I like substantial necks and prefer other pickups, and I'm definitely playing metal
I'm more in the Stingray camp with my ATKs. Lots of ways get it done. We're hard to pigeonhole.
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Finding the perfect (metal) bass for me.
- Thread starter Kairo
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- metal bass
I'm more in the Stingray camp with my ATKs. Lots of ways get it done. We're hard to pigeonhole.
I have a late 90s Euro Spector fiver.
Unless the design has radically changed in recent years, their necks are definitely not what I'd call thin fast necks. They're not overly chunky. But they definitely have some body compared to something like your average Ibanez or ESP neck.
That said, it is a lovely bass. And when loaded with some bright steel rounds, it can definitely bring on the metal.
Unless the design has radically changed in recent years, their necks are definitely not what I'd call thin fast necks. They're not overly chunky. But they definitely have some body compared to something like your average Ibanez or ESP neck.
That said, it is a lovely bass. And when loaded with some bright steel rounds, it can definitely bring on the metal.
If your dream bass is a Spector, and that's the tone youre after, dont conpromise. New you could get a Spector NS Pulse on your budget, or find a used Euro Rebop.
People will give you all kinds of suggestions, and nearly every brand can and has been used in metal. I say this as someone who has been playing and listening to a metal for most of my life.
Outside of Spector, my suggestions would be Schecter, Ibanez, ESP, for your budget.
People will give you all kinds of suggestions, and nearly every brand can and has been used in metal. I say this as someone who has been playing and listening to a metal for most of my life.
Outside of Spector, my suggestions would be Schecter, Ibanez, ESP, for your budget.
The following clip is as close of an apples-to-apples comparison between multi-scale and parallel-fret versions of the same bass (LTD B-1005) you're going to get. Make your own conclusions.
Personally, I don't think you need a specific bass or even specific electronics. A comfortable neck and good setup (you want a straight neck and low action for some fret clank if you play fingerstyle) trump small tone differences from electronics.
with so many new manufacturers and music styles in "metal" these days there are many options... back in the day, metal for my generation was early (Sabbath, Judas Priest, Maiden, VH, Metallica)...P's J's and Ibanez. I love what's available these days, and imo, it comes down to the player and technique. i feel confident that i could take a "beatle bass" and bring it to the darkside and rock it!..Tho i'd love to own a few of the new modern offerings that r out now.
I actually use a fender jazz for metal or a Stingray. If you're open to checking out reviews the sterling by musicman SUB is a wonderful bass that will destroy ear drums in a good way for like 350 dollars US
This is my Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 which I bought for a song used. Over time I put in EMG40P5's and an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp (both of which I scored used in new condition). It was procured primarily for playing metal, and it is metal a.f. This Stiletto had good bones, neck through with hog wings; upgrading the electronics brought it to another level on a budget. I've never owned a Rebop or Legend but if you can get your hands on an Asian build Spector that would be a good bet.
BTW I almost bought a Spector Euro but when I tried it, my Schecter was so close that I couldn't justify the price tag. I saved up for a few years and was not satisfied until I had a USA model in my hands.
You can find good deal on Specot Rebops amd Euros if you look. I sold a Euro 5 last year for $1200.
Im new to metal so, about a year ago, I posted a thread about finding the best bass for metal for a recording project. Coming from a background of funk and dance music, I had been used to playing music where there was a thinner ambience (keys, clean guitar, horn stabs) to make the bass cut. With metal, there is a solid wall of guitar sound and I found out by trial and error just how much the bass tone can influence that wall of guitars......To summarize: Some basses sounded great by themselves but really colored the guitars too much (Peavey T-40), other basses colored them minimally and were acceptable while also punching through the mix (Fender Jazz) but the winner was my G&L ASAT (L2K with tele body) in its best "Stingray mode" (Pickups in parallel mode, Active + Boost but toned down, both pickups on....not exactly a Ray but shares a LOT of the characteristics). It won because it was able to be transparent enough to not affect the guitars and can still be set to punch through the mix. It was truly eye-opening and I realized why so many metal bands use G&Ls and Ernie Balls...Since then, I have bought a Stingray HH for my metal projects.
So Im going to say either an Ernie Ball (Stingray, Stingray HH, Bongo, etc) or G&L L2K from personal experience.......From not personal experience and just watching YTs and seeing folks, Dingwalls are probably in there too but I cant get next to tthe whole fanned fret thing
So Im going to say either an Ernie Ball (Stingray, Stingray HH, Bongo, etc) or G&L L2K from personal experience.......From not personal experience and just watching YTs and seeing folks, Dingwalls are probably in there too but I cant get next to tthe whole fanned fret thing
I've been playing hard rock/metal (Sabbath, Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth) for over 30 years. I've used ESP, Schecter, Dean, Epiphone, Ibanez and Jackson just to name a few and they all work just fine.
But in all honesty I have recently been using Stingrays, Fender Jazz's and G&L's way more now. I never thought I would play a Fender, but those Jazz basses just work so well especially with a pick. Happy hunting.
But in all honesty I have recently been using Stingrays, Fender Jazz's and G&L's way more now. I never thought I would play a Fender, but those Jazz basses just work so well especially with a pick. Happy hunting.
Fastest neck, 35.5" B string:
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(standard pickup size means you can change them when you want to)
Note: part of the speed is due the 16.5mm spacing--many find this too narrow but I don't because the full 45mm nut makes it manageable. It also has a 12" radius, more curved than the EHB below.
Best overall ergonomics, 35" B string
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(again, you may eventually change pickups). Flatish neck with 18mm string spacing.
I'd be looking for a minimum 35" B string, but I wouldn't limit my hunt to only basses that have 37"-34" scale and start with a 'D', even for metal.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
(standard pickup size means you can change them when you want to)
Note: part of the speed is due the 16.5mm spacing--many find this too narrow but I don't because the full 45mm nut makes it manageable. It also has a 12" radius, more curved than the EHB below.
Best overall ergonomics, 35" B string
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
(again, you may eventually change pickups). Flatish neck with 18mm string spacing.
I'd be looking for a minimum 35" B string, but I wouldn't limit my hunt to only basses that have 37"-34" scale and start with a 'D', even for metal.
I sent that bass to @marko138 and he asked why I'm looking at schecter. I told him you can fool me with pretty much anything that's purple
Schecter is great, if you can try though I think for a modern metal bass Spector and ESP make some good metal theme basses. I personally love ESP LTD and think they are a little bit underrated at times in the market. This is of course just my opinion, all the other choices and thoughts in this post are great as well!
