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Good Punk Bass?
- Thread starter LeChickenNug
- Start date
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- Tags
- punk
P bass with a Dimarzio Model P pickup.The bass doesn't have to be a Fender.Any cheap generic copy will do as long as it intonates & plays well.Stick a Dimarzio Model P pickup in it.
Some may disagree but an active Sterling SUB(the $299 one)can get a hot n' nasty tone as well.
Some may disagree but an active Sterling SUB(the $299 one)can get a hot n' nasty tone as well.
Any bass you like....I been in the scene since the early 80's and there is no such thing as a pink rock bass. You get what you pay for. I'd personally go with a Gamma Alpha. Made by Joe Milstien..Good luck with the search
Such a fun band to bad from what all the rumors were he left....But the Subtitles remain a strong force!!
No offense, but I don’t get these “what’s the best for punk” threads.
A) it’s kind of like saying what’s the best bass for rock. Or pop. What kind of rock or pop? Punk rock covers such a large variety under the one banner... pop punk, Crass style, punkabilly, crusty... even in there, the sounds of each band are unique. When I was really actively playing & touring in the punk scene I was playing an early 90’s Ibanez soundgear w/ pj p/ups cuz it was my first & only Bass. Worked great live & in studio, and that helped define MY sound, cuz that’s what I had... then I got an old 80’s Ibanez and that helped expand my sound. Punk is what you make it... pick what YOU like.
If you don’t know what to choose, there’s nothing wrong with looking at your favorite punk bass player and seeing what they have, that’s a good place to start. But that doesn’t make it the right or wrong bass, it’s the one someone you respect liked and that you like.
B) I tend to think no matter what style music you are playing, you should find a bass and sound that YOU are happy with, and that will help define your bands sound, and possibly help you stand out from others in your genre. Granted, you want to make sure it’s appropriate for the genre, but even that goes moreso for cover bands. With Original bands, as long as your band mates are happy with your sound, who cares if your bass of choice isn’t traditional for the genre you’re associated with. Good. Stand out. ESPECIALLY in punk music and the punk ethos in general. There is no right bass. There are no right clothes. Hell, there’s no right music. Choose what you like.
Apologize for the semi-rant. I guess my point is this: the question isn’t what’s the RIGHT bass. It’s what SOUND DO YOU LIKE, and HOW DO YOU GET THAT.
Do you like Paul Simonon from the Clash? - you want a P bass.
Mike Watt & The Minutemen? - Start with a bass like a Gibson EB....
I guess I’ve talked myself into a semantic argument, but I hope somewhere in there I spouted a little wisdom and/or advice...
A) it’s kind of like saying what’s the best bass for rock. Or pop. What kind of rock or pop? Punk rock covers such a large variety under the one banner... pop punk, Crass style, punkabilly, crusty... even in there, the sounds of each band are unique. When I was really actively playing & touring in the punk scene I was playing an early 90’s Ibanez soundgear w/ pj p/ups cuz it was my first & only Bass. Worked great live & in studio, and that helped define MY sound, cuz that’s what I had... then I got an old 80’s Ibanez and that helped expand my sound. Punk is what you make it... pick what YOU like.
If you don’t know what to choose, there’s nothing wrong with looking at your favorite punk bass player and seeing what they have, that’s a good place to start. But that doesn’t make it the right or wrong bass, it’s the one someone you respect liked and that you like.
B) I tend to think no matter what style music you are playing, you should find a bass and sound that YOU are happy with, and that will help define your bands sound, and possibly help you stand out from others in your genre. Granted, you want to make sure it’s appropriate for the genre, but even that goes moreso for cover bands. With Original bands, as long as your band mates are happy with your sound, who cares if your bass of choice isn’t traditional for the genre you’re associated with. Good. Stand out. ESPECIALLY in punk music and the punk ethos in general. There is no right bass. There are no right clothes. Hell, there’s no right music. Choose what you like.
Apologize for the semi-rant. I guess my point is this: the question isn’t what’s the RIGHT bass. It’s what SOUND DO YOU LIKE, and HOW DO YOU GET THAT.
Do you like Paul Simonon from the Clash? - you want a P bass.
Mike Watt & The Minutemen? - Start with a bass like a Gibson EB....
I guess I’ve talked myself into a semantic argument, but I hope somewhere in there I spouted a little wisdom and/or advice...
What letter does Punk start with? You need a bass whose name starts with a P.
I love a pbass, but to be contrarian.
Get a Jazz bass.
Put some Seymour Duncan Quarter pounders in.
Remove all the knobs and capacitors and wire the pickups in series straight to the jack.
Perfect punk tone.
Get a Jazz bass.
Put some Seymour Duncan Quarter pounders in.
Remove all the knobs and capacitors and wire the pickups in series straight to the jack.
Perfect punk tone.
Like with any other type of music you can’t go wrong with a p-bass.
I have been in punk, metal, classic rock, pop and hell even played in a country band once and the p-bass was perfect for every one.
I have been in punk, metal, classic rock, pop and hell even played in a country band once and the p-bass was perfect for every one.
Heh budget of $850. A budget larger than an affordable monthly rent for someone who has an average hourly wage. I mock punk rock as a 40 year old pretending not to be 40, and this is why, heh. So... my recommendation.
1. Anything with strings.
2. P Bass of any kind. Insisting on a real Fender is hilariously not punk rock, but understandable.
1. Anything with strings.
2. P Bass of any kind. Insisting on a real Fender is hilariously not punk rock, but understandable.
There's always this gem...
My son wanted to use my mid '80s Performer for his punk band but, knowing his penchant then for bashing the instrument about, I declined. Instead I quickly cobbled together a J bass for him using a defretted '70s rosewood P neck, an unfinished alder J body and other parts I had laying around.
My son wanted to use my mid '80s Performer for his punk band but, knowing his penchant then for bashing the instrument about, I declined. Instead I quickly cobbled together a J bass for him using a defretted '70s rosewood P neck, an unfinished alder J body and other parts I had laying around.
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See what the bassist in your favorite punk bands are using and then get that.
I’m going to guess it’s either a P, an EBMM Stingray or an EBMM Sterling
I’m going to guess it’s either a P, an EBMM Stingray or an EBMM Sterling
- Jan 1, 2014
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- Decendant from the Clovis culture. "Emitting that wonderful bass effect since 1970".
A good used or new MIM Fender PBass with flats is perfect for punk. Better yet, get the Fender Dee Dee Ramone signature bass and you're ready to punk out. Good luck. 
