Jeff Matz

After working together on a couple custom builds over the years, we decided it was time that we create a new bass, from the ground up, designed to Jeff’s exact specs. Basically, what would be his dream instrument, fit for both tracking a High On Fire record, as well as touring on it for years to come. In our opinion, Jeff has done the research and development necessary to know what will work and what won’t. He is an avid collector and tinkerer and has tried infinite combinations of gear, so he knows what he likes, and what sounds good.

We also went to our good friend Alex Avedissian, of Avedissian Pickups, to create the perfect pickup set, the “Silver Machine” set. The Silver Machine Bass pickups are single coils with the middle being RW/RP. Calibrated for a balanced output, the Silver Machine pickups are wound for a strong punch with a tight and full low end while retaining plenty of bite for cutting overdriven tone. Jeff says, “After much experimentation, we arrived at a single coil set that delivers the cutting tone I’m after, with a big, punchy bottom end and sweet, creamy mids. These pickups deliver crisp, open clean tones, and absolutely crushing overdriven sounds.”

Bass First Act Limited Edition Delgada; GHS Bass Boomers (.050-.115), Dunlop Tortex Picks (1.14mm)

Rig 80s Ampeg SVT VL head and 8x10 cab; 70s Laney Klipp head and Marshall 4x12 cab

Effects MXR M80 Bass DI, Fulltone Bass-Drive MOSFET, Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff, Whirlwind A/B Box, Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner

I run the DI, with distortion as my primary tone, into the SVT. I've also been using Matt's Metal Muff to get a crazy, overdriven sound. We like the heaviness of tuning down two steps to CFBbEb.

http://www.bassplayer.com/article/high-fires-jeff/may-08/35685

Jeff Matz runs us through the structural design of the bass.