Heavy Metal

sk0ld06 · #1 06-03-2006, 04:41 PM

I was just at the guitar center and was listening to some guys play some heavy stuff, like Slayer. Can someone explain to me what you do to get this sound? i'm new so I dont know too much, btw this is guitar not bass

thanks

Demon · #2 06-03-2006, 04:45 PM

Cud be everything from dropped tuning to heavy distortion?

Dash Rantic · #3 06-03-2006, 04:58 PM

Dropped tuning, heavy pickstyle, extreme distortion, and pinch harmonics (sometimes).

-Dash

sk0ld06 · #4 06-03-2006, 04:59 PM

so it basically has to do with the amp

justateenpoet · #5 06-03-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk0ld06

so it basically has to do with the amp

If they're playing through those Line 6 Spider amps, then yes, it has a lot to do with the amp

Amps are important to your overall tone, but I don't think they have any more of an effect than the guitar, pickups, pedals, strings, or pick style do. Finding a good tone takes a while, there's almost never a quick route to getting there.

lemur821 · #6 06-03-2006, 08:07 PM

The amp is important, but the player is more important. Without the right style you'll sound lame. I think using palm muting effectively is a big part of it, as is knowing how to make your guitar squeal (harmonics) and more importantly, squawk (suddenly not palm muting a note at all). Bending notes a little at the right time is big too.

jwl · #7 06-03-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk0ld06

I was just at the guitar center and was listening to some guys play some heavy stuff, like Slayer. Can someone explain to me what you do to get this sound? i'm new so I dont know too much, btw this is guitar not bass

thanks

scooped mids. a guitar with a bridge position humbucker is best. if you want the heavyest of the heavy, you need a les paul. crank the volume to 10 and set the tone to 5 for starters. for amps, nuthin but nuthin beats a mesa boogie for heavy. if you have a modeling pre amp, use the rectifier setting, that is a mesa model. your neighbors will hate you. peace, jeff

velvetkevorkian · #8 06-04-2006, 08:55 AM

Distortion and palm muting.

bassicinstinct · #9 06-04-2006, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velvetkevorkian

Distortion and palm muting.

Agreed. And lots of gain too.

Mind you, a guitar forum would be much more likely to get you a definitive answer IMHO.

Kronos · #10 06-04-2006, 09:08 AM

Truth be told, a lot of metal band's bassists have different tones...I go for an over driven sound with some clean blended in. I get good lows, and decent mids to cut through the mix. But, the sound you're looking for may be different. Bands like Fear Factory use heavy amounts of distortion, but without the characteristic twangy kind of sound that a lot of metal bands have. Then, there are bands like Mudvayne, where Ryan Martinie uses a good clean tone. It really depends on what sounds good with the mix of the band that you're playing with that dictates the sound that you have. At least, in my opinion it is.

Mrfleetfingers0 · #11 06-04-2006, 09:14 AM

I agree with Kronos, your sound has to fit what type of music the band is playing. I think for most metal applications the bassist can use some kind of overdrive/dist sound at some level though.

Rush · #12 06-04-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwl

if you want the heavyest of the heavy, you need a les paul.

A lot of people will disagree with you, but for rhythm, it's weight and lack of a top horn (which wouldn't make your bass notes as prominent) is definitly an advantage. I don't know too many lead guitarists that use 'em except for Zakk Wylde and Randy Roades (sp?), but the Les Paul Custom definitly plays into effects. The maple top on standard LPs gives it a brighter tone, while the mahogany of a Custom gives it a darker tone.

High output humbuckers are a good start. Most people think that you can't play metal with single coils, but single coils already have a slightly scooped mid feel. I'd say a high output P90 would be killer, and you could get that feedback/pinch harmonic sound... oh man! Heavy strings will get you a heavier tone, too. Try GHS Zakk Wylde Boomers. Now, you're amp. In the early days of metal, it was a Plexi cranked. Now, I guess there's Mesa Boogies, Marshalls, Lanleys, etc. If you're using a modeler, play around with one of the high gain amps, and just scoop the mids a bit. Don't totally take them out. The guitar IS the midrange voice in a band (besides a few drums, and maybe vox), so to scoop it seems stupid to me.

There's a lot of alternate tunings to play around with. Drop D, Double drop D, D tuning, C tuning, Eb, etc. I personally like to play heavier music in E or Eb tuning. I respect those who can shred and play metal in standard tunings. Don't forget your palm mutes. Use a thick pick, keep your palm almost on the bridge, and just play. Also learn how to mute a chord right after playing it.

Pinch harmonics are weird. I don't know how to do them. I actually don't play metal, but I sometimes do them on accident. Pick a note, and following it should be a little bit of your thumb. It'll make that squeal, if you did it right. Other things to know would be sweep picking, tapping and floyd rose style bends. A good scale to make a solo to would be the harmonic minor scale.

CrazyArcher · #13 06-04-2006, 11:17 AM

I also prefer playing anything in standard E tuning. With proper sound setup it can produce heavy vibe with no problems.