Geezer Butler and his tone?

[csacwp]

I'm just starting to learn to play bass, and Geezer Butler inspired me to do so! Actually, Tony Iommi inspired me to play guitar a few years ago (hence my gibson sg ), so cheers to Sabbath!

I got a fender mim p-bass (geezer plays a p-bass i think!) I'm going to play some jazz and some classic rock, so I guess to get to the point I'm wondering what type of strings would get me that geezer butler sound? I did my research, and learned that roundwounds are good for punk rock etc. while flatwounds are good for classic rock and jazz. based on this knowledge I guess the flatwounds would be the way to go, but then again Black Sabbath isn't your typical classic rock band.

Sooo, flatwound or roundwound?

[DrKagemusha]

If I remember well, he used flatwound with the action really hight.

[csacwp]

Originally Posted by DrKagemusha

If I remember well, he used flatwound with the action really hight.

Thanks!!!

[Shakin-Slim]

also if you inject some pure sex in to your strings, the Butler sound will come right out

[Nashrakh]

If we talk about the classic Sabbath tone from the 70ies, I suggest:

P-Bass with Flatwounds, as said.
Playing over the end of the neck (19th or 20th fret to get you in the right direction)

Important:
Slapping the strings onto the fretboard

This is actually quite tricky with high action and requires some practicing. Contrary to the usual slapping technique you use your plucking finger(s) instead of the thumb - I recommend low action to make that a little simpler because it is not always easy to get the clanking out of every note. You may want to use more of a vertical plucking motion to achieve that slap instead of the usual horizontal motion commonly used for fingerstyle plaing.

[Holy War]

did he really use flats? I didnt know that

[Nashrakh]

Originally Posted by Holy War

did he really use flats? I didnt know that

In the "good old days" I presume he did. At least his sound is that "flats hit fretboard" thing which is very special, rounds would sound different (even very dead ones). I may be wrong on that one, but when I play the way I described it, the sound is quite dead-on...

He uses rounds now, as far as I heard. Only know the old stuff...

[heliotropic]

I've never had a problem getting the Paranoid-era tone on a Precision with rounds as long as I used the playing at the end of the fretboard technique.

OP - since you already have the bass, I imagine it came with strings on it. Practice the technique mentioned in this thread and see if that starts getting you close to the sound you want. There's no easy rules like "all classic rock and jazz used flatwounds." It is true that throughout the 60s flats were pretty much all there was available, but by the end of the decade rounds became more widespread and many people quickly adopted them.

[TheHegemon]

Originally Posted by Nashrakh

If we talk about the classic Sabbath tone from the 70ies, I suggest:

P-Bass with Flatwounds, as said.
Playing over the end of the neck (19th or 20th fret to get you in the right direction)

Cant stress that enough for that early Sabbath sound, right up on the neck. Probably more important that the strings.

[bobm2112]

A slightly overdrivin tube amp is very important also.

[Lesfunk]

He uses DR Black Beauties now.

[basscheez]

When I saw him in '80, (Heaven And Hell), he was playing a B.C. Rich with a pick.

[Rich Guastella]

I coulda swore he used a Dan Armstrong, that's why I got mine (also playing on the neck) on The Paranoid cut??that's where the "du du du du" tone came from when he runs up to the Octave
Rich

[Lesfunk]

Geezer has used many different basses over the years P bass, Dan Armstrong, B.C. Rich, JayDee, Vieger, Lakland John Birch etc, But I think His signature tone is a Precision

[Kink Rimson]

Originally Posted by Rich Guastella

I coulda swore he used a Dan Armstrong, that's why I got mine (also playing on the neck) on The Paranoid cut??that's where the "du du du du" tone came from when he runs up to the Octave
Rich

The first 3 Sabbs albums are the Precision. I believe it was stolen or lost when on tour and he had to buy a bass quickly, and went for the Dan Armstrong.

[Kink Rimson]

Originally Posted by heliotropic

I've never had a problem getting the Paranoid-era tone on a Precision with rounds as long as I used the playing at the end of the fretboard technique.

Me too. I think the way you attack the strings is far more important to get that 'sound' than the strings you use.

[Ian the bassist]

It's funny because I was just listening to Sabbath the other day and noticed tone changes in certain songs. I can't remember which ones exactly but he would have a really boosted treble bass sound on one song while he would be booming on n.i.b. Geezer is a truly brilliant bassist and I have only come to notice this over the couple of months. I love his pumping bass lines during the long held out guitar chords. I prefer myself though low action with steel roundwounds. I think you can get a really clear tone out the bass like this. Its also easier to play double handed tapping and high up on the neck.

[Tajue17]

I know when I play sabbath tunes on my bass and I use my fingers I will pluck the strings right over the top of the neck (22nd fret) and I get that MOBRULES sound perfect!

he inspired me also..

[ronster91]

On his Fender's, he used old and worn out Rotosounds roundwounds. He used to boil them also because he couldn't afford new ones. He actually had two P basses. The first one was natural and the other was sunburst.

[tehuberc]

didn't he play over the neck?