Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

He said in a recent interview it's the best sounding bass he's ever played.

Sounds great, I think he was struggling with technique on the track in question. Would like to hear him with a 4004.

Also, that music stinks, and I can't stand that Buckethead. He ain't happening IMO.

I've seen him a couple of times - this was the least inspired I've seen him play. Doesn't really matter if you like his style or not the Ric sounded good! He is good at what he does thou. I really can't say any music is bad just some genera are not my cup of tea.

I saw Les Claypool and my eyes lit up! His band Primus is one of my favorites!

Personally, I find him to be the best slapping bassist, and overall pretty much my favorite! And he is also the singer for Primus.

That video wasn't the best example of him, but gotta give credit for him playing on a Rick, as their not known for their slapping characteristics. I can't even slap on my 4003 at all.

Download Tommy the cat (live) by Primus for some serious slapping.

No walnut wings. Later 72 I'd say.

Don't forget the South Park theme. What would that show be without it?

I see he still had the price tag on the headstock!

I think its cool that he still has the faux horse shoe on. 90% of the basses from this era are missing it.
"it gets in muh way"

I think he keeps it on because people who play slap-and-pop style tend to do so right up to the neck, and there's enough space there that the pickup cover wouldn't be a problem.

I am a huge Primus fan. I see him every time he comes around. I saw that Bucket of Bernie Brains tour, and the last 3 Primus tours. The last one, for their recently released greatest hits CD, was a bit of a sellout, as they just whizzed through the songs that people wanted to hear, with no real emotion. The other two tours that I saw recently, where they played a first set of different tunes then a second set of an entire album of theirs (Sailing the Seas of Cheese and Frizzle Fry) were awesome!!! Larry LaLonde, Tim Alexander & Les make a great trio.

I doubt if I'll ever play like that though. I have never even tried to slap

I think the above pictures may be from his Gov't Mule sessions.

I like the way this young kid goes after Sgt. Baker from the Sailing...album:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FP-3vuNMS0

By the way, there is a great set of CDs called "Zappa Picks". They are Zappa compilations that are put together by musicians. The 2 CDs are compiled by Larry LaLonde of Primus & Jon Fishman of Phish. You can really see the influence on their bands by the tunes they picked. I highly suggest these CDs!

The pics are from the live Gov't Mule Deep End DVD tribute to Allan Woody.

It's been said that "Les could slap the stuffing out of an electric toothbrush and it would be top notch". I think all of his projects are cool, and have seen him 4 times, including the show where they played "Sailing the seas of cheese" in it's entirety. It was frikin great. I can slap on my 4001 just fine, although I just installed the bridge pup cover, and some flats so, I probably won't be slapping too much on it any more.

cool pics...

he's a definite original! i never caught the fever with him,a friend took me to see primus years ago at a small theater-type club in seattle,he played his CT basses the whole night,and rhythmically speaking,he was awesome,but not one of their songs had what i considered a discernable or memorable melody,just a lotta thwaka-thwaka. when he switched to a jazz bass for the encore,and played somewhat melodically,he finally got my attention. overall ,just not my thing.

ps that is one beautiful rickenbacker. is that the one he got from Geddy?