Bass

[MDV]

Need!

I have a cr@ppy bass that just isnt cutting it. Thin and clanky sounding thing, it is.

This is for recording ONLY, so I dont care what it looks like and such

What I want

- Thick, chewey, twangy (if that makes any sense) low mids
- Solid thunk in the lows
- enough bell-like steve-harrisy chime to it that I can use it if I want or dial it out if I want without killing its clarity

Its gonna be for tracking metal. Its gonna be detuned to C# and drop B, so it needs to retain clarity way down low and not need suspension bridge cables.

I want to spend maybe 300 quid, but more for something perfect is doable, or less for soemthing that will do the job is ideal

Any help appreciated

[PhilKing]

Put a BK P-Bass pickup in a Bass Centre clone and you'll have what you want (actually a BK Precision or Jazz set will bring any bass to life!).

[MDV]

Bass centre clone?

[PhilKing]

http://www.basscentre.com/categories.asp?cID=59

[MDV]

How interesting

Why thank you!

[MDV]

Frickin idiot on the phone at basscentre said that you dont get basses for particular sounds, that any will do. "Just look at steve harris - fender, korn - ibanez, you cant say you want a certain sound and get a bass for it"

Wont be calling there again.

Any other ideas?

[Oli]

I think you'll probably want something with a Jazz pickup in the bridge (perhaps a tapped humbucker, for even more versatility), and a P bass pickup in the neck. The wood on a bass really makes a difference; Warwicks tend to have necks and/or bodies made from Ovankol, and i recently did a neck conversion from a maple warwick neck to an ovankol one, and it brought out a lot more low-mid growl in the sound, which the maple just didn't have. That said, classic bass sounds have been done with P-Bass (Steve Harris) and Jazz (RAtM), but they are quite distinctive, much like a single coil versus a humbucker.

[MDV]

Cheers bud, I'll try to find a p-bass with an ovankol neck (any chance of that in my budget?)

[FernandoDuarte]

but they are quite distinctive, much like a single coil versus a humbucker.

More details please, I'm also a "virgin" on basses and planning one to mid of year

[WezV]

gotta say.. i would be pretty tempted by a Squire Classic vibe bass.  I think i would struggle to choose though.  The 50's P-bass has the right look (for me) but i would need the pickup to be spot on since there are very few tonal options.  The 60's P-bass has a proper P pickup ( i would add a series/parallel switch) and i really like  a simple P-bass  but the aesthetics dont do it for me as much (maybe all black with maple neck!!).  At the moment i think i would go for a Jazz - thats phils fault but i notice he is being slow with the pics of his new aquisition ;)

they all seem to be retailing for about £250 ish so add an extra ton or so for a BKP or two (the 50's would be the cheapest to upgrade since its only 1 single coil)

[nfe]

+1 on the Squier Vintage Vibe instruments. Dynamite for the money.

For what it's worth, I don't think there's a sound you can't out of a standard P Bass with some effort. :)

[MDV]

Cheers guys, will look

[jpfamps]

I would definitely favour the P-bass too.

A major part of the Steve Harris sound though is the use of flat-wound strings, which give a nice middley sound, although they are harder on the fingers.

[dave_mc]

Frickin idiot on the phone at basscentre said that you dont get basses for particular sounds, that any will do. "Just look at steve harris - fender, korn - ibanez, you cant say you want a certain sound and get a bass for it"

Wont be calling there again.

Any other ideas?

wow. i don't play bass, but that can't be right. :lol:

[noodleplugerine]

I'd say the Rockbass Corvette, superb quality, simple layout, nothing fancy. Great for the money.