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Bass suggestions for heavy metal
- Thread starter Blast
- Start date
bongomania
Commercial User
Every bass can be good for metal, even hollowbodies and hippie sandwiches and spalted coffeetable boutique 9-stringers.
The three brands you named are fine, but honestly there's nothing about any of them that makes one "better for metal". Plus each of them makes different models, it's not like a Yamaha bass only means one type of sound or feel.
The three brands you named are fine, but honestly there's nothing about any of them that makes one "better for metal". Plus each of them makes different models, it's not like a Yamaha bass only means one type of sound or feel.
Steve Harris only needs a precision bass. So should any other metal bassist.
If you need something more than a precision bass then you're not metal enough.
If you need something more than a precision bass then you're not metal enough.
How come you never see "What's a good bass for country music?" threads?
Evidently,suprisingly,it's a Musicman Stingray.
^ just further proof that you can play ANY music on ANY bass!
OMG! Popping on a country tune FTW.
Because all you need is a washtub, a pole of some kind, and something to string it with.How come you never see "What's a good bass for country music?" threads?
I kid I kid!
Rickenbacker 4003/4001
Fender Jazz
Really just try a bunch of basses and get what you like. Metal players use all kinds of different basses.
Fender Jazz
Really just try a bunch of basses and get what you like. Metal players use all kinds of different basses.
Any bass that's comfortable and produces good tone basically. I'd go with something with a fast neck, like a Fender Jazz or Peavey Cirrus or something.
In my band I've used a $250 Peavey with used Fender jazz pickups I picked up here for $30 (SUCH a huge difference over the stock pickups, by the way), a $1000 active Fender, and a $2000 Yamaha, and they all work. Almost any bass can be used for metal. Precision, jazz, Musicman, active, passive, pointy, round, it doesn't really make a huge difference. Good tone can be had from (almost) any bass, it's all in how you play it, what you're playing, and how well your bass jives with your amp rig.
If you want full bodied bassy goodness, get something p-bassy. If you want edgy growly goodness, get something jazz bassy. If you want something else all together, go down to your local music store and PLAY EVERY BASS THEY HAVE, and figure out what YOU want for YOUR music.
If you want full bodied bassy goodness, get something p-bassy. If you want edgy growly goodness, get something jazz bassy. If you want something else all together, go down to your local music store and PLAY EVERY BASS THEY HAVE, and figure out what YOU want for YOUR music.
Ok, now that my rant is over.... here are my opinions on the three brands you chose:
Ibanez: Check out the SRX series, they come in a wide variety of price ranges, and seem to sound good from the people I've seen playing them.
Yamaha: I have an Attitude bass and love it, though they can be pretty pricey. Check out the higher end RBX stuff, or the TRBs if you're looking for a 5 or 6 string.
Peavey: I have a bottom-of-the-barrel Peavey Millenium BXP that I recently upgraded with Fender jazz bass pickups, and I've used it over my Yamaha Attitude for the last three practices and one show. The growl of the new jazz pickups, combined with the thin neck and relatively light weight really make a big difference.
Overall though, I'd have to say Yamaha or Ibanez, but keep in mind I have never played a higher end Peavey. A lot of people here seem to like the Peavey Cirrus series.
Ibanez: Check out the SRX series, they come in a wide variety of price ranges, and seem to sound good from the people I've seen playing them.
Yamaha: I have an Attitude bass and love it, though they can be pretty pricey. Check out the higher end RBX stuff, or the TRBs if you're looking for a 5 or 6 string.
Peavey: I have a bottom-of-the-barrel Peavey Millenium BXP that I recently upgraded with Fender jazz bass pickups, and I've used it over my Yamaha Attitude for the last three practices and one show. The growl of the new jazz pickups, combined with the thin neck and relatively light weight really make a big difference.
Overall though, I'd have to say Yamaha or Ibanez, but keep in mind I have never played a higher end Peavey. A lot of people here seem to like the Peavey Cirrus series.
I agree with the points made already. It's all a matter of personal preference. I think we could use some more clarification as well for 'heavy metal'. I'm a longtime metalhead and stick to the more classic heavy metal (Testament, Metallica and the like). What type of sound are you looking for, do you use your fingers or pick, do you like active or passive.
I have a Fender American Jazz, MIM V and a Peavey Zodiac DE. I was looking for thinner, fast necks, more classic warm tone, and something versatile since I'll play some other stuff too. Also, I'm a finger playing guy, options may differ for pick. Depending on what you play your options may differ. When I started back into bass, I was gearing up for some very heavy, alt metal type stuff. I had a Tbird and Mockingbird. Picked up a spector too. All were great basses, but as I evolved I wanted something that would work with other styles too. I've changed from modern, active basses to more classic passive basses. It's been a long journey.
Figure out what your 'requirements/specs' are for a bass then hit the local shop and try stuff out.
I have a Fender American Jazz, MIM V and a Peavey Zodiac DE. I was looking for thinner, fast necks, more classic warm tone, and something versatile since I'll play some other stuff too. Also, I'm a finger playing guy, options may differ for pick. Depending on what you play your options may differ. When I started back into bass, I was gearing up for some very heavy, alt metal type stuff. I had a Tbird and Mockingbird. Picked up a spector too. All were great basses, but as I evolved I wanted something that would work with other styles too. I've changed from modern, active basses to more classic passive basses. It's been a long journey.
Figure out what your 'requirements/specs' are for a bass then hit the local shop and try stuff out.
May I chime in on the Ibanze range?
No?
Well, here goes anyway.
IMO the Ibanez ATK is the best suited to play metal. And they are affordable.
Although they might not look the most "metal".
René_Julien;7808580 said:May I chime in on the Ibanze range?
No?
Well, here goes anyway.
IMO the Ibanez ATK is the best suited to play metal. And they are affordable.
Although they might not look the most "metal".
Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner!
He's got a point.
Most metal bassists use a bass with humbuckers, but singlecoil's would do just fine. If its a bass with the metal "Look" then anything spikey.
