I was always into using my recently sold VT-Bass for some punky parts and songs, my problem was it was extremly uncontrolable with an active bass, I'm actually using only active basses, but with a passive J or P Bass it kicked so much asses... SVT in a box. Even my total clean GK/FMC stack could not resist sounding like that classic s***.
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Pedals for Punk Bass Sound?
- Thread starter pbass40
- Start date
Bingo. Punk attitude. He makes what works for him work for his punk.
Wow. So ferocious with the all-caps.
You've got the 'tude going yourself there mannnnn. 
So true that sarcasm really doesn't translate well on the Net; I was being facetious in my previous post to make my point. Quite frankly, I couldn't agree with you more. I'm sick of the phrase "Cop a 'Tude", "Dude" and all that similar BS as well.
But I'm also sick of gear being exalted to magic-bullet status. The real magic bullet is putting in the time to learn your instrument and making heartfelt music. Mike Watt uses what he uses. His bass got stolen, he changed to a different brand/make for that and a variety of other reasons. Doesn't matter what he uses, he's still playing from his heart.
Jean-Jacques Burnel would sound like himself no matter what he played, Brian Ritchie rocks the VF whether he's on an ABG or EBG... Well, the list goes on.
IMO Watt, Burnel, Simonon each play with their own inimitable attitude, no matter what gear they use. Watt now endorses [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] amps. Nobody here suggested Eden yet, it's not "punk". Sifting through this thread the general consensus is punk requires a pick, P-bass and SVT.
Cool suggestion. What works for you may work for the OP, especially if he uses an Eden amp
. Gear. Yes, to an extent, but just as attitude will only get you so far when it isn't backed up by talent. Many great bass players (not just punk) got their start on home-made instruments or converted guitars -- that's punk attitude. Attitude and talent gets you further than a plethora of gear.Anyone want to start an all acoustic punk jug band infused with dub reggae?? I'll play jug...
This one's actually easy -- it's not your band, it's a side thing, it's all live -- show up with bass and loud amp, and fit into the mix. Done. Play well, whatever that means for this band -- tight, jump around, sloppy, whatever makes you feel right, etc. The best thing you can do is NOT muddy up the mix (pay heed to they guys who suggested you pump the mids) -- if the band has a good sound and a good singer, people will dig it, and nobody is gonna say "but the bass player's tone was crap." And if you're gonna buy a bunch of gear just for this gig, then I'm with the "tube amp" guys, but speakers ain't gonna matter -- play what you got -- 2x15, 4x10, 6x10, 8x8...just find your spot in the mix. And bass won't matter -- play what lets you play how you want to play.
Every time I hear "types of punk" or the word "pop" alongside "punk" I die a little inside...
Every time I hear "types of punk" or the word "pop" alongside "punk" I die a little inside...
Again it would really help if we know what genre you're talking about.
Since Punk doesn't seem to be your main thing I'm not going to suggest you get a Darkglass B3K because they're damned expensive but if you have a couple of hundred bucks lying around give it a thought because even with only subtle dirt it gives your sound a lovely clank.
I'm going to disagree with people on the old strings suggestion. If there are any styles of music that demand new strings i'd say punk and funk, you need a lot of brightness in your sound that doesn't come all the way from EQ.
I'm personally not a fan of Pbass in punk.
Klaus Flouride, Hunter Burgan, Chris Barker and Craig Setari convinced me otherwise.
Since Punk doesn't seem to be your main thing I'm not going to suggest you get a Darkglass B3K because they're damned expensive but if you have a couple of hundred bucks lying around give it a thought because even with only subtle dirt it gives your sound a lovely clank.
I'm going to disagree with people on the old strings suggestion. If there are any styles of music that demand new strings i'd say punk and funk, you need a lot of brightness in your sound that doesn't come all the way from EQ.
I'm personally not a fan of Pbass in punk.
Klaus Flouride, Hunter Burgan, Chris Barker and Craig Setari convinced me otherwise.
2 more things
1) Downstrokes are your friend
2) This thread is convulsing a little bit long after the heart stopped beating.
1) Downstrokes are your friend
2) This thread is convulsing a little bit long after the heart stopped beating.
I'm not sure if you ever heard of the band Flipper, but from what their drummer told me in an email, during their early days they used a Rat distortion pedal.
Stainless steel strings really help. My P-bass with 1/4 pounders into GK 800RB. Volume around 1:00, boost around 11:30, mid cut on but both boosted on the eq, then use the poweramp to get your volume and bass changes according to venue size/pa help.
A lot of pop punk bassists use Stingrays, but whatever. Not a big fan on their tone in that setting.
A lot of pop punk bassists use Stingrays, but whatever. Not a big fan on their tone in that setting.
I use a darkglass B3k and a Fuzzrocious demon. Do I play in a punk rock band? Nope. I'm in a emo, indian, eskimo hardcore band.
Fender p bass or a rick. Most of the more popular bassists use fender ampeg or occasionally a mesa. Gain cranked or a bass modded tube screamer for a small overdrive. Pick, stainless strings, play between the pup and the bridge. I preferred a p+j both close to dimed, tone around 3.5, and played over the j pup. Also a big thing for the rancid type sound is a little spring reverb or a slight slapback delay.
And for those saying mids, I can get a good fatty/rancid bass sound with a scoop.
If you're looking for the newer style, a music man HH or H is getting pretty common. I usually see humbuckers and svts on modern hardcore bands too. Some orange here and there as of recent too. Hot Water Music, Cobra Skulls, and the like have been using orange and fender.
If you're talking about 80s punk, take what you have and dime everything.
And for those saying mids, I can get a good fatty/rancid bass sound with a scoop.
If you're looking for the newer style, a music man HH or H is getting pretty common. I usually see humbuckers and svts on modern hardcore bands too. Some orange here and there as of recent too. Hot Water Music, Cobra Skulls, and the like have been using orange and fender.
If you're talking about 80s punk, take what you have and dime everything.
I have long lived by what Fugazi has stated long ago: play with what you have. That being said, at that time in my life, I had a jazz bass, a Mesa 400+, and a Tube Screamer. Now, I play a Warwick streamer stage 2 bass and my Mesa rig. Guess what? Still use my Tube Screamer along with a Big Muff. Funny thing is, I'm not in a punk rock band anymore and it's still killer tone. Play what's right, and you will be alright. Do not get caught up in the SVT/ Pbass fundamentals of what makes good punk tone. Play with your fingers and cut through with what you have.
resurrecting this thread. I play a stingray hh and play through a fender 75 rumble amp, and I've just joined a pop-punk band. What do you think?
If it were me. Id take a bass, use the pickup position closest to that of a pbass split coil pickup. Boost around 250-300hz, as well as 3-5kHz. If you want overdrive, i like the boss bass OD. But personally i prefer a clean signal in punk.
Play on fresh stainless steel strings. If the band plays loud and you're drowned out boost the mids and you'll cut right through. I have an HH and it sounds good in the mix as long as the bridge side pickup is engaged. Looks like I mentioned the steel leather here before. This thread is making me want to try plugging it in again but it's more about EQ than pedals. Try not to rumble out. Clear and articulate notes and good mids are better than big boomy lows.
