More Growl

[BassFishingInAmerica]

I have an awesome setup for that deep growl. GK400rb (the original 80s, not newer model), 2x15 JBL cab, P/J pickup config, with both tone and volumes full, RS66 strings. That'll do it.

Edit: put that boost knob to at least 10 o'clock.

 

[hsp-sandiego]

You could also raise the bridge pickup and/or lower the neck pickup a bit.

I did this on my American Stnd and used this method to get it where I wanted it with both tone knobs dimed.

this is solid advice. also, sounds like settings on the FOH board. single coil barts are sweet.

 

[friendlybass]

Maybe a preamp di would make it happen for ya. Samsamp, Eden world tour di, mxr distortion+, those all work.

 

[Carl Hillman]

My current bass doesn't seem to want to cut through the mix no matter what I do. Any suggestions for a "Growlier" new bass?

Current Set up:

82 JV Jazz with Bartolini 9s and 2Tek bridge
John East J-Retro set flat OR with the Bass boost control off (not centered) and Bright switch on
Roto Sound 99 Exposed Core strings.
Diamond BCP compressor through a Radial JDI direct box

I'm considering:
A Peavey Cirrus or Rudy Sarzo or something by Warwick, Musicman or Gibson/Epiphone.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Have you tried playing harder?

"Growl" is a pretty subjective term, but when I hear the word, I think of a hard right hand technique that makes the strings zing off of the upper frets. The amount of force is somewhere between playing cleanly and playing so hard that you are choking the strings.

 

[radioface]

Try a P bass or a Bongo.

 

[pacop]

Stingray?

+1

 

[JB36]

A Spector NS-2 with steel strings would be your growly friend.

 

[REV]

To me the Geddy Lee Jazz bass is one of the growlyest basses out there today.

 

[sonicnuance]

For me, the key to "growl" or "punching through a mix" lies in the mid frequencies. If you can on your preamp, boost the mids. If that isn't possible, try decreasing the treb and bass to get a similar effect.

If all else fails, the Stingray will just about guarantee being heard.

 

[Jim Carr]

A simple cheap way to get tons of growl: find a used bass you like with an MM pickup. The old passive (discontinued) Kingston is great.

 

[mellowinman]

My current bass doesn't seem to want to cut through the mix no matter what I do. Any suggestions for a "Growlier" new bass?

Current Set up:

82 JV Jazz with Bartolini 9s and 2Tek bridge
John East J-Retro set flat OR with the Bass boost control off (not centered) and Bright switch on
Roto Sound 99 Exposed Core strings.
Diamond BCP compressor through a Radial JDI direct box

I'm considering:
A Peavey Cirrus or Rudy Sarzo or something by Warwick, Musicman or Gibson/Epiphone.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I don't get why this bass doesn't growl. It certainly should.

 

[TuneIn]

I would consider what the signal is being put through, after all GIGO applies in music as well as computers. What amp/speaker set up are you using?

 

[Lo-E]

Amp-wise, you're already covered in the growl dept., although I'll second someone's earlier suggestion to mic the Eden. Get an RE-20 on there!

As for p'ups, Bart's aren't real growl machines, but they should be able to cut. Personally, I'd probably go for a more traditional Fender-like set of p'ups with some extra winds like Fralins or hot SD or DiMarzio models.

I would think you'd get a better bark from a different pre than an East. Aguilar is the first that springs to mind, but Sadowsky and Alleva-Capollo are tonally similar.

Better yet, have you tried just running passive with the bridge p'up at full and the neck rolled back a bit? That's the textbook growl setting right there.

 

[spaz21387]

Get a 3 band musicman stingray i havent played a bass that can beat my ray out of growliest bass ever.

 

[Johnny Crab]

Your setup should do it but is some of your playing technique not doing it?
Nothing personal, but when the Geddy bass here goes to gigs it can be played to sound "normal" or cutting or "like Geddy" depending on strength of attack and where the string is hit.
Check this video at time 6:20 ~ 7:00


For some of the basses here(i.e. Gibson SG bass), no matter how hard or what the settings are....it will not growl. For most any other bass here, playing it very hard and towards the bridge makes it growl.

Also, a SansAmp pedal in front of your rig can help you pull out what is missing. VERY useful if you ever have to deal with provided backline and/or give the PA a good DI. Your comment about FOH seems to indicate that the FOH operator may be taking your sound(growl, clean, mud or whatever you send him) and turning it into what he "thinks" you should sound like....a pedestrian bassist with no growl(mids or highs).

If you must get a new bass, a Fender Geddy or Musicman will do what you want but they won't fix FOH.

Good luck.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

P bass with bright rounds and a hot pickup. I use the Steve Harris pickup. The strong mids help cut through. The problem with Jazz basses and Rays are that the top end sizzle can get lost in the mix against loud distorted guitars. At least IME it has.

 

[spaz21387]

My stingray doesnt get lost in the mix if anything it cuts better than a p bass i played before that. Now that p got lost in the mix

 

[Kaden Daniels]

Peavey T-40 thats one mean growling sun of a beach

 

[rogerbmiller]

Look into basses with filter-based electronics. If you can afford one, Wal's are the holy grail but there are plenty of other choices out there. Aria Pro II SB1000, Alembic, Heartfield, any Ibanez with the vari-mid circuit, etc.

You can also get interesting results with your set up. Nice bottomy set of strings and low action, almost bottoming out.

But per the OPs post, Warwick is a great choice. I would go with a Masterman, or FNA (original or Jazzman). Stingray killers!

I also love the Ibanez ATK. Sickest bass you will ever find for the price and the best thing Ibanez ever made IMO. There is a nice ATK205 in the 'fieds now for $300 for example.

Good luck!

 

[12SB]

I second the RS66 recommendation. Also, a great set of true single coils will do the trick for growl. I have a jazz with Fralins and the RS66's--great tone from that set up. Also, I haven't seen any mention of your compressor yet...I have the same one, and love it when I want a mellower vintage sound. In my opinion, It gives a certain warm, squishy effect on your attack and presence. If compression is a must in your chain, I would seek a more modern sounding one if aggressive tone is what you are after.