Don't forget that you can really vary the tone/attack on any bass by striking the string closer to the end of neck or bridge, rather than your typical anchor point. You don't always have to EQ.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
How do you get that growly sound
- Thread starter sotibass
- Start date
I spose it depends on wheater you want an "active" growl or a "passive growl"...if you want an active growl i would say stringray or thumb based on preferance and if your into passive more vintage growl (my favourite) i would say get a jazz bass or...the king of growl RICKENBACKER.
Just had my first rehearsal with my new 4003...cut through like a hot knife in butter...growls like a rabid pitbull...
Just had my first rehearsal with my new 4003...cut through like a hot knife in butter...growls like a rabid pitbull...
You can get a nice growl with just about any bass and amp. Shouldn't really matter if its passive or active.
Playing with lower action and perhaps raising the bridge pickup can help. As far as amp settings, I would boost your low mids a fair amount and raise your gain as well to "saturate" the signal and get an overdriven sound. A Sansamp bass DI works really well if you don't have a lot of flexibility with your current amp. Digging in and playing harder around the bridge can also make a difference.
Playing with lower action and perhaps raising the bridge pickup can help. As far as amp settings, I would boost your low mids a fair amount and raise your gain as well to "saturate" the signal and get an overdriven sound. A Sansamp bass DI works really well if you don't have a lot of flexibility with your current amp. Digging in and playing harder around the bridge can also make a difference.
- Dec 5, 2002
- 4,165
- 2,254
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball Music Man/Sterling By Music Man
I just turn the growl knob up.
I thought that's what everyone was doing.
I thought that's what everyone was doing.
FunkyFrosty said:Try a GK head at your nearest music store - Set the input volume and then crank the boost.
400/700/1001/2001 RB's will make a plank with fishing line growl!!!!
+1..
a JBass with a GK..
A cheap way to get a good growl out of just about any bass is a Tech21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI. Using a Fender Jazz or a Rick of course are great ideas as well.
Planet Boulder said:
I really like the Pentabuzz (pedulla) on a nice Eden rig.
there's the muwah/growl my friend.with my usa jazz i boost the low mids , 75% bridge pickup and play nearer the bridge and boost the initial gain on your amp (i use a mesa walkabout), with my tobias growler i just play and it growls, probably because it is such a high output bass it overdrives the input compared to my other basses, i also have a warwick thumb bass which is just instant growl....so in the end it is alot to do with how your amp is set and how you play.....
BJAJT said:
+1, to get my growl, I can get it through any bass, or amp combo, I just get some really thick strings, and grow my nails out 1/8, to 1/4 of an inch, and that gets major growl!
edit: Nails on my right hand, for plucking
IME, strings can make a HUGE diff, and its not them grating against the fretboard.
but rotosound steels are incredibly growly. awesome strings that i'm just back into.
but rotosound steels are incredibly growly. awesome strings that i'm just back into.
There are a lot of different "growly" bass tones. I tend to think of a bit over overdrive and a lot of midrange as the way to get most kinds of growl.
