Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[lucas303]

The S/D crowd might find this mildly amusing...

So I started playing music with some people, primarily because their Craigslist post said they're beginners looking for other beginners and that's about the extent of my qualifications. The songs they want to play aren't too bad, so we've been working on a handful of covers. Their tastes lean towards pop-punk sort of stuff, which isn't really my thing but it's been fun enough to play so whatever. I'm using this just as a chance to get to play with other people and hopefully improve my playing.

Anyway, at our most recent practice we were talking about maybe trying to add a slower song into the mix (mostly at my suggestion). We threw around ideas, and listened to a few suggestions. Partially as a way to amuse myself, I suggested Earth and had them pull up Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull. A minute or two in they were looking at me like I just took a dump in their oatmeal. I had to tell them that yes, it's pretty much the same for the rest of the song. Needless to say that song did not make it into the rotation.

 

[Kriegs]

What are you all using for reverb pedals? I'm not totally sold on the dunwich one, I wasn't a fan of the iron ether, the mantic, caroline or the walrus. I have the large empress one which I love and have on my large board, but I want something for my small one.

Simple yet complex. Straight forward but robust. One of the few reverbs that really work with bass. The blend knob is the key. After trying almost 20 different reverb pedals, this pedal, of all things(!) put them all to shame. I'm guessing that it's largely ignored just because it's not boutique.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Anyway, at our most recent practice we were talking about maybe trying to add a slower song into the mix (mostly at my suggestion). We threw around ideas, and listened to a few suggestions. Partially as a way to amuse myself, I suggested Earth and had them pull up Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull. A minute or two in they were looking at me like I just took a dump in their oatmeal. I had to tell them that yes, it's pretty much the same for the rest of the song. Needless to say that song did not make it into the rotation.

I'm always bummed to find out when people I'm trying to play with are legitimately closed-minded toward new/other music. I find myself in a weird situation trying to find people to jam with in Boulder/Denver, because I think a lot of folks are in the mindset of 'this or that'. Meaning you either like this style & are 100% in or you like that.

I really dig doom, stoner, sludge, post-metal, etc. But I'll throw out some of my hip-hop favorites or the fact that I'm a huge Phish head or the fact that I like funk... It's a good litmus test to make sure that the people I'm playing with aren't super closed minded. I also think being open to new influences is a good way to guarantee that your band/project doesn't end up just trying to sound like something that's already been done and well-established. That eclectic musical diet (along with being open to trying new styles/tunes) is what keeps things interesting and fresh IMO.

Anyway, keep playing with folks. Keep testing the waters. And keep trying to bring your influences and the styles you enjoy to your projects. You'll find people you mesh with and collect some cool new stuff along the way...

 

[hardtop]

The S/D crowd might find this mildly amusing...

So I started playing music with some people, primarily because their Craigslist post said they're beginners looking for other beginners and that's about the extent of my qualifications. The songs they want to play aren't too bad, so we've been working on a handful of covers. Their tastes lean towards pop-punk sort of stuff, which isn't really my thing but it's been fun enough to play so whatever. I'm using this just as a chance to get to play with other people and hopefully improve my playing.

Anyway, at our most recent practice we were talking about maybe trying to add a slower song into the mix (mostly at my suggestion). We threw around ideas, and listened to a few suggestions. Partially as a way to amuse myself, I suggested Earth and had them pull up Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull. A minute or two in they were looking at me like I just took a dump in their oatmeal. I had to tell them that yes, it's pretty much the same for the rest of the song. Needless to say that song did not make it into the rotation.

Great song and album. its sad that they cant appreciate it, but I understand it's not for everyone, especially fans of blink 182. I wouldnt get too bummed about it. this seems like a casual project. just keep working on your chops with these dudes and keep your peepers open for more like minded people to play with down the road. though my first band started as a punk/pop punk band, and kind of ended up queens of the stone age-ish.

 

[promdates]

I'm always bummed to find out when people I'm trying to play with are legitimately closed-minded toward new/other music. I find myself in a weird situation trying to find people to jam with in Boulder/Denver, because I think a lot of folks are in the mindset of 'this or that'. Meaning you either like this style & are 100% in or you like that.

I love it when people find out who their idols worship musically. pigeon holing yourself into one style/genre will limit you artistically/musically. Whoever would have thought that Lars Ulrich likes Oasis based on the fact that he plays in probably the largest thrash metal (are they still thrash metal? meh) band in the world.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

So maybe you folks can clue me in on something. I’ve been seeing a few doom peeps on YouTube playing or talking up aluminum guitar and bass necks. Aside from stability, what does an aluminum neck get you and is there any particular reason why I’m only seeing S/D folks talking about them? I’m not really in the market for a replacement neck but I am very curious.

 

[Kriegs]

So maybe you folks can clue me in on something. I’ve been seeing a few doom peeps on YouTube playing or talking up aluminum guitar and bass necks. Aside from stability, what does an aluminum neck get you and is there any particular reason why I’m only seeing S/D folks talking about them? I’m not really in the market for a replacement neck but I am very curious.

More metal (in your instrument) = MOAR METAL IN YOUR FACE (through the speakers)


it's been a long short week and my brains are fried... sorry for the useless post someone with real input will be along soon

 

[Jolagh]

So maybe you folks can clue me in on something. I’ve been seeing a few doom peeps on YouTube playing or talking up aluminum guitar and bass necks. Aside from stability, what does an aluminum neck get you and is there any particular reason why I’m only seeing S/D folks talking about them? I’m not really in the market for a replacement neck but I am very curious.

Aluminum necks are actually less stable than laminate wood necks from my understanding. They supposedly give your a more bell like high resonance and a thicker low end due to rigidity. But just like tonewoods its all up for debate.

 

[SteveXFR]

Hi, I'm new here and new to the bass. Big stoner fan though, especially Down, CoC, Orange Goblin and Kyuss. Really starting to get in to Pigs X7 as well.
Playing a Ibanez SR300E at the moment with an Orange Crush amp and a couple fuzz pedals.
I'm finding a lot of stoner stuff quite tricky but getting there and when I get it right, it feels great.

 

[br1qbat]

Aluminum necks are actually less stable than laminate wood necks from my understanding. They supposedly give your a more bell like high resonance and a thicker low end due to rigidity. But just like tonewoods its all up for debate.

I haven't pkayed a 100% aluminum neck, but I can say I've played an old kramer. They do seem to add a certain more piano-esque tone. And a bit more sustain or at least it seemed that way. Never thought neck material made a bit of difference til I played one. Of course, strings and amp have more influence, but ymmv.

I'd say those qualities would help a fuzzed- out bass tone.

I have also noticed a sharper, bitier tone from my 'Brazilian ebony'* neck vs say a more traditional neck wood. It is quite heavy/dense wood.

* thats what they call it, but apparently its not in the ebony family at all

 

[br1qbat]

I've been eyeing those as well. One thing I did notice is that some of the tremolos have a lock on them so if a string breaks or you don't want the tremolo, it will stay in place and not go out of tune.

@rutrho I've messed around on a couple in stores and they seem fun. Learning guitar only helped my bass playing. Influenced it a lot too. Great first guitar in my opinion. Real cool sounds with their circuitry. Huge influence on my build designs.

I came to bass from guitar. I borrowed my brothers bass and quickly found that I was always approaching guitar like a bassist. Just clicked. Really does help to know chords and stuff as it makes creating bass parts a little easier

 

[lucas303]

I'm always bummed to find out when people I'm trying to play with are legitimately closed-minded toward new/other music. I find myself in a weird situation trying to find people to jam with in Boulder/Denver, because I think a lot of folks are in the mindset of 'this or that'. Meaning you either like this style & are 100% in or you like that.

I really dig doom, stoner, sludge, post-metal, etc. But I'll throw out some of my hip-hop favorites or the fact that I'm a huge Phish head or the fact that I like funk... It's a good litmus test to make sure that the people I'm playing with aren't super closed minded. I also think being open to new influences is a good way to guarantee that your band/project doesn't end up just trying to sound like something that's already been done and well-established. That eclectic musical diet (along with being open to trying new styles/tunes) is what keeps things interesting and fresh IMO.

Anyway, keep playing with folks. Keep testing the waters. And keep trying to bring your influences and the styles you enjoy to your projects. You'll find people you mesh with and collect some cool new stuff along the way...

I wasn't bummed out that they weren't into the Earth song...I wasn't really expecting them to be into it anyway and I have no hard feelings. I also suggested a Billie Eilish song but we don't have a female singer anyway so that idea was DOA.

Hi, I'm new here and new to the bass. Big stoner fan though, especially Down, CoC, Orange Goblin and Kyuss. Really starting to get in to Pigs X7 as well.
Playing a Ibanez SR300E at the moment with an Orange Crush amp and a couple fuzz pedals.
I'm finding a lot of stoner stuff quite tricky but getting there and when I get it right, it feels great.

I'm also new to bass, and still pretty new around here, but I want to assure you that you've come to the right place (the Stoner/Doom thread, that is). Not that there's anything wrong with the rest of this site, but this thread is the cream of the crop

Edit: Also, there's an Ibanez club thread that you may want to pop in on.

 

[br1qbat]

The S/D crowd might find this mildly amusing...

So I started playing music with some people, primarily because their Craigslist post said they're beginners looking for other beginners and that's about the extent of my qualifications. The songs they want to play aren't too bad, so we've been working on a handful of covers. Their tastes lean towards pop-punk sort of stuff, which isn't really my thing but it's been fun enough to play so whatever. I'm using this just as a chance to get to play with other people and hopefully improve my playing.

Anyway, at our most recent practice we were talking about maybe trying to add a slower song into the mix (mostly at my suggestion). We threw around ideas, and listened to a few suggestions. Partially as a way to amuse myself, I suggested Earth and had them pull up Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull. A minute or two in they were looking at me like I just took a dump in their oatmeal. I had to tell them that yes, it's pretty much the same for the rest of the song. Needless to say that song did not make it into the rotation.

Ah yes, there's always those people around. In extreme cases, you meet 'Metallica guy'*.
Metallica guy can be anywhere from eww to awesome as a musician. But, Metallica guy wants to play only Metallica or write songs that sound exactly like Metallica. He may even have an impressive collection of gear, that's exactly Hetfield's rig circa 1988. You get the idea.

I shopped around a good while to find the 2 guys I'm in the band with. We have some overlap in what all 3 of us dig.

In addition to our shared love of the heavies, Guitarist loves George Lynch, Robin Trower, and 80s metal/rock. Drummer is a Pantera fanboy, who also loves the Doors. And I'm prog rock/krautrock and late 60s and 70s rock guy.

I think it helps to create our own sound. If we all dig a part/song, then that's it. We don't care if it is 'doom enough' or whatever.

There seems to be a lot of bands content to copy a prior band's basic sound. I mean, how many doom bands out there are just trying to write Dopethrone, part II? haha

We are a 'doom' band, but we don't limit ourselves [or try not to]. We've tossed in a lot of different stuff, especially spacey psych, prog, classic rock type stuff, a pinch of motorhead, into the sonic stew. As long as we all dig it, in it goes.

*not limited to Metallica, naturally. See also Zeppelin Guy, Hendrix Guy, and more endemic to dadrock SRV Guy and Van Halen Guy.

 

[promdates]

More metal (in your instrument) = MOAR METAL IN YOUR FACE (through the speakers)

MORE GAIN, LESS MIDS, METALZONE, ALL THE GAIN!!

 

[Novarocker]

What are you all using for reverb pedals? I'm not totally sold on the dunwich one, I wasn't a fan of the iron ether, the mantic, caroline or the walrus. I have the large empress one which I love and have on my large board, but I want something for my small one.

Tomkat daydreamer, maybe? I haven't used one, but want one bad and it's timber seems like it fits bass. Seems clear but warm. Simple, granted I'm not the least bit picky with reverb and don't use it much.

View attachment 3611196
Simple yet complex. Straight forward but robust. One of the few reverbs that really work with bass. The blend knob is the key. After trying almost 20 different reverb pedals, this pedal, of all things(!) put them all to shame. I'm guessing that it's largely ignored just because it's not boutique.

Looks sweet, never knew about it. Did you try the boss rv3 or 6? How'd those compare?

 

[SteveXFR]

Ah yes, there's always those people around. In extreme cases, you meet 'Metallica guy'*.
Metallica guy can be anywhere from eww to awesome as a musician. But, Metallica guy wants to play only Metallica or write songs that sound exactly like Metallica. He may even have an impressive collection of gear, that's exactly Hetfield's rig circa 1988. You get the idea.

I shopped around a good while to find the 2 guys I'm in the band with. We have some overlap in what all 3 of us dig.

In addition to our shared love of the heavies, Guitarist loves George Lynch, Robin Trower, and 80s metal/rock. Drummer is a Pantera fanboy, who also loves the Doors. And I'm prog rock/krautrock and late 60s and 70s rock guy.

I think it helps to create our own sound. If we all dig a part/song, then that's it. We don't care if it is 'doom enough' or whatever.

There seems to be a lot of bands content to copy a prior band's basic sound. I mean, how many doom bands out there are just trying to write Dopethrone, part II? haha

We are a 'doom' band, but we don't limit ourselves [or try not to]. We've tossed in a lot of different stuff, especially spacey psych, prog, classic rock type stuff, a pinch of motorhead, into the sonic stew. As long as we all dig it, in it goes.

*not limited to Metallica, naturally. See also Zeppelin Guy, Hendrix Guy, and more endemic to dadrock SRV Guy and Van Halen Guy.

I get what you're saying. I always find it so interesting reading musician interviews and finding out what's influenced them, there's always something weird.
I'm a big punk fan as well and classic metal, Tool, dub, Cyprus Hill, Billy Bragg.

 

[Novarocker]

So maybe you folks can clue me in on something. I’ve been seeing a few doom peeps on YouTube playing or talking up aluminum guitar and bass necks. Aside from stability, what does an aluminum neck get you and is there any particular reason why I’m only seeing S/D folks talking about them? I’m not really in the market for a replacement neck but I am very curious.

Paging @cornfarmer

 

[hardtop]

I get what you're saying. I always find it so interesting reading musician interviews and finding out what's influenced them, there's always something weird.
I'm a big punk fan as well and classic metal, Tool, dub, Cyprus Hill, Billy Bragg.

I play in a "doom-ish" metal band and my favorite music is 50's jazz, 60's r&b, 80's pop/new wave/goth. As far as heavy music, I probably listen to NWOBHM more than any other eras or sub genres. It takes all kinds.

 

[JBOWLES]

Between the kids music and mine, I’m kind of all over the map. Even have a person or two from this thread on there. Lol

 

[JBOWLES]

Almost forgot. One of the basses I traded for came in today too!