Robbie Merrill of Godsmack

metallicafan18 · #1 03-17-2009, 05:26 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niDbi...layer_embedded

Anybody know a good way to get a tone like his when he starts playing towards the end of the video?

What do you guys think of him as a bassist?

I think he is an outstanding player, especially in a metal band, and actually not playing rote notes! He's one of the better metal bassists out there IMHO.

JGR · #2 03-17-2009, 05:38 PM

Get some SWR 12-stacks/packs for speakers and an SWR IOD. I'm a big Godsmack fan, and he seems like a very cool, down to earth guy.

Bassgrinder77 · #3 03-17-2009, 06:01 PM

Get a Spector Euro 4 LX and downtune it. I have two. They sound really good downtuned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by metallicafan18

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niDbi...layer_embedded

Anybody know a good way to get a tone like his when he starts playing towards the end of the video?

What do you guys think of him as a bassist?

I think he is an outstanding player, especially in a metal band, and actually not playing rote notes! He's one of the better metal bassists out there IMHO.

Your41Plague12 · #4 03-17-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassgrinder77

Get a Spector Euro 4 LX and downtune it. I have two. They sound really good downtuned.

I agree, most of it comes from the bass. I also have a Spector Euro, and they sound incredible when downtuned. Especially if you have newer strings on it.

K2000 · #5 03-17-2009, 06:16 PM

I think he posts here sometimes...? Maybe he'll answer your questions.

Nino Valenti · #6 03-17-2009, 06:21 PM

Love GodSmack. I brought my son to see them (his 1st concert) a few years ago, he's 11 now.

Recorded and live, Robbie has great tone, with his Spector and Ibanez basses.

Spector_Ray · #7 03-17-2009, 11:52 PM

Spector + SWR = Moster Tone!

Bassgrinder77 · #8 03-18-2009, 08:56 AM

Do you run your pickup volumes all the way up?
I don't because that Tone Pump has such a crazy hot signal. I usually keep mine around half or less.
Also, do you run both pickups even or do you have one turned up more than the other.
I'm just curious what other Euro 4 LX players do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Your41Plague12

I agree, most of it comes from the bass. I also have a Spector Euro, and they sound incredible when downtuned. Especially if you have newer strings on it.

TheHegemon · #9 03-18-2009, 11:44 AM

Good bassist, been a Godsmack fan for a while now. If you've never seen their live show definitely check them out, alot of energy. They give a great performance.

Sliza · #10 01-25-2011, 06:59 AM

Which type of Ibanez basses does Robbie play? What's he playing on the Changes DVD most of the time (Ibenez or Spector)?

rockstarbassist · #11 01-25-2011, 09:13 AM

The last 2 records (IV and The Oracle) is pretty much just straight Spector Euro's in drop C or drop D. He switched to G-K amps during the recording of The Oracle but in the behind the scenes/making of DVD he still has some SWR gear in there.

Basically plug a Spector into an Interstellar OD preamp and you're there.

I like Godsmack and Robbie is an extremely tasteful player for what they do. And each record has better and better tone.

jmac · #12 01-25-2011, 09:20 AM

The thing about Spectors is that you only need a Spector to get that tone. A Spector will pretty much sound like a Spector in just about any amp; just set the amp flat and let the the Spector tone crush you.

Sliza · #13 01-25-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmac

The thing about Spectors is that you only need a Spector to get that tone. A Spector will pretty much sound like a Spector in just about any amp; just set the amp flat and let the the Spector tone crush you.

Would a Spector Legend 4 Custom do the job, too?

Sliza · #14 01-26-2011, 01:14 PM

Oh, one more thing. Does anyone know what brand of strings Robbie uses and what gauge they are?

metallicafan18 · #15 01-26-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliza

Oh, one more thing. Does anyone know what brand of strings Robbie uses and what gauge they are?

I know for a fact that he uses Aurora Strings. He just switched to this brand not to long ago. It was either right before, or during the recording of The Oracle. I'm pretty sure he uses the Medium gauge strings. .45-.105

rockstarbassist · #16 01-26-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliza

Oh, one more thing. Does anyone know what brand of strings Robbie uses and what gauge they are?

He used to use D'Addario stainless .105s, but I think he uses Prisms now?

rockstarbassist · #17 01-26-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metallicafan18

I know for a fact that he uses Aurora Strings. He just switched to this brand not to long ago. It was either right before, or during the recording of The Oracle. I'm pretty sure he uses the Medium gauge strings. .45-.105

Ahh that's it, I was thinking of Optima but its Aurora.

queevil · #18 01-30-2011, 04:19 AM

It's funny that I came across this thread because I was driving down the road last night when a Godsmack song came on and I immediately cringed because I can't stand them. However, I then began to think about their bassist and how creative some of his lines are yet they're tasteful and he doesn't overplay. I think he's the best thing going for that band. I did see them live at Ozzfest in San Antonio back in '99 when they were starting to get popular and thought that they put on a really high energy show but I went home and listened to some of their music and couldn't get into it and never have been able to.

Does anyone know if their bassist has any side projects or other bands that I might like?

rockstarbassist · #19 01-31-2011, 09:05 AM

According to Robbie he used to be in a lot of cover stuff, ranging from country to Top 40 to pop, etc..

I dunno if he has anything on the side currently tho. He's a much more capable bassist than he gets to show in G-S, btw.

queevil · #20 01-31-2011, 05:36 PM

I don't doubt that at all.