Best bass for death/doom metal???

[Metal Mitch]

Ummm... death metal and doom metal are completely different styles with completely different bass sounds and techniques.

For doom you'll need something with really good sustain and a really thick distortion. A deep sounding bass that also has a lot of low mids to drive the distortion, so fugettabout anything with EMG's because they have ZERO low mids. Think "vintage tone" like Gibson or Rickenbacker, then run it through a big muddy rig like this for example:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Also be sure to search for posts by DEVILMAN about his doom rig.

Death metal is all speed with emphasis on the attack sound, so a more modern sound is the accepted norm. Ibanez is very popular for it's fast neck and pingy attack, BC Rich (USA) is the other top choice but tends to sound a bit muddy. Then you have your ESP, Aria, Hamer, and even Carvins are cropping up a lot more in the last few years.

 

[Prahainspring]

Originally posted by Metal Mitch
Ummm... death metal and doom metal are completely different styles with completely different bass sounds and techniques.

For doom you'll need something with really good sustain and a really thick distortion. A deep sounding bass that also has a lot of low mids to drive the distortion, so fugettabout anything with EMG's because they have ZERO low mids. Think "vintage tone" like Gibson or Rickenbacker, then run it through a big muddy rig like this for example:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Also be sure to search for posts by DEVILMAN about his doom rig.

Death metal is all speed with emphasis on the attack sound, so a more modern sound is the accepted norm. Ibanez is very popular for it's fast neck and pingy attack, BC Rich (USA) is the other top choice but tends to sound a bit muddy. Then you have your ESP, Aria, Hamer, and even Carvins are cropping up a lot more in the last few years.

I've never heard the term "Doom Metal" could you give me some CD's to check out to see what this is? I'm not a huge death metal fan, but i've never heard this before! I'm lame, I know, but what would you suggest to listen to?

 

[I.'.I.'.Nakoa]

Check out My dying Bride and Forest of Shadows..

 

[Vorago]

Not to mention Cathedral

 

[My bass in your]

Before you buy anything check out The Ibanez BTB400 (4 string) or 405 (5 string).

Great basses:
they look cool
Enourmous output
Sustainnnnnnn
versatile tone



this is your first bass?
too bad, Fretless basses for Doom and Death kicks mucho ass!

 

[FreeThinker 444]

Thanks for the info guys. Metal Mitch, you're right about the difference between death and doom. I guess I want to learn the more intricate stuff which death metal involves.

I will check out the BTB beforte I make a decision but last time I saw a price on em, it was pretty steep if I remember correctly.

 

[Metal Mitch]

Yeah the BTB kicks ass! I don't think you'll find anything better than a BTB400 in it's price range (about $500). If they came in black I would have already bought one.

Wm1724> Some other doom bands besides the ones mentioned... Evoken and Warhorse are current newer bands, older stuff to check out would be Grief, Candlemass' "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus", the first 2 albums by Trouble, and Autopsy's 2nd, "Retribution for the Dead". In general, doom has a strong Black Sabbath influence and/or uses painfully slow and sludgy funeral dirge riffs to build tension and make it super heavy.

 

[AllodoX]

nu-metalist here

for metal there is only one bass.. the Ibanez EDC.. you will learn to appreciate it roundness.. it's smooth curves.. it's rich and lush lows.. it's crispy highs.. you will like it, resistance is futile.

 

[In Flames]

I am into Death Metal and such... I plan on getting a Black Spector NS2000 Q5. They are made awesome. Top quality bass with a decent price. I believe the Q4's are like 500 but they are worth it. However that F204 for 350 that person previously posted is a steal. I'd pick that up if you can. I wish I had 350 right now to pick it up.

 

[rdhbass]

To cut through a wall of guitars I would go with a middy trebly Jazz bass, or a rickenbacker bass, that would be a cool sound. Think "Cliff Burton" of Metallica, though they are not death/doom metal. What a person needs to get away from in these types of music is thud or muddy tones. Ya gotta be able to "cut through" the mix...

 

[Oliver]

Bro, i own a F-204 and a B-305
you cant go wrong with ESP

 

[SlavaF]

Well I hate to brag about my BTB405 again (just did it 5 minutes ago) but I have to echo the BTB400 comment. Crank up the mids, set the mid frequency pretty low, boost a lot of bass and a little treble... and you got yourself an incredibly growly bass. The B string is tight like a tiger too. Sustains for a looooooong time, and it looks damn cool. If you can stand the weight and wide strings, then it's the only choice!

 

[Oliver]

Metal Mitch, i have to disagree, The EMG's cut thru distorted guitars like nothing else.
All types of metal, Doom, death, power, speed, nu, black etc.


EMG's are the best, and they provide plents of low end, and punch

 

[apoodangle]

Originally posted by Groove Tools
From what partg of the us are you man?? I'm from MD and at the guitar center near my house the sell the same stuff I would order it at musicians and friends or I can help you find a better store.

well **** i'm from maryland too, you're not from montgomery county are ya?

i second the ESP F204 as well, ESPs are great products.

and Death is amazing. Chuck Schuldiner is my god. congratz, you have good taste friend. check out Dew-Scented for more thrashy death metal, and Behemoth for some doomy death metal.

 

[FreeThinker 444]

Well...I decided to jump at the ESP F204 offer for 350. Should be here in a bit.

 

[bryan bailey]

I'd say get a P bass.

Or anything with a PJ pickup combo really.

And then probably an electro harmonix big muff.

 

[dees]

those Conklin basses look sweeeeeeeet. But i don't think they're available here in Belgium.

Well, I play in a melodic death metal band (a bit like in flames and children of bodom), and I play a Musicman Stingray 2EQ, nice and punchy. I use a mexican fender jazz as a back-up. I know, not many bass players who play death metal use these instruments, but they sound really nice. If you want it a bit more budget, you can always get a stingray OLP, I used one of those before I had my musicman, also on gigs.

 

[Kheos]

and which band would that be?
wie weet ken ik hem wel :d

 

[DEVILMAN]

...DOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...


~S~

PS: @Mitch, nice rig...

 

[Metal Mitch]

Hailz DM. That's not my rig, click the pic and it'll take you to Dragongreen's gear page. They're not really doom metal, more stoner rock. But similar rigs needed...

Your rig looks sweet! Nice Bag End "tweeter" on top of your bass cabs. And shows the difference between a good doom metal rig and a stoner rock rig, yours is modern high tech and that guy's is more vintage.