Gear & Signal Chain
Rig Rundown
A deep dive into the basses, amps, and signal chain, past and present.
The Instruments: Basses
Current Signal Chain
Rig by Band
Tribute: A Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band
- Bass
- 2019 Fender American Ultra Jazz Bass
- Tuning
- Standard E
- Signal chain
- Bass → Darkglass Anagram → split signal
- Side A: stage
- Compression → Aguilar AG700 → 2× Aguilar SL210
- Side B: FOH
- Compression → EQ → Ampeg amp & cab sim → FOH
- Drive
- None, clean tone
THE CORE: A H.O.R.D.E. Festival Revival
- Basses
- Fender American Ultra Jazz · Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Special HH · MTD Kingston AG5
- Tuning
- E♭, half step down
- Detune method
- Bass tuned down a half step; no pitch shifting
- Anagram chain
- Compression → EQ → Envelope filter → Auto-wah → Octave → Chorus
- Signal chain
- Bass → Anagram chain (above) → split signal
- Side A: stage
- Compression → Aguilar AG700 → 2× Aguilar SL210
- Side B: FOH
- Compression → EQ → amp & cab sim → FOH
- Amp sims
- Gallien-Krueger RB800 · Ampeg · MarkBass (selected per song / vibe)
- Drive
- None, clean tone
Wolves, Lower: Performing the Songs of R.E.M.
- Bass
- 2017 Fender Standard Precision Bass (Fender American Ultra Jazz as backup)
- Tuning
- Standard E
- Signal chain
- Bass → Darkglass Anagram → split signal
- Side A: stage
- Compression → Aguilar AG700 → 2× Aguilar SL210
- Side B: FOH
- Compression → EQ → Ampeg amp & cab sim → FOH
- Drive
- None, clean tone
Pedals
Strings
Gear Through the Eras
The Foundation Years
It started in 1988 with a Rickenbacker 4001, then Fender basses, through Ampeg tube amplification. The foundation of the sound: punchy, round, rooted in the room. Every decision in this era was about feel and authority in the low end.
The Extended Range Era
The Bitteroots and early CORE years pushed toward extended range and a more modern active tone. MTD Kingston series basses became the primary instruments, with artist endorsements from MTD and Bartolini, whose active electronics opened up the high-mids and gave the signal clarity in larger, louder rooms. Markbass amplification replaced the Ampeg: lighter, more headroom, better for touring.
Back to Four: The Modern Direct Rig
Post-pandemic, the rig simplified dramatically. Back to 4-string instruments (Fender Jazz and Music Man StingRay) and a move toward running direct via the Darkglass Anagram multi-effects unit. The Anagram handles preamp, DI, drive, and amp sims in one unit, making the rig highly consistent regardless of the room. Aguilar handles the stage when needed. Less is more.
Endorsements
MTD Basses
Artist endorsement from Michael Tobias Designs, one of the premier boutique bass builders. Bill's extended-range setup during The Bitteroots and early CORE years was built around MTD instruments.
Bartolini Pickups & Electronics
Artist endorsement from Bartolini: industry-standard active pickups and preamp electronics. Bartolini's systems powered Bill's MTD instruments throughout the extended-range era.