Roots of "Best Bass for Metal"

[Beginner Bass]

Why is this joke so common? I assume there was a history behind it because I've never seen so many "What's the best bass for jazz?" or "what's the best bass for blues?" So where does the joke come from?

[xxfaux_punkxx]

it comes from the depths of hell where Satan himself created an awesome bass guitar and declared it to be the best bass for metal.

The bass groweled like a beast and had the speed of the gods. He gave this monster of an instrument to mortal man who was unable to control it's ferocious power.

After eons of countless bass wars of metal heads fighting for the bass's demonic abilities it was eventually cast down to hell where it belonged and where Satan (who just happens to be an amazing bassist) plays it for every hell fire and brimstone show that the underworld puts on.

Since it's return to hell many mortals have tried to re-create it's unique sound/look/and feel but all have failed miserably.

[stoolpigeon]

Originally Posted by xxfaux_punkxx

it comes from the depths of hell where Satan himself created an awesome bass guitar and declared it to be the best bass for metal.

The bass groweled like a beast and had the speed of the gods. He gave this monster of an instrument to mortal man who was unable to control it's ferocious power.

After eons of countless bass wars of metal heads fighting for the bass's demonic abilities it was eventually cast down to hell where it belonged and where Satan (who just happens to be an amazing bassist) plays it for every hell fire and brimstone show that the underworld puts on.

Since it's return to hell many mortals have tried to re-create it's unique sound/look/and feel but all have failed miserably.

That made me laugh...Thanks.

[bongomania]

He was just telling the true story!

Actually, it's funny that the OP calls it a "joke", because 99% of the times it's posted, the poster is perfectly serious, not joking at all. Which, of course, is a joke to the rest of us, so we have our fun with it.

[Beginner Bass]

OK. Well still, why is it always metal that's posted? I have never seen a single post about "What's the best bass for blues?" Why is it always about metal, not any other genre?

[bongomania]

Honestly I think it's an age thing. Mostly older people play jazz or blues, and mostly younger people play metal (though obviously there are young jazz/blues fans and old metalheads... I'm just talking generally). And younger people, just starting out on an instrument, don't know where to start, what to ask, what to look for, or how to frame their question in any more articulate way.

[5StringBlues]

They're 18,and they don't know what they want.

[Jibudo]

There are no best bass for anything. There are a best bass for you, or a couple of best ones.

[kommando84]

This question is also pervasive among guitar players, as apparently, the golden standard for instrument perfection is whether or not it can play metal. (rolls eyes)

People will buy wonderful instruments, such as a Fender Telecaster or a plain Jane Jazz bass, and then post poor reviews because it "wasn't suitable for metal." That's like buying a Ford Focus and then complaining that you can't win the Indy 500.

[groooooove]

because metal is the best form of music and thus you need the best bass to play it.

ill never forget the kid in guitar center who kept telling a salesman, "i want to play metal, what am i going to do with a jazz bass"

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by kommando84

This question is also pervasive among guitar players, as apparently, the golden standard for instrument perfection is whether or not it can play metal. (rolls eyes)

People will buy wonderful instruments, such as a Fender Telecaster or a plain Jane Jazz bass, and then post poor reviews because it "wasn't suitable for metal." That's like buying a Ford Focus and then complaining that you can't win the Indy 500.

???

I'm sorry - comparing "metal" the "Indy 500" rather implies that you need a *high performance* bass to play metal, which is patently absurd.

Playing "Metal" live is, to a large degree, an image statement, and there appears to be little room for variation on the formula that statement demands: Instrument must be black and have pointy corners. The rest is gravy.

The reason many on this forum chuckle at "metal" questions is that "Metal" is where many of us started (even I did my share, years ago), and we know that most folks grow out of it.... The question itself is a indication of musical n00bness.

[SMILEYSIXX]

Well I get funny looks every time I show up to practice in my black jeans, combat boots and black t shirt with some random metal band on it, then I pull out my effects board and crank the metal distortion up and then grab my sunburst finish fender p bass with chrome pickup and bridge covers lookin like a 60s throwback and wail out some Dimmu Borgir.

Who cares what kind of instrument you play, as long as it sounds good? I once had a kid tell me "if you wanna play metal, go buy a bc rich, not a fender." I stared at him dumbfounded. He was serious.

[Beginner Bass]

Originally Posted by Jibudo

There are no best bass for anything. There are a best bass for you, or a couple of best ones.

Too true.

Originally Posted by groooooove

because metal is the best form of music and thus you need the best bass to play it.

ill never forget the kid in guitar center who kept telling a salesman, "i want to play metal, what am i going to do with a jazz bass"

I was against Fender at first. My 2 brothers were guitarists, and I had shared their dislike of Fenders. I have seen the light though.

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

Well I get funny looks every time I show up to practice in my black jeans, combat boots and black t shirt with some random metal band on it, then I pull out my effects board and crank the metal distortion up and then grab my sunburst finish fender p bass with chrome pickup and bridge covers lookin like a 60s throwback and wail out some Dimmu Borgir.

Who cares what kind of instrument you play, as long as it sounds good? I once had a kid tell me "if you wanna play metal, go buy a bc rich, not a fender." I stared at him dumbfounded. He was serious.

When I was deciding what bass to buy, my little brother wanted me to buy a BC Rich, too. I went with a used Squier. I need to put the covers back on it. Covers are awesome.

[Anthbass]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Playing "Metal" live is, to a large degree, an image statement, and there appears to be little room for variation on the formula that statement demands: Instrument must be black and have pointy corners. The rest is gravy.

In some situations, certainly, but in many others, there is room for a good deal of flexibility and interpretation. Further, there are many players who enjoy metal long after they are through their teen years, just as there are younger folks who enjoy jazz, blues, classical music, etc. I would caution you with painting with too broad a brush, as someone will take you to task over it

[ysand]

First of all you have to see what the person starting the thread means by METAL.
Because imo "metal" has become a synonym for "crap" n the last decade.

So many untalented posers making plain noise, having kids worship their "skills" and look is just sad. ***, metal isn't this new ****** thing they've been selling nowadays.

Assuming the OP usually means this "Nu metal" then yes, it is a sign of a 15-18 y.o. kid who wants to join a band to look cool and maybe hook a bunch of schoolgirls, or even just look mean (aka cool).
Then comes the other thing, that usually these bands have 2 extremely low-tuned guitars with full distorted sound, and the bass is usually distored too and practically inaudible. Not to mention it usually plays ONLY 8ths or 16ths following the chord root note.

In conclusion, a thread like that shows a young man, wanting to play with his school friends, trying to look cool with a shiny thingy and get chicks. What? Learning music? lol.

[Mudfuzz]

Originally Posted by 5StringBlues

They're 18,and they don't know what they want.

Hey that sounds like a...

[EdHunter]

Originally Posted by 5StringBlues

They're 18,and they don't know what they want.

They don't even know what they're talking about, guess they've been living in the middle of doubt.

[EdHunter]

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

Well I get funny looks every time I show up to practice in my black jeans, combat boots and black t shirt with some random metal band on it, then I pull out my effects board and crank the metal distortion up and then grab my sunburst finish fender p bass with chrome pickup and bridge covers lookin like a 60s throwback and wail out some Dimmu Borgir.

Who cares what kind of instrument you play, as long as it sounds good? I once had a kid tell me "if you wanna play metal, go buy a bc rich, not a fender." I stared at him dumbfounded. He was serious.

Harris?
Geezer?
Bello?
Hill?
Kimberley?

What an idiot...

[Florox]

I think it's more because a lot of starting musicians are faced with that black and white best or worse type of thought while not really understanding that better or worse is just an opinion and not a fact. I think after they spend a while here at Talkbass that changes.

[somegeezer]

Originally Posted by xxfaux_punkxx

it comes from the depths of hell where Satan himself created an awesome bass guitar and declared it to be the best bass for metal.

The bass groweled like a beast and had the speed of the gods. He gave this monster of an instrument to mortal man who was unable to control it's ferocious power.

After eons of countless bass wars of metal heads fighting for the bass's demonic abilities it was eventually cast down to hell where it belonged and where Satan (who just happens to be an amazing bassist) plays it for every hell fire and brimstone show that the underworld puts on.

Since it's return to hell many mortals have tried to re-create it's unique sound/look/and feel but all have failed miserably.

I couldn't say it better.