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Best Bass for Metal?
- Thread starter Seten
- Start date
Now that's a Metal bass you can really shred on. Unfortunately most of the shredding going on will be your hands as they come in contact with all those sharp metal surfaces.
Follow up: 1500 big ones will get you a lull or a nordy around here, or just about. I have Fender running though my blood at this point and I still wouldn't drop that much cash on anything that wasn't CS. Spector has been mentioned quite a few times, and 1500 is a heck of a Euro. It's also an L2K, 4 sets of Hi Beams, a new Italia strap, and a used B3K.
I've noticed a lot of metal guys like jazz basses, pj basses and that's fine, I intend to use a pj bass soon to play hard rock. However, I will say that Ibanez is light weight, is super playable and looks the part. I highly recommend any Ibanez SR you can afford. 
I have an Epiphone (Allan Woody )rumble cat that I keep down toned through an ampeg 450 head with a 410 cab that rocks pretty heavy. I also use my 1973 Fender P that rocks as well but that rumble cat is mean !!! The Rumble Cat cost me like $425.00 new last year .I have seen it advertised for $699.00 .But I agree with most of the other guys, going to a shop and spending some time playing different basses through an amp that's the same as yours or as close too yours is going to be the best way to find the sound that your looking for .
Weird for someone who just bought two Ibanez basses to say, but I think your average Ibanez SR isn't all that suited for playing simple rock music. For rock, I want clarity with both fingers and pick, and that to me favors a smaller sound than a larger one, because a distorted guitar takes up so much of the mix. So ideally I want a simple single or split coil tone, and most Ibanez SR basses I've played (and bought) have had a very full sound that I end up EQing a lot out to get it to work with a mix.I've noticed a lot of metal guys like jazz basses, pj basses and that's fine, I intend to use a pj bass soon to play hard rock. However, I will say that Ibanez is light weight, is super playable and looks the part. I highly recommend any Ibanez SR you can afford.
That said, any Ibanez that plays well can have its pickups replaced, and premium Ibanez basses have those Nordstrand single coils which should be well suited for playing rock or metal. And the one that I bought, the SR655, is even better because it's got PJ pickups out of the box. I think a P bass neck is the ideal thing to have for playing rock. A J bridge can add a little complexity to the tone that I really like, so a PJ is really beautiful in terms of versatility.
The higher end Ibanez basses are very flexible, but aren't passive per say.
Neither is a Lakland 44-02, but I would highly recommend one. They are far more flexible and playable than a Fender. You can find used ones for $800 to $900.
For pure passive, the newer Yamaha BB series basses (424 & 1024) are pretty awesome.
Neither is a Lakland 44-02, but I would highly recommend one. They are far more flexible and playable than a Fender. You can find used ones for $800 to $900.
For pure passive, the newer Yamaha BB series basses (424 & 1024) are pretty awesome.
You can do a lot for for $1500, even new. Dial yourself up a custom USA G&L bass using the bass generator:
G&L Bass Index
The only model they don't have on here is the new MJ-5.
The L2500 can do just about anything.
G&L Bass Index
The only model they don't have on here is the new MJ-5.
The L2500 can do just about anything.
The biggest, spikiest Dean you can find!
In all seriousness, I love my Dean Metalman V. I picked it up because I was in a phase where I was in love with the V shape and I didn't want to spend much cash. It's great for banging around on and the humbucker sounds good with a little distortion.
In all seriousness, I love my Dean Metalman V. I picked it up because I was in a phase where I was in love with the V shape and I didn't want to spend much cash. It's great for banging around on and the humbucker sounds good with a little distortion.
I don't think I've seen it but I cant believe no one has mentioned Schecter. I also have a Schecter Studio 4, active EMG's, and it is a great bass for under $800. They sound great not only in metal but most any style you would want to play. I know you said passive but you also said "metal bass"
I haven't read all 5 pages, but I like a bass with a bridge pickup for heavy stuff.
Either a Jazz bass, or a P with a bridge pickup. I like Precision basses with an extra P pickup in the bridge (instead of a jazz pickup) for a slightly different sound.
Also love my Geddy Lee Jazz.
Spector would be cool depending on the tone you're after.
Warwick's always sound great.
Vintage Gibson Rippers have a great sound.
Either a Jazz bass, or a P with a bridge pickup. I like Precision basses with an extra P pickup in the bridge (instead of a jazz pickup) for a slightly different sound.
Also love my Geddy Lee Jazz.
Spector would be cool depending on the tone you're after.
Warwick's always sound great.
Vintage Gibson Rippers have a great sound.
Have you ever considered a mid-'80's Fender Jazz Bass Special (MIJ)? These are known as the Duff McKagan bass as he played them while he was in Guns 'n' Roses. I know this may be a bit of a curveball but you can usually find them used in fairly good shape anywhere from $250-$650. It's a Precision bass body with a Jazz neck and P/J pickups. It's a passive bass that is voiced a wee bit strong in the midrange but cuts through a loud band mix quite nicely with a set of nickels on it. Two volume controls, a 3-way toggle, and Fender's TBX tone control circuit which actually can add presence and brightness to your tone. I consider it a sleeper pick that would also give you some extra cash to spend on a rig to round out your sound a bit. Heavy duty quality.
Thanks for all the posts. A couple quick clarifications.
1. I was vague on purpose. I want to be able to check out a wide variety of basses.
2. I am not interested in playing metal. (Not that I don't like metal, I just don't play it in anything.) That's not to say I wouldn't welcome a bass that is also good at playing metal, but my main genres will be punk, grunge, and maybe some psychedelic rock, and I would like it to not sound completely out of place in a genre like jazz.
1. I was vague on purpose. I want to be able to check out a wide variety of basses.
2. I am not interested in playing metal. (Not that I don't like metal, I just don't play it in anything.) That's not to say I wouldn't welcome a bass that is also good at playing metal, but my main genres will be punk, grunge, and maybe some psychedelic rock, and I would like it to not sound completely out of place in a genre like jazz.
P bass with GHS Pressurewounds will not sound out of place in any music.
do your self a favor check the rumble cat its also a short scale base, I really think it would fit your needs good luck bass hunting.Tim
1....Spector
2...... Spector
3....:: see 1 and 2 .... The utmost rock tone ever with a pick it's insane
2...... Spector
3....:: see 1 and 2 .... The utmost rock tone ever with a pick it's insane
I have an American Deluxe P-Bass 4 str which I used in a punk band. The bass was also very useful for blues etc. (blah blah blah).
The optimal way to use the bass however, was as follows:
1. Plug bass into amp
2. Grab a pick.
3. Annihilate any human within a medium radius of the amp.
The power of playing the Am Dlx P-Bass with a pick was profound.
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MusicMan Bongo 5HH. Those things are tone machines and they typically are very fun and easy to play. The shape may not be appealing to you but could be ok for metal lol
