Having trouble getting that growly P bass tone

[NortyFiner]

The first thing that's usually wrong when people say they can't get a P bass sound is that they are scooping out too much of the mids that actually are the P's trademark. The next is that they are trying to get one rig's sound through another. In any case, always beware of buying more stuff as an answer.

 

[SpasticTastic]

All of those tones you like are overdriven. That's the "growl" you're hearing. Go get yourself one of these:

This was something I was considering getting. I like the sound of the pedal; probably more than the POD's Ampeg sims.

By the samples you've provided I'm assuming that growl is the almost male vocal like guttural throatiness?

Yeah, it's less of a high end "clank" I want, and more of that midrange growl. I can get that high-end clank no problem, but the midrange sounds very, very flat.

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.

I'm doing almost exactly all that. I beat the poopie out of the strings, I have a slight overdrive with my sound (The Gallien Krueger sim on the POD is actually very easy to overdrive, but I might trying the preamp gain instead of the power amp gain as mentioned above), and I'm even using Roto SB66 strings.

This is the epitome of P bass growl.

That's pretty much the sound I had in mind. You hear that gutteral midrange grind/growl, a bright attack, and the low end still sounds full.

More importantly... what color pick guard is the OP using.

Invisible. Would tortoiseshell help? Or would the midrange be a bit too strong? Would using B/W/B be a bit more tame?

The first thing that's usually wrong when people say they can't get a P bass sound is that they are scooping out too much of the mids that actually are the P's trademark. The next is that they are trying to get one rig's sound through another. In any case, always beware of buying more stuff as an answer.

Trust me, I'm not scooping the mids at all. If anything, I'm going overboard with them. I'm not trying to cop anyone's tone exactly, but I'm trying to get that growl I hear in a bunch of P-bass tones I hear. It's just odd that I can't hear it at all with my sound.

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.

I think I'll stick with the Rotos. If I end up switching, I'll probably try the DRs or Dunlops as said above, but I quite like the Rotos from everything I've heard. As for the preamp, I'm definitely gonna grab one eventually, I've been eyeing EMG or Aguilar, but I wanna swap pickups first since I'm assuming Aria's stock pickups aren't the greatest.

When it comes to my "sweeet spot", it definitely sounds best near the neck. It's where I pick most of the time.

Uuugh...get a real P Bass..

Sure. Send me yours.

 

[madjazzbass]

For me, P-basses don't really growl.

Well, yeah they can, "sorta", but not like a Jazz Bass.

 

[Moving Pictures]

Yeah, it's less of a high end "clank" I want, and more of that midrange growl. I can get that high-end clank no problem, but the midrange sounds very, very flat.

What mids are you emphasizing? Is the bass setting too high? That may help the discussion.

Invisible. Would tortoiseshell help? Or would the midrange be a bit too strong? Would using B/W/B be a bit more tame?

Always Tort Anything else will cause a disturbance in the Force.

Trust me, I'm not scooping the mids at all. If anything, I'm going overboard with them. I'm not trying to cop anyone's tone exactly, but I'm trying to get that growl I hear in a bunch of P-bass tones I hear. It's just odd that I can't hear it at all with my sound.

Again I think knowing what frequencies you are using may help us help you. I tend to leave the bass flat, boost the low mids and occasionally the high mids and will leave the treble flat or rolled off somewhat depending on the room.

I think I'll stick with the Rotos. If I end up switching, I'll probably try the DRs or Dunlops as said above, but I quite like the Rotos from everything I've heard. As for the preamp, I'm definitely gonna grab one eventually, I've been eyeing EMG or Aguilar, but I wanna swap pickups first since I'm assuming Aria's stock pickups aren't the greatest.

I use either Dunlop SuperBrights or DR Pure Blues and get that great low end grunt and growl out of my Precisions. I also use either an Aquilar Tone Hammer head or an Eden combo. The choice of amp plays a roll and a POD is not always a great tool IMO. I gave up PODs for more specific gear and I think my sound improved dramatically. PODs are great tools for sound shaping but ultimately they are still just a simulator. When I switched away from them the band noticed. They are nicer in the studio than the stage and again that is just my experience and as always YMMV.

You also mentioned GK and that is another option. Their amps definitely emphasis the mids in a good way.

 

[crucislancer]

Yep. Roll The Bones was played using a 1958-59 Fender Precision with Rotosound 66s.

Weird....the fact that you yourself have Rotosound rounds on should be making it growl? Roundwounds help with the tone you're looking for but not exactly. Mind you that Geddy is relentless with his right hand attack. He plays HARD on the strings and seems to have the stamina for it.

He actually doesn't pluck the strings that hard. It's a function of really low action and the way he picks the strings. While "hard" is a relative term, if he were to go really balls out with his attack he would fret out the string every time.

Trust me, I'm not scooping the mids at all. If anything, I'm going overboard with them. I'm not trying to cop anyone's tone exactly, but I'm trying to get that growl I hear in a bunch of P-bass tones I hear. It's just odd that I can't hear it at all with my sound.

From what I've read, it sounds like you are doing many of the same things that I would do to get growl from my P bass. My P bass has a growly tone from a bit of overdrive plus a boost in the mids, though I don't use Rotos on my P bass, I actually use D'Addarrio XL165s, which are nickel plated steel. Preamp gain is important, too. I also have low action and pluck the strings over the pickup or just between the pickup and neck. Volume and tone on the bass are dimed.

 

[SpasticTastic]

I have the Gallien Krueger 800RB sim with the gain set about 4:00, bass at around 11:00, low mids and high mids at halfway, treble at around 10:00, master dimed, and boost at 22%. The contour is also disengaged, I believe.

EDIT: It's worth noting that I never changed the strings on the bass. I got this bass a few days ago, but the seller advertised it being stock with Rotos. Never said how old they were, though. I just bought a new set of them just to be extra sure it's not the strings just giving me a bad time.

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

GK800 RB

 

[SpasticTastic]

GK800 RB

I think it's more than just the amp. I hear tons of people getting the tone I'm aiming for with different kinds of amps.

I know a better bass rig will help, but from what I'm hearing, the core problem sounds like my bass.

I'm most likely going to go with an Aguilar OBP3 preamp to replace the stock preamp and the EMG GZR in the bridge.

 

[Buzz E]

Is this your guitar in this vid? It's starting to sound pretty decent around the 1:40 mark.

 

[SunnBass]

Chasing studio recording tone is difficult.
So many more factors than the bass itself.

 

[the yeti]

So, I recently got me an Aria Integra, a late '80s version with stock P/J pickups. I'm pretty pleased with it, but there's something from the sound I feel is missing.

I feel like it's missing that certain "growl" and overdriven Precision could have. I've tried everything; adjust the on-board EQ, pickup height, messing with my EQ... I get close, but it still feels missing.

I think the best way I can describe it is these videos:

are you running it through a washing machine? that's really key to getting this tone.

 

[Luckydog]

Also let someone else play your bass and dig in hard with the rest of band playing. Listen from 20-30 ft away from your amp. You might be surprised what you hear.

 

[SpasticTastic]

Is this your guitar in this vid? It's starting to sound pretty decent around the 1:40 mark.

No, that's an earlier model. Mine's a later model from 1989. I believe my bass actually belonged to that user, though, so if he's reading this thread... Thanks for the bass.

are you running it through a washing machine? that's really key to getting this tone.

No, unfortunately. All I have is a chicken rotisserie. Is the washing machine important as well?

I'm still looking at possible pickup replacements... I've narrowed it down to the Duncan SPB-1, SBP-4, and the EMG GZR. Probably will end up with the GZR. I feel like the pickup replacement will be a quicker fix than the preamp since the tone of the stock pickups seem extremely scooped and bright.

Also let someone else play your bass and dig in hard with the rest of band playing. Listen from 20-30 ft away from your amp. You might be surprised what you hear.

I don't play with a band at the moment, but I have recorded myself and played it back.

 

[bassrich]

My P really growls with Blue steels and the tone just below wide open

 

[Pdaddy1978]

String it with rounds, plug it into an ampeg, roll the volume on the bass all the way up, use the amp to adjust the volume..... It will growl like a scorned ex-wife.

 

[Wasnex]

The recordings sound more grindy than growly to me.

IMHO...Strong picking attack relatively close to the neck, the right strings, getting the action just right, a slight amount of overdrive, and the right EQ are all important.

1) Attack and action are balanced to get the optimum grind off the frets. 2) EQ ensures the sound is tight instead of bloomy, accentuates the grind, and removes the clank--EQ is very tricky because most amps have fixed EQ points that limit their ability to adapt to the tonal characteristics of different basses and speaker systems. 3) Strings should be relatively live and the brand, model, and gauge effects 1 and 2. 4) A slight overdrive enhances the grind and compresses the sound a bit. YMMV

 

[Jim Carr]

...I hope that can describe what I'm aiming for. It has this very strong, prominent midrange that goes through. I feel like it might have to do with the tone of the bass itself. The tone is more focused in the low/low mids and high end. It's an EXTREMELY bright and thumpy bass, even with the action raised fairly high.

I was thinking maybe a pickup change could help this? Maybe replacing the stock 2-band preamp with a 3-band one to help control the midrange? Anyone else got any tips for a P bass noob?

I'd just like to add a couple of things. IME, a pre-amp with 3 bands will give you more ability to raise the mids—I guess that is pretty obvious. I'd reiterate my advice to try the Aguilar ToneHammer pedal. It has excellent 3-band EQ (cut and boost), with semi-parametric mid-range. as well as a pretty flexible overdrive.

I agree the recordings have a lot of grind, some overdrive, and even some clank. IMHO, growl is not a P-bass thing, but since yours is a P/J, you can get closer, just as the Jazz bass can, by favoring the bridge pickup. IME, some of the most potent growl machines have either a MusicMan-type pickup at the bridge or two Jazz pick ups—and nearer the bridge is often better for this, like the Warwick thumb bass. Soap bars can growl if one is near the bridge, and the bridge pickup is favored.

Yes, even a simple passive Jazz bass can give a vocal or horn-like growl with the right pickup balance, EQ, strings, and playing technique. Overdrive or distortion, to me is not part of growl, though it can be added to growl to create a thicker and more aggressive tone. Again, all IMHO.

 

[PortlandBass77]

P basses aren't supposed to have a good 'growl', that is more the specialty of Jazzzz basses and Stingrays. The 2 sounds I have gotten from P basses are the classic balanced P tone, and a really boomey tone that I don't find very useful.

BTW, Geddy uses a Jazzzzz bass in Roll the Bones, Eddie Jackson uses a Mike Lull M5V, and Billy Gould uses Zon and Fender Jazzzzz....

the closest example to what you want I know of is Steve Harris, who uses solely a Fender P:


He uses flats, low action, maple fret board, and a very aggressive finger style (he doesn't use a pick, though sometimes it does sound like he does....)

 

[Rockin Mike]

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
You can run a Genuine 1970's SVT head through junk speakers and they will kill the sound.
It costs no money to take your pod and your bass to the guitar store and try them through a different power amp and speakers.
Once you get a rig running that sounds right, swap out one element at a time to see if it kills the sound. If it does, you found the problem.

 

[capnjagg]

Quarter pounders and a strong attack always worked for me. Having my amp dialed in just right to get a nice natural overdrive out of it never hurt either.