Which Bass for classic heavy metal?

[cheechi]

Well, kinda. You wouldn't show up to an acoustic roots rock singer songwriter gig with an active 6 string fretless with AAAAA flame maple top and LED inlanys.

Maybe you wouldn't.

 

[micguy]

Any bass in working condition is capable to be played in any musical genre.

I'd like to believe you, but a Hofner Beatle bass is probably not suitable for any genre requiring...sustain. Including metal.

I can't picture anyone playing Iron Man with a plunking Beatle bass.

 

[Pirate Captain]

Aria SB

Going to second the Aria (any active or passive SB will do, so will an RSB or an Integra)...they are phenomenal basses for the money.

Caveat...if you go vintage and active, be prepared to shell out big time when (not if) that preamp goes if you wan to stay original.

 

[StringslamDan]

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Add Hello Kitty stickers for a heavier, metalier, sound.

I always wanted to hot rod a hello Kitty bass, and pull it out for a goof for a song or two just to see the reaction from the audience!

 

[Ulf Buck]

I have been using a Schecter Michael Anthony sig P/J. Main basses before were MIJ 80's Jazz Bass specials. GK 1001RB Direct to board and Fender 810 Pro cab.

We cover Dio, Maiden, Scorpions, Priest, Sabbath etc. The Schecter nails Dio's Jimmy Bain Tone with tone dimed and digging in with pick and volume dimed. Roll back tone and you get geezeresque tone. Roll back tone and volume knobs slightly (sound guy brings you up FOH) lightish touch with fingers and you get decent Stever Harris tone.

Extremely versatile bass, tonally more versatile than the old fenders. 12 inch fretboard radius so speedy, jazz profile neck. Super hot USA Shecter pickups on this bass stock. I'm in love.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Maybe you wouldn't.

No, I definitely wouldn't. I want to keep working.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

Both very solid basses, but if I were in your shoes I think I'd go with the P. If you do homework with an MM, definitely try to get a HH. Much more tonal variety, and IMO the sound of a neck or middle pickup is a must for your style of metal. IMO the soloed bridge pickup is just missing something.

 

[bikeplate]

Precision. What many of those guys used.

 

[zubrycky]

I'd like to believe you, but a Hofner Beatle bass is probably not suitable for any genre requiring...sustain. Including metal.

I can't picture anyone playing Iron Man with a plunking Beatle bass.

Well, I would play it if I had one of these basses.

 

[Kmonk]

Any bass for any style; it's all in the playing & technique. We used to have a "Best Bass for Metal" topic stickied at the top, but I don't see it anymore.

Exactly! I've been telling people this for years. If you go to any bass manufacturer's website, you will see players from every genre using their instruments. If you look up bass players from different genres, you will find virtually every bass manufacturer represented. Play what you like. Its your technique and EQ that make the difference, not the brand that you play.

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

P or J. If you futz with the J and put rounds on it you can really make it growl.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Well, kinda. You wouldn't show up to an acoustic roots rock singer songwriter gig with an active 6 string fretless with AAAAA flame maple top and LED inlanys.

When they start paying for my instruments, they can tell me what to bring.

 

[rodv66]

It's obvious from that list, Steve Harris' bass!

Fender Precision Steve Harris Iron Maiden Bass Guitar MIJ | eBay

I love the blue more than the new ones. I took an MIM with maple board, threw in some Steve Harris pickups, mirrored pick guard and some Rotosound 77s. Use it in my maiden tribute and sounds great.

 

[Canadian APII]

Hi guys,
I want to play classic heavy metal bands such as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Saxon, Helloween etc. I just have money to buy one bass, so which one I should choose, MM or Pbass?

Aria Pro II B&G All the way.

 

[TheBamaSlamma]

I would never use Jazz basses for Metal.

Why not?

 

[hieronymous]

Given a choice between Music Man or P-Bass, I would choose P-Bass, and maybe a P-Bass with P & Jazz pickups for a bit more versatility. Someone mentioned the Jazz Bass & Ian Hill - found a pic from that period, this is the image I have of him in Judas Priest during the Screaming for Vengeance period.

If you had way more money, I would say Rickenbacker 4003 would be a choice but definitely play before you buy - some people love 'em and some people hate 'em - I'm in the love camp myself but they are an acquired taste. I love P-Basses too.

 

[Captain Chaos]

I think at some point the bass player from Helloween played a P bass with a MM pickup.

 

[TakeABreak]

I think at some point the bass player from Helloween played a P bass with a MM pickup.

P/MM - problem solved!

 

[Ric5]

Which Bass for classic heavy metal?

I would choose a 5 string Rickenbacker … but it is hard to go wrong with a 5 string active Ibanez

 

[dkelley]

OP, I'm not sure if this budget is within your grasp or possibly a later evolution in your playing, but if your metal stylings might include distortion, a Dingwall bass and Darkglass amp is a perfect combination. Check some YouTube videos to see some samples.

Personally, I had not been too keen on distortion in bass until I heard/saw some of those YouTube demonstrations.

Hahahahahahahhahahahahab

Dingwall wreaks of classic metal...... not.