A friend had a Yamaha 5 string. I think it was their Nathan East model. As soon as I plugged it in, the sound was there! Just straight into the amp. Active pickups and EQing are the start of getting that type of sound, but also depends on neck wood, body wood, etc. etc. I would just try shopping around for awhile and try different bass. Better yet read a bio on the bass player on that song and track down what he's using. Another important piece of equipment is YOU. Two people can play the SAME bass and make it sound totally different.
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Basses known for growl
- Thread starter slapmachine
- Start date
P basses are not a bass I think of when I think growl. They have a hollowness to them that doesn't sit right with me. I think they sound great in a mix, but growl...not so much.
+1
Ric's definitely have growl, but if I were the OP, I'd be looking at one of the newer import J basses or one of the import Sterling basses. They are cheap and they fit the bill.
As a side note, one of the growliest basses I've ever heard was a Fender American Deluxe Precision, with the humbucker in the bridge position. Those things are amazing.
Really??? It's an old, old track but Martin Turner used a T-bird and I'd say it's growling
‪Wishbone Ash - Blowin' Free‬‏ - YouTube
When I think of growl I pretty much think of Stingrays and Jazz Basses.
Apparently part of the growl from a Jazz bass with both pickups on full is because of the comb filtering because they're out of phase, but they do growl with just the bridge pickup of course.
Also, plucking closer to the bridge, obviously, 95% of the tone is in your fingers, right?
Apparently part of the growl from a Jazz bass with both pickups on full is because of the comb filtering because they're out of phase, but they do growl with just the bridge pickup of course.
Also, plucking closer to the bridge, obviously, 95% of the tone is in your fingers, right?
You can't talk about growl without mentioning Wal.
I'd imagine G&L would offer decent growl as well at a much more affordable price to Wal.
I'd imagine G&L would offer decent growl as well at a much more affordable price to Wal.
I have the Yamaha Nathan East as well as 3 other basses, and it is the growliest by far.
I think what most people are saying is growl from a P-bass is actually the amp it's being put through, driven hard - same with T-birds and to a point Stingrays - and if that's what you want, you don't need a new bass, you need an Ampeg SVT-4 head.
I will +1 on Warwicks, even an entry level Corvette will be able to cop a great deal of growl. Streamers not so much, but any model with a single coil by the bridge, especially the Thumb, is a go. If you can get a NT Thumb for cheap, do it! Growliest by far. The Bolt-ons are still growly but not like the NTs.
I will +1 on Warwicks, even an entry level Corvette will be able to cop a great deal of growl. Streamers not so much, but any model with a single coil by the bridge, especially the Thumb, is a go. If you can get a NT Thumb for cheap, do it! Growliest by far. The Bolt-ons are still growly but not like the NTs.
THe first basses that come to mind for growl to me are Warwick and Spector.
More specifically: a Warwick SS1, Warwick Thumb, and a Spector NS-2. The NS-2 and SS1 being very similar designs. Reverse PJ, maple, neck through, etc.
More specifically: a Warwick SS1, Warwick Thumb, and a Spector NS-2. The NS-2 and SS1 being very similar designs. Reverse PJ, maple, neck through, etc.
I agree, round wounds, dig in deep with your fingers and push your amp. My P bass has dimarzio pickups. If I run it through my ampeg I get an awesome growl. It only growls in certain ranges on the neck but as I'm playing runs and passages, those ranges come to life and sound awesome. Get to know your bass well enough and your emotions will growl along with it. My Zon and Jazz bass can also be made to growl, but they all have a different growl. A growl to me is more of a lion sounding growl.
Eddie Breckenridge from Thrice plays a Gibson Grabber, it has some pretty mean growl to it.
Example: Thrice - Hoods on peregrine - YouTube
Example: Thrice - Hoods on peregrine - YouTube
Rickett Customs
Commercial User
I agree these are "Growly", but only accentuated by cranked amps and/or overdrive.
That's why I believe that some of the first names that come up are Spectors, Warwicks and jazz basses (an EMG pickup equipped bass)......due to clean growl, without much drive or effecting.
Jazz, Ibanez ATK, actually any with a bridge pickup and proper equalization will get you close. Also I'd suggest pulling nearer to the bridge.
This is definitely off topic, the lightbulb just went on in my head. Timberlake's "Rock Youor Body" is a pretty serious Jamiroquai ripoff. I had not followed them enough back in 2002 to know it then since I had only had one of their CDs at the time.
As for growl, get on old single pup MTD Kingston, a Warwick Thumb, or favor the rear pup on a Jazz Bass.
I know I've said it before but I don't know how people have managed to skip the entire first page and recommend a P bass unless they're deaf. This thread isn't about your definition of growl but what would get the OP the sound he is after.
Several examples of the different range of sounds, some growly, others less so, you can get from a SPECTOR.
Perhaps the OP will hear what he's looking for in one of these.
Doug Wimbish - NS-2
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Robbie Merrill - Godsmack - Euro4LX (P/J pups)
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John Montagna - Alan Parsons Project - Rebop4DLX-FM
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D20 Band - Euro4LX-Classic (P/J pups)
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Perhaps the OP will hear what he's looking for in one of these.
Doug Wimbish - NS-2
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Robbie Merrill - Godsmack - Euro4LX (P/J pups)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
John Montagna - Alan Parsons Project - Rebop4DLX-FM
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
D20 Band - Euro4LX-Classic (P/J pups)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
