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Straps

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Chris mainly uses leather straps from Status Graphite these days, but has been seen using ones from Manson Guitar Works in the past - the same as Bellamy uses.

Simulation Theory

In the studio, Chris has been seen using a '73 Jazz Bass, a '77 Jazz Bass and Status basses. An Ampeg SVT-VR and Ashdown BTA 400 heads were also part of his studio setup. During a 2018 interview on Virgin Radio Italy, Matt mentioned Chris also used a Misa Kitara for Break It To Me in the studio.

When speaking to John Kennedy on Radio X, he mentioned that, as opposed to previous albums being recorded with a live rig (giving them a set tone when done tracking), they've mostly recorded Simulation Theory with clean bass going straight into the console, which gave them flexibility to manipulate the sound later in the DAW.

Studio

Chris recording Simulation Theory; Seen using an Ashdown BTA 400 with his '73 Fender Jazz Bass

Basses

• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass
• Fender '77 Jazz Bass
• Fender '73 Jazz Bass

Effects

Rack 1

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE
• Empirical Labs Distressor
• Custom connector panel (Unknown)
• Markbass SD1200
• Kemper Profiling Amplifier (black) (Big Muff)
• Kemper Profiling Amplifier (black) (Animato)

Rack 2

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE
• Skrydstrup Bass Routing System
• Shure UA845 Antenna /Power Distribution
• Shure UR4D
• Shure UR4D
• Skrydstrup MR10
• Skrydstrup MR10
• TC Electronic G-Major 2
• FX Tray 1 (unknown)
• FX Tray 2 (unknown)
• FX Tray 3 (unknown)
• Electrix Filter Factory

Amps

• Markbass SD1200
• Ampeg SVT-VR
• Ashdown BTA400

Live

Chris's rack during the Simulation Theory World Tour

Chris's bass tech with gear used on the ST tour behind him

During the tour, he acquired a new black/maple fretboard Fender Jazz Bass, a new Black/Stealth 5-String and a custom LED-Strip Status bass.

Effects-wise, he added a Pigtronix Disnortion distortion/fuzz and the Eventide H9 Harmonizer, while the POG2, allthough not seen on pics before, has likely been on his board since the 2017 Amphitheatre Tour.

He also updated the two Skrydstrup MR10 loop switchers with the RJM Effect Gizmo loop switchers.

According to Chris's bass tech Jon Ashworth, the sound is based around the Markbass SD1200 heads running through the Markbass 1x15 cabinets and distortion is layered on top of that either through Kempers or through individual pedals, which are connected to RJM Switching Systems.

Basses

• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass
• Status Custom Red Series II
• Status Kitara Doubleneck Bass
• Status Keyboard Bass
• Fender '77 Jazz Bass
• Fender Geddy Lee Signature Jazz Bass
• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass 5-string
• Status S2-Classic (Back-Up)

Rack 1

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE
• Empirical Labs Distressor
• Markbass SD1200
• Markbass SD1200
• Kemper Profiling Amplifier (black)
• Kemper Profiling Amplifier (black)
• Kemper Profiling Amplifier (black)

Rack 2

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE
• Skrydstrup Bass Routing System
• Shure UA845 Antenna /Power Distribution
• Shure AD4D
• Shure AD4D
• RJM Effect Gizmo
• TC Electronic G-Major 2
• FX Tray 1 (Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi, MXR Six Band Graphic EQ, Boss OC-2 Octave, Crowther Audio Prunes and Custard, Unknown)
• FX Tray 2 (Pigtronix Disnortion, Akai Deep Impact, Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler, Unknown)
• RJM Effect Gizmo
• FX Tray 3 (Eventide H9 Harmonizer/Effects Processor, EHX POG2, Unknown)

Cabinets

• 2 Markbass 151 15" Cabinets

Other

• Panda Audio MIDI Beam (for wireless MIDI transmission for the Status Keyboard Bass)

North American Summer Amphitheatre Tour 2017

Basses

• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass
• Status Original Series II
• Status Kitara Doubleneck Bass
• Status Kitara Doubleneck Bass Mk2
• Status S2-Classic
• Status The KingBass Mk-II

Drones

Drones studio bass rack

Drones live rack setup

During the recording of Drones, Chris mainly used Status bass guitars again, allthough a Rickenbacker and the Gibsons were also spotted in the studio. He ran them through an Ampeg SVT-VR head for the clean channel and two Marshall DBS 7400s for distorted channels. Later, for the cover of New Kind of Kick, he likely used a Gretsch Thunder Jet, seen in the video, in the studio.

As for the live setupr, Chris kept his collection of basses the same as for The 2nd Law tour, with the 5-string Jazz Bass making a return for a couple of Assassin performances. The Chris Wolstenholme Status Graphite 5-String bass also made appearances for Assassin. The rack was almost exactly the same as with the T2L tours with two Kempers and two Markbass SD1200 heads.

Studio

Basses

• Status S2-Classic (Graphite)
• Status S2-Classic (Graphite/Blue-LED)
• Status "The Uprising Bass"
• Status Super-Vintage GP
• Gibson Grabber
• Gibson Ripper
• Rickenbacker 4003
• Fender '77 Jazz Bass (Sunburst/Maple fretboard)
• Gretsch G6128B Thunder Jet

Amps

• Markbass SD1200
• Ampeg SVT-VR
• 2x Marshall DBS 7400
• 2x Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Cabs

• Marshall 7410 4x10 Cabinet
• Marshall 7115 1x15 Cabinet
• Marshall 7215 2x15 Cabinet

Rack 1

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE Power Distribution Unit
• Skrydstrup Custom Routing Interface
• Shure UA845 Antenna Distribution Unit
• 2x Shure UR4D Dual Wireless Reciever
• 2x Skrydstrup MR10 Loop System
• TC Electronic G-Major 2
• Electrix Filter Factory
• 2x Paul Lenders Muse AC-Tool Power Supply Unit

Rack 2

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE Power Distribution Unit
• Empirical Labs Distressor
• Custom Connector Panel
• Markbass SD1200
• 2x Kemper Profiling Amplifier

FX Tray 1

• Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi (perhaps)
• ZVex Basstortion (perhaps)
• ZVex Woolly Mammoth (perhaps)
• Unknown

FX Tray 2

• Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi (perhaps)
• Boss OC-2 (perhaps)
• Crowther Audio Prunes & Custard
• Unknown

FX Tray 3

• Electro-Harmonix Polyphonic Octave Generator (perhaps)
• Unknown

Control

• Liquid Foot Pro Foot Controller

Live

Basses

• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass (Graphite/Blue-LED)
• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass (Graphite/Red-LED)
• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass (Aqua Blue/White-LED)
• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass (Stealth/White-LED)
• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass 5-string (Aqua Blue/Blue-LED)
• Status "The Uprising Bass"
• Status The KingBass Mk-II (Walnut)
• Status Kitara Doubleneck Bass Mk1
• Fender '77 Jazz Bass (Sunburst/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass 5-string (Black/Maple fretboard)

Amps

• 2x [[Markbass SD1200]G
• 2x Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Cabs

• 2x Markbass Standard 151HR 1x15 Bass Cab

Rack 1

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE
• Skrydstrup Custom Routing Interface
• Shure UA845 Antenna Distribution Unit
• 2x Shure UR4D Dual Wireless Reciever
• 2x Skrydstrup MR10 Loop System
• TC Electronic G-Major 2
• Electrix Filter Factory
• 2x Paul Lenders Muse AC-Tool Power Supply Unit

Rack 2

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE
• Empirical Labs Distressor
• Custom Connector Panel
• 2x Markbass SD1200
• 2x Kemper Profiling Amplifier

FX Tray 1

• MXR M109 Six Band EQ
• Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi
• Unknown

FX Tray 2

• Digitech Bass Synth Wah
• Unknown

Tuner

• Peterson AutoStrobe 490 Tuner

Control

• Liquid Foot Pro Foot Controller (off-stage) (early)
• RJM Mastermind GT/22 Foot Controller (off-stage)

On-Stage Pedalboard

• Liquid Foot Pro Foot Controller (on-stage) (early)
• RJM Mastermind GT/22 Foot Controller (on-stage)
• Korg Pitchblack Pro Tuner

The 2nd Law

T2L studio set-up

T2L tour bass selection

T2L tour rack

For The 2nd Law, Chris kept the same studio setup as he used on The Resistance tour, but included more pedals and two Markbass SD1200 heads. Live, he replaced the Marshall DBS 7400 amps completely with the afforementioned SD1200s (clean channels) and two Kemper Profiling Amplifier heads (for overdrive channels), with the DBS 7400 amps all profiled.

He also ditched most of the Fender Jazz Basses and started playing Status basses almost exclusively.

Studio

Basses

• Status S2-Classic (Graphite)
• Status S2-Classic (Graphite-LED)
• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass (Graphite/Blue-LED)
• Fender '77 Jazz Bass (Sunburst/Maple fretboard)
• Status Super-Vintage GP
• Dean Stylist
• Gibson Grabber
• Status S2-Classic (Walnut)

Amps

• 4x Marshall DBS 7400
• Markbass MoMark SD800
• Markbass SD1200
• Ampeg SVT-VR

Cabs

• Markbass Standard 104HF 4x10 Bass Cab
• Markbass Classic 152 2x15 Bass Cab

Rack 1

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE Power Distribution Unit
• Skrydstrup Custom Routing Interface
• Shure UA845 Antenna Distribution Unit
• 2x Shure UR4D Dual Wireless Reciever
• 3x Skrydstrup MR10 Loop System
• Electrix Filter Factory
• 2x Paul Lenders Muse AC-Tool Power Supply Unit

Rack 2

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE Power Distribution Unit
• TC Electronic G-Major 2
• Line 6 Bass POD XT Pro
• 2x Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1.1
• Custom Connector Panel
• 4x Marshall DBS 7400

FX Tray 1 (Rack-Top)

• Way Huge Aqua-Puss
• Way Huge Green Rhino
• Way Huge Fat Sandwich
• Way Huge Swollen Pickle
• Way Huge Angry Troll
• Crowther Audio Prunes & Custard

FX Tray 2

• Human Gear Animato Distortion
• Way Huge Pork Loin
• ZVex Woolly Mammoth

FX Tray 3

• Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler
• Electro-Harmonix Octave Multiplexer
• Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi (perhaps)

FX Tray 4

• HBE Hematoma Bass Overdrive/Pre-Amp
• ZVex Mastotron
• Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi (perhaps)
• Boss OC-2 (perhaps)

Control

• Liquid Foot Pro Foot Controller

Other

• A Designs REDDI Tube Direct Box

Live

Basses

• Fender '73 Jazz Bass (Butterscotch/Rosewood fretboard)
• Fender '77 Jazz Bass (Sunburst/Maple fretboard)
• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass (Graphite/Blue-LED)
• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass (Graphite/Red-LED)
• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass (Aqua Blue/White-LED)
• Status Chris Wolstenholme Signature Bass 5-string (Graphite/Green-LED)
• Status Original Series II (Mahogany)
• Status "The Uprising Bass"
• Status S2-Classic (Walnut)
• Status The KingBass Mk-II (Walnut)
• Status Kitara Doubleneck Bass Mk1

Amps

• 2x Kemper Profiling Amplifier
• 2x Markbass SD1200

Cabs

• 2x Markbass Standard 151HR 1x15 Bass Cab

Rack 1

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE Power Distribution Unit
• Skrydstrup Custom Routing Interface
• Shure UA845 Antenna Distribution Unit
• 2x Shure UR4D Dual Wireless Reciever
• 2x Skrydstrup MR10 Loop System
• TC Electronic G-Major 2
• Electrix Filter Factory
• 2x Paul Lenders Muse AC-Tool Power Supply Unit

Rack 2

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE Power Distribution Unit
• Empirical Labs Distressor
• Custom Connector Panel
• Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1.1
• 2x Markbass SD 1200
• 2x Kemper Profiling Amplifier

FX Tray 1

• Crowther Audio Prunes & Custard
• Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi
• Unknown

FX Tray 2

• Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler
• Human Gear Animato Distortion (perhaps)
• Unknown

FX Tray 3

• Unknown

Tuner

• Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner

Control

• Liquid Foot Pro Foot Controller (off-stage)

On-Stage Pedalboard

• Liquid Foot Pro Foot Controller (on-stage)
• Korg DTR2000 Tuner

The Resistance

Rack (Offstage)

Ampeg SVT-VR

For The Resistance era, Chris expanded his setup even more, especially in terms of basses rack gear. This was the first tour that Chris started using Status basses with the first one being the Status Original Series II.

Both the studio and live setups were the same, excluding the bass and amp selection.

Studio

Basses

• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Candy Tangerine/Rosewood fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Candy Tangerine/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Black/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Pearlescent White/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Vintage '75 Jazz Bass (Natural/Maple fretboard)
• Fender '77 Jazz Bass (Sunburst/Maple fretboard)
• Status Original Series II (Walnut)
• Gibson Ripper
• Gibson Grabber
• Pedulla Rapture RB4-4 (Candy Blue)

Amps

• 4x Marshall DBS 7400 Head
• Ampeg SVT-VR
• Line 6 Bass POD XT Pro

Cabs

• Marshall 7410 4x10 Cabinet
• Marshall 7115 1x15 Cabinet
• Marshall 7215 2x15 Cabinet

Live

Basses

• Fender American Standard Jazz Bass (Blizzard Pearl/Rosewood fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Candy Tangerine/Rosewood fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Candy Tangerine/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Black/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Pearlescent White/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass 5-string (Black/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Vintage '75 Jazz Bass (Natural/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Chrome/Maple fretboard)
• Noah Guitars Excalibur Bass
• Rickenbacker 4003
• Status Original Series II (Mahogany)
• Status The KingBass MK II (Walnut)
• Gibson Grabber
• Status S2-Classic (Walnut)
• Status S2-Classic (Graphite)
• Status S2-Classic (Graphite-LED)
• Status Super-Vintage GP

Amps

• 4x Marshall DBS 7400 Head
• Line 6 Bass POD XT Pro
• 2x Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1.1

Cabs

• 2x Marshall 7215 2x15 Cabinet
• Marshall 7115 1x15 Cabinet

Racks

Rack 1

• Electrix Filter Factory
• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE Power Distribution Unit
• TC Electronic G-Major 2
• Line 6 Bass POD XT Pro
• 2x Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1.1
• Custom Connector Panel
• 4x Marshall DBS 7400

Rack 2

• ETA Systems EPD11 LVIEC-CE Power Distribution Unit
• Skrydstrup Custom Routing Interface
• Shure UA845 Antenna Distribution Unit
• 2x Shure UR4D Dual Wireless Reciever
• 2x Skrydstrup MR10 Loop System
• Sound Sculpture Switchblade GL
• 2x Paul Lenders Muse AC-Tool Power Supply Unit

FX Tray 1

• Human Gear Animato Distortion
• Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi
• Electro-Harmonix Vintage Octave Multiplexer
• Crowther Audio Prunes & Custard
• ZVex Woolly Mammoth

FX Tray 2

• Human Gear Animato Distortion
• 2x Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi
• Digitech Bass Synth Wah
• Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler

FX Tray 3

• Boss OC-2 Octave
• Electro-Harmonix Micro Q-Tron
• Akai Deep Impact SB1 Bass Synthesiser Pedal
• HBE Hematoma Bass Overdrive/Pre-Amp
• Gap with 2 disconnected patch cables, possibly for the Boss DD-3

Tuner

• Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner

Control

• Liquid-Foot Pro MIDI Controller (off-stage)

On-Stage Pedalboard

• Liquid-Foot Pro MIDI Controller (on-stage)
• Korg DTR2000 Tuner
• Ernie Ball EX-S Expression Pedal (controls the Filter Factory)

Black Holes and Revelations

Board

Not much is known about Chris' gear during the BH&R era as there were little to no pictures of his gear taken during the period, however it is known that Chris started using Fender Jazz Basses a lot more frequently. He also ditched the on-stage amps/cabs halfway through the tour, and started miking them backstage. Instead, he only opted for an on-stage subwoofer, so he could still feel the sub low end, and he also took away the MIDI foot pedal controller.

Based on some interviews, Chris added four more Marshall DBS 7400 heads to his setup, having eight in total.

Basses

• Fender American Standard Jazz Bass (Blizzard Pearl/Rosewood fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Candy Tangerine/Rosewood fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Candy Tangerine/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Black/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Pearlescent White/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass 5-string (Black/Maple fretboard)
• Fender American Vintage '75 Jazz Bass (Natural/Maple fretboard)
• Rickenbacker 4003
• Pedulla Rapture RB4-4 (Candy Blue) (only for Micro Cuts live)
• Custom Manson 8-String Bass (never used)

Amps

• 8x Marshall DBS 7400

Cabs

• Marshall 7215 2x15 Cabinet (on-stage monitoring)

Control

• Rocktron All Access Foot Controller

On-Stage Pedalboard

• Korg DTR-1 Rack Tuner
• Rocktron All Access Foot Controller (on-stage)
• Ernie Ball EX-S Expression Pedal

Absolution

Rack

Pedal Board

Pedal Board (Offstage)

For the Absolution tour, Chris moved all of his pedals and amps into the rack. Both him and Matt got into MIDI switching systems, with their techs switching the effects on or off; a system, which they still use, due to the complexity of effect use on albums.

Wolstenholme also got two more of the Marshall DBS 7400 bass amplifiers into the rig.

Basses

• Pedulla Rapture RB4-4 (Candy Blue)
• Pedulla Rapture RB4-4 (Flat Black)
• Pedulla Rapture RB4-4 (Candy Red)
• Zon Sonus Custom 4
• Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (Candy Tangerine/Rosewood fretboard)
• Fender American Standard Jazz Bass (Blizzard Pearl/Rosewood fretboard) (only for Sing for Absolution live)
• Custom Manson 8-String Bass (never used)

Amps/Rack (left)

• 4x Marshall DBS 7400

Rack (right)

• Shure UHF receiver
• 2x Line 6 Filter Pro
• Sound Sculpture Switchblade GL Switcher/Router
• Line 6 Bass POD XT Pro
• 2x Line 6 Bass POD Pro

Off-Stage Pedalboard

• Akai Deep Impact SB1 Bass Synthesiser Pedal
• Human Gear Animato Distortion
• Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi
• Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
• Boss OC-2 Octaver
• Boss PS-3 Pitch Shift Pedal
• Digitech Bass Synth Wah

Control

• Rocktron All Access Foot Controller

On-Stage Pedalboard

• Korg DTR-1 Rack Tuner
• Rocktron All Access Foot Controller (on-stage)
• Roland PK-5 Dynamic Foot Pedal

Other

• Keyboard
• Maracas (for Endlessly)

Origin of Symmetry

OoS Amps

OoS Pedalboard

During the OoS tour, Chris got his Marshall DBS 7400 Dynamic Bass System amplifiers and cabinets. He also got a Black Russian Big Muff Pi and a Human Gear Animato pedal, aswell as an Akai Deep Impact SB1 Bass Synth pedal. A lot of the gear he acquired during this era remains in his setup to this day.

Basses

• Pedulla Rapture RB4-4 (Tobacco Sunburst)
• Pedulla Rapture RBJ2-4 (Candy Blue)
• Pedulla Rapture RB4-4 (Candy Blue)
• Pedulla Rapture RB4-4 (Flat Black)
• Pedulla Rapture RB4-4 (Candy Red)
• Warwick Streamer Pro M (only used in the New Born music video)

Rack

• Marshall B150 Bass Combo (Not in the picture; Sat on top of rack)
• 2x Marshall DBS 7400 Head
• Rack Drawer w/ Marshall Sticker

Cabs

• Marshall 7410 4x10 Cabinet
• Marshall 7115 1x15 Cabinet
• Marshall 7215 2x15 Cabinet

Pedalboard

• Human Gear Animato Distortion
• Boss LS-2 Line Selector
• Boss OC-2 Octaver
• Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi
• Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
• Akai Deep Impact SB1 Bass Synthesiser Pedal
• Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler
• Pete Cornish Line Selector
• Korg DTR-1 Rack Tuner
• Power Supply Unit

Showbiz

Showbiz pedalboard

Allthough amplifiers and basses remained the same, Chris used two effects setups during the Showbiz era; On some early gigs, he only used the Boss OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion, plugged into the Pete Cornish Line Selector and running into the amps.

Wolstenholme equiped his basses with Elites 40-100 stainless steel strings.

Basses

• Pedulla Rapture RB4-4 (Tobacco Sunburst)
• SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB330
• SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB300
• Clifton Electric Upright Bass

Amps

• Ampeg SVT-II Pro
• Ampeg PR-1832HE Bass Cab
• Marshall B150 Bass Combo

Pedalboard

• Electro-Harmonix Green Russian Big Muff Pi
• Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
• Boss LS-2 Line Selector
• Boss OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion
• Boss OC-2 Octave
• Pete Cornish Line Selector
• Korg DTR-1 Rack Tuner
• Power Supply Unit

See also

• Wolstenholme Bass