Metal sound?

[Tomsu99]

I have been experimenting with many different tones recently (which is hard to do because I have an Ampeg 1x8 at the moment) and I was wondering how to get that sharp, Metal, crunchy, metallic sound. I doubt it has to be a specific bass or amp, but tell me if so. A song example with this sound is Tears Don't Fall by Bullet For My Valentine

 

[Creede]

Best way is to use a pick, or even a coin. Turn your gain and overdrive to your preffered level (less usually means more clarity), then boost your high mids. I boost Bass to about 1 or 2 o'clock, low mids at 2, high mids at 4 or 5, and treble at 10. Noon would be flat for this, by the way. Roundwounds are your friends for this technique.

If you're a finger player, looks at the link below. It's stickied. Or, just grow and use your nail.

Demystifying Metal styles, how to make fingerstyle playing heard in Metal | TalkBass.com

 

[Tomsu99]

Best way is to use a pick, or even a coin. Turn your gain and overdrive to your preffered level (less usually means more clarity), then boost your high mids. I boost Bass to about 1 or 2 o'clock, low mids at 2, high mids at 4 or 5, and treble at 10. Noon would be flat for this, by the way. Roundwounds are your friends for this technique.

If you're a finger player, looks at the link below. It's stickied. Or, just grow and use your nail.

Demystifying Metal styles, how to make fingerstyle playing heard in Metal | TalkBass.com

Thanks man! That really helped!

 

[GastonD]

Also,c heck out his very informative VDO by Bryan Beller

Bryan Beller Strike Force Masterclass | Bassplayer

 

[Garun]

New strings, good attack on the instrument, try Warwick
I like this sound in metal
I think tone is in fingers (and strings and instrument), not SO MUCH in amp, couse i use DI box, and i get same sound everywhere (well, almost same, i'm satisfied). My eq is always flat
Tho it is hard to skip strings and play with hard attack, that was only problem for me. I have new strings from week ago, Warwick Red 45-135, metal AF. Tho I don't play metal, good thing I play lightly so all that metal sound of new strings isn't heard so much

Btw, EXTRA low action helps (but not where you get string buzz)

 

[Tomsu99]

New strings, good attack on the instrument, try Warwick
I like this sound in metal
I think tone is in fingers (and strings and instrument), not SO MUCH in amp, couse i use DI box, and i get same sound everywhere (well, almost same, i'm satisfied). My eq is always flat
Tho it is hard to skip strings and play with hard attack, that was only problem for me. I have new strings from week ago, Warwick Red 45-135, metal AF. Tho I don't play metal, good thing I play lightly so all that metal sound of new strings isn't heard so much

Btw, EXTRA low action helps (but not where you get string buzz)

Don't worry, I have a Warwick

 

[Garun]

Don't worry, I have a Warwick

right didn't look at picture
Warwick is one hell of a beast for metal especially

 

[Thomas Kievit]

For me, stainless steel strings are a big plus. Also when they have a thick gauge, like a .145 for the low B

 

[taylor16]

There is no metal sound. I used to rock an active 5-string with fresh steelwounds and a pick at every show. Now I roll with a Precision with flatwounds (La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats) and use my fingers half the time.

 

[hintz]

I have been experimenting with many different tones recently (which is hard to do because I have an Ampeg 1x8 at the moment) and I was wondering how to get that sharp, Metal, crunchy, metallic sound. I doubt it has to be a specific bass or amp, but tell me if so. A song example with this sound is Tears Don't Fall by Bullet For My Valentine

Outside of technique, a really awesome amp *will* make a night and day difference!! You should check out a Gallien Kruger 400RB or 800RB, these amps were made for metal and can be found for very low prices

I liked the 800 enough that I bought my 400 as a backup!! The frequencies are just right for cutting through and the mid contour and hi-boost switches give a slight mid scoop that lets you slice through the mix with ease, add a nice 4x10 and your ready to roll...

I also find cutting lo-midrange (around 250)clears up the sound big time and boosting ultra high 4khz give you that metallic clank with minimal effort, both these heads have all of this, plus it was good enough for Dave Ellefson(need I say more??)

And ill add that Warwick's sound great through this setup...

 

[winegamd]

Playing with a heavier attack(or lower action) near the neck so the strings make some contact with the frets. Boost high mids. Add a bit of overdrive. Stainless strings seem to get this tone easier than nickels.

 

[hintz]

Playing with a heavier attack(or lower action) near the neck so the strings make some contact with the frets. Boost high mids. Add a bit of overdrive. Stainless strings seem to get this tone easier than nickels.

The nice thing about low action(and a flat neck) is you can play the bridge pickup and still get that clank sound...

And yes, steel roundwounds are the way to go IMO

 

[Creede]

The nice thing about low action(and a flat neck) is you can play the bridge pickup and still get that clank sound...

Even so, it is much harder to get that clank sound. Is there a benefit to playing near the bridge for the clank technique?

 

[winegamd]

Playing near the bridge is generally more growly and since string tension is higher, it is usually easier to play faster.

 

[hintz]

Even so, it is much harder to get that clank sound. Is there a benefit to playing near the bridge for the clank technique?

No, I wouldn't say it makes it easier to get *that* sound, but with low action and treble/hi-mids you can get a more *consistent* clank and its easier to play faster, just my experience

 

[Creede]

No, I wouldn't say it makes it easier to get *that* sound, but with low action and treble/hi-mids you can get a more *consistent* clank and its easier to play faster, just my experience

We're talking about playing near the bridge right? I'll try that out when I get home, but I think it would be easier to get the clank near the neck of the bass.

 

[hintz]

We're talking about playing near the bridge right? I'll try that out when I get home, but I think it would be easier to get the clank near the neck of the bass.

It *is* easier to get clank closer to the neck, I'm saying you can get a very similar sound on the bridge pickup *if* you have super low action/flat neck...

I find there's less rebound from the strings closer to the bridge enabling ease for faster playing....

Of course YMMV, but it worked for jaco pastorious