This page about Carl Thompson - Maple 6 String Bass is a stub. You can help improve it:

Home
... Musical Instruments
Bass Guitars
Electric Basses
Carl Thompson
Carl Thompson - Maple 6 String Bass

Carl Thompson - Maple 6 String Bass

5.0 (1)

Find out who is using Carl Thompson Maple 6 String

4 wishlisted

5 saved

Page last updated Oct 22, 2025

Pricing and availability

Store

Reviews

Price

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

It is a Carl Thompson 6 string that was originally made for Chris Brubeck in 1978. It was also the first 6 string fretless bass ever created. Carl put frets on and sold it to Les Claypool in 1993

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Carl Thompson - Maple 6 String Bass.

Build quality

0 0

The scroll design, while appearing top-heavy, is crucial for balance; removing it would make the bass unwieldy.
Source

User experience

0 0

Despite its appearance, the Carl Thompson bass is lighter and well-balanced, but the frets could benefit from additional smoothing.
Source
0 0

Upper fret access on the Carl Thompson bass isn't optimal, surprising given its high-end status.
Source
0 0

Owners of Carl Thompson basses describe the playability as "dream-like," indicating a highly positive tactile and auditory experience.
Source
0 0

Some owners prefer the uncompressed bass sound from the "Brown Album," indicating interest in alternative production perspectives.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

Carl Thompson basses command high resale value due to limited availability and high demand, making them a strong investment for collectors or serious musicians.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The Carl Thompson bass is often mentioned alongside Wal Mk I basses, suggesting a shared esteem among enthusiasts for both brands.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The Rainbow Bass by Carl Thompson is coveted for its unique aesthetics, which include intricate color patterns that are highly desirable yet rare.
Source
0 0

The Carl Thompson bass used on the "Brown Album" is made of birdseye maple with a cherry neck and ebony fingerboard, contributing to its distinct tonal characteristics.
Source
0 0

Extreme panning on the "Brown Album" can affect headphone listening experience, highlighting a unique production choice that influences perception of the bass tone.
Source

Other

0 0

Carl Thompson basses are noted for their scarcity, which adds to their allure and mystique among bass enthusiasts and collectors.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The Rainbow Bass is considered a "bucket list" item, indicating its status as an ultimate acquisition goal for serious bass players.
Source
0 0

Achieving the "Brown Album" tone involves slight distortion and boosting high mids, aligning with its gritty and unique sound profile.
Source