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Aggressive sounding, Mid-Heavy basses?

#41
I took this bass out yesterday ...

mm5%20001.jpg

Maestro 5 string bass

it is a cheap stingray clone that says Maestro on the headstock. I bought it off of ebay for under $140. The electronics were busted and it was missing a string tree on the headstock. I added the tree and a 4 band Audere preamp and a battery box.

So I was playing it yesterday and I boosted the high mids, the low mids, and the bass. Then I rolled off the treble a little. I also ran through my pedalboard for a little dirt and growl. It was an aggressive mid monster.

So if the Audere preamp can make a $135 bass sound killer then what can it do for your bass?

The pickup is wired like 2 jazz pickups into the preamp. So when I turn the blend dial I can go neck single coil / humbucker / bridge single coil. It has a tone similar to the 51 p-bass with the single coil pickup. Boosting the mids in single coil mode is really awesome.
 
#46
Tupac said:
For you folks recommending Spector, can you name any specific models around the ~$700 range?
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I got my Professional Series Rex 5 for less than that used. It's a great value for a neck-through, solid maple body bass. You might be able to find a good deal on an older neck-through Euro for around that amount or maybe even a Euro 4LX. A Rebop (bolt-on Euro) would also be in that range used and would fit your needs well.

I would highly recommend buying used, you can get some really nice stuff for around that mark.
 
#51
Tupac said:
For you folks recommending Spector, can you name any specific models around the ~$700 range?
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Spector all they way, they have that very aggressive midrange, almost crunchy tone. Bonecrushing for sure.
Think of that Alice in Chains and Queensryche sound.

If you can swing it, find an older used NS4CRFM or the newer version is called the Euro4LX. Its both these Euro models build like the US model and with the real top-shelf EMG pickups. These can run from 750 to 1k on the used market, should be really easy to find.
 
#52
Lackey said:
Since when is a P bass mid heavy?

Anyways, Try the Yamaha BB series, Warwick, maybe an ATK... Pedulla if you want to spend a few more bucks..

Or you could get a Jazz bass, throw in some DiMarzio Model Js... that does the trick for punchy mids..
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P-basses are ALL about the mids. Fat thick and wide, but all mids. What you may be referring to as mids are narrower bands of frequencies that are perceived as clearer. Jazz basses have tons of highs and lows, with a natural SCOOP in mids unless you favor one of the pups.
 
#55
Wild.. well I guess you learn something everyday. To my ear P basses have a somewhat hollow tone to them that I attributed to a scoop of midrange frequencies. I've played gigs with my buddies custom shop P before and had trouble hearing myself. Never would have guessed the midrange was there all along.
 
#59
Newer Stingray 5, Spectors, and DEFINITELY check out a Music Man 25th Anniversary HH Model or a New Reflex Gamechanger. The 25th had it in spades and I am assuming the Reflex will have it as well...

Peace,

T
 
#60
I'd say a Jackson. I've tried out a few of their newer models and they always seem to impress me. High quality, very fast and lightweight, and a very aggressive, punchy, and focused sound that not only kills at rock/metal, but makes an excellent slap tone.

For example:[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Very fast profile with compound fretboard radius, quartersawn maple neck, deep cutaways, and EMG's with a 3 band active EQ for $400 brand new.
 

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