Discover what bass Peter Steele played to create his iconic sound. PETS.EDU.VN explores his gear, from Alembic Spoilers to Washburn basses, offering insights into achieving his signature tone. Uncover the secrets of his equipment choices, delving into bass guitars, amplifiers, and effects.
1. Introduction to Peter Steele’s Basses
Peter Steele, the iconic frontman and bassist of Type O Negative, was known for his distinctive, deep, and often brooding bass tones. His gear choices played a crucial role in crafting that signature sound. Throughout his career, Steele experimented with various basses, each contributing unique characteristics to his overall sonic palette. This section provides an overview of the different bass guitars Peter Steele used, laying the groundwork for a more detailed exploration in subsequent sections.
Steele’s quest for the perfect sound led him to endorse different brands. He wasn’t just a bassist, he was an artist who sculpted his sound meticulously with each instrument. This guide, brought to you by PETS.EDU.VN, is your backstage pass to understanding the tools he used to create musical magic.
2. The Alembic Spoiler Bass
2.1. Overview of the Alembic Spoiler
The Alembic Spoiler held a special place in Peter Steele’s heart. Rumored to be his most-loved instrument, this bass was a staple in his early career and continued to be a favorite. It’s been said that he used this bass when recording every album, and early photos show him playing it live. The Alembic Spoiler is known for its high-quality construction and unique sound, making it a standout instrument.
2.2. Key Features of the Alembic Spoiler
The Alembic Spoiler boasts several features that made it ideal for Peter Steele’s playing style:
- 24-fret Ebony Fingerboard: Provided extended range and smooth playability.
- Maple Neck with Walnut Veneers: Enhanced sustain and tonal clarity.
- Mahogany Body: Offered a warm, resonant foundation.
- Alembic AXY Single-Coil Pickups: Delivered a noise-free, low-impedance signal with ceramic magnets, requiring an onboard preamp.
- 32″ or 34″ Scale Length: Accommodated Steele’s preference for specific string tension and feel.
2.3. Peter Steele’s Alembic Spoiler Variations
Interestingly, there are images of Steele playing at least three different Alembic Spoilers:
- Burl Top: The original, highly prized model.
- No Top Wood: A more stripped-down version.
- Gloss Black: A factory-finished, sleek option.
Image showing Peter Steele with a Burl Top Alembic Spoiler, highlighting its unique wood grain and sleek design.
3. The Esh Stinger Bass
3.1. Introduction to the Esh Stinger
The Esh Stinger basses marked a significant phase in Peter Steele’s career. Used extensively from June 1995 to at least June 1997, during the “October Rust” era, these basses were instrumental in shaping his tone during that period. Some claim that he used this bass to record October Rust. The Esh Stinger was known for its distinctive sound and unique features.
3.2. Unique Features of the Esh Stinger
The Esh Stinger was known for several unique features:
- Piezo Bridge Pickup: This was a standout feature, contributing to its unique sound.
- 34″ Scale Length: Suited Steele’s preference for playability.
- Ash Body and Maple Neck: Offered a balance of brightness and warmth.
- Bolt-On Neck: Allowed for easy maintenance and replacement.
- Kent Armstrong Jazz Pickup: Later “The Green Man” tribute Stinger came with a ceramic magnet Kent Armstrong JBE-1R.
- Piezo Volume Pot: The “Monster Green” tribute Stinger was released near Peter’s death.
3.3. Peter Steele’s Relationship with Esh
There are several stories as to why Peter Steele ended his relationship with Esh:
- Fernandes Sustainer: He switched to Fernandes because of their sustainer.
- Cat Abuse: The US sales rep broke the tail of Peter’s cat while playing roughly with it.
The more likely scenario is that it was a double endorsement deal for sustainers, as Kenny started using Fernandes at the same time.
Image featuring Peter Steele with his Esh Stinger bass, showcasing its unique body shape and piezo bridge.
4. The Fernandes Rickenbacker 4000-Series Clone
4.1. Overview of the Fernandes Rickenbacker Clone
After his time with Esh, Peter Steele transitioned to the Fernandes Rickenbacker 4000-series clone. This bass made its debut in November 1998 at a performance in New York City and was used until early 2000 during the “World Coming Down” tour. A red-accented version was also seen at a show in New Jersey in October 2001.
4.2. Distinctive Features of the Fernandes Rickenbacker Clone
Key features of the Fernandes Rickenbacker clone included:
- Neck-Through Design: Enhanced sustain and stability.
- Fernandes Bass Sustainer: A rare feature that contributed to Steele’s signature sound.
- Custom Design: Reportedly designed by Steele to be 110% larger than a standard Rickenbacker.
- Pickguard-Less Design: Gave it a sleek, unique look.
- 34″ Scale Length: Peter Steele most likely preferred this size.
4.3. Limited Production of the Rickenbacker Clone
Only three of these pickguard-less Rickenbacker basses were ever made, specifically for Peter Steele. This exclusivity adds to the mystique surrounding this particular instrument.
Image depicting Peter Steele with his Fernandes Rickenfaker bass, showing its unique shape and lack of pickguard.
5. The Fernandes Tremor Bass
5.1. Introduction to the Fernandes Tremor
The Fernandes Tremor bass marked another distinct phase in Peter Steele’s gear journey. It made its national debut on the Howard Stern Show in May 2000 and was used until at least July 2003. The Fernandes Tremor is known for its unique look and specific tonal qualities.
5.2. Key Features of the Fernandes Tremor
Notable features of the Fernandes Tremor included:
- 34″ Scale Length: Provided comfortable playability.
- Rosewood Fingerboard over Maple Neck: Offered a blend of warmth and brightness.
- Alder Body: Provided a balanced tonal foundation.
- Bolt-On Neck: Facilitated easy maintenance.
- EMG 35 Pickup: Though Peter Steele preferred ceramic humbuckers, the Fernandes Tremor was loaded with a single EMG 35.
- Bass Sustainer: Peter Steele claimed the Fernandes Sustainer was integral to his tone.
5.3. Customization and Unique Colors
Three custom Tremors were exclusively painted at the factory with the “wrong shade” of green and had a bass sustainer installed. Rumor has it that Peter Steele only took possession of two of these due to a scratch on one, which was then owned by a friend.
Image showing Peter Steele playing his green Fernades Tremor bass, highlighting its color and body shape.
6. The Washburn Bass
6.1. Overview of the Washburn M-Series Bass
Peter Steele’s final touring bass was an extremely limited Washburn model, used for at least six years, starting at the end of 2003. This bass was used during the “Life Is Killing Me” tour, the “Dead Again” tour, and Carnivore shows. Steele transitioned to Washburn due to issues with Fernandes’ sustainers and build quality.
6.2. Distinctive Features of Peter Steele’s Washburn Bass
Key features of Peter Steele’s Washburn bass included:
- Seymour Duncan SMB-4D Humbucker: Rare humbucker configuration with ceramic magnets.
- Quartersawn Maple Neck and Maple Body: Enhanced stability and tonal clarity.
- Rosewood Fingerboard: Provided smooth playability.
- Original Leo Quan Badass Bridge: Improved sustain and tone.
- Grover Clover Leaf Tuners: Ensured tuning stability.
- 34″ Scale Length: Steele’s preferred scale length.
6.3. The Washburn M14 Designation
Peter Steele’s Washburn bass never officially received an M-designation, but it is often referred to as the M14. Only five of these basses were rumored to have been built with this specification, and Peter Steele reportedly owned three of them.
Image of Peter Steele with his Washburn bass, showcasing its humbucker pickup and body design.
7. Other Basses Used by Peter Steele
7.1. Zon Basses
Peter Steele acknowledged Zon basses within album sleeves, but there are no known pictures of him playing one live or otherwise.
7.2. BC Rich Warlock
Peter Steele played a fretless Fernandes Warlock that didn’t last very long, splitting in half during a set.
7.3. Thunderbird
Peter Steele used a Thunberbird live that was eventually mercilessly hole-sawed, which made an appearance in the self-produced Christian Woman music video.
8. Peter Steele’s Pickups and Electronics
8.1. Alembic Spoiler Pickups and Electronics
The Alembic Spoilers likely contained two AXY single-coil pickups with ceramic magnets and a preamp, contributing to its clear and articulate tone.
8.2. Esh Stinger Pickups and Electronics
The Esh Stinger featured a jazz pickup near the bridge, along with piezo saddles built into the bridge. This combination provided a unique tonal palette that Peter Steele utilized extensively.
8.3. Fernandes Pickups and Electronics
His Fernandes Rickenfaker and Tremors had a single EMG 35 in them. Also, Peter Steele preferred ceramic humbuckers when playing live. Peter used a very rare electromagnetic bass driver at the neck position of all of his Fernandes basses, which he claimed was integral to his tone.
8.4. Washburn Pickups and Electronics
Peter Steele’s Washburn bass featured a Seymour Duncan SMB-4D pickup, which may have been custom-wired. The Washburn basses seem to be the simplest, containing only one humbucker in what appears to be the “MM sweetspot” with a killswitch and a volume knob.
9. Peter Steele’s Strings and Tuning
9.1. Tuning Preferences
Type O Negative was tuning down to BEAD long before it became as popular as it is today, prior to string companies marketing to BEAD players. This lower tuning contributed to the band’s dark and heavy sound.
9.2. String Brands and Gauges
Peter Steele used Dean Markleys and DR Black Beauties, both stainless steel. He strung his Washburn with DR Black Beauties. He used 50-70-90-110, which were the exact gauges that he used.
10. Peter Steele’s Picks and Technique
10.1. Pick Preferences
Peter Steele was using Dunlop Tortex .50mm during the October Rust era. Some people claim he used a Tortex .88mm, which just happens to be green, but I would bet this is the pick that Kenny uses. In one of the Washburn pictures above, there are green picks with black TON logos on his mic stand.
Image focusing on Peter Steele’s Dunlop pick, highlighting its color and design.
10.2. Playing Techniques
Peter Steele employed plenty of up-strumming in his playing technique. He would sometimes strum on the neck for chords, then go back near the bridge area for single notes to reduce string flop. Peter used a lot of power chords, but he played them a certain way to make them sound more defined under all of that distortion.
11. Peter Steele’s Preamps and Amplifiers
11.1. Peavey MAX 800 Amplification Systems
According to a 1995 interview, Peter Steele had been employing maybe a half dozen Peavey MAX 800 Amplification Systems to power a wall of cabinets.
11.2. Peavey Bassist Preamps and TubeWorks MosValve Power Amps
During some of the Bloody Kisses tour, Pete was using Peavey Bassist Preamps and TubeWorks MosValve power amps. Examining the 1999 Bizarre Festival footage, the Peavey Bassist Preamps were still being utilized during the World Coming Down tour.
Image of Peter Steele’s Peavey Bassist Preamps, showcasing their interface and settings.
11.3. Peavey MAX Bass Preamps and GPS/CS Power Amps
In the early 2000s, he updated his rig with Peavey MAX Bass Preamps into Peavey GPS and/or CS power amps.
11.4. Peavey Tour 700 Head
Nearing the end of his life, Peter Steele had switched from using the Peavey MAX Bass Preamp to using the Peavey Tour 700 head for his tone. There are two additional power amps near the bottom of the rack at Harpos 2009, and I believe these to be either the Peavey CS 1400 or the Peavey CS 2000.
12. Peter Steele’s Cabinets
12.1. Cabinet Preferences
Peter Steele seemed to have performed live with a various array of cabinets, likely dependent on availability. Peter may have been using TubeWorks cabinets with his early MosValves power amps. When he was running Peavey MAX 800 amplifiers, Peter usually hooked them to Peavey 3620 cabinets.
12.2. Peavey 210 and 118 Cabinets
Starting in the mid-1990s, Peter Steele relied on stacks containing Peavey 210 cabs and an 118 cab loaded with a custom 18″ JBL because they could handle his bottom end.
12.3. Peavey TVX Cabinets
He was endorsing the TVX 410 EX and TVX 115 EX cabs running on 8 ohms, noting the stock TVX 10” cabs have piezo tweeters already built-in.
Image capturing Peter Steele’s Peavey Tour cabinets, demonstrating the setup he used in live performances.
13. Peter Steele’s Effects
13.1. Early Effects
A member of a band that played with TON at the earliest shows claims to have seen tandem Tube Screamers in the rig. Another stated he saw what looked like a Metal Zone, which actually works very well to mimic his tone.
13.2. Boss Pedals
The picture of these four Boss pedals next to his stage monitor always pops up: TU-2 > DS-1 > CH-1 > DD-3. Some claim this is the end-all, definitive answer to achieving Peter’s distinct tones.
Image illustrating Peter Steele’s Boss pedals, showcasing the specific models he used in his setup.
13.3. Other Effects
Peter owned an Aria APE at an early point in his career, which became available in the 1980s, and likely developed his choice of effects. According to a repost taken from the November 1998 Bass Player Magazine, Peter says he runs his bass “…through a series of Boss pedals: distortion, chorus, and delay for his normal heavy tone. When he wants a clean sound, a Marshall Y-box re-routes the signal through Boss tremolo and reverb pedals.
14. Peter Steele’s Signal Routing
14.1. Stereo Signals
Forum chatter speculates that Peter Steele could have been running clean and distorted signals in stereo, each into separate power amps and cabs. Some even say three signals due to numerous photos of 810 cabs stacked behind him: one clean, one dirty, and one combination.
14.2. Monitor Signal
It appears that both of the MAX preamps in his rig had a cable inserted into the front inputs.
15. Peter Steele’s Final Rig in One Pic
15.1. Heavy MTL Festival 2008
The photo taken by Diana Gee at Heavy MTL Festival in June 2008 shows Peter Steele’s final rig. There is a straggler that looks like it is sneaking in from the pedal board area (green tape with white/black stripes) and it appears to go to the Auxiliary Input on what should then be a Tour 700.
16. Mimicking Peter Steele’s Tone
Mimicking Peter Steele’s tones has been a hobby of many bassists. There are many ways to achieve Peter Steele’s tone by experimenting with different combinations of the gear he used. You can also visit PETS.EDU.VN to find out my most current setup.
17. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
17.1. What was Peter Steele’s favorite bass?
Peter Steele’s favorite bass was rumored to be his 1983 Alembic Spoiler, which he used extensively in his early career and for recording albums.
17.2. What strings did Peter Steele use?
Peter Steele used Dean Markleys and DR Black Beauties, both stainless steel strings. He used gauges 50-70-90-110.
17.3. What kind of pickups did Peter Steele prefer?
Peter Steele preferred ceramic humbuckers when playing live, often using EMG 35 pickups in his Fernandes basses and a Seymour Duncan SMB-4D in his Washburn bass.
17.4. What amplifiers did Peter Steele use?
Peter Steele used a variety of Peavey amplifiers, including the MAX 800, Bassist Preamps, MAX Bass Preamps, and Tour 700 heads.
17.5. What effects pedals did Peter Steele use?
Peter Steele used Boss pedals, including the TU-2, DS-1, CH-1, and DD-3. He also experimented with Tube Screamers and Metal Zone pedals early in his career.
17.6. What was Peter Steele’s tuning?
Peter Steele tuned his bass to BEAD, which is a lower tuning than standard EADG.
17.7. Did Peter Steele use a pick or his fingers?
Peter Steele primarily used a pick, specifically the Dunlop Tortex .50mm.
17.8. What cabinets did Peter Steele use?
Peter Steele used a variety of cabinets, including Peavey 3620, 210, 118, TVX 410 EX, and TVX 115 EX cabinets.
17.9. How did Peter Steele achieve his signature tone?
Peter Steele achieved his signature tone through a combination of his Alembic, Esh, Fernandes, and Washburn basses, Peavey amplifiers, Boss effects pedals, and his unique playing technique and tuning.
17.10. Where can I find more information about Peter Steele’s gear?
You can find more information about Peter Steele’s gear on music gear websites, forums, and by visiting PETS.EDU.VN for detailed articles and resources.
18. Conclusion
Peter Steele’s bass gear was as unique and influential as his music. From his beloved Alembic Spoiler to his custom Washburn bass, each instrument and piece of equipment played a role in creating his iconic sound. By understanding his gear choices, bassists and fans alike can gain a deeper appreciation for his artistry and the sonic landscape he crafted.
Want to dive deeper into the world of pet care and discover more fascinating insights? Visit PETS.EDU.VN today for a wealth of information on pet health, nutrition, and behavior. Our expert articles and resources are designed to help you provide the best possible care for your furry, feathered, or scaled companions. Whether you’re a new pet owner or a seasoned pro, PETS.EDU.VN is your go-to destination for all things pets.
For further information, please contact us at:
Address: 789 Paw Lane, Petville, CA 91234, United States
WhatsApp: +1 555-987-6543
Website: PETS.EDU.VN
Remember, pets.edu.vn is here to support you on your pet care journey!
