How to get a growling sound?

[Roda]

Hi there!

Didn't know where to post this, so I'll post it here...

Anyway, I started playing about two months ago. On Saturday I rehearsed with a band for the first time. Now, here's what troubles me. I want to get a "growling" sound on my bass, but however I set the amp, the sound is still too "ringy" and weak, especially when I play on the D and G strings. Could anyone recommend some amp settings for a growling sound that can be heard through two guitars? I play an Ibanez GSR 200, btw.

Thnx!

[Lowtonejoe]

Originally Posted by Roda

Hi there!

Didn't know where to post this, so I'll post it here...

Anyway, I started playing about two months ago. On Saturday I rehearsed with a band for the first time. Now, here's what troubles me. I want to get a "growling" sound on my bass, but however I set the amp, the sound is still too "ringy" and weak, especially when I play on the D and G strings. Could anyone recommend some amp settings for a growling sound that can be heard through two guitars? I play an Ibanez GSR 200, btw.

Thnx!

One way to get you started is to play closer to the bridge. It makes a huge difference in tone.

What kind of amp do you use? If you can, give the low mids a boost.



Joe.

[Roda]

Originally Posted by Lowtonejoe

One way to get you started is to play closer to the bridge. It makes a huge difference in tone.

What kind of amp do you use? If you can, give the low mids a boost.



Joe.

Actually, I get a far better tone by playing closer to the neck (just above the neck pickup). Regarding the amp, I use an Ibanez Soundwave 35 W practise amp at home, but when I played with the band, I have no idea. It wasn't mine and I really can't remember.

[Erick Lam]

Maybe I have different definition of growl than LowTone. I get growling by plucking over the neck. You can let the other strings resonnate by sympathy and play with the pressure on your left hand finger and working on vibrato. Growl is in the hands.

But then, toy basses (fretted) don't growl too well.

[Lowtonejoe]

Originally Posted by Roda

Actually, I get a far better tone by playing closer to the neck (just above the neck pickup).

I thought you wanted to get some growl??

Regarding the amp, I use an Ibanez Soundwave 35 W practise amp at home, but when I played with the band, I have no idea. It wasn't mine and I really can't remember.

Play with the mid eq on your amp and see if you can find the tone you like.



Joe.

[Lowtonejoe]

Originally Posted by Erick Lam

Maybe I have different definition of growl than LowTone. I get growling by plucking over the neck. You can let the other strings resonnate by sympathy and play with the pressure on your left hand finger and working on vibrato. Growl is in the hands.

But then, toy basses (fretted) don't growl too well.

Hi Erick,

Your bass has a lot to do with delivering growl. It's all in the mids.

Your amp has a lot to do with delivering growl, it's all in the mids.

Your fingers have a lot to do with growl. It's all in where you pluck the strings, whether you use the tips or pads of your fingers to pluck, and how hard you pluck that influences the mids to come out of your rig.

But in the end, growl is all about mids.

No mids, no growl.



Joe.

[Erick Lam]

My bass growls and it's not even plugged in.

[Lowtonejoe]

Originally Posted by Erick Lam

My bass growls and it's not even plugged in.

From the corner across the room?

Heh heh.

Actually, and maybe this is what you are talking about, some basses do have that nice growly, upper mid tone unplugged.

You need to plug in to get lower mid growl.



Joe.

[Erick Lam]

We must talking of different things. I pluck so the string caresses the neck when it oscillates, giving a woody, overdrivenish sound. A member of another band asked me if I used some kind of fuzz for that sound. That sounds from the neck is growl for me, and that's why fretted don't growl so well, it just sound like fret noise.

When I mention playing with finger pressure and vibrato, it's to release pressure until you get that slight buzzing sound.

[Demon]

Growl = GRRRRRR

[Lowtonejoe]

Originally Posted by Erick Lam

We must talking of different things. I pluck so the string caresses the neck when it oscillates, giving a woody, overdrivenish sound. A member of another band asked me if I used some kind of fuzz for that sound. That sounds from the neck is growl for me, and that's why fretted don't growl so well, it just sound like fret noise.

When I mention playing with finger pressure and vibrato, it's to release pressure until you get that slight buzzing sound.

We must be.

But that sounds very cool!



Joe.

[Erick Lam]

Of course it's cool. She growls when I caress her, what's not to like?

[Roda]

Thanks for the replies guys!

[morf]

Try Blue Steels strings. Roundwounds. They're very growly.

[SmittyG]

I've run into this before. I could never figure out how so many conflicting instructions for getting "growl" existed until I changed the question I was asking:

What artist/song is the best example of recorded bass growl you have ever heard?

When folks start answering that question, you quickly discover that different folks use the term "growl" for totally different sounds.

So, Roda, what is the best recorded example of the growl you want out of your bass? That will give everyone a sound to shoot for instead of just an ambiguous term.

[Roda]

Originally Posted by SmittyG

I've run into this before. I could never figure out how so many conflicting instructions for getting "growl" existed until I changed the question I was asking:

What artist/song is the best example of recorded bass growl you have ever heard?

When folks start answering that question, you quickly discover that different folks use the term "growl" for totally different sounds.

So, Roda, what is the best recorded example of the growl you want out of your bass? That will give everyone a sound to shoot for instead of just an ambiguous term.

Well, since I want to be heard through two distorted guitars, I want a sound punchy as Steve Harris', but also bassy, like Cliff Burton's (I'm thinking of getting a Big Muff anyway, I just need to spare up some cash). Sort of blend those two together (sounds a bit ridiculous, doesn't it)... Anyway, I think I got close to the sound I want - I turned up the mid all the way and played a little with the other settings.

[ric1312]

Originally Posted by Roda

Well, since I want to be heard through two distorted guitars, I want a sound punchy as Steve Harris', but also bassy, like Cliff Burton's (I'm thinking of getting a Big Muff anyway, I just need to spare up some cash). Sort of blend those two together (sounds a bit ridiculous, doesn't it)... Anyway, I think I got close to the sound I want - I turned up the mid all the way and played a little with the other settings.

Just a side note any distortion you put on your bass will get lost as soon a distorted guitar starts, at least that's what i've found. And it will just end up makeing the overall mix too full of noise if you already have two distorted guitars. bass distortion is really more for guitar solos and bass solos to thicken it up.

[Martybass]

Originally Posted by ric1312

Just a side note any distortion you put on your bass will get lost as soon a distorted guitar starts...

I'll second that. Unless you're mixed really well (and lets face it, if it's not a pro gig, we rarely are), the distortion gets completely lost. Doesn't stop you from trying though, and as mentioned before, its a good tone thickener.

As for growl, your GSR has a J pickup at the bridge doesn't it? Favour that (leaving the P pickup in the mix a bit too to keep the bass a bit if you wish), and then just to reiterate what everyone else said, mids mids mids (J pickups are naturally middy, hence natural growl too).

Marty

[Roda]

Originally Posted by ric1312

Just a side note any distortion you put on your bass will get lost as soon a distorted guitar starts, at least that's what i've found. And it will just end up makeing the overall mix too full of noise if you already have two distorted guitars. bass distortion is really more for guitar solos and bass solos to thicken it up.

Wow, didn't know that. But I think I'll buy it anyway. Who knows, I might be playing in a three-piece someday and I like the way it sounds.

[Roda]

Just read some threads about the Big Muff. Could someone explain what is the true bypass that the russian versions are missing and what does it do?