I don't understand 'aggressive' sounding basses??

[Jamesemt]

As in, what does that actually mean? Cutting top end? Ive heard it mentioned with Stingrays a lot.
Is that the complete opposite of an active (majorly bass boosted) precision (my preferred sound)?

[Hobbayne]

I assume its a powerful picked bass on bright rounds a la Bruce Foxton, JJ Burnel or Phil Lynott. My personal syle of bass playing to be honest!

[Lozz196]

Agree, JJ would be my way of explaining "aggressive" bass sounds. Probably my playing is like that too, but I prefer old strings, so possibly just get away with it.

[brensabre79]

I'd say its a bass played hard and heavy. You know when you really 'dig-in' to the strings when plucking, or use a pick the the thickness of a 50p... When you get blisters after 10 minutes of playing and the strings rattle against the fretboard every note... you're playing aggressively.
The strings resonate differently to playing lightly and no amount of letting the amp do the work will substitute this style of attack.

[Fat Rich]

Or maybe a bass with more growl, or more top end clarity?

Some people favour a scooped sound which sometimes loses the warmth and sounds more hifi, but a lot of it is how the bass sits in the mix of the song I guess.

[simon1964]

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1325765425' post='1487204']
I assume its a powerful picked bass on bright rounds a la Bruce Foxton, JJ Burnel or Phil Lynott. My personal syle of bass playing to be honest!
[/quote]

I'd go with this. Listen to Hanging Around by the Stranglers here: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3nXa4XtNm8[/media].


When the bass comes in at 13 seconds - that's what I would call an aggressive bass tone .

Edited January 5, 2012 by simon1964

[SebCarr]

When you say aggressive I instantly think of the bass on Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf. Love it.

[mep]

I have just watched 'Lemmy The Movie' on BBC4. There is a clip of him on stage where he is discussing his sound and technique. He jestfully plays some root / 5ths ala country style and then turns his Marshall amp (Murder One!) up and plays a bass line with incoporates strummed 2 string power chords. Now that was aggresive. Good film by the way.

[Thor]

[quote name='mep' timestamp='1325769755' post='1487353']
I have just watched 'Lemmy The Movie' on BBC4. There is a clip of him on stage where he is discussing his sound and technique. He jestfully plays some root / 5ths ala country style and then turns his Marshall amp (Murder One!) up and plays a bass line with incoporates strummed 2 string power chords. Now that was aggresive. Good film by the way.
[/quote]

I watched that the other night - damn that was a big/aggressive sound out of a Ric, although I'm sure I noticed definitely one more pup (IIRC there was an additional 2 pups in total).

Also agree JJ Burnel's style of playing is about as aggressive as it gets

[hairyhaw]

All the above folks mentioned + Chris Squire.

[deanovw]

I saw this and thought it fitted aggressive bass as a description.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vgfeLat3RI[/media]

Edited January 5, 2012 by deanovw

[JTUK]

Bass that you can really hear, as opposed to underpinning the track.

But then you can play with aggression... so can mean all sorts really.

Edited January 5, 2012 by JTUK

[Muzz]

[quote name='simon1964' timestamp='1325766772' post='1487245']
I'd go with this. Listen to Hanging Around by the Stranglers here: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3nXa4XtNm8[/media].


When the bass comes in at 13 seconds - that's what I would call an aggressive bass tone .
[/quote]

A seismic moment in my bassplaying career was hearing this for the first time - I couldn't believe my ears. Just the best bass sound, ever.

[simon1964]

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1325777392' post='1487504']
A seismic moment in my bassplaying career was hearing this for the first time - I couldn't believe my ears. Just the best bass sound, ever.
[/quote]

Me too - in fact, I switched from guitar to bass largely because of JJ's playing!

[Jamesemt]

Right I get it. Thanks guys

[Highfox]

Fun one for all you Ricky Boys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DW8ecqu0Iw ok so it's not so aggresive
I have heard it said that the orgional recording was made with a Danelectro 6-string bass

[margusalviste]

It's all about a quick attack and the certain low mid frequencies!

Edited January 5, 2012 by margusalviste

[bremen]

Live At Leeds.

[Lfalex v1.1]

Try listening to some;
Snot
One minute silence
Skunk Anansie
Rage Against the machine

Aggressive music played aggressively, on G&L, Musicman, Warwick/Spector and Fender.. And maybe a bit of Overdrive.

[derrenleepoole]

Lemmy. Nuff said

[spongebob]

I'd say that Geddy Lee has got a fairly aggressive style as well.

My own sound, I suppose, is what would fall into that category.

Not surprising, as my top 5 bassists include JJ, Lemmy and Geddy!