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Best five string for metal

That's not a five string!
that's the thing about "metal" bass;

is the band tuning down? how far? are they doing "drop-tuning", where the low E on the guitars is a whole step lower than normal?

5-string basses often end up actually being awkward for this type of music!

say the guitars tune to dropped C#; do you tune your 5-string up? do you stay in standard B and just fret the notes they're playing open, rendering your parts busy and frantic while theirs are easy and intuitive? do you try to tune down so your E is a C# too, at which point your B becomes a floppy and unusable G#?

it's actually more logical to get a 4-string and tune it the same way the guitars do.

(of course, if they're playing 7-strings, then they're back in your extended-range territory, and a 5 makes sense again.)
 
Hey, you don't have to tell me about metal bass. I've been down to F and back with my basses! I wouldn't use a five string for C# myself. I'd either tune down a four string, or use my Spector, which is strung BEAD and tune up. I'm covered no matter how they decide to do it.

I've played with guitarists that use eight strings so I'm used to low tunings and what bass to use!

It was a joke post because a picture of a four string was posted. That's all.
 
Or you have two kids, work 60-70 hours a week and had to sell your Spector ns5 for money issues. I've been playing for 20... That's the problem with these type of threads, people who have nothing to do just sit around trying to trash others to make themselves look better... Please mod.. lock this thread and delete it..
 
gregnb3 - at this point, you've gotten your answer, try to relax and not take the humorous postings seriously, and enjoy the ride.
And play the heck out of your bass, amigo.

The best hat for metal, is the hat the dude, Kesslari wore the other day to open for The Ohio Players.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f32/well-opening-ohio-players-794567/

Nah, man. That's the best hat fo' FUNK! The best hat for metal is...
Tin Foil Hat!
tin-foil-hat.jpg

:hiding:
 
I'm tired of all this attitude towards the guys that play bass in metal bands! Posting "sarcastic" comments only show how ignorant and how much of an @** You are - You're not superior in any way and You have no right to bash ppl only because they play a certain music genre.

If you really wanna sound smart, next time instead of insulting ppl and speaking down on 'em just shut it - if you can't come up with something constructive and informative, better stay away from such topics.
 
I normally dont pay attention to these type of threads beyond rolling my eyes and moving along, but I'm gonna foolishly respond.

I've been a metal head since I heard my first Motorhead album in '82, longer still if you count Deep Purple and Black Sabbath and I keep up with it today even with its most extreme incarnations and I roll my eyes every time I hear the "what bass is best for metal" question. Metal is a varied and diverse music with bass players of every era and sub-genre utilizing a wide range of sounds and styles. You can play metal with ANY bass at all. Honest, I swear. Asking what bass is best for any genre is a futile question. There is too much variation to get any kind of real answer..

Perhaps some could be a little less frustrated with a rephrasing of the question. YOU know how YOU want to sound. YOU know if you are looking for a fat thumpy bass, or something clonky and clanky, maybe a nice punchy mid with well defined highs, or perhaps a super mid-scooped sound, what ever the sound you want. Some basses are better than others at achieving differing sonic qualities, but few, if any, can do it all. Some come close, but you need to know what sound you want and you need to express that specific goal for anyone to be able to point you in the right direction.

Perhaps something like; "Hi, I'm looking for a bass that can best achieve a (your sonic quality of choice) type of sound, I'm playing (you genre of choice) and was wondering if anyone might have any recommendations for a bass that does a good job of achieving that (your sonic quality of choice) sound?" might yield better results with more specific and helpful advice and less eye rolling and sarcasm?

Or you could read the stickies, do a thread search, check sound clips, and read reviews and make up your own mind. Its up to you, really.
 
I'm tired of all this attitude towards the guys that play bass in metal bands! Posting "sarcastic" comments only show how ignorant and how much of an @** You are - You're not superior in any way and You have no right to bash ppl only because they play a certain music genre.

If you really wanna sound smart, next time instead of insulting ppl and speaking down on 'em just shut it - if you can't come up with something constructive and informative, better stay away from such topics.

Rawk on dood! PPL R always gonna B H8ters!