Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
best passive bass for metal?
- Thread starter skoti89
- Start date
If your to be drop tuning any type of Fender / Copy then you'll need a couple of modifications done in order to keep it in line. You'll need a bridge along the lines of a Gotoh 201. Very bulky and made a huge difference in string tension and tone on mine. The Fender open tuners are great but dropped they will slip occasionally especially if the base is older like my 80's model J. Go with some open faced Gotoh's or Dunlop's. They're copys in terms of looks but the machines are much higher quality and will hold those dropped tunings better. Finally I would upgrade the electronics to either Barts or passive EMG's and if your really looking for better tone then try an Audere or EMG passive preamp (V,V,T) for some really nice tones.
Past that, your Ibanez isn't bad in this situation, you just need a good -10db pad on the input of your head to keep it from overdriving the input.
Past that, your Ibanez isn't bad in this situation, you just need a good -10db pad on the input of your head to keep it from overdriving the input.
i used to play in an insanely loud hardcore punk band. i mean CRAZY loud. and i used a huge ampeg stack the whole time. i tried alot of different basses, 4's and 5's, active and passive. but i always thought the passive basses sounded better at high volume. i had an ibanez SR505 that just would not cut thru no matter what i tried. as far as active basses go, i thought the Warwicks and G&Ls sounded best, but i still preferred the all passive basses. the pickup combo is really a matter of taste, but definitely PASSIVE. and the seymour duncan quarterpounders KILL in that situation.
I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned sooner along with a Rickenbacker.
I hate almost everything about Ibanez's and if a Precision isn't an option, the T-bird or a Rick is the only way to go.
Another option is to make one from Warmoth parts or whatever other companies there are. That guarantees that you'll have what you need.
I'm using a passive jazz bass equipped with DiMarzio Model J's and with absolutely no onboard tone or volume controls of any kind. Works great for all the metal projects I've been involved in which have ranged from classic/vintage metal (aka Iron Maiden, Megadeth, etc.) to modern metal (aka Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God, Children of Bodom, etc.)
beat me to it...i recorded the song that's linked in my sig with a passive herr schwarz 5 string...great bass
I know this goes against my original post, but there is Fender Deluxe Active Jazz V for sale in craigslist in my town for $250. It is the same bass I use for punk and slap/pop and funk, but the five string version. If i set the onboard pre amp on the bass to flat, do you think it might have the same output as a passive bass? Is that even how it works?
My guitarist actually bitches at me for making him tune up to Drop C, maybe I'll just drop the B to A, or tune up half a step
You think that might be a decent bass for metal? I used to drop my four string jazz all the time, and I loved it, but stopped because I found out its not to great for my neck.
I think the o0nly thing I will miss of my Ibanez is the Extremely punchy E string. man that sucker sounds wicked, but thats the only string.
thank you for all the replies, there was some very helpful and full of details, they all help.
My guitarist actually bitches at me for making him tune up to Drop C, maybe I'll just drop the B to A, or tune up half a step
You think that might be a decent bass for metal? I used to drop my four string jazz all the time, and I loved it, but stopped because I found out its not to great for my neck.
I think the o0nly thing I will miss of my Ibanez is the Extremely punchy E string. man that sucker sounds wicked, but thats the only string.
thank you for all the replies, there was some very helpful and full of details, they all help.
at first I was going to suggest changing out at least the pickups and seeing how it goes from there. I have an sr400 fretless that plays fairly great but to me sounds like mediocore, I dunno why I gave another ibby lesser then a btb a chance....
But sounds like you do need a 5 string. If it's only for 250 and it looks all gravy, go for it. If it doesn't sound to great then you have massive amounts of options as to what you can do for electronics. I've never really liked the b-string on anything but a stingray though....
But sounds like you do need a 5 string. If it's only for 250 and it looks all gravy, go for it. If it doesn't sound to great then you have massive amounts of options as to what you can do for electronics. I've never really liked the b-string on anything but a stingray though....
I was actually thinking about tuning up a half step to C, i really hate loose floppy B strings/ It might help
