Searching for an "Angry" bass

[keefbaker]

Hi everyone.

I've tried a number of basses and I'm looking for something that has a really gutsy, angry sound. Not necessarily toppy, but gutsy (For example, I use tapewounds on my P but beat the crap out of them with a pick and it gets me close)

I suppose the closest ones I've found have been my 80s P I use and a friends Gibson Thunderbird.

So I'm wondering if people can help me out a bit. Any suggestions?

[White Cloud]

Because sound is so subjective its hard to comprehend what another person considers to be an "[i]angry[/i]" sounding instrument.

My own assessment of "[i]angry[/i]" would necessitate the kind of "grit" that a Sansamp DI or similar type of pedal would add as opposed to the actual instrument...although I would think theat a P bass is a good starting point.

I personally use the Hartke bass attack for this type of thing when required...it makes my basses angry anyway...

[Twincam]

What type of angry? Dark/deep or more treble/zing angry or growling angry?.

Edited January 8, 2016 by Twincam

[paul_5]

Hotter pickup in your P?

[keefbaker]

Yeah, I use a bass attack too. Great pedal. I guess I was wondering if there was anything else that has the kind of grumpy sound you get from a P or a Thunderbird, but maybe turned up to 11.

So not a soft P sound but a "I just punched you in the guts and made your balls cry blood" P sound.

[keefbaker]

And growling and deep. Not so fussed on zing.

[Dazed]

Any recorded examples of the tone you're looking for ?

[GrammeFriday]

Stingray.
/thread

[keefbaker]

I'm not sure. I mean the start of ace of spades is a great example, and I know that's a ricky but it's not quite.

I guess a simpler question is what's the roughest sounding P these days? Fender or no. And is that rougher than a thunderbird? I suppose I'm just really close to getting a thunderbird but would rather not go Gibson and I don't like the shape much.

That would have been easier if I'd just said that wouldn't it.

[keefbaker]

[quote name='GrammeFriday' timestamp='1452268416' post='2948325']
Stingray.
/thread
[/quote]

I've been wondering about that too. Specifically the 5string HH version.

[keefbaker]

Hence the "I can't make my damn mind up" thing.

[White Cloud]

Di Marzio P bass pickups? The Yamaha Billy Sheehan models growl like a rottweiler by all accounts.

[keefbaker]

Ok, just listened to a demo of a Billy Sheehan Attitude... sounds like a monster.

[Twigman]

An overwound P pickup and a graphite neck would be my advice

[uk_lefty]

A P Bass special, the 80s one with the two sets of P pups.

[miles'tone]

Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder in your current P.

[Chiliwailer]

Why not look at the amp too? Tubes, tubes, tubes....

[Truckstop]

Warwicks sound pretty gnarly?

[chrismuzz]

P bass with Entwistle neodymium pickups sounds like pure rage! Also, Peavey T40 basses, especially with the blade pickups, are mega aggressive.

[Beer of the Bass]

I've heard that sort of "angry" tone out of Gibson Rippers too.

[White Cloud]

[quote name='keefbaker' timestamp='1452269808' post='2948364']
Ok, just listened to a demo of a Billy Sheehan Attitude... sounds like a monster.
[/quote]
I used to own one and they have a mid to low end growl like no other. P bass on steroids! They are also built like brick outhouses.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Telecaster bass, with the hugejumbucker, and an octavet?

[Sibob]

Peavey T-40! Wish I had a use for one, love the look of them

Si

[danbowskill]

I say crank a dimarzio model p in your precision...... Pleanty of MIDs,thump and anger :-)

[machinehead]

I'd also say Warwick, say a Stage 2. Or a Spector LX. Or a G&L L2000.

But I could be misunderstanding you.

Frank.