Heavy metal "buzzy" bass tone

[Guz2]

Not sure where to put this, sorry if it's in the wrong section.

When I listen to most modern heavy metal I can hear the bass has a sort of "buzzy" sound to it, I'm not really sure how to describe it properly, so here's a few examples:



Does anyone know how to get this sound? Which pickups, basses, amps etc...On a technique level I think playing with a pick helps but I've heard bassists who play with fingers get this tone as well (Alex Webster, Orion from Behemoth etc.). Thanks in advance for any help

 

[CBgaragebassist]

It sounds like a combination of drop-tuning, low action and pick playing(In both of those clips, it's pick playing. it's optional though). An Ibanez would probably suit this fine.

 

[Guz2]

Thanks for the help! I doubt it's drop tuning...I know for a fact both those songs are played in standard. I'm planning to get an Ibanez so that's great

 

[Dapper_Bandit]

I think the key may well be slight overdrive played hard on new(ish) light gauge stainless steel strings with a pick. With low action. With plenty of mids dialled in on the EQ. And split coil pickups (a la precision bass) are probably a big part of the story too, as Ellefson certainly played custom BC Richs (Mockingbirds if I remember the video for Wake Up Dead correctly..)

Hooray for parenthesis!

 

[Kink Rimson]

The second example sounds like a 2 pickup bass with both full on, plenty of treble, new round strings and a pick.

 

[odin70]

The Megadeth track is also heavily compressed. It also sound as he is using some phaser or maybe flanger.

 

[Hugh Jass]

P bass + tubes played hard with a pick imo for the the first one. Same thing with maybe a bit of overdrive on the second track.

All in my highly unprofessional opinion.

 

[darkstorm]

Mockingbird uses P pup sets for neck and bridge. Not solo P pup nor mid position for either pup set. That said, the sound is combination of useing pick, roundround strings of light to med gauge, and some overdrive. Most often humbucker/soapbar style pups work best for this type of sound, with P pups for neck and bridge as being 2nd best choice. A humbucker/soapbar and wide pole jazz style pup combo could also work well for this. So yes, the char sound is also a result of useing both pickups. Maybe dialed a little toward neck or bridge, but is two rather then solo pup. Single P pup set bass would have easier time getting the sound then one that had jazz neck and bridge pups imo and experience.

 

[Luke666uk]

Muncipal Waste, Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray SVT4pro Ampeg 8x10 Samsamp Bass DI+

 

[stonedmotus]

municipal waste sound like a bass with P & J pickups - both on.

 

[theavondon]

Yup. The dude from Municipal Waste is most definitely using a MM. Every time I pick one up, I always try to play this:

 

[wicked_child]

a bit of overdrive and some midrange. new strings helps too

 

[J-Building]

I can get that sound from barely any tonal adjustment on both my bass and my amp. I mostly play with no EQ adjustment. I use a pick when I want this kind of sound. My bass has elixirs, so they've stayed fairly fresh for a few years.

 

[sonic assassin]

i LOVE the waste. MM all the way.

upper mids. a little fret buzz. a little overdrive. pick. hit it HARD. steel strings.

its similar to the rise against bass tone im always after. a BDDI wouldnt hurt. dirt and a natural scoop.

the megadeth track has a touch of chorus on it.. as all 80s metal tends to.

very clean example of waste bass tone here:

 

[NKBassman]

Stainless steel strings for sure, I prefer Rotosound.
Jazz bass, really low action, sansamp. Done.

 

[ilikegrindcore]

Another thrash bassist with Ellefson's kind of tone is DD Verni from Overkill. Pick, steel strings, hit hard. Henkka Blacksmith has a cool gritty overdrive pick tone that you can hear especially on their latest record, Bloodrunk (audible bass due to good production). Also, can't forget Lemmy from Motorhead, he's got that quintessential mid boosted pick tone.

As far as basses go, I think a Rickenbacker or a Stingray would have the high end that would suit pick playing and getting that kind of tone.

 

[MisterMagician]

rise against bass tone

 

[sonic assassin]

MOAR MIDS! appears to be a mesa cab.

jean jacket optional

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[BaSsAcE11]

@Guz2, ha ha im BaSsAcE11 on youtube, and thanks for watching the vid, sounds like ellefson boosted mids along with new steel strings, and the neck pup soloed and despite trying to achieve his sound with fingers, ive come to realise it can only truly sound the way it does with a pick.

 

[Guz2]

@Guz2, ha ha im BaSsAcE11 on youtube, and thanks for watching the vid

Lol, thanks for posting it!

Thanks for the halp, everyone

Anyone else think Phil from Municipal Waste looks a bit like Adrian Smith?