• 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.

Finding the perfect (metal) bass for me.

Kairo

Kairo

Jul 21, 2018
21
84
Utrecht, The Netherlands
#1
Hello!
I've spent the last few days contemplating about my next purchase.
I'm essentially looking for a five string with active EMGs.
My dream bass at this point would be the Spector Euro5 Alex Webster signature, but that is sadly outside of my budget range.
Things I'm considering are the Schecter Hellraiser 5, one of the new Solar five strings or perhaps a cheaper Spector bass.
Regardless, I'm looking for a very fast, thin neck.
Would you guys be able to share your insight considering my choices with me? Any other suggestions perhaps?
I'm looking to spend around $1300 max.

Thanks a lot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ellery, Bassic_desires and Riff Ranger
#3
upload_2021-9-7_19-41-51.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: bitzie, Lowbgalaxy777, Mechanical and 6 others
#8
JW56789 said:
ESP is big in metal, and their basses are the most overlooked great axes out there, like this one:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Babicz bridge, all EMG internals, Grover keys, 6-bolt neck, ebony fingerboard. Smokin' . . . .

View attachment 4398491
Click to expand...
This was the other one I was considering when I acquired the 30th Anniversary Ellefson signature.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kairo
#10
I also vote Spector for tone, especially if you’re into Alex’s sound. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] on GC tonight, I have the same model and it’s a fantastic instrument. Neck might be a bit chunkier than you’re looking for but GC’s return policy makes it easy to take a chance. I’ve definitely become a fan of Spector in general since owning one.

Edit: just saw your profile says you’re in the Netherlands, might not be very convenient ordering from GC USA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thombo and Kairo
#11
You’re pretty much there with the Schecter, great basses, I’ve had Studio 8 and a Stage 4. Very good basses that if you can get past the looks, pretty much outperform their competitors. At the time I let my Stage 4 go as I found it to be pretty much the same as my L2000, in hindsight I should have hung onto the Stage 4
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lowbgalaxy777, Wicked G, SoCal80s and 1 other person
#13
I tried a riot 5 and it sounded pretty metal to me. That would be well in your range. I use an old ltd b304 for my main metal bass.

As weird as it sounds, a jazz bass does metal really well. I recorded an anthrax song recently with the jazz to show how well it works.

My next metal bass is going to be a dingwall ng 3 combustion 5.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Justinian, SoCal80s, Mili and 2 others
#14
Kairo said:
Hello!
I've spent the last few days contemplating about my next purchase.
I'm essentially looking for a five string with active EMGs.
My dream bass at this point would be the Spector Euro5 Alex Webster signature, but that is sadly outside of my budget range.
Things I'm considering are the Schecter Hellraiser 5, one of the new Solar five strings or perhaps a cheaper Spector bass.
Regardless, I'm looking for a very fast, thin neck.
Would you guys be able to share your insight considering my choices with me? Any other suggestions perhaps?
I'm looking to spend around $1300 max.

Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...

Personally I found the Schecter to be kind of lacking consistency with the Low B string (professionally set up for Drop A and Drop C). I owned the Hellraiser and Studio 6. The other strings just always sounded more alive (which was bummer since metal is all about the lowest string).

I think one of the cheaper Spector models could work nicely but I never really explored them much because I was not into how the body shape felt on me.

My personal go to for metal was a stingray. Super flexible bass but they generally have a great mid range which is where that metal bass really cuts through. (I believe August Burns Red recorded a lot of bass with one and I think Memphis May Fire as well, very popular bass for metal). You should be able to get used one $900-$1300 easily. The cheaper Sterling models are excellent as well, especially for metal.

These days I use a bongo which I scored for $1600. That thing is INSANE for metal. If you listen to Eternal Nightmare by Chelsea Grin that is a Bongo.

Carvin is obviously gone now, but if you can find a used one they have a real nice mid range growl to them as well (super flexible basses too). Way under rated instruments.

Ibanez rules as well, criminally underrated in the bass community. Necks are super fast and comfortable. Even there cheap models are solid, but there mid range and high end stuff is just incredible.

I’ll second the ESP and Jackson recommendations as well. Fast necks and definitely common for metal as well.

I rocked a peavey for a while too, if you got a millennium and swapped the pick ups out for something with more headroom you’d be in real good shape. (I believe John Campbell recorded a ton of Lamb Of Gods albums with that, I can’t recall the pups he used though).

Realistically anything could work with the right EQ, a little overdrive, a kiss of reverb, and fresh strings (a pick helps too, no bassist will ever admit that though). Metal bass tends to get buried so it’s really about finding that aggressive but musical clank and while that is an art form of its own, it’s very possible to achieve on most basses.

Happy Hunting and Good Luck!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Corigan and Kairo
#15
Kairo said:
Appreciate the replies a lot! I forgot to mention one thing Legend 5 Alex Webster by Spector Bass Guitars

I found this, but I can't find any solid reviews on Youtube, it seems to be a lower end version of the euro5 Alex Webster! What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
I had an older Legend 5 Classic, bolt-on neck, SSD pickups and tone pump jr preamp. The electronics didn’t do it for me—it seemed like I could only get boom and sizzle out of that preamp, even after swapping out the pickups for Lace Alumitones—but it looked, felt, and played great. I would consider another Spector Legend model with different electronics. The tone pump preamp does have its fans, too; I’m just not one of them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kairo and thombo
#16
Bill Murray said:
Personally I found the Schecter to be kind of lacking consistency with the Low B string (professionally set up for Drop A and Drop C). I owned the Hellraiser and Studio 6. The other strings just always sounded more alive (which was bummer since metal is all about the lowest string).

I think one of the cheaper Spector models could work nicely but I never really explored them much because I was not into how the body shape felt on me.

My personal go to for metal was a stingray. Super flexible bass but they generally have a great mid range which is where that metal bass really cuts through. (I believe August Burns Red recorded a lot of bass with one and I think Memphis May Fire as well, very popular bass for metal). You should be able to get used one $900-$1300 easily. The cheaper Sterling models are excellent as well, especially for metal.

These days I use a bongo which I scored for $1600. That thing is INSANE for metal. If you listen to Eternal Nightmare by Chelsea Grin that is a Bongo.

Carvin is obviously gone now, but if you can find a used one they have a real nice mid range growl to them as well (super flexible basses too). Way under rated instruments.

Ibanez rules as well, criminally underrated in the bass community. Necks are super fast and comfortable. Even there cheap models are solid, but there mid range and high end stuff is just incredible.

I’ll second the ESP and Jackson recommendations as well. Fast necks and definitely common for metal as well.

I rocked a peavey for a while too, if you got a millennium and swapped the pick ups out for something with more headroom you’d be in real good shape. (I believe John Campbell recorded a ton of Lamb Of Gods albums with that, I can’t recall the pups he used though).

Realistically anything could work with the right EQ, a little overdrive, a kiss of reverb, and fresh strings (a pick helps too, no bassist will ever admit that though). Metal bass tends to get buried so it’s really about finding that aggressive but musical clank and while that is an art form of its own, it’s very possible to achieve on most basses.

Happy Hunting and Good Luck!!
Click to expand...
I love playing with a pick and I’ll shout it from the rooftops! :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kairo, Nuage420, Tanner5382 and 3 others
#18
Interspace Station said:
Edit: just saw your profile says you’re in the Netherlands, might not be very convenient ordering from GC USA.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that’s why I didn’t feel sleazy recommending the bass I happen to have for sale in this instance :laugh: I don’t anticipate anyone wanting to pay to ship it to Europe, but hopefully the same model or the current one can be found in Europe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tanner5382 and Interspace Station

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back