think the ginormous prices people ask for for old Fenders is really justifiable either.
All in all though for each their own, as I've said I'd like to one day play a CT bass, but I'll never own one or any really expensive bass because they're just not worth it imo.
Thanks for sharing though! :D
@@martyrofgrenth2136 if you are ever in New York area and want to try one, hit me up. If it wasn't for similar offers I'd have never fallen in love with his instruments. Agreed on the price tags, but Carl's basses are worth every penny. I'm no rich man either...I drive a Hyundai but play a CT :)
We all choose where it makes sense to save our pennies vs where any old thing will do. Cheers friend!
😍
I thought bass only allowed for Tommy the Cat?! 😆😆 that thing is sick though
Amazing. I've watched I think every vid on UA-cam about his basses. I have a ton of questions, but I know you don't have time and the calipers for all of them. But I do have an easy one. I know he talks about the balance having a great deal to do with the horn length. Could you tell me where that is in relation to the fret board? I know with a 38" scale length it won't exactly translate but is it around the 12th fret? Just an awesome video. It reminds me of the one time I played an Alembic and could almost hear it telling me "boy, you're not worthy of me".
Sweet jeebus that’s beautiful
Killer!!! Love this! Love your playing!!!
Great video
And respect for the master.
It would have been nice to hear the tone all the way open and the capacitor engaged. I don't know if you mentioned the cost of a Carl Thompson Bass but it is comparable to a custom Alembic plus you got to get in the return your call and it can take two or three years before he finally gets around to yours and gets it built. If you don't mind the waiting the expense, It's a Wonderful Bass
I definitly have a bass lair! 😃
38" scale? I would totally use that for like drop A or something.
i got my dingwall in a stanard :)
@@AJbassist If I had a Dingwall, I'd put it in F# standard or drop G or something low as hell :D
When i asked Carl why he personally plays a 38 he said, "because I like Bass" ... haha
I’ve always wanted to try a Carl Thompson bass