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Best bass for rock/metal(#100!)

jcburn

jcburn

Oct 11, 2003
2,628
1,674
53
Tasmania, Australia.
everburn.com.au
#1
Hey guys - what do you think.
Fender US Deluxe Jazz 5
Fender US Deluxe P 5
Lakland Deluxe 55-02 - all with maple boards.
I've played lotsa high end basses and these would be my choice but I cant really try any of them to A/B them where I live.I go not only for tone but also balance - I hate neck heaviness but dont mind an overall heavy bass.
What are your thoughts?
 
#4
jcburn said:
Hey guys - what do you think.
Fender US Deluxe Jazz 5
Fender US Deluxe P 5
Lakland Deluxe 55-02 - all with maple boards.
I've played lotsa high end basses and these would be my choice but I cant really try any of them to A/B them where I live.I go not only for tone but also balance - I hate neck heaviness but dont mind an overall heavy bass.
What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

I would go with US Deluxe Jass. Definitely nothing wrong with the Lakland, but, the Jazz has a better tone for the type of music, IMO.
 
#6
Thanks guys - I suppose my only concern is the balance factor and the B.Have owned a Spector 5 and loved the string tension but it just didn't balance how I wanted it to.I currently have a Mex Jazz 5 with rosewood board,Lindy Fralins and Seymour Duncan pickups.They sound great but the string tension is a bit flabby and the B lacks definition.I like the feel and balance - just want some more definition and sustain and think the US Jazz might give it to me but then again love the sound of Barts and the Lakland has the 35' scale.
I think too much dont I!?
 
#9
I'm sure that any of the basses that you have chosen above will sound fine for a rock/metal band. After all, it's not really the bass you play, but how you play it. Steve Harris from Iron Maiden has used a Fender 4 string P-bass for eons...most people would agree that "metal" doesn't come to mind when thinking about a P-bass, but you can't dispute his talent or influence.
 
#13
Yeah Maiden are one of my all time fav's and Steve's tone is massive, although I realise this doesn't only have to do with the bass.The Jazz is slightly more comfy to me playing wise,have never heard a P deluxe through an amp and have never played a Lakland period but if the Lakland was as comfy to play as the Jazz then I think that would be my choice.
Thanks to all for the opinions and keep them comin' if you want.
 
#16
ETEcarmine said:
I love the Stingray. Growly and punchy as hell. Rex Brown used one for a long time.
Click to expand...

He did? Rex was a Charvel guy before he got the Spector endorsement.

rex_1990b.jpg


rex_1987_Jan_10a.jpg
 
#17
Metal Mitch said:
He did? Rex was a Charvel guy before he got the Spector endorsement.
Click to expand...

Yeah, he definitely rocked the Jackson/Charvels in the Cowboys days. You see him rocking a black Stingray w/ a rosewood board in the 101 Proof booklet, as well as in assorted clips of them on tour. You also see him playing a black Stingray 5 with a maple board at a studio session in the Pantera 3 video.

I was on the lookout for Rex w/ a SR after I bought my SR5 and Ampeg rig and noticed that I got a really close tone to his. To me, Rex's tone is one of the greatest Metal bass tones ever, but I was never happy with the sound of a Spector w/ EMG DCs. Go Figure . . .
 

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