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Having trouble getting that growly P bass tone
- Thread starter SpasticTastic
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- tone
Well, after taking everyone's advice and tinkering with settings, I think I got something I'd consider close to it. I don't think I'm going to get 100% there since the equipment/pickups/etc. the guys I listed used is a lot more extravagant, but until I can get a pickup change for this bad boy, it'll do for now.
I find I get a lot of growl when using a pick. Finger-style...not so much but that's not what I aim for when playing my Precision with my fingers.
Yeah, I play mostly with a pick already. I'm not a soft player, either.
I'll look into those Fralins, but I've also been interested in the EMG GZR pickups. Also looking into the EMG BQC system since I find the 2-band EQ rather limiting.
I use the EMG Geezer on my Squier Pbass as well as Ernie Ball Cobalt flats and all it wants to do is growl. I also raise my pickup as close to the string as I can without killing sustain and getting weird overtones.
I keep thinking of all the bass players who talk about their sound being in "their hands." Maybe try something different with your attack? I know that my sound has changed a lot recently because I am figuring out how altering my attack can significantly change my sound....try experimenting. Or better yet...find a friend who has "the sound" you are looking for and have him pick up your bass. I loan my bass to a friend who plays on our worship team at church....he sounds completely different on my bass because of attack style and where he plays over the pickups. I play closer to the bridge, he plays right over the neck pickup....totally different sound, same settings, same bass....
Im a fan of this P bass tone as well, although for me it's more of a grind than a growl and I prefer it a tad more subdued. An example for me would be the Gordon Edwards "Stuff". One issue for me is I also like the sound and feel on Labella 760FL's, this is what's currently on my P bass and it's hard to get them to "grind". Ive heard the Sadowski Black Labels may have the same/similar feel but with more mids and may do the trick?
This is the epitome of P bass growl.
I'd imagine it does, but I've heard lots of examples of the sound I'm going for. I feel like I'm the only player who can't get it.
Descibed my current setup to a T, actually.
Very, very light overdrive, fairly strong pick attack (and using fingers as well), and using Rotos.
Edit: I should mention I'm using a POD HD500. I'm using a Gallien Krueger 800RB sim paired with the matching cab, master and boost dimed to get that grit.
Line 6 does a lot of stuff right, I had an M13 and currently use an M9, but I must say I'm not a big fan of their dirt or overdrives. A Darkglass or Sansamp might do you better there. Can't say anything about Line 6 amp sims, but power amps make a difference too. You could have absolute gold coming out of your POD and a soggy power amp or low-grade speakers could still turn it to mush.
As others have said, turn down your master and increase your channel volume/gain. That will push the amp sim into dirt/growl territory.
Wish you the best success in getting your sound.
EMG Geezers first. Without question the best PU's for growl. Then add some Dunlop Super Bright Nickel strings. You'll have plenty of growl after those upgrades.
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I wanted a growly, Geddy-like tone since I first started playing, and the best method to achieve it (for me) was simply learning to strengthen my attack without overworking my fingers. It's really easy to get a hard-plucking, growly tone with hard attack and, if necessary, a teeny bit of OD.
Don't think you'll get anywhere near as growly as Geddy without Roto 66s and quite hard attack.
Don't think you'll get anywhere near as growly as Geddy without Roto 66s and quite hard attack.
By the samples you've provided I'm assuming that growl is the almost male vocal like guttural throatiness?
All of those tones you like are overdriven. That's the "growl" you're hearing. Go get yourself one of these:
A few people have suggested raising your action. I would recommend going the other way and lowering it to introduce a bit of fret noise. Not low enough to fret out or affect sustain, but enough to get that metal on metal clang. Check out some isolated bass tracks from Rush and Yes to get an idea of what I mean.
D
Strings, strings, strings.
The strings you use (and of course them being properly set up on your bass) makes a huge difference in the tone you'll get out of your bass. Check out some of the strings and setups of your favorite artists.
Compression pedals might help, I've seen a lot of bassists with this kind of tone use them.
The strings you use (and of course them being properly set up on your bass) makes a huge difference in the tone you'll get out of your bass. Check out some of the strings and setups of your favorite artists.
Compression pedals might help, I've seen a lot of bassists with this kind of tone use them.
Like others have stated, maybe try different strings, or even different preamp that adds a little grit or OD. However, different basses have different "sweet spots", the area where your righthand plays tends to sound sweetest to your ears. Often, the sweet spot will also bring out the best qualities of the best. Try picking around the pup, bridge, or closer to the neck to find your basses sweet spot.
bigfatbass
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- Jun 30, 2003
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High-ish action, and proper attack are everything. All 3 players are letting that thing slap and ring against the neck with every note. That's a big part of where that clang comes from, and matching their choices for specific drives/settings/tubes will be nothing but a wild goose chase. Get as close as you can and be happy. If that isn't an option, I think a $8-$10,000 rack of gear, or maybe a pedal board big enough to embarrass Sting, will solve your problem. 
