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FatboyJ115

FatboyJ115

Guest
Jul 11, 2014
76
37
27
Carthage, Missouri, USA
#1
I usually try not to post too often on here, since I don't usually have anything to say. Although recently I've been thinking, where should I go musically. I want to play metal, in some form. But I have two sounds I absolutely love, and don't know which I should go for. There's the sound of an P-Bass with a pick (Shawn Economaki/Old Stone Sour) that I think sounds absolutely amazing, but on the other side of the spectrum I love the sound of that fast technical 6 string all over the fretboard fast finger stuff (Rings of Saturn-ish). I don't know which sound I should pursue, Help me TalkBass. (I posted this in the basses section because I'm trying to decide between buying a 6 string or a Precision Bass)
 
#4
Well if that 4 string in your avatar is yours, try some 6 strings out and see if that's something you'd actually like to pursue right away. If you don't like it, try some Ps with a pick and see how that feels. There is a whole world of gear out there beyond just basses. In a few years you may not even care for the people you'd like to emulate now, best to just try stuff out and figure out what you really like, work on your technique and figure out what's missing from your sound.
 
#6
FatboyJ115 said:
That helps. I'll have to talk to my drummer and see what he thinks, I'll need other peoples opinions. I don't even really know what "My sound" is. All my tones are just copied straight from different artists, depending on whether I'm using a pick or not.
Click to expand...

I don't know what your age group is, nor your level of experience, but I can say that I have been in the same boat as you. Back in the late 80's I borrowed heavily from Dave Ellefson, in terms of pick attack and heavier-on-the-treble sound (I guess it's called mid-scooped). Likewise, I was heavy into Cliff Burton and Geezer. Ellefson played with pick, Burton and Geezer used fingers and I couldn't really get those sorta-conflicting styles to mesh, so I improvised. I reckon using influences is a lot like doing research papers - an old joke: "Stealing ideas from one person is plagiarism; stealing from many persons is called 'research'". In terms of what bass to get, why not split the difference and get a 5'er? You may discover that many 6-string players use the E-A-D-G in the middle for most of their lines. The upper registers can mimic the extended range afforded by a high C-string, though. YMMV.
 
#7
The only reason I was interested in a 6 string isn't really for the high C, just for some reason the fretboard sits better in my hand. I've messed around with the same model 5 string and 6 string (SR505/6) and for an odd reason the 5 just felt off... I feel weird trying to explain it. Just one of those things that didn't feel right. And you have to admit, 6 strings have that intimidating look to them ;)
 
#8
FatboyJ115 said:
I usually try not to post too often on here, since I don't usually have anything to say. Although recently I've been thinking, where should I go musically. I want to play metal, in some form. But I have two sounds I absolutely love, and don't know which I should go for. There's the sound of an P-Bass with a pick (Shawn Economaki/Old Stone Sour) that I think sounds absolutely amazing, but on the other side of the spectrum I love the sound of that fast technical 6 string all over the fretboard fast finger stuff (Rings of Saturn-ish). I don't know which sound I should pursue, Help me TalkBass. (I posted this in the basses section because I'm trying to decide between buying a 6 string or a Precision Bass)
Click to expand...
What's your style now?
Have you tried fast technical stuff on your current bass?
Are you pick-playing on your current bass?
 
#9
Style, depends on whether I'm using a pick or fingers. Pick I usually scoop the mids heavily while boosting bass and slightly treble. Fingers i usually boost bass 2 o' clock mids 3 o' clock and treble 1 o' clock. I've tried the fast technical stuff on my bass with both a pick and with fingers, even though I can't find many tabs for technical metal. My current bass I do everything on, except slap.
 

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