in search for REAL growly basses

[Crockettnj]

man, both of those clips sounds phenominal. Love it.

 

[bassteban]

When I think of growl, I think of "Paradise" by Sade. It looks like he's playing a Musicman Stingray. Am I wrong?

I believe that is a Stingray. I would characterize Mr. Denman's tone as velvety, w/a hint of growl lurking beneath. One of my absolute favorites for tone as well as taste.

 

[vinxbass]

My Fender Jazz V gets a very growling tone, I like it.

 

[impactwrench]

I use a Squire Vintage Modified 70s Jazz.
I like this one very much in terms of playability and neck PU sound, but when i try to get a harder punchier growlier () sound, using the bridge PU and pushing the strings stronger, the sound gets..... hmm... distorded.
beside the skewed sound, the way of trying to achieve the sound i want is very exhausting :>

Those pups are more vintagey than anything. I bet if you swapped to some hotter pups, even just the bridge, you would get the tone youre looking for. And if that doesnt work just get the new bass too.

 

[tdogg]

Those pups are more vintagey than anything. I bet if you swapped to some hotter pups, even just the bridge, you would get the tone youre looking for. And if that doesnt work just get the new bass too.

+1 on new pups. if you really want a whole different bass, look for a used warwick thumb. you can get a used BO for less than 1000 USD

 

[LeftHandedFrog]

If you get a chance you should try a G&L L1500.... That s my experience of proper growl

 

[Tommygunn]

StingrayVs

Final answer everything else is a purr... RayIVs just don't have the same growl

 

[NWB]

Ray's are good, but it's a different kinda growl to everything.

IME you can make anything growl in fact when I went to see Cherry Poppin Daddies, his P bass growled like nothing I've ever heard.

Funny, I always thought he played a Warwick due to the growly tone on their albums.

BTW - A Lakland DJ will growl pretty well.

 

[Dark Horse]

I use a Squire Vintage Modified 70s Jazz.
I like this one very much in terms of playability and neck PU sound, but when i try to get a harder punchier growlier () sound, using the bridge PU and pushing the strings stronger, the sound gets..... hmm... distorded.
beside the skewed sound, the way of trying to achieve the sound i want is very exhausting :>

Strings can make a HUGE difference. Have you tried different brands/gauges/materials of strings ?

 

[xXxXBassistXxXx]

My old BC Rich NJ Series was pretty growly, but they've been discontinued...

I'm sure their newer basses are pretty growly.

 

[Tahoe_Ed]

Strings can make a HUGE difference. Have you tried different brands/gauges/materials of strings ?

I agree. I have the same bass and tried a set of DR Black Beauties. The growl that they produce is actually too much for my taste.

 

[bstringkyle]

I have a Musicman Sterling H. That thing a lot of bite to it. The single humbucker in the bridge position creates a lot of growl.

 

[IngerAlb]

W basses (especially Thumbs); strings count, but at least with W you will always have a growly tone, no matter what brand of strings you're using on 'em

 

[MarkusBass]

Great J bass Growl (US Lakland JO CS)
Invalid Link Removed

Voice of God Growl (US Lakland Decade)
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed

 

[MarkusBass]

BTW - A Lakland DJ will growl pretty well.

+1!

 

[Kipaste]

A good jazz bass. Or even a cheap one if you get lucky. I have a squier vintage mod jazz that growls like a mofo.. Only squier VM I've ever tried that has this huge growl especially on E and A strings. I tried a few and the one I picked up is something awesome. And eventhough I hate warwicks, basses don't get a lot more growly than the thumb bass..

 

[JimiLL]

My Yamaha SBV's where the growliest basses I ever owned. I'd probably pick up another one if the right deal came along. They're Japan market only though

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

fugly. get a spector or warwick...

 

[RLS]

Warwick Thumb = serious growl.

Audition the basses mentioned and see which one has the tone that's in your head.

 

[Dee_01]

That thing looks all kinds of awesome.

Looks even better in seafoam green.

 

[BASSaSuperNova]

Those pups are more vintagey than anything. I bet if you swapped to some hotter pups, even just the bridge, you would get the tone youre looking for. And if that doesnt work just get the new bass too.

Do you have something particular in mind?

Strings can make a HUGE difference. Have you tried different brands/gauges/materials of strings ?

Not really.
I play rounds from GHS all the way, not that i like em THAT much, but they feel good to my hands and im thinkin of "never touch a running system".
Can you suggest some strings known for a rich and strong character?


Really thanks for your advise so far.
You guys a very informative!