3 Things to Know About Mark Sandman’s Two-String Slide Bass

Sandman used a custom two-string slide bass as the core of Morphine’s sound. The instrument had only two strings, tuned an octave apart, and was played with a slide for a deep, droning tone.

The bass lacked frets and standard pickups, relying on a single magnetic pickup. This stripped-down design forced Sandman to play with precision and gave the band its signature minimalist, bluesy groove.

Morphine’s lineup had no guitar, so the bass carried both rhythm and melody. Sandman’s slide technique filled the sonic space, making the two-string bass the band’s lead instrument.