Mike Kroeger's tone(nickleback)

[rockstarbassist]

I saw them in Dallas end of last year and he did have Mesa cabs behind him. I could see the logo on the cabs where I was sitting but couldn't make out the heads.

Great freakin' show by the way too.

Are you sure it wasn't his Peavey's?? They're a dead-on replica of the Mesa Powerhouse line, or at least last time I saw them. Same tolex covering, blue logo, metallic grill. They didn't even try to differentiate.

Granted, I'd be happy if he was using Mesa now, but just thought I'd throw that out there!

 

[Dan1099]

Let me preface by saying that I'm not a Nickelback fan, and never have been. I just don't dig that style of rock that much.

These guys are VERY good at what they do, and they all have phenomenal tone. These guys invented this sound, and everyone has been trying to rip it off for the past seven years. No modern rock band sounds quite like they do. Awesome, growly bass tone, extremely thick guitar tone without sounding scooped and metallic, powerful drums, they have it all, and have since before they were huge.

I just happen to not like their songs.

But "breathe" kicks ass.

 

[shuu]

Hate to rain on your parade but he still uses his Warwick Thumbs in the studio. Not the Spectors. I have it on good authority. Nuff said.

As I agree with the other folks, you are not going to get his recorded tone live. But, that doesn't mean you should work towards that end if that is the tone you want.

Sorry he does not use Warwicks at all anymore....not even in the studio. And I have the most reliable source. Thanks

 

[shuu]

I thought I remembered reading in Bass Player awhile back that he still played with his fingers, but started using finger picks (i.e. like the kind you use for banjos) at the suggestion of his tech. I don't really follow the band, so maybe someone else can confirm that?

He plays with picks AND fingers depending on the song. His tech would never suggest using finger picks. So that part is not true.

 

[LM Bass]

Hey SHUU!
Thanks for posting. "Reliable Source" -yep, you'd be the guy!
I met you at the last couple of Vancouver shows.
Please pass along a hello to Mike from Laurence!

 

[shuu]

I saw them in Dallas end of last year and he did have Mesa cabs behind him. I could see the logo on the cabs where I was sitting but couldn't make out the heads.

Great freakin' show by the way too.

Mike has been playing Peavey since before The Long Road came out. So he did not have Mesas behind him in Dallas.

 

[rockstarbassist]

We needs more guys like Shuu...

 

[shuu]

I'd be very surprised if he actually used HZs at all.

The heart of his tone comes from a Euro Spector, IMO. Euros have never used HZs.

All of Mikes Spectors are US models now. His signature basses that he uses live are also US models. Also, all of his basses are passive. They got switched over from Active electronics before recording "ATRR". He used one bass and one bass only while recording that album and that was his Redwood US Spector.

 

[Psychicpet]

Shuuuuuuuuuuu!!

ditto to what LM said.

great to see you here!

...now, how about a "you had to be there to believe this" stories from the road Thread?

 

[Ramstien]

I've been listening to Nickelback for several years now, and I'm as tired of the radio stuff as much as the next guy, but I still really like them.

That's suprising considering they are completely horrible and every song sounds the same.

 

[EagleMoon]

That's suprising considering they are completely horrible and every song sounds the same.

Do you feel better now? :scowl:

 

[Psychicpet]

That's suprising considering they are completely horrible and every song sounds the same.

does someone need a hug?

 

[shuu]

Its ok guys. I understand his namesake (rammstein) is way better and that no AC/DC songs sound even remotely close to one another. He just felt the need to remind us about his hatred for the band.....its all good.

 

[Eric Perry]

That's suprising considering they are completely horrible and every song sounds the same.

With that attitude, you'll be gone shortly. This ain't Harmony Central, kid. Try and act like a grown up, k?

 

[Scott01]

Resurrecting this thread because no, we never did get to the bottom of this...

I still don't believe it is simply the redwood Spector + Peavey that is responsible for Mike's tone....

C'mon Shuu, let us know just a few of the secret herbs and spices.. Just a few small nudges in the right direction? Please?

I must know how to get that grind, that growl and that punch... I just have to. I would give my left arm to know.

 

[MisterMagician]

Get a bass with lots of treble. Use a pick. Today's lesson is over.

His tone is in no way "treble-y," but does he use a pick it seems.

It's actually quite boomy and he does the "play for the song" thing quite well (ie. stays in the back of the mix plunking out semi-audible quarter/eighth note lines that follows the guitar like a wounded puppy). I'm shocked he is not more popular on here


I suppose the best way to get his tone would be to use a two-pickup Bass (a J or anything with soapbars), blend the PUs to favor the neck, boost the low mids on the amp, add a touch of gain via overdive, and squash the hell out of everything with a compressor. Not a bad tone at all if I say so myself, and easy to get if you have the right settings on your equipment.

I know people are all like "you need a Spector to sound like a Spector," but I have played enough of them in person to know they aren't that unique sonically. That type of thinking is just rationalizing the spending of more money for no reason.

 

[Eric Perry]

As much as I HATE Nickleback, I do love that man's tone!!!

 

[columborumble]

 

[Ric5]

Does anyone have any info on his rig?I know he uses peavey cabs.I just love the tone of his 5 string spector.

Most Active 5 string basses will be able to get that tone.

 

[Ric5]

That's suprising considering they are completely horrible and every song sounds the same.

They do know the formula for a hit song ... I wish I had have the hits they do.