A tone with a growl?

Arganius · #1 08-20-2009, 03:05 AM

I've been playing Bass about a year and a half now. It'll be a bit hard to describe the tone I'm talking about. I'm wondering how people get a sort of growl in their tone. It can be found in a lot of Rage. Mostly live. If you heard or have Rage during Radio Free Los Angeles it can be heard during some of the heavy parts. Best example is a minute to the end during them playing Roll Right. A lot of chili peppers has it. Anyone? EQ? Effect? Amp? Bass? Some or all of em?

bwv1013 · #2 08-20-2009, 03:08 AM

all of the above to an extent. a tube amp being cranked, a nice high end sizzle in the eq section to catch some fret noise. any bass with new strings.

tom once dead · #3 08-20-2009, 03:14 AM

A sansamp BDDI or tech 21 vt will get you there.

tomwilliams1983 · #4 08-20-2009, 03:19 AM

I find using ernie ball slinkys can help give you a growl

Arganius · #5 08-20-2009, 03:24 AM

I'll try ernie ball slinkys. I'm in need of a new pair (Just boiled mine today). I usually have my amp towards the high end. I'll look into one of those drivers. Though. Thanks guys!

warnergt · #6 08-20-2009, 08:26 AM

In my experience, I've found that flats kill growl.
Consequently, I use a roundwound (taperwound actually) for my E string
to get that low end growl; flatwounds for the rest.

CrispyDelicious · #7 08-20-2009, 08:34 AM

The term "growl" is probably the most overused and totally subjective thing discussed on TB. If you are looking for a certain tone, try posting a link to a recording in order to be more specific.

That said, "growl" seems to refer to a lo-mid-rangey, slightly overdriven sound, which can be accomplished any number of ways. Of course, the gear you have will limit your options.

sevenyearsdown · #8 08-20-2009, 08:38 AM

Get a jazz bass with rounds, end topic.

DeluxeRed · #9 08-20-2009, 08:59 AM

IME, roundwounds, single-coil pups, played pretty close to the bridge, pushing some tubes, seems to get me to a good starting place. The SansAmp VT kinda has a knob for it.

"Growl"--as subjective as it is--gets even more so (again IME) because it is one of the factors most affected by how you are playing your bass. A bass standing in its rack thumping an open string isn't going to growl the same way as one with Flea wearing it, playing it, and sweatin' all over it. Growl doesn't exist the same way regardless of how you are attacking your bass. You have to work with your setup so that the growl comes on as you start growling into your bass. It, probably more than anything, is something you do playing your bass. Your attack has to brighten up and import more energy. Your intensity has to rise. THEN the pups, settings, and (optional, I'm sure) tubes respond to that.

onlyclave · #10 08-20-2009, 09:49 AM

Learn some modes.

Joe Nerve · #11 08-20-2009, 10:07 AM

+ 1 on all the "growl" is a subjective term responses.

There are so many factors that go into getting the growl YOU'RE looking for. Most have been mentioned already. Overdriving the amp, EQing, strings, etc. IME however the bass itself has more to do with it than anything else. I own lots of basses and they all react differently when I dig in. For the growly kind of sound that I like, I have to admit that my Warwick does it best. When I dig in on my Fender the sound gets compressed, my musicmans get funky/burpy... each bass does it's own thing. That's why I like to have so many.

I'd say keep playing around with what you got and if you ain't gettin what you want then it's time to start playing lots of basses and find what you're looking for.

makanudo · #12 08-20-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomwilliams1983

I find using ernie ball slinkys can help give you a growl

This

Earthday · #13 08-20-2009, 08:52 PM

I've found Rotosound Swing Bass Stainless Steel Roundwounds to be the "growliest" string. I hate Ernie Balls, they die in a month.

Strings and the pickups will get you a long way. Tubes, or a tube simulator will help, and effects like a Sansamp BDDI can add the finishing touch.

Double Agent · #14 08-20-2009, 11:08 PM

To be fair guys, he did say he was looking for something like you would hear from Tim C. So he has given some idea of the tone he is striving for.

One common mistake I see many younger bassists making is that they like to "scoop" their mids. This is a decent idea if you are going for a really smooth tone, like in jazz/fusion type music. But, if you are looking for "growl", or a good rock tone in general, would should probably avoid this practice. Either run your EQ flat or maybe even boost your mids. The high-midrange especially can give your tone a lot of grind. Do this and the Tech 21 VT bass pedal or a Fulltone Bassdrive to add a smidge of overdrive and you should get close to the tone you are after.

Oh, and you will get even closer by playing a Jazz bass (or a clone, like a Lakland JO) with stainless steel roundwound strings.

electracoyote · #15 08-20-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomwilliams1983

I find using ernie ball slinkys can help give you a growl

+1

They're my weapon of choice, in large part because they growl (to my ear).

It is subjective, but you know it when you hear it, and if you like it, you want it.

Sometimes it also depends on the woods, the pickups and electronics, and the processing.

Like another poster said, I have good luck with Jazz basses and Slinkys.