I'm basicly a home guitarist, and haven't ever realy played the bass. I like to play the blues, mostly. I'm looking to buy my first bass guitar, and went to a Guitar Center and tried out a few. The ones, that I felt very comfortable with were the Sterling sb14, Fender P bass special, and also the sterling ray34. Not knowing how to play the bass, I couldn't realy tell, if any of these will give me the sound I'm looking for. I'm lookinf for the realy deep, rumbling tone like in Blues Power by Albert King. Any help or suggestions, will be appreciated. Also, please forgive, if I don't describe something correctly. Also, am I putting the emphasis, too much on the bass itself, or should I be looking to accheive the sound I'm looking for, more from the amp/cabinet? I'm looking to purchase over the next 4 days, as Guitar Center has a 15% off sale, so any of the basses I've mentioned will be a little over 500.00 which is aproximately within my price range of 500.00 to 600.00
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Deep thundering tone?
- Thread starter cadawg
- Start date
You can get "deep and rumbling" from just about any bass.
The Sterling and Ray basses you like are capable of that sound, but are probably best at making a "clear and focused" sound.
"Deep and rumbling" to me sounds more like a passive bass with a pickup near the neck. I might suggest an Epiphone EB bass, or a Jazz Bass.
The amp and cab play a role here, too. Just about any amp and cab can be eq'd to deliver "deep and rumbling".
The Sterling and Ray basses you like are capable of that sound, but are probably best at making a "clear and focused" sound.
"Deep and rumbling" to me sounds more like a passive bass with a pickup near the neck. I might suggest an Epiphone EB bass, or a Jazz Bass.
The amp and cab play a role here, too. Just about any amp and cab can be eq'd to deliver "deep and rumbling".
The deepest, most rumbling bass I've ever encountered is my G&L Tribute L2500. Not sure if the L2000 is as deep/rumbly, but it's worth a check.
Deep and rumbling says Tele bass to me , Squier do the Vintage Modified Precision TB Bass Invalid Link Removed that will definately do that tone
+1 on the Ampeg 810. With so many players going Lite, this cab is the key to the thunder sound. I know many will mention their fav. cab but the 810 is the main component to a thunder sound. Look around at what bass players are using and you'll see more 810's than any other bass cab. 
Careful with that deep and thundering stuff, though. A common rookie bassist mistake (and I was guilty of it) is to play with too much low end.
get the right bass first, forget all pedals and cabs, if you have a bass with a decent tone that you like and that works in a band context (very important) the rest will take care of itself
A thunderbird can be tricky in a band context
A thunderbird can be tricky in a band context
I find a nice Fender P-bass of some type (with flotwound strings as someone else mentioned) is usually the best for the kind of sound you're looking for. I'd be willing to bet that's exactly what kind of bass is used on that Albert King song you mentioned.
True enough, you should be able to get that sound (or close to it) with just about any decent bass, but I find it easiest with a Precision.
True enough, you should be able to get that sound (or close to it) with just about any decent bass, but I find it easiest with a Precision.
I recommend the G&L SB 2 US MADE bass, its a PJ bass with a very thundering tone, you can use just the Precision pick up and it kicks ass, you also have the j one for more tones
I went from precision to thunderbird to G&L SB2
I am very happy (also wasted a ton of money on diff pedals and amps in between getting the bass with the right sound in the first place)
I went from precision to thunderbird to G&L SB2
I am very happy (also wasted a ton of money on diff pedals and amps in between getting the bass with the right sound in the first place)
The deeper you want it, the more power you will need. Make sure you use ample wattage. The lower frequencies really need alot of power to be reproduced at decent volumes. If you are looking for deepness at loud volume, you should look into amps that have at least 1000 watts (assuming solid state power section).
Thunderbird, of course!
Actually, this is where Gibson does well! Those Mudbuckers are quite deep!
Actually, this is where Gibson does well! Those Mudbuckers are quite deep!
+1 on the Ampeg 810. With so many players going Lite, this cab is the key to the thunder sound. I know many will mention their fav. cab but the 810 is the main component to a thunder sound. Look around at what bass players are using and you'll see more 810's than any other bass cab.
I tried the 215 route in place of my 810 and it just wasn't the same. 810 = devastation. I haven't tried other 810s though... I'd guess the others are capable of a huge, thundering sound as well.
Yep. IMHO nothing beats a vintage Tele (especially the '72-78 models with the neck humbucker) for that tone. You can find one in good condition for around $2000. And they have one of the best-feeling necks you will find.
this guy wants to spend 500 on a bass and everybody is talking about 810 cabs?
By the way, the Fender P is probably your style.
By the way, the Fender P is probably your style.
You want a P-Bass or String Ray get the one that feels best in your hands,... the rest is all in the EQ
(ps) I don't believe you need an American made to get the sound you want a MIM or Sterling would work fine
(ps) I don't believe you need an American made to get the sound you want a MIM or Sterling would work fine
