• 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.

Growl - how to get it under $3k :-)

R

robot9000

Oct 26, 2007
4
0
Detroit Area
#1
Hi, new to the forums here. This is a GREAT resource!

My main bass is a 15 year old Carvin LB75. We are old chums, but I'm really jones for a sound with more growl.

I have played some Modular and Ken Smiths that have that sound, and while I realise that wood, construction, strings, amps, etc play a good part in the tone, I noticed most of the bass sounds I like, tend to have Barts installed.

I searched the forum and just reinforced what I think I already knew - I'm not the only on that finds the Bart site is only slightly less confusing than Ken's site ;-) in that the info is there, but really doesn't help you make choices.

Maybe the ultimate answer is you just have to spend $3K on The Package to get that warm, growly sound, but I'm also convinced that a lot of that charactoristic comes from PU/Pream.

So, any suggestions on how to get a more growly, gritter tone?

Thanks in advance !! The resources here are terrific !!
 
#4
I'm not really familiar with the preamp on that bass, but on the whole I'm a big fan of carey nordstrand's stuff; I loaded the NJ4s in my MIA Jbass, and with super low action and high-ish pickup height, that thing sings. He also makes an awesome mm style humbucker for the bridge position you've got. Again, hot and aggressive. Duncan can probably get you some grittiness as well if that's what you're into.

Nordstrand: Link Removed
 
#8
Might be the Carvin preamp. I seem to recall that Carvin electronics 15 years ago were not so great. Don't suppose you have a passive/active switch and could try bypassing the preamp, assuming that is an active bass. If active, with no switch, that may be an inexpensive mod.
 
#9
The bummer on the old Carvin basses is that the cavities for the electronics and pickups aren't deep enough to upgrade to EMG or Bartolini without doing some serious routing work. I was seriously considering doing it on my mid 90s fretless LB76 but never did. I still have that bass sitting around collecting dust lol...
 
#10
I love a lot of growl as well so I just built a jazz style bass for myself. I used alder for the body, a wenge neck with a pau ferro board, I installed Bart pickups and an Aguilar pre-amp, this thing can growl, if I replaced the Aguilar pre-amp with a Bart I'm sure it would growl even more as the Aguilar is rich in the low end. You definitely dont have to spend $3000 to get a growl monster, I can build one for about $2000 with a customer having say in many of the options.
 
#11
Hey, thanks for the replies. I'm not super unhappy with the sound, and I really love the feel (or its just we've grown together. Like a good old pair of shoes).

I spoke to a respected luthier in the area and he said he would have no problems putting in some Barts and a pre. But that would mean some routing for the pup's. If I go that route, I am for sure going to really do my homework. But part of me says just save those pennies for a KS or nice Modulas and leave the Carvin alone. Its just, thats a LOT of pennies :-)
 
#14
I've got my Pre-Fender Kubicki with a set of EMG's and this thing growls like mad. The bridge pickup really puts out the midrange growl that cuts through any mix at any venue.

bassfolder022.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back