Premier Guitar contributor Steve Cook demos EMG's Pachyderm Gold Signature Pickups. Explore the signature sound of bassist Les Claypool with this simple pickup upgrade.
EMG Pachyderm Gold Les Claypool Signature 4-string P Bass Pickup Set
4-str, P Bass, Les Claypool 'Pachyderm Gold', PU SetAnthem Records in Canada and Rhino Records will reissue the first-ever solo albums of Rush's Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. Lifeson’s 1996 album Victor and Lee’s 2000 offering My Favourite Headache will be re-released on August 9, 2024.
Victor, originally released on January 9, 1996, marks Alex Lifeson’s solo debut. Lifeson took on the roles of songwriter, producer, and mixer for this album. For the first time, Victor will be available on vinyl, featuring a complete remix by Lifeson himself to enhance the audio quality. The fourth side of the album includes four instrumental tracks previously exclusive to Lifeson’s website. Guest artists include lead vocalist Edwin from I Mother Earth, Primus bassist Les Claypool, and Canadian powerhouse vocalist Lisa Dalbello. The 15-song collection is paired with striking 2024 reimagined artwork by Fantoons Animation Studios.
As a Rush Backstage exclusive, Alex Lifeson will personally autograph 1,000 lithographs to be included with the Ruby Translucent 2LPs, which are available only through the Rush Backstage web store.
Geddy Lee, My Favorite Headache
My Favourite Headache, Geddy Lee’s only solo album to date, was initially released on November 14, 2000. This reissue marks its first vinyl pressing since a limited-edition Record Store Day exclusive in 2019. The fourth side of the album features two instrumental mixes. Produced by Lee, Ben Mink, and David Leonard, the album includes contributions from Mink and drummers Matt Cameron (Soundgarden/Pearl Jam) and Jeremy Taggart (Our Lady Peace).
For more details on the Geddy Lee reissue and to preorder, visit: https://lnk.to/MyFavouriteHeadache.
Rush — bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist/vocalist Alex Lifeson, and the late, great drummer/lyricist Neil Peart — maintains a massive and uniquely passionate worldwide fanbase that acknowledges and respects the band’s singular, bold, and perpetually exploratory songcraft that combines sterling musicianship, complex compositions, and distinctive lyrical flair. Rush has sold more than 30 million albums in Canada and the U.S. alone, with worldwide sales estimated at 45 million (and counting). Between Music Canada and the RIAA, Rush has been awarded 50 Gold, 30 Platinum, and 9 Multi-Platinum album distinctions (and counting). Rush has also had 5 Top 10 Billboard Canada Albums, received 7 Grammy nominations, 10 Juno Award wins with 41 Nominations, and earned an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Additionally, Lee, Lifeson, and Peart were made Officers of the Order of Canada on May 9, 1996.
For more information, visit: https://www.rush.com
This set pairs a custom version of the EMG PA with a new brushed gold cover.
Santa Rosa, CA (January 25, 2021) -- EMG Pickups announces the Les Claypool Signature ‘Pachyderm Gold’ P-Bass Pickup. This set pairs a custom version of the EMG PA with a new brushed gold cover, bringing a new aesthetic to the tried and true EMG formula and defying the laws of the traditional P.
Having spent decades as an EMG artist, Claypool has experimented with a multitude of EMG bass products from soapbars to the various P-bass models. Over the years he found himself coming back to the EMG PA pudding time after pudding time. In order to solidify his funky tone, the original PA laid the groundwork for his new signature design.
The Les Claypool ‘Pachyderm Gold’ PA is a standard 4-string P-bass pickup size and utilizes Alnico 5 magnets. Short, squat coils give this P Pickup a warm and rich tone without any unwanted noise so you can rumble like a southbound pachyderm headed for the seas of cheese. The set includes the EMG solderless wiring kit, containing the pots and components necessary for the classic P-Bass configuration, making at-home installation a breeze. Being a family-run Northern California company, EMG was ecstatic to hear that Les teamed up with his son, Cage, to create this Wild West flick for the release of these gold nuggets.
“As a veteran music video director and wannabe filmmaker, it swells my chest with puffy pride to see my son Cage delve into the world of cinematography and excel at it. He blows me away with his skill set, perspective, work ethic and ease of collaboration. That’s my boy!!” –Les Claypool
They can’t all be zingers, but the Pachyderm gold set is sure to satisfy! Get yours before the gold rush begins!
MAP: $149.00 MSRP: $249.99
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EMG Pickups