What is the best (for metal)

[Nightsblood]

Remember this though, Rex plays through a very nice upper end Spector with real EMGs. There is certainly a difference in his EMGs and the EMG HZs in the lower end Performer series. So as much as I like Spector, dont think youre going to get that sound with the Performer series unless you upgrade to his electronics. Ive owned both the Euro LX lines (EMG) and the Euro Rebop lines (EMG HZs) and I can cetainly tell you, there is a difference in Spectors from line to line.

On the other hand, I would vote for an MTD Artist for your metal needs. That thing growls like no other and I think its in your price range. You can find them in quite a few places online for various prices heck, I think theres one a Bass Central for like $400.00! I play in a thrash band and although I play a Dean (because its a "frontman bass") I record all our stuff on the MTD.

It really depends on what your role in the band is. You want to be the up front and "heard" bassist or the "sit back and watch" bassist. Nothing wrong with either but, it will help in your bass search for "your" sound.

 

[perogato02]

im not too keen on buying second hand basses, am i just being paranoid?

Yes you are!
Dududududududuh PARANOID !!!!
We covered this Black Sabbath song in my first band ever (a thrash metal band). I played on a Aria Pro II-STP and it fitted right in. Aaaaahhh, the memories

But really: consider buying used ... they are cheaper and most of the time the previous owners took care of their instruments. You always have the chance of buying a piece of junk, but hey, that chance also exist when buying a new one. Always try before you buy!

 

[KrispyJones]

ATK ibanez

 

[anthowl]

personaly i find ltd/esp, shectors to sound too sterile, like plasticy and lifeless.
fear factory bassist is byron stroud. he used to play esp basses but then changed to custom shop fender 5 strings cos it had more body and a thicker tone.
it's also achieved with ampeg amp and cab.

 

[mancline1000]

spector they have a fast neck and good growl..

 

[Ska]

Check out Misery Inc's "Fallen Rage"...aside from being a great song, the bass tone their bassist gets is really close to what you're looking for, I think, and he plays an ESP Eclipse (not sure which one).

A Gallien-Krueger would be a great metal amp choice as well.

And as far as people that say the instrument doesn't matter and that nothing's better at playing certain genres than anything else...why do you think you don't see metalhead bassists playing Fenders and Gibsons and Hofners? It's not a coincidence that faster necks, more frets, more aggressive tone, more eq options, active electronics, high-output pickups, and all that are on most of the bassists metal dudes play.

 

[no1likesme]

You might want to stop listening to that junk you call music and listen to classic rock, man. Life is too short to listen to junk. Go with Classic Rock. You will spit on what you listen to now. Try The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, AC/DC. You appear not to have good taste in music, man. You can change! Later, mon!

WORST BAND TO EVER BECOME FAMOUS. You should feel bad about yourself for recommending them.

get whatever bass you want, unless it is pointy, NEVER get a pointy bass as you could poke an eye out. I would put comfort/playability over tone especially for metal because no one in the audience other than fellow bassist will be able to tell the difference.

 

[flipper_gv]

LTD-255
Lots of bottom end and great EMG pus that handle overdrive very well.

 

[flipper_gv]

You might want to stop listening to that junk you call music and listen to classic rock, man. Life is too short to listen to junk. Go with Classic Rock. You will spit on what you listen to now. Try The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, AC/DC. You appear not to have good taste in music, man. You can change! Later, mon!

you seriously need to grow up dude Metal is a musical style like any other and maybe the one which has the most diversity within it. So please, stop being narrow minded because you have no points proving your argument.

 

[Snakeman1066]

I had to pipe up here....

People already tease me and say that ESP must have me on their payroll...lol

But in terms of your list for a new bass it is going to be very hard to beat ESP in terms of quality, based on price....

They (ESP) always deliver features on their basses only found on the higher priced models of their competition.....by that i mean if you spend $500.00 on an ESP to find one with the same specs on the other guys you usually have to spend $750.00 or more...

The EMG sound is not for everyone...but most of the ESP models come with them stock....I own three ESP's and can't say enough about them including the pointy "F" series which are my favoite....

Tom Araya (Slayer) has a very nice signature model at ESP as well.

With the list you posted my Choices would run in this order....

ESP 1st
Spector 2nd
Ibanez 3rd

but seriously it is important for you to like it! we aren't the ones that will have to play it...you do

Pick the one that feels and sounds the best to you and don't worry about what's on the headstock

I say it all the time and will say it again...

Like what you play and play what you like....

Did i Mention you should get the ESP!

 

[bkbirge]

For metal it must be this bass:

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Well, Ive decided to sell my bass, and ive narrowed down to getting one of these, butnot sure what to get.

Just want to see what you think.

 

[tom once dead]

haha it has 3 strings!

no one seems to like the Cort. I wish i could have a play on a spector.

In a couple of weeks i will be going to a larger city and hopefully try out a bigger range of basses.

 

[Darkstrike]

I love Cort! I always use one of mine for Pantera songs! Great metal basses, espically the EVL series.

But the ESP should suit you well too, or the Spector, or Ibanez, heh, any comfy bass should do fine, I'd be looking for neck profile way before sound if this was gonna be my only bass, tone is much easier to change than playability.

 

[kojak]

Hi

just got home from tour playing metal on my new Fernandes Gravity Deluxe 4. I have been playing metal for years on my MM Stringray 4 (85), and have been very happy with that one. But my new Fernandes represents something totally different, and is to me the perfect instrument for metal. Its active EMGs, smooth neck, not too heavy (.. in kilograms.. yes), and all black, yeah! It is very allround, but the neckpickup with nice distortion makes a great Queensryche-ish metalsound. Both PUs and no distortion makes a very fat and at the same time distinct sound. sits REALLY well in a loud mix on stage.
where the MM is extremely punchy, low mid killer, the Fernandes is smooth, yet very powerful. and the playability is almost unmatched. Im not sure about the US retail price, but its definately worth every penny. it looks awesome too.

ole

 

[tom once dead]

Well good thing i dont live in the us then, its probably out of my price range

 

[anthowl]

lol, even though i've talked up spectors i am in face buying a cort b5 for myself

haha.