Krist Novoselic sound

klejst · #1 06-07-2011, 07:41 AM

I hope I am posting this in the appropriate forum, perhaps this question belongs in the effects forum (mods feel free to move this if need be). I have always been a fan of Nirvana (I grew up through the alternative/grunge 90's), and Kurt, Dave, and Pat were all very talented and awesome musicians and performers, however I was always glued onto Krist's bass sound. It really punched through and gave Nirvana a very signature sound. I know use primarily used Gibson basses with occasionally a Ibanez Black Eagle and a variety of bass cabs and heads. But does anyone know exactly what he used to get that signature grungy bass tone? Like the tone he had at the Reading Festival, as well as on the song "I should of known" off the Foo's new album, as well as on all the Nirvana albums of course.

It killed me a little inside back in 1994 when Kurt died, however life moves on. I saw the Foo Fighters again live about 3 weeks ago. And as always Dave and the gang did not disappoint and put on one of the best shows I have ever seen!

glenb73 · #2 06-07-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klejst

I hope I am posting this in the appropriate forum, perhaps this question belongs in the effects forum (mods feel free to move this if need be). I have always been a fan of Nirvana (I grew up through the alternative/grunge 90's), and Kurt, Dave, and Pat were all very talented and awesome musicians and performers, however I was always glued onto Krist's bass sound. It really punched through and gave Nirvana a very signature sound. I know use primarily used Gibson basses with occasionally a Ibanez Black Eagle and a variety of bass cabs and heads. But does anyone know exactly what he used to get that signature grungy bass tone? Like the tone he had at the Reading Festival, as well as on the song "I should of known" off the Foo's new album, as well as on all the Nirvana albums of course.

It killed me a little inside back in 1994 when Kurt died, however life moves on. I saw the Foo Fighters again live about 3 weeks ago. And as always Dave and the gang did not disappoint and put on one of the best shows I have ever seen!

It sucks that Kurt died, but if he didn't die there never would have been a Foo Fighters.

mmbongo · #3 06-07-2011, 08:11 AM

You should watch that new Foo Fighters documentary. They filmed Krist recording the song he did on their new album, and you can definitely hear that bass coming through. It was some sort of Gibson.

Count Bassie · #4 06-07-2011, 08:33 AM

Seems to me that humbuckers, a pick and a good dose of "Ham" gave him that sound.

klejst · #5 06-07-2011, 08:41 AM

True, and I have seen the new Foo documentary (a very good watch if you have not seen it) and I believe the bass he uses is a Gibson Ripper.

Count Bassie · #6 06-07-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klejst

True, and I have seen the new Foo documentary (a very good watch if you have not seen it) and I believe the bass he uses is a Gibson Ripper.

That generation of Gibsons are real cool basses. Even the ugly "RD Series" is an unfortunately great-sounding bass, apparently- in the right hands at least.

joeydavidson · #7 06-07-2011, 04:33 PM

I always liked his tone on Nevermind, I think he was using an Ampeg 400t or SVT-II through Mesa cabs, not sure if this is correct though.

Count Bassie · #8 06-07-2011, 04:58 PM

On SNL, the famous one where he tossed his bass in the air and it landed back down on his sorry head (he-he-heh...), he was using an SVT and some Hartke cabs, along with an Ampeg 8x10 I think.

And SVT through a Hartke 4x10 sounds pretty good, by the way...

Caca de Kick · #9 06-08-2011, 12:54 AM

A few pictures on the walls of some clubs here in Seattle, and I saw a Mesa Bass 400 head and Boogie cabs.

Gearhead17 · #10 06-08-2011, 01:14 AM

Pick, 10" loaded cabs, all-tube amp of some sort. The song "Blew" and "Sliver" remind me very much of an Ampeg SVT or 2 PRO set so the power tubes are growling nicely.

Gibson Grabber, maybe a P Bass? Whatever growls well with a pick plus a tube amp and you are set.

I am not familiar with his other tones, but I do not think they are difficult to obtain.

punchclock · #11 06-08-2011, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Count Bassie

On SNL, the famous one where he tossed his bass in the air and it landed back down on his sorry head (he-he-heh...), he was using an SVT and some Hartke cabs, along with an Ampeg 8x10 I think.

And SVT through a Hartke 4x10 sounds pretty good, by the way...

that was an MTV awards show.

Count Bassie · #12 06-08-2011, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punchclock

that was an MTV awards show.

Oh yeah... that was just lousy that Chris knocked himself in the head with that heavy bass! Had to feel that. So much for the brave swagger of the disenfranchised put on display...

icks · #13 06-08-2011, 05:44 AM

On youtube, I watched the 1992 Reading festival Nirvana's performance.
Great show, great band.

Back to Krist rocking his Tbird, we can see an unknown (marshall?) 8x10 between 2 stacks of marshall 4x12 guitar cabs.
I can't tell for the amp, i suppose they are the SVT-400T or/and the Fender BXR with masters pushed way beyond reason.

I've seen picture one month before Reading festival with Krist using a rack with SVT 400T + Fender BXR and I've seen picture one month after the festival where he has is highly modded Hiwatt DR103 tube guitar amp. We know once he had this one, he didn't play other stuff.

klejst · #14 06-08-2011, 06:09 AM

NICE! Thanks everyone for posting, I just always loved his sound/tone and was always curious what he all used to get it. I would like to replicate the sound, however don't want to be "that guy."

Count Bassie · #15 06-08-2011, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klejst

NICE! Thanks everyone for posting, I just always loved his sound/tone and was always curious what he all used to get it. I would like to replicate the sound, however don't want to be "that guy."

Don't think he's a bad guy, he was doing some kind of work for Kosovo, was it? Sh... can't remember whether it was Kosovo or Serbia! Bad of me... but anyway I think he's a very good bass player, unfortunately he's been largely ignored by the music world as a talent. Mistake, I think. You don't have to be Jaco to have something to offer.

He was also, apparently, a stability-providing element in Nirvana; one of those characters who naturally acts as a dynamic buffer around more volatile personalities.

klejst · #16 06-08-2011, 07:33 AM

No no ha ha, I was not saying Krist is a bad guy, he is freaking awesome and I too think under appreciated in music today. I was just saying I don't want to be known as a guy who totally rips off Krist's signature tone and sound. However you can only get so many sounds from a amp and cab before it could start sounding like a tone other artists have used.

Count Bassie · #17 06-08-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klejst

No no ha ha, I was not saying Krist is a bad guy, he is freaking awesome and I too think under appreciated in music today. I was just saying I don't want to be known as a guy who totally rips off Krist's signature tone and sound. However you can only get so many sounds from a amp and cab before it could start sounding like a tone other artists have used.

Get you... yeah but you know, you won't anyway. You're going to sound like you for many reasons! You don't stand the way he does, you think differently, lean into your phrasing differently. But I know what you mean, you want to go find yours. And you're right! Do it, man!!

FronTowardEnemy · #18 06-08-2011, 05:14 PM

YouTube - ‪Nirvana - Lounge Act (Bass)‬&rlm;

Love this sound of his!

Count Bassie · #19 06-08-2011, 05:28 PM

Love the imperfection of it! There you go- it's about what you do for the band. Great, thanks for posting that!

P.S. Guess why I love imperfection so much...

klejst · #20 06-08-2011, 09:19 PM

I love it! Thanks as well for posting that. Ok...why do you love the imperfection so much?