Les Claypool’s famously unorthodox one-string bass is now available to players everywhere. Long a cult-favorite oddity in his live arsenal, the Whamola has been reimagined for the stage through a new collaboration with Pachyderm Instruments. Handcrafted in Sonoma County, this performance-ready version brings Claypool’s signature blend of rhythmic invention and sonic chaos to musicians ready to step outside the bounds of traditional low-end.
Rooted in the lineage of the washtub bass and named for its hybrid of “whammy bar” and “viola,” the Whamola features a precision aluminum frame, hardwood fingerboard, and built-in P-Bass–style pickup. A spring-loaded lever lets players bend notes with expressive control or lock into a tuned-percussion role, while the heavy-gauge string can be plucked, slapped, bowed, or struck like a drum – often all in the same performance.
“This isn’t a novelty instrument – it’s a serious tool for sound exploration,” says Whamola Co-designer Andy Graham. “It’s incredibly versatile, whether you’re looking to hold down a groove, add rhythmic textures, or make something totally unclassifiable.”
A direct descendant of the washtub bass used in early American skiffle and jug bands, the Whamola gets its name from a mashup of “whammy bar” and “viola.” Claypool first helped popularize the instrument in the early 2000s, using it on The Frog Brigade’s Purple Onion and regularly spotlighting it in Primus’s “Drum and Whamola Jam” segments. A remix of the original Whamola track even ended up as the theme for several seasons of South Park, helping bring the instrument’s warped, elastic tone into mainstream pop culture.
Les has wielded the Whamola live and on record for years, helping cement its reputation as a mutant cousin to the electric bass. This latest collaboration arrives amid a particularly creative stretch for Claypool, who recently released the new Claypool Lennon Delirium single “WAP (What a Predicament)” and will soon hit the road on the Claypool Gold tour – featuring the Delirium, Primus, and the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade performing full sets each night.
Early production runs of the Whamola have already sold out, with more in the works. Each unit is handcrafted in small batches and features adjustable height (approx. 4’3”–4’10”), custom finishes, and a heavy-gauge string mounted for high-impact play. For more information and to purchase the Whamola, please visit https://pachyderminstruments.com/collections/all.
The Whamola by Pachyderm Instruments
- One-string electric bass with pitch-bending lever
- Built-in P-Bass–style pickup
- Aluminum frame, hardwood fingerboard
- Playable via fingerstyle, sticks, or percussive strikes
- Adjustable height: approx. 4’3”–4’10”
- Handcrafted in Sonoma County, California
- $649.99 USD
- Sign up for restock updates: www.pachyderminstruments.com