Best punk sound

P bass and tube amp.

With a Jazz dime the neck pup, shut off the bridge and roll off the tone.
Some dead rounds or brighter flats will help too.
Play closer to the neck too

 

I was going to say a 400rb in to a Ampeg 810e.

 

That'll work too but it isn't a dimed Bassman or V4B into a 810

 

True, but that is why I mentioned the 400 vs the 700 or 1001. Riding the GK rails is pretty "punk" sounding to my ear.

Oh, also get a cheapass p bass and put chrome flats on it.

 

Yeah, big cab like a 810 or 215 and small cheap head always works.
Back in the day a V4B or Bassman was a cheap head.
The 400rb is great for it, even a Peavey Mk IV will work too

 

isn't that one of the hi tech emulator digital heads, just try the svt setting or the fender bassman setting and use whichever one sounds better with the jazz doing a neck pickup emphasized p sound

 

Best punk sound = Mute

Just kidding.

Seriously, is there a best sound for punk? Isn't punk all about doing things your own way?

So really the best rig for punk would be an ampeg 410 on top of a gk 112 on top of a peavey 115 with a stack of 2x8 crates on one side and a Marshall combo on the other. All running full range and being driven by 10 behringer amps (of various models obviously)

 

Try using one of the TonePrints There are some good sounding examples/samples on this page. See if any of them are what you're looking for. http://www.tcelectronic.com/bg250-tc-electronic-tubewarmth-n-comp/ Some are a bit hairy, but I think some of them sound great.

If you need any help getting them loaded, let me know.

 

It depends on whether you want to sound like the pistols live, if so, de-tune your bass and play badly

seriously though, listening to the pistols now, they sound like any pop song. Did we really think they were outrageously distorted? I was just glad to hear guitars again .

 

A jazz bass is fine for punk - just ask Klaus Fluoride of the Dead Kennedys.

I play in a punk cover band and I've used a wide variety of stuff over the years. With the TC amp, beam or download one of the Tube grit Toneprints, and you should be well on your way.

 

Don't forget the SS rounds and pick! That will make more difference than you think.

 

P Bass

 

Id say a musicman stingray is the best punk tone fugazi and the dead milkmen and The vandals all used stingrays...

 

That. Klaus is, IMO, top of the heap as far as punk bass goes. Arguably the best ever, always a jazz bass with a pick.

 

Agree with this.

To the OP: I also have a BG250, and often use "Little Grit" and "The Grind" to get a good dirty sound for punk. If you want to really get the audience freaking out, try "The Beast". It's perfect for seriously distorted stuff like Little Doll, by The Stooges. And it doesn't matter if you play a Jazz bass for punk. Heck, I've even played punk on a Fretless Jazz.

 

Well Paul from the Clash was a dyed in the wool Fender Precision and Ampeg SVT 300 fan but fear not there is a pedal that can help the TC amps pre amp a lot.
Ignore the silly accent and ridiculous number of strings involved in this demo because it shows the SVT clone ability of the Sansamp VT pedal quite well.

 

What bass did Sid Vicious play again?

Oh, that's right, he didn't.

 

Acoustic 370, Peavey Mark III or IV, GK 400RB, Ampeg SVT/V-4B. P-Bass preferred but any bass will work if you're loud.

 

Respectfully, how about we all stop suggesting that the OP buy new equipment? He's asked a question about getting the most out of his existing equipment.