How to get this sound?

segaloco · #1 11-01-2011, 05:02 PM

Hey, so I'm still looking for the tone that fits me best and I have an idea of what it sounds like but I can't seem to get it. Here is a video that has pretty close to what I want: Broadcast This by Emily's Army (remastered for Don't be a dick) - YouTube Around 1:46 you can really hear the bass. Anyway, I can't seem to get that sound, and I just wanted to know if anyone knows how to get it to sound that good, I love that clean crisp sound but no matter what I do I sound muffled, no matter what amp or settings I try (although I haven't found that magic combo yet, if it helps I'm mainly on a GK BP 250)

Edit: Here is another tonality I like, either way, both have that grrrrrr that I like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdpG-Eap4_o

**Matthew_84** · #2 11-01-2011, 05:09 PM

I would say that you could get pretty close with a jazz strung with roundwounds, playing with a pick into a VT Bass pedal.

But being a finger-player on a P strung with flats, I could certainly be wrong. But if you had a VT Bass pedal you could dial in that tone without much effort.

MrGotBass · #3 11-01-2011, 05:11 PM

P-bass with rounds, open the tone up full, boost your mids. That will get you the Green Day sound. The first link sounds a little thinner, so maybe its a jazz bass with the bridge pickup solo'd.

dune2k · #4 11-01-2011, 05:12 PM

The first one is easy to archive with a jazz bass, neck pickup, (kinda) fresh roundwound strings, tone full open and played w/ a pick (general direction: between the fretboard and the neck pu, just try around). Other idea would be to use a precision style bass, (kinda) fresh roundwound strings, tone full open and played w/ a pick (general direction: between the fretboard and the pu).
On that recording it sounds more like a jazz bass to me, so i'd pick that one.

Everything played through a normal (non coloring) di btw.

The second one is harder. I'd go with p-bass and some sort of compression here. Maybe a vt bass or other sansamp (or an ampeg stack

).

segaloco · #5 11-01-2011, 05:14 PM

Well I've got a Gibson G-3, PBass (MIM) and Spector Shorty or w/e, I'll see what I can do :P

Edit: Oh, and what should I do with the contour and boost knobs vs the Input and Master volume?

**Matthew_84** · #6 11-01-2011, 05:19 PM

I just found a video, the bassist is playing a single-coil P... I think you'd probably get a better tone out of a jazz for it then your MIM P, but your P could certainly do it. You just need fresh rounds, a pick, and to EQ it right.

I would still recommend a VT Bass, I'm sure you can find one used for pretty cheap if needed.

BassBrass · #7 11-01-2011, 05:32 PM

A P bass Type bass: one pickup, not light weight, greenday guy used a Gibson, then something else. VT bass would help. but cheaper, an EH Steel Leather believe it or not. As long as you have a big amp with plenty of low end, Steel Leather gives high mid bite that gets that sound. Picking, although fingernails work too, bright strings.

andysleigh · #8 11-02-2011, 06:35 PM

Mike Dirnt signature p bass

sounds just like Mikes tone
Emily's Army - Broadcast This - YouTube

bongomania · #9 11-02-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by segaloco

...what should I do with the contour and boost knobs vs the Input and Master volume?

OK first off if your sound is muddy, it may well be the amp that's the problem, not the bass. So The GK combo might not be up to the job of getting you the sound you want.

Contour is a mid scoop, so use that if you want to scoop the mids. Boost is clean boost, for when you want to be a bit louder. Input level/gain is how much the amp increases your signal going into the amp, and use use that for different tonal qualities (depending on how much you drive that input stage). Master volume is how you adjust the volume at the very end, after you have used the other controls for tone shaping.

Aquila0507 · #10 11-02-2011, 09:52 PM

To me the thing that is most important to your sound is having your bass set up correctly. I'd take the pbass to a pro to get it set up and that should take you a long way to a good sound.

I'm biased about basses though. I only like American jazzes or precisions. And i like the low mids of a jazz the most. A well crafted bass holds its intonation and this really makes your amp sing. It was like night and day once my jazz was setup correct. It made my svt sound way better. When good intonation is achieved the tone is then in your fingers and your amp, as you will sound like practically all bassists.