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Heavy metal bass

#22
I play a Euro Spector 5, which I think is a great contender for those playing detuned parts. Solid construction and good tension in the B. Ditto to all that was said about their being a huge range of tones and styles in the Metal genre. However Im about to switch to Dingwall because I wont have to compromise playability for tension. Everyone out here should check these basses out. Other than that, I would recommend MM, warwick, and Zon. So much depends on the combination of player, bass, amp, cab, and effects. Hard as it is you really have to look at the total picture.
 
#23
I'm currently building my "ideal F'in METAL bass". But if I wasn't already invested in the materials and some of the parts:


f-255FM_STBC.jpg


I just can't find this one in red anywhere around here. I loved the four string version, but nobody has the five stringer in red. And that makes me MAD.
 
#29
I will have to go with the Musicman.I played a Musicman SUB Sterling in my last band which played mostly metal with a little sludge/doom/stoner rock thrown in for good measure.I had no trouble cutting through the mix with 2 guitar players and a heavy handed drummer.
 
#31
da axeman said:
so far there have been a lot of ppl saying music man basses and spector.
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The Spector's and the Musicman basses are completly different animals. It's hard to compare both and say which is the best, it depends on what type of sound you are looking for. Rex Brown from Pantera uses Spectors now days, but he used to play Stingray 5's back in the Vulgar Display of Power days. You don't need a Stingray or a Spector to get that Pantera sound though, I can get it just running my Ibanez through my crappy little Ashdown. Basically, a well constructed bass with a good humbucker or two is all you need to play metal in my opinion. And a bit of skill is required too. ;)
 
#32
I'd say what makes a bass fit for metal is a combination between the sound of the bass, your technique, the gear you use in your rig (strings & cables included), and last, but not least, your own idea of a "goood metal sound" and your personal taste. While some brands might work for some ppl, for others might not be what they were looking for. For instance, some members said Spector; what they did not say was what model...cause I had a Spector Legend, and believe me it's a huuuuge difference between that and a NS. Mine had basicly no low end, because the bass was shipped with light strings, and no matter what kind of medium/heavy strings I tried, they would not sound good on it (the sound became flat, lifeless) and they would put too much tension on the neck (that was actually a visible effect), so I was forced to play only on light strings. What I'm trying to say is: you may find a good metal sounding bass at virtually most of the well known instrument manufacturers, but the very cheap models are not an option...and the medium/high end basses usually sound good enough to fit in most music styles combinations anyway. So it's just a matter of going to your local guitar store, trying all the available basses and decide which one (not which brand) is the best option FOR YOU. Good luck!
 
#33
bassfacekevin said:
Gotta pipe in. My money is on the warwick Thumb. The tones are amazing, the highs cut through like nobody's business, and they look great.
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I'll second this, nothing has as much balls and cuts through the mix like a Warwick Thumb! The older ones are better, I've got a '94 sixer and it kicks ass! Most of it is the wenge/bubinga wood in the neck, giving them a great low/low-mid sound, but the bridge-located pickups give them punch and clarity. Musicman Stingrays work well for the same reason, a big fat humbucker closer to the bridge than the neck.

Actually, I'll put in a runner-up vote for Peavey Cirrus basses, the walnut or bubinga body models have some seriously good punch, great low B sound and feel simply fantastic! Just got one off ebay for like AU$1400 and it sounds almost as good as my Warwick! (And better than my Tobias, dammit!)

Cheers,

EG
 
#34
evilgus said:
I'll second this, nothing has as much balls and cuts through the mix like a Warwick Thumb! The older ones are better, I've got a '94 sixer and it kicks ass! Most of it is the wenge/bubinga wood in the neck, giving them a great low/low-mid sound, but the bridge-located pickups give them punch and clarity. Musicman Stingrays work well for the same reason, a big fat humbucker closer to the bridge than the neck.

Actually, I'll put in a runner-up vote for Peavey Cirrus basses, the walnut or bubinga body models have some seriously good punch, great low B sound and feel simply fantastic! Just got one off ebay for like AU$1400 and it sounds almost as good as my Warwick! (And better than my Tobias, dammit!)

Cheers,

EG
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$1400AU? That's a good buy! Enjoy. :)
 
#35
Yup. Ok here'e my take.

Metal Bass.

If you have two guitarists I prefer a J pickup setup, P/J setup or HH setup. One guitarist- I prefer a P bass again a P/J or a Musicman H (one soapbar).

I play also prefer to use a pick for more attack and fingerpick for more warmth in slower tempos
DR STRINGS EXTRA LIFE BLACK BEAUTIES
TUBE AMP- SVT II (NON-PRO)
MESA CABS (GALLIEN KRUEGER'S CABS ARE GREAT FOR HARD ROCK/METAL TOO)
CLEAN BASS NO EFFECTS RIGHT NOW MAYBE AN JUST AN OVERDRIVE.


Brands:

IDEAL OPTION 1: Ibanez SRX SERIES!

Bands use these: Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and soon me lol

I LIKE THE SRX 700 AND THE SRX 705 (MusicMan Stingray type pickups but two of them -like the HH-and passive...these basses are also great for lower tunings.
BEST PART IS THE PRICE $670-700 OR LESS IN A STORE IF YOU CAN NEGOTIATE!


IDEAL OPTION 2: Fender Bass Black or Cherry Red both a black pickguard
Jazz bass body, P bass neck, Badass Bridge II P/J pickups (SD Quarter Pounders) Closest to this is Mike Dirnt signature, Mark Hoppus Bass and the Frank Bello Bass. All about $700-1100

IDEAL OPTION 3: EBMM 'Ray H or HH 4 or 5 string

IDEAL OPTION 4: Spector, Czech Series basses
Queensryche, Judas Priest etc...

4 strings- Spector Euro 35" scale (P/J setup with ACTIVE EMGS about $1,500)
5 strings Spector Euro 35" scale (two soapbarish EMGs ina J configuation) ($1,800-2,100)

Some more-
Warwick

The Stryker (if you're rich) $3000-4000.

Two P style pickups MECs James Lomenzo uses this bass along with other Wicks on the new Megadeth album.

SPECTORS ARE THE METAL BASS IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT-
RAYS ARE A GREAT METAL/ROCK BASS BUT IT COMES DOWN TO TONE EMGS VERSUS MUSICMAN SOAPBAR...

I LIKE THE IBANEZ SRX SERIES BECAUSE I CAN GET STRONG ATTACK WITHA PICK AND GOOD FINGERPLAYING TONE BUT BC ITS LOUD AND HAS STRONG MID PRESENCE.

MY GEDDY LEE ALSO GROWLS AND IM SURE IF I PUT DIMARZIO MODEL JS IT WOULD BE UNSTOPPABLE BUT THE STOCK 62 REISSUES PICKUPS WORK GREAT FOR METAL, HARD ROCK, BLUES, JAZZ, FUNK, RAGGAE...MAN

IT COMES DOWN TO WHAT YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF IT! GOOD LUCK AND KEEP IT DIRTY!
 

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