I want to get the flea sound

[ACIDFORTHECHILD]

I don't know what to buy to play flea's bass lines.

I want to buy a new bass that can generally cover the album blood sugar sex majik and californication and by the way

I have made researches and know that the options are stingray or modulus basses ( btw I don't want a 5 string bass although i can not play funky monks but i can get that later )

So do you think I should buy a modulus or a stingray?

Also, what pedals should I buy?

My budget is about 10000$ for the bass and pedals and amps. But I can adjust it.

 

[Jazzjames]

He also used a Wal on BSSM I believe.

Or you could just start playing the lines on any old bass and see how close you can get with your fingers?

I wouldn’t get too hung up on the gear, most of his sound is in the way he plays (very hard), and his note choice.

 

[ravelax]

P-bass with flats.

 

[ACIDFORTHECHILD]

Ah I see, Thank you
I will try his basslines by myself and see how it will go,

But what bass would you choose if someone asks you to get that "Flea sound" if you know what I mean.

I know that it is bad to overrely on the gears, but I seriously want a new bass that sounds like flea and also forgot to mention but rage against the machine as well. I really like these bands ( also sound garden ).
Thanks

 

[Jazzjames]

Then go with a Stingray. You can pick up a 90s one relatively inexpensively.

 

[ACIDFORTHECHILD]

Alright then,

Do you have any reccomendation for the amps and pedals?
( I saw somewhere that he uses the GK amps a lot of the times )

 

[Nuisance]

Learn to play on ANY bass. 90% of Fleas sound is in his fingers/playstyle, the other 10% is gear.

 

[Jazzjames]

Alright then,

Do you have any reccomendation for the amps and pedals?
( I saw somewhere that he uses the GK amps a lot of the times )

I doubt they used GK amps in the studio, but I honestly don’t know. Pedals? Some form of drive is always useful.

With all the love, you don’t seem to be too clued up on what you need, and only you can really know what that is. Maybe start learning the album one song at a time? And if you discover Flea is using a wah or drive or something, then get one for that part.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Early albums - lots of StingRay and Sabre MusicMan basses
Mothers Milk - Spector JJ
BSSM - Wal
One Hot Minute - Alembic Epic
Californication and By the Way - Modulus Flea/Funk
Stadium Arcadium and after - 60’s Fender Jazz

Flea might have had another bass make a “guest appearance” for a song or two, but this is largely what he used on each album. Which era do you want to sound like? Personally, although I hear some variances in bass tone from album to album, it always sounds like Flea because of his style and note choice.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Here’s a video to checkout:

 

[jmattbassplaya]

As far as pedals go, Flea doesn’t use much and what he does use is nothing fancy. Boss ODB-3, MXR Micro Amp for boost, Boss EQ, EHX Q-Tron for some funky sounds, Dunlop Wah, etc. Some pedals have come and gone but I feel like these were the most consistent for the longest.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

I wouldn’t get too hung up on the gear, most of his sound is in the way he plays (very hard), and his note choice.

Indeed. He' plays whatever instrument happens to be in the vicinity with a sponsor. Better off with a stingray and working on emulating his style and technique. Invest in small socks.

 

[urkel3000]

Pretty tough for 10k... Might want to stretch it to 15 or 20...

 

[fishdude101101]

Then go with a Stingray. You can pick up a 90s one relatively inexpensively.

Better than the new stingray specials for this sound anyway. The new ones don't really sound like a stingray anymore

 

[Pirate Captain]

Flea would sound like himself on just about any bass you handed him (similar to John Taylor in that way)...but if you are serious about copping his vibe you will need to invest in tube socks

 

[EvilJ]

 

[ACIDFORTHECHILD]

Thank you everyone!!

I think I will learn how to play like him : essentially harder

 

[ACIDFORTHECHILD]

Do you think it is ok to have that one retro 70s stingray?

This one : Retro '70s StingRay Bass

This one seems to be really cool becaue I feel like it sounds like this one :
and also sounds like flea in general in my opinion

What do you think

thanks

 

[FugaziBomb]

You gotta have the right equipment

 

[Dave Leighton]

Ah I see, Thank you
I will try his basslines by myself and see how it will go,

But what bass would you choose if someone asks you to get that "Flea sound" if you know what I mean.

I know that it is bad to overrely on the gears, but I seriously want a new bass that sounds like flea and also forgot to mention but rage against the machine as well. I really like these bands ( also sound garden ).
Thanks

For what you are asking for, you will have to buy Flea, along with whatever gear you buy.