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In need of aggressive bass

#21
Instead of spending all the money on a new bass, why not change the pickups? Either put in some EMG-TW's or DC's or try some something else that's got the soapbar housing? People are always wanting to change basses when all they really need to do is change pickups. Especially with an active bass, where the pickups are the majority of the tone, rather than the bass itself.
 
#25
These are so aggressive, they've earned the nickname "mean mouth"

HybridBassMeanmouthSmallmouthSpottedNorrisNegus_jpg.jpg
 
#29
Spector legends can be agressive if you replace ther preamp. The tonesuck preamp they come with stock is pretty lame and not at all voiced for aggressive voice even if pups can provide it. Imo. If you like the bass and wanna go all out to make it all it can be as you desire, repalce both the pups and preamp with something like active emgs and their 3band preamp.
 
#30
gigslut said:
These are so aggressive, they've earned the nickname "mean mouth"

HybridBassMeanmouthSmallmouthSpottedNorrisNegus_jpg.jpg
Click to expand...

Yes, of course! Why didn't I think of this before...
;)

darkstorm said:
Spector legends can be agressive if you replace ther preamp. The tonesuck preamp they come with stock is pretty lame and not at all voiced for aggressive voice even if pups can provide it. Imo. If you like the bass and wanna go all out to make it all it can be as you desire, repalce both the pups and preamp with something like active emgs and their 3band preamp.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure Legends come with TonePump Jr.s. I've had no experience with those, but I can say for sure that the regular TonePump that comes with Czech Spectors is growlier than any EMG preamp I've ever used. I guess that's also my opinion, but it seems to be a popular one amongst the Spector club.
That being said, replacing the pickups and preamp could be another option for you.
I believe EMG sells P/J pickups in humbucker casing, so you could install those and a Tone Pump and see how you like that.
 
#32
The most cost effective solution would be a new set of pickups, the Duncan Quarter Pounders are mean but a departure from what people like from a Precision pickup. Some real EMGs could be the ticket if you like the in-your-face Spector sound.

Maybe think about some dirt in your signal chain. I like the SansAmp BDDI, VT bass and Fulltone Bassdrive. The Darkglass B3K is killer but kinda pricey.

If you're looking for a new bass I'd have to vote for the G&L SB-2 or L-2000 which are both crazy aggressive. I straight up P-bass can be killer too. My meanest sounding basses are my G&L L-2500 and MIM Fender P/J special with quarter pounders. I like to go Bass=>SansAmp=>GK 1001RB=> buncha 10's or straight in to my Big Block 750 which kills.

I've heard some "crap" basses run through the right rig with amazing results.
 
#33
I'm surprised that you're not getting aggressive from a Spector Legend.
I assume that it is maple body and maple neck. The SSD I have for sale is made from the same woods, and is definitely ultra-aggressive.
 
#35
If you want aggressive, try and find a good used Music Man Bongo in the HH configuration! It will be the only bass you will ever need. Even Chuck Norris fears the Bongo!
 
#40
I think selling your bass and buying a warwick corvette is a pretty good idea. Another option might be to swap your current pickups, which could save you a lot of cash. I took what was a decent Ibanez (old Korean made k5, mahogony version), and for like 250 installed, upgraded to a pair of EMG pickups that give me a whole array of very usefull tones, from thick and thumpy P Bass through the dual coil neck pickup, to burpy quacky fingerstyle Jaco sounds on the split coil bridge pickup, and then everything in between. Definitely a good investment. This might not be the sound you're looking for, but maybe a new set of Bartolinis are in your future, or Seymour Duncans? Both can be pretty aggressive in my eyes, er... to my ears. Especially if you like your current bass, how it's set up and how it plays, and just want to change the tone. Even swapping out the preamp could help. Make sure you have room for batteries before you make the jump though. Don't wanna be routing out a new cavity in your bass!
 

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