So let me get this straight, you want the punk tone, but want to add something to remove the punk tone?
First thing I'd try is a set up.
First thing I'd try is a set up.
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I need help with my punk rock tone?
- Thread starter Timpala
- Start date
you're playing punk… and using a tube amp… just turn the ****ing thing up until it compresses...
I was using "Punk" as a generic term so people would get a basic idea about the type of music I play. Punk rock doesn't exist anymore in my opinion. I also know that there is no such thing as an official "punk rock tone". Yes, it was probably a stupid title for my post. So sue me. I am so "Punk" that I am getting advice on this forum.
so what you are saying is cranking it would be hell'a punk rock and you should do it
+1
The Hardwire CM-2 does the tube compression drive realllly well. On its second setting, it can do more crunch and saturation before compression sets in. I always thought it would be a great pedal for punk type tone.
The Fairfield Barbershop is another option if you want to get that tube-pushed sound without having to crank the SVT.
The Fairfield Barbershop is another option if you want to get that tube-pushed sound without having to crank the SVT.
Are there any YouTube vids, or otherwise any other recordings or just players, that reflect (approximately) the kind of sound you're looking for?
For anyone questioning my "Punk" credentials, here is a YouTube playlist of my old band THE STREET URCHINS. We played with The UK Subs, The White Stripes, The Misfits, Nashville Pussy, The Supersuckers, The New Bomb Turks and many more. Yes, my glory days have passed me by, but my new band is all about having fun and not trying to "make it". Thus, I need to figure out my new bass tone. That is why I get drunk and ask all of you guys what I am looking for. The guys on this forum that get all pissy and get an attitude are the guys that think that they are the punk rockers of the world. I have been playing bass for 20 years and I have a lot to learn. That is why I am here. Thank you. Thank you very much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK6dIdXojvM&list=PL3A3F33B31A7832E4&index=1
so what you are saying is cranking it would be hell'a punk rock and you should do it
Yeah, I guess so! but then you'll never play that club again.... 
Timpala, from what you describe in the op, if it were me, I'd:
Lift the strings, unless I liked the action where it was.
Crank the amp's input gain, control volume with the master knob, unless that gets too loud and/or uncontrollable.
Use my fingers instead of a pick, unless I'm super married to the idea of using a pick for whatever reason.
Use a drive effect before the amp, set the amp to a useful band level, and adjust the drive effect's gain/tone/volume until I got what I wanted.
Any transparent drive should get you the sustain you need to add that little extra something your looking for without knocking down the stage and clearing out a small town by cranking your amp to 10 or whatever.
Fairfield Circuitry The Barbershop
Wampler Euphoria Drive
Paul Cochrane Timmy
...many others, search for transparent drive and you'll find options.
Lift the strings, unless I liked the action where it was.
Crank the amp's input gain, control volume with the master knob, unless that gets too loud and/or uncontrollable.
Use my fingers instead of a pick, unless I'm super married to the idea of using a pick for whatever reason.
Use a drive effect before the amp, set the amp to a useful band level, and adjust the drive effect's gain/tone/volume until I got what I wanted.
Any transparent drive should get you the sustain you need to add that little extra something your looking for without knocking down the stage and clearing out a small town by cranking your amp to 10 or whatever.
Fairfield Circuitry The Barbershop
Wampler Euphoria Drive
Paul Cochrane Timmy
...many others, search for transparent drive and you'll find options.
Not say I practice it myself When I had one of those amps I never had it very loud but then I got it for headroom and use pedals myself
but I'm not in a punk or doom band 
I don't really think you need to add anything.
You've got the SVT and a P bass, playing with a pick. That's punk tone Mecca!
Play around with your mids and treble and make sure the tone knob on your bass is all the way on.
You've got the SVT and a P bass, playing with a pick. That's punk tone Mecca!
Play around with your mids and treble and make sure the tone knob on your bass is all the way on.
I know this sounds way too simple, but have you just tried rolling off some high mids?
If you're used to playing flats, almost any round wound strings will sound clanky to you, but Rotos really sort of set the standard for clanky. You may want to try some nickel rounds - there are posts a-plenty on 'warmest-sounding rounds' etc... here on TB.
Most of what we describe as clank in our tone exists in the 700 - 1000 Hz neighborhood. This seems like a simple EQ issue to me.
Compression might help... or might not, depending on how you use it. I know a lot of guys who use the SansAmp to get a little grit in order to sound more like they're playing through an SVT rig, but you're already playing through one!
If you're used to playing flats, almost any round wound strings will sound clanky to you, but Rotos really sort of set the standard for clanky. You may want to try some nickel rounds - there are posts a-plenty on 'warmest-sounding rounds' etc... here on TB.
Most of what we describe as clank in our tone exists in the 700 - 1000 Hz neighborhood. This seems like a simple EQ issue to me.
Compression might help... or might not, depending on how you use it. I know a lot of guys who use the SansAmp to get a little grit in order to sound more like they're playing through an SVT rig, but you're already playing through one!
try using a 100 watt tube head and turning it all the way up, in the 90s plenty of guys used v4bs and sunn 2000s heads this way, this is what i do for our jesus and marychain covers
No pedals. Vol & Tone up on your P bass. On the SVT, set bass & treble to noon, boost mids to 2:00 or so. Set your mid shift around 800-1000Hz. If you're getting more clank than you want, take your bass in to get it set up. The type of rounds you get don't really make that much of a difference, TBH.
