Kublai Khan bass sound

[rpangelov]

I saw this band recently and I am very impressed by the sound.
I know I can get very familiar sound with a dark glass amp for example, but I don’t understand - he is playing with a 4 string MusicMan tuned down to G#. It’s not a multiscale and the strings are not looking thicker than usual. I think this is crucial part of the sound too.
Can someone help me out here ? Thx in advance.

 

[drpepper]

I think the operative thing you've said is that you can get very close with the Dark Glass.

We can listen to a recording or see a live performance, and either one isn't something that can necessarily be replicated better than "very close" when in different contexts, and that would be even if you were able to find every ingredient in the secret sauce that went into what was heard. That's because the context is also crucial element.

You could get the same bass, the same strings, the same effects, the same pick and even master the details of his playing technique and because you don't have the elements of that venue, sound system and engineer, very close is the best that you can get for one of your gigs or in your studio and have that be due to your efforts rather than landing on it by chance.

That said, I was curious enough to give it a couple of clicks and here's a guy with a multi-track recording from a live show and hearing the bass track might give some additional clues. And gives a reminder that the isolated bass sound often seems so different than it does in the mix, but that's what the overall sound you're hearing is built on. That's certainly an acquired taste in "bass tone" but there it is...

 

[rpangelov]

Huge thx!

I just recently start to dig into my live gear as I had a complete disaster one month ago - we went to a venue and I had only amp... assuming the cabinet will there. And it was... but it didnt work. So I dont want this to happen ever again.
Currently I am using bugera veyron amp and whatever cabinet is available. So as this is the tone I'm seeking, I was really curious about this sound as live sounded very well. I know this can be very different in another place or show, but this band is known for consistently good sound and I dont mean hard by it, but very clear and crisp - you can hear every detail.
So in order to get this distorted sound without losing the bottom end I need to split the signal, right ? One distorted and one for the clean bass.

But how is this guy able to downtune a 4 string bass to G# ? I mean... even for a 5 string bass without multiscale you will need to make adjustments to prevent the B getting loose like a noodle. Does he uses octaver to downtune so much ?

 

[BunchyMutt]

But how is this guy able to downtune a 4 string bass to G# ? I mean... even for a 5 string bass without multiscale you will need to make adjustments to prevent the B getting loose like a noodle. Does he uses octaver to downtune so much ?

I haven't listened to the isolated tracks yet, but I'm wondering if he actually tunes up to G# to be in the same register as the guitars

 

[Ryan X Decent]

I saw this band recently and I am very impressed by the sound.
I know I can get very familiar sound with a dark glass amp for example, but I don’t understand - he is playing with a 4 string MusicMan tuned down to G#. It’s not a multiscale and the strings are not looking thicker than usual. I think this is crucial part of the sound too.
Can someone help me out here ? Thx in advance.

Drop G# is just a half-step down from drop A. I've played drop A with 4 strings without issue plenty of times, I just throw on a 5 string set and use the lowest 4 strings. For drop G# I'd probably use a slightly higher gauge low string.

 

[JtSD619]

Following post…wondering the same thing

 

[GeordieKev]

I use a 4s set up, tuned to G#, as I want that low end you'd get from a 5s, but my hands are too small to play a 5s.... So the trick is to use 5S strings!! I use the B-E-A-D strings and foresake the G, then drop the tuning. You need to get a different nut and file it out to take the thicker strings....