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I need help with my punk rock tone?

Timpala

Timpala

Nov 13, 2011
230
14
IOWA
#1
Ok, so before all of the questions start,
here is what I am playing with.

American Fender P-Bass
1995 Ampeg SVT Classic 300Watt Tube Head
!996 Ampeg 8x10E Cabinet
2007 (2) Ampeg 15" single cabinets

I play in a garage punk band and have a very punchy mid to high tone. I also play with a pick.

I used to play with flat wounds, but found they didn't cut through the mix of loud guitars. So, I switched to Rotosound roundwounds. Here is my issue. I love the way the strings sound, But...

I don't know what pedal I might need. I love my tone, but when doing the pick downstrokes, I think I need some sort of sustain to not make it so clanky. Or just something to blend the 16th notes?

Suggestions?
 
#13
What type of pick are you using? Where are you picking the strings? Over the pickup? Are you palm muting the picked notes?

  • use a heavy pick like a Dunlop Tortex .73mm or thicker
  • put your palm on the bridge so is it just resting on the strings
  • pick between the pickup and bridge.

You will have to adjust your palm pressure and angle to get the best sound.

I usually don't say this, but using a comp to fix this issue is a waste of money. Use a comp to make a good sound better.


Timpala said:
Ok, so before all of the questions start,
here is what I am playing with.

American Fender P-Bass
1995 Ampeg SVT Classic 300Watt Tube Head
!996 Ampeg 8x10E Cabinet
2007 (2) Ampeg 15" single cabinets

I play in a garage punk band and have a very punchy mid to high tone. I also play with a pick.

I used to play with flat wounds, but found they didn't cut through the mix of loud guitars. So, I switched to Rotosound roundwounds. Here is my issue. I love the way the strings sound, But...

I don't know what pedal I might need. I love my tone, but when doing the pick downstrokes, I think I need some sort of sustain to not make it so clanky. Or just something to blend the 16th notes?

Suggestions?
Click to expand...
 
#15
I'll try tweeking the settings on the amp a bit. Maybe a little more mids and a bit less treble? But if that doesn't do the trick, a compressor might.

Maybe I'm just so used to the flat wounds that I really notice the less than smooth pick attack. I do use nickel strings by the way.
 
#16
I play in a punk tribute band here in NYC.

I recommend - instead of compression - some mild overdrive (which, coincidentally, does compress the signal). I prefer OD because you can get some nice clipping and brighter harmonics, which will make your pick tone stand out. Go on youtube and listen to the isolated tracks of a lot of those classic punk tunes; the bass tones are gnarlier than you think. An overdriven tone just "sits" in the band mix better.

Of course, don't OVERDO it. You're not looking for Cliff Burton-esque fuzz, just a drop of grind. I recommend the MXR M80 or the Joyo ultimate drive.

EDIT: Forgot to include - the much maligned Boss ODB-3 can work too, but keep the gain low and use the blend knob to add drive.
 
#17
AndyLES said:
I play in a punk tribute band here in NYC.

I recommend - instead of compression - some mild overdrive (which, coincidentally, does compress the signal). I prefer OD because you can get some nice clipping and brighter harmonics, which will make your pick tone stand out. Go on youtube and listen to the isolated tracks of a lot of those classic punk tunes; the bass tones are gnarlier than you think. An overdriven tone just "sits" in the band mix better.

Of course, don't OVERDO it. You're not looking for Cliff Burton-esque fuzz, just a drop of grind. I recommend the MXR M80 or the Joyo ultimate drive.

EDIT: Forgot to include - the much maligned Boss ODB-3 can work too, but keep the gain low and use the blend knob to add drive.
Click to expand...

I used to play fuzz bass in a band a long time ago. I used a Big Muff. I had somewhat of a reunion (a song) recently. My Big Muff was acting up, so I used a ZVEX Wooly Mammoth. In this band, I am looking for that tone where I don't sound too fuzzy when I am just playing with the drums. Maybe I'll just have to suck it up and not have it on during those parts.?

Ok. Here is my shameless self promotion. A video of my old band where I played fuzz bass. You can hear the Big Muff really well about 2min 20 sec into the video. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN9d_PhivuY
 

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