alright so I'm a little new to bass

Branflakes · #1 09-18-2010, 02:07 PM

I'm having troubles trying to create a real punky sound on my bass can anyone help?

Headless Llama · #2 09-18-2010, 02:43 PM

what is your current setup?

Crystalman85 · #3 09-18-2010, 02:53 PM

a multi-effects processor is usually a good way to find your sounds. I personally would recommend the zoom b2.1u. this portable and versatile multi-effects processor can help you discover sound. if you're recording music, it does come with cubase.

RickenBoogie · #4 09-18-2010, 04:18 PM

What you need is a good bass, properly set up, and a decent enough amp and speakers to get enough volume. After that is gravy, but make sure the essentials are solid before spending money on toys.

EskimoBassist · #5 09-18-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

What you need is a good bass, properly set up, and a decent enough amp and speakers to get enough volume. After that is gravy, but make sure the essentials are solid before spending money on toys.

Well said.

puddin tame · #6 09-18-2010, 04:54 PM

a good chunk of the tone is in your fingers, remember. plucking the string in different places makes different tones, experiment

Mozilla · #7 09-18-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

What you need is a good bass, properly set up, and a decent enough amp and speakers to get enough volume. After that is gravy, but make sure the essentials are solid before spending money on toys.

Great advice.

Here is a link to some good info on setup....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIzV9462xeE

There are quite a few videos from the Lakeland guys...I found them to be very helpful for this beginner.
StewMac also has some free info on thier site.

slaps76 · #8 09-18-2010, 04:57 PM

A pick?

Swift713 · #9 09-18-2010, 05:06 PM

Punk? Probably an underpowered Peavey amp and a cheapo no-name bass.

bigchiefbc · #10 09-18-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

Punk? Probably an underpowered Peavey amp and a cheapo no-name bass.

+1 - yeah, I'm not so sure about that "good bass" and "good amp" stuff. If you want punk, usually that means plaing a crappy p-bass copy with a pick through a dilapidated amp. I know that when I played my generic p-bass with the tone rolled all the way up through my old peavey mark vi, it sounded just like every punk bassist I ever heard. Maybe a bit of overdrive, and that's about it.

Branflakes · #11 09-18-2010, 11:31 PM

Well I'm pretty broke right now but what I do have is a junky 4 string Ibanez and a very tiny pratice amp, so I'm assuming I can't get much out of that? Would I just be able to go buy some pick ups or would I need to go get the whole get up?

kevteop · #12 09-19-2010, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

+1 - yeah, I'm not so sure about that "good bass" and "good amp" stuff. If you want punk, usually that means plaing a crappy p-bass copy with a pick through a dilapidated amp.

Hang on though, are we talking about punk with antagonistic lyrics and lo-fi sound, or punk with industrial quantities of hair gel and expensively perfected teeth?

If the latter, you need auto-tune and a compressor with all the knobs turned up.

timbledum · #13 09-19-2010, 06:06 AM

First of welcome to the best instrument! May you love her and she love you long and well.

A) New strings. B) A pick. Assuming that your ibanez is a PJ or similar you're good to go. Obviously you aren't going to play many gigs with a tiny practice amp but hey, ya gotta start somewhere! Keep the tone rolled up, and crank that little beast.

But hey, no matter what we say here on this forum, what you hear in your head as a punk bass sound is probably different to what I hear. I hear bouncing souls or anti flag, a P (or similar) with rounds and a pick and lots of treble/fret noise and maybe just a hint of overdrive making the notes stabby, but no fuzz. Listen to your favourite base tones long and hard and try to figure out what exactly makes them sound like they do.

Good luck! The answer lies not in more gear! (okay maybe some of it, but not immediately and not completely, perhaps not even mostly).

blockinlay · #14 09-19-2010, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branflakes

Well I'm pretty broke right now but what I do have is a junky 4 string Ibanez and a very tiny pratice amp, so I'm assuming I can't get much out of that? Would I just be able to go buy some pick ups or would I need to go get the whole get up?

Peavy Mark III or IV bass head and a couple 15" bins.

rratajski · #15 09-19-2010, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branflakes

Well I'm pretty broke right now but what I do have is a junky 4 string Ibanez and a very tiny pratice amp, so I'm assuming I can't get much out of that? Would I just be able to go buy some pick ups or would I need to go get the whole get up?

Anything sounds punk on a crappy practice amp.

Upgrade your amp/speakers first. Personally, I would disregard the last post as 15s and punk are not a usual occurrence. 9/10 you will see a 4x10 or 8x10 and probably an Ampeg at that.
Save up your money and upgrade the amp/speakers.

ducknturtle · #16 09-19-2010, 06:39 AM

This crappy bass and amp suggestion is just crap. Fender P, played with a pick, throught an SVT and 810 is "the sound".

blockinlay · #17 09-19-2010, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rratajski

Anything sounds punk on a crappy practice amp.

Upgrade your amp/speakers first. Personally, I would disregard the last post as 15s and punk are not a usual occurrence. 9/10 you will see a 4x10 or 8x10 and probably an Ampeg at that.
Save up your money and upgrade the amp/speakers.

He said he was broke, an old Peavey head might cost as low as $100. Old 15's I've seen for free.

bigchiefbc · #18 09-19-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducknturtle

This crappy bass and amp suggestion is just crap. Fender P, played with a pick, throught an SVT and 810 is "the sound".

He said he was broke. How the hell is he gonna afford an SVT and a fender P? I'd suggest a squire P, an old Peavey and maybe an overdrive pedal. And no one will be able to tell the difference.

Sound Chaser · #19 09-19-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevteop

Hang on though, are we talking about punk with antagonistic lyrics and lo-fi sound, or punk with industrial quantities of hair gel and expensively perfected teeth?

If the latter, you need auto-tune and a compressor with all the knobs turned up.

You, sir or madam, are my hero.

rratajski · #20 09-19-2010, 12:22 PM

Let's redirect this question...

Do you want to sound punk in your bedroom/basement or with a band?

Bedroom: Re-eq, new roundwound strings, and a pick will get you there.

Band: save up for a better head and speakers.