Psycho Killer (Talking Heads) bass tone and bass amp settings
Psycho Killer bass tone on a Fender Rumble 40 V3: low gain (Gain 3), forward high-mids (High Mid 2), even low-mids (Low Mid 1), neck P pickup.
Settings for your amp
Psycho Killer settings on a Fender Rumble 40 V3
Fender Rumble 40 V3 settings for every songAmpFender Rumble 40 V3
BassPassive P/J bass
The same settings in text
Amp
- Gain
- 3
- Bright
- On
- Contour
- Off
- Vintage
- Off
- Overdrive
- Off
- Bass
- 0
- Low Mid
- +1
- High Mid
- +2
- Treble
- 0
- Master
- Set to your room
Passive P/J bass
- Neck Volume (P)
- 10
- Bridge Volume (J)
- 0
- Tone
- 7
Psycho Killer settings on an Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-108
Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-108 settings for every songAmpAmpeg Rocket Bass RB-108
BassPassive P/J bass
The same settings in text
Amp
- SGT
- Off
- Volume
- Set to your room
- Bass
- 0
- Midrange
- +1
- Treble
- +1
Passive P/J bass
- Neck Volume (P)
- 10
- Bridge Volume (J)
- 0
- Tone
- 7
Psycho Killer settings on any bass amp with Bass, Mid, Treble, Drive
Amp
BassPassive P/J bass
The same settings in text
Amp
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Drive
- 1
Passive P/J bass
- Neck Volume (P)
- 10
- Bridge Volume (J)
- 0
- Tone
- 8
Why it sounds like that
Tina Weymouth played bass on every track of Talking Heads: 77, Psycho Killer included. The only editing on the song was extending its intro at her suggestion. Some of her bass parts were replaced by Bob Babbitt, on either two songs or four. She is best remembered for a Fender Mustang, which features heavily on the debut album.
What bass did Tina Weymouth use on Psycho Killer?
Tina Weymouth
- Bass
- Fender Mustang[4]
- Stasium says Tina Weymouth played bass and is on the final mix of every track on Talking Heads: 77. (on the album Talking Heads: 77)[1]
- Intro: Stasium says the only editing on Psycho Killer was extending the intro, at Tina Weymouth's suggestion. (on this song)[1]
- Accounts differ: Bongiovi says he had to replace the bass on four songs on Talking Heads: 77, while Stasium says Bob Babbitt overdubbed two songs, not four. (on the album Talking Heads: 77)[1]
- Guitar Player describes Tina Weymouth's live Fender Mustang as modified with a neck pickup added to its original split pickup. (on the 1978 UK dates tour)[2]
- Far Out says Tina Weymouth was best remembered for a Fender Mustang, which was heavily featured on the debut album. (on the album Talking Heads: 77)[3]
- Stasium says Tina Weymouth used her Mustang bass on Psycho Killer. (on this song)[4]
Questions
What bass did Tina Weymouth use on Psycho Killer?
The sources on this page document Tina Weymouth's gear on Psycho Killer by Talking Heads: bass, Fender Mustang [4]. Each value cites the numbered source it comes from, listed at the foot of the page.
What are the Psycho Killer settings on a Fender Rumble 40 V3?
For the Psycho Killer bass tone on a Fender Rumble 40 V3, set Gain 3, Bright On, Bass 0, Low Mid +1, High Mid +2, Treble 0; on the passive P/J bass, Neck Volume (P) 10, Bridge Volume (J) 0, Tone 7. Set Master to your room. They are AI-assisted starting points; adjust them by ear on your own amp.
What are the Psycho Killer settings on an Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-108?
For the Psycho Killer bass tone on an Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-108, set Bass 0, Midrange +1, Treble +1; on the passive P/J bass, Neck Volume (P) 10, Bridge Volume (J) 0, Tone 7. Set Volume to your room. They are AI-assisted starting points; adjust them by ear on your own amp.
Can I get the Psycho Killer tone on my own amp?
Yes. The settings above cover 2 reference amps and any amp with the basic controls. For your exact rig, KnobMaster, an iPhone app, sets every knob of your own amp, bass and pedals for Psycho Killer, using only the controls your gear has.
Get it for your exact rig
KnobMaster sets every knob of your own amp, bass and pedals for this song.
Download KnobMaster on the App Store