Dialing in a Rancid/Green Day Punk Tone

twiz · #1 09-24-2011, 04:17 PM

I will start by saying, I am jazz musician -- so while I have played bass in a lot of settings and surrounds, I'm really not familiar with getting many tonal set ups that step outside of the more muted balanced tones preferred in straight ahead jazz.

Anyway, I was recently begged by a close friend to sit in with his band during a few shows. The music is all punk rock/hard rock with a bunch of Rancid / Green Day / Clash type songs.

I am hoping to get some general thoughts on EQ / tone control set ups with my existing equipment to get close to that clicky punk bass tone I've heard on old Rancid / Green Day albums.

I have:

- Ibanez SRX700 bass
- Ibanez Promethean combo & cab
- Acoustic Image Coda+ combo

If the consensus is that I'm not getting close with these guys, I suppose I can go buy a few things (as I will be paid reasonably well for the gigs) -- so your suggestions (under $500-600 or so) would be appreciated. Candidly, I was thinking I may have to buy a Squier CV or Epiphone bass of some type that I can set up (and not screw up my current instruments for other jazz gigs), put some brighter strings on it and play it through the Promethean with a suggested EQ curve.

I should add that I have historically only used Thomastik Infeld Flatwounds (again, I'm a jazz guy!), so these may have to go.

All your feedback appreciated... this is really 'out of the box' for me.

RickenBoogie · #2 09-24-2011, 04:22 PM

I'd think a set of stainless roundwounds would be a good start, and maybe some sort of dirt pedal to get aggressive. But really, any gear can be used in any genre of music, as it just comes down to personal preferences in the long run.

hdracer · #3 09-24-2011, 04:27 PM

Get a Squier P bass off CL.

Zoa · #4 09-24-2011, 04:37 PM

Steel roundwounds, pick, tone and volume on full, bump the high mids on your amp.

A-train · #5 09-24-2011, 05:17 PM

I second Zoa's instructions! Steel strings, pick ( if your not familiar with picks try a 75 gauge and go up or down from there ) and definetly bump your mids!

knumbskull · #6 09-24-2011, 05:24 PM

/\/\/\ thirded! Zoa nailed it basically. you don't need a new bass for sure

Heatmonger · #7 09-24-2011, 08:32 PM

Stainless Steel roundwounds. turn up the mids.

VT bass pedal couldn't hurt for that type of tone if you are willing to use effects....

jasper383 · #8 09-24-2011, 08:38 PM

Rotosound 66 strings. Pick. Lots of hi mids for some "poke" in the sound.

You'll be fine. No need for a new bass (other than it's always nice to get a new bass). If you must get a new bass, the Squier P Basses are nice value choices. The Matt Freeman model would be perfect for a Rancid style band. And, when this gig ends, you can put TI Jazz Flats on it and be set.

Unrepresented · #9 09-25-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoa

Steel roundwounds, pick, tone and volume on full, bump the high mids on your amp.

Solid starting point. If this doesn't net you the tone you're needing, you may want to invest in a mild overdrive pedal, both Freeman of Rancid and Dirnt of Green Day recorded through ampeg rigs. Tech 21's got an emulator pedal called the VT that's rumored to be very accurate at dialing in that tone, but it's certainly not the only option for adding a touch of grind to your rig, a quick search in the effects forum for overdrive should offer many threads on the subject.

greengoblin · #10 09-25-2011, 04:07 PM

I would recommend finding a cheap MIM, Squier or GSR100(if you want to stick with Ibanez), then Nickel round wounds, a thick pick and add in a decent amount of treble and some mids. A VT pedal would help pull the Ampeg tube tone.

I think the key here is the pbass tone along with the nickel wounds and a thick pick.. Then adjust the amp from there or look into the pedal...

RFMac · #11 09-25-2011, 04:33 PM

I too am in the same position. I usually play R&B/Soul/Jazz and found myself in a band that does the same material for some extra cash. I did the switch to rounds but lately I have found that the TIs and a VT bass do the job just fine in a live setting. So I have been bringing my regular two go to instruments, both strung with TIs (a jazz and Precision). So I would suggest something that simply adds a a little tube like grit to your current set up, like a VT Bass pedal or something of a similar vein. No need to spend too much on a new bass and strings that will only see limited use (as I did) IMHO. Cheers.