Justin Chancellor's bass tone without a Wall Bass OR Tech21 Sansamp?

Born.II.Hula · #1 01-27-2011, 08:21 PM

I am doing music as a subject in High school and later this year I am choosing to play Schism by Tool as part of my examination.
I am currently trying to get Justin Chancellor's tone without forking out $5,000 + for a Wal bass; And I do not own a Tech21 Sansamp either - I had the choice between the sansamp and an Aguilar Tonehammer and I found the Tonehammer suited my own sound rather than Justin's.

My rig is as follows (And please note that about six months ago I had a rig that consisted of one Boss ODB-3, so I this is my first real rig)

Bass (Fender Jazz or Schecter Stiletto 6 - I know, bit of a contrast)
< ModTone Deep Dive Octave
< Malekko Assmaster
< Boss ODB-3
< Aguilar Tonehammer (Which may make or break the sound)
<I also have a Modtone Chorus and Modtone Envelope Filter hooked into my effects loop in the back of my Fender Bassman 100.

My question goes two ways; firstly, as asked in the title, can I get Justin Chancellor's tone without a Wal Bass OR a Tech21 Sansamp, but with the gear that I have?
And second... If I were to track down a Sansamp and buy one... it's not exactly conventional to use a rig with two preamps, is it?

I would rather not have to do that, but I am curious.

I hope someone can help. I need as much help as I can get.

I am playing a few other tracks for my final exams. I'm playing Portrait of Tracy by Jaco on my fender Jazz, and I am playing a Karnivool song on my Schecter. I am undecided which bass I would be better off using for Schism.

bigchiefbc · #2 01-27-2011, 08:28 PM

It's not going to sound exactly like him, but I'd definitely go with the Schecter over the Fender. Crank your mids, and get just a bit of dirt going on the Tonehammer.

My bigger question though, is how you're gonna do the middle section of Schism without a whammy and delay.

Joe Gress · #3 01-27-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

My bigger question though, is how you're gonna do the middle section of Schism without a whammy and delay.

Magic.

Gasman · #4 01-27-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

My bigger question though, is how you're gonna do the middle section of Schism without a whammy and delay.

This. I love Tool, but honestly you're not going to reproduce the song without these. I agree the Schecter will get closer to the tone than the Fender, but it's really academic. I'd focus on your playing instead, and maybe pick a Tool song that isn't so effect ridden. Try something off Aenema, like H., Stinkfist, or 46&2.

Born.II.Hula · #5 01-27-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

My bigger question though, is how you're gonna do the middle section of Schism without a whammy and delay.

Interesting you should ask.

I forgot to mention that a rule for te examination is that the piece cannot exceed 5 minutes. I would most likely shorten that part.

The alternative... when I saw them live the other night and a couple of weeks ago they sped that section up and it sounded a little more classic metal. It would eat up a bit of time.

Born.II.Hula · #6 01-27-2011, 09:04 PM

Also... should I be applying the same settings to my Tonehammer as to te EQ on my amp? (They're the same - high, low, sweep mids)

Joe Gress · #7 01-27-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born.II.Hula

Also... should I be applying the same settings to my Tonehammer as to te EQ on my amp? (They're the same - high, low, sweep mids)

Set your amp flat, and adjust with the tone hammer. If you still need a bump here or there for the tone your looking for, go ahead and use the amp as well. But they don't have to be the same. Play around and find the tone you want.

Chronicle · #8 01-27-2011, 10:13 PM

bleh why schism? a repetitive riff isn't gonna get you an A+.. I would try to do Pushit, Reflection, H., or Wings for Marie (shortened) to get an A+. All of those songs just require a chorus. (basically)

ryansalmond · #9 01-28-2011, 02:19 AM

For that middle section you can easily do slides up the neck and play each note twice instead of once, there's no need for effects there. In fact until I saw them do it live it never occured to me that there were effects involved in that part.

Crystalman85 · #10 01-28-2011, 03:57 AM

i agree with everyone here that a schecter bass can deliver a justin chancellor sounds. you can also get that sound with an Ibanez soundgear bass. there is one pedal that can get you his sound that's not a tech 21 pedal. that pedal would be a darkglass microtubes b3k bass overdrive pedal. here's a youtube clip of this pedal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORsK2c2N5M4

The part at 1:43 has a setting that's perfect for playing scism.

reedo_l · #11 01-28-2011, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

Crank your mids, and get just a bit of dirt going on the Tonehammer.

i think justin's tone is most of the time mid-scooped...

jpTron · #12 01-28-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crystalman85

i agree with everyone here that a schecter bass can deliver a justin chancellor sounds. you can also get that sound with an Ibanez soundgear bass. there is one pedal that can get you his sound that's not a tech 21 pedal. that pedal would be a darkglass microtubes b3k bass overdrive pedal. here's a youtube clip of this pedal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORsK2c2N5M4

The part at 1:43 has a setting that's perfect for playing scism.

Agreed. I get a pretty convincing Tool tone with a lowly Ibanez GSR 200 with both pickups on full and some EQing.

tdub0199 · #13 01-28-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reedo_l

i think justin's tone is most of the time mid-scooped...

I have to agree with this, I don't hear alot of mids in his tone, I can get close with a VT Bass.... and yes a Schecter Stiletto Custom with EMG 35P4's....

bigchiefbc · #14 01-28-2011, 08:11 AM

I think you're both nuts. Mid-scoop sounds like Fieldy. Rumble + clacky clack. That is not what I'm hearing out of Justin's tone.

jpTron · #15 01-28-2011, 08:26 AM

I think if i remember correctly from the vid with his tech running through his pedals that his Boss EQ had a bump in the low mids and the treble.

rockstarbassist · #16 01-28-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

I think you're both nuts. Mid-scoop sounds like Fieldy. Rumble + clacky clack. That is not what I'm hearing out of Justin's tone.

+11111

:facepalm:

Justin is all mids.

"Mid scooped"?? What are you guys listening to?? Do you know what a "Mid" is?

"I think you should stop using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means." - I. Montoya

Also, anything with humbuckers will get you closer than a Fenfer-style bass. Actually having owned a few classic Wals, a Spector w/ humbuckers is about as close as I've gotten to that sound sans-Wal. I think it's the Haz preamp that gives it more character, as that's the "secret" to the hallowed Wal tone, IMO. As well as obviously the pickups.

Chowowbus · #17 01-28-2011, 11:47 AM

I agree with chron...do reflection or something..
Do NOT scoop your mids...You can get close enough with what you have. GO find the Tool tone sticky and research what makes Justins sound. Understanding his set up will give you a good general idea of how its done. Good luck.

iri5h_punk21 · #18 01-28-2011, 12:07 PM

While reflection is an awesome song, it is EXTREMELY repetitive, especially if it's just bass

Sam Hain · #19 01-28-2011, 12:21 PM

Tool ShedGo to the forum there. Losta good info on Tool and Justins setup.

lowend219 · #20 01-28-2011, 12:27 PM

wherever your EQ is (pedal, preamp etc) boost the 5k