isteen Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 (edited) I grew up on bands like Overkill, Exodus, Anthrax etc. and always liked the way the bass sounded on many thrash bands - a "ringing" clanky tone. Anyone knows if it's the amp settings, effects or string action that brings out that tone? Tommy Goober from Toy Dolls has his own way of getting a very unique sound, very low string action 😉 Edited November 9, 2019 by isteen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 Which bass is best for metal... the eternal question 🤔 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermy Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 I always hated that sound. It is not hard to create at all either. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 (edited) - Edited March 4, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 Roundwounds, low action and a pick is where I’d start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davegriffiths91 Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 A nice overdrive helps alot too. Sansamp bass driver is my go too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 Roundwounds, mainly clean with lots of treble will get close to early Anthrax and Megadeth bass tones, I suspect that both Dave Ellefson and Frank Bello also tended to lean heavily on the bridge pickup for their sound on the early albums. Ellefson is a pick guy but Bello plays fingerstyle as well. Other bass players of the era such as Cliff Burton tended to go heavy on the overdrive, which, combined with poor production is why it can be difficult to hear what the bass is doing on a lot of early thrash, it just gets lost among the distorted guitars. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 FWIW , I thought at the time that the bass of dd verni ( overkill ) had the best cutting twangy sound from the '80's thrash era. You could actually hear it cutting through . Could be wrong , but I would think active bass makes a difference . You wouldn't get that sound on a telecaster bass for example . I have the demanufacture cd from fear factory which also may appeal . On a slight tangent , I managed to find the drivers to my line 6 toneport ux1 which features pod farm line 6 . There are loads of presets for guitar more than bass, but the sound you want is on that . great for home noodling on your computer . Maybe the sounds would be available on the bass pod ? Not too expensive . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 A PJ bass with a pointy headstock and strung with rounds, played with a pick into Sansamp. Also, some tight jeans. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oZZma Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 11 minutes ago, Graham said: A PJ bass with a pointy headstock and strung with rounds, played with a pick into Sansamp. Also, some tight jeans. 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Tech21 SH1, the new Steve Harris signature? I have one and it has. A very mid-focussed clanky tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isteen Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 Playing with my amp, I thought one way to get that sound, was to cut the mids all the way (directly the other way of Lemmy's sound). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Depends on the thrash band you're after. Ride The Lightning-era Metallica you'll want a very hard string attack, low action, and a good amount of grit or overdrive. I think compression is important too. (Not counting the solo tone which is fuzz, wah, distortion, delay, harmonics...) Ellefson's sound in Megadeth was pick playing(obviously), and sounds more trebly and sparkly to me. Also a bit cleaner, not much grit to my ears. I don't know as much about his gear though, there's some good YT videos on it. I suppose the general themes of thrash playing are to play hard whether you use pick or fingers, low action for a bit of clank, and then maybe some grit or distortion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 There's generally less distortion in thrash metal bass than assumed. Too much distortion kills attack and that's what you don't want as the music is usually too quick to let notes ring and develop. Low boosted a bit, mid cut to taste, treble boosted on the amp and the gain cranked near clipping, tone open on the bass. Roundwounds struck with gusto near the bridge pickup with a plectrum or fingers in typewriter-ish style. Any bass will do although a MM humbucker may need more tweaking than others. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isteen Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 2 hours ago, Bolo said: There's generally less distortion in thrash metal bass than assumed. Right. I use only a very small amount of distortion when I play, I think it ruins the way my bass supports the music Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted November 11, 2019 Share Posted November 11, 2019 Low action, fresh roundwound strings, heavy finger or pick attack and plenty of hi-mids. Don't scoop the mids - it may sound good in your bedroom but you'll disappear onstage. GK, Hartke & Darkglass are good amp choices.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Dd verni was endorsed by bc rich basses ghs strings and peavey/Marshall amps. I think the difference in their sound was the active pickups and they mixed their albums so you could hear the bass. W f o has a very loud bass sound for a metal album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Just don't go for Greg Christian's tone on Testament's Practice What You Preach. My god I hate that sound... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 On 11/11/2019 at 13:18, cetera said: Low action, fresh roundwound strings, heavy finger or pick attack and plenty of hi-mids. Don't scoop the mids - it may sound good in your bedroom but you'll disappear onstage. GK, Hartke & Darkglass are good amp choices.... Def, I think the supposed scooped sound in the mix comes more from the fresh rounds, they just emphasise the highs and lows, some brands more than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 On 13/11/2019 at 16:16, bartelby said: Just don't go for Greg Christian's tone on Testament's Practice What You Preach. My god I hate that sound... I actually quite like that tone, if i was being picky I would say it could do with a little more low end but overall I like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted November 15, 2019 Share Posted November 15, 2019 (edited) - Edited March 4, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted November 15, 2019 Share Posted November 15, 2019 I’ve just put a fresh set of Bass Centre Stadium Elites Stainless steel strings on my bass. I’m not playing thrash but if I was I’d be putting fresh set on every few weeks. In the 80s we were using Rotosounds. They lost their ‘zing’ very quickly. Don’t forget the spandex trousers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 On 15/11/2019 at 14:33, TimR said: I’ve just put a fresh set of Bass Centre Stadium Elites Stainless steel strings on my bass. I’m not playing thrash but if I was I’d be putting fresh set on every few weeks. In the 80s we were using Rotosounds. They lost their ‘zing’ very quickly. Don’t forget the spandex trousers. Spandex was more glam rock than thrash tbh Metallica might have worn some in 1981 though 🙄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 40 minutes ago, megallica said: Spandex was more glam rock than thrash tbh Metallica might have worn some in 1981 though 🙄 There was spandex AND leather.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Nike hi tops & Black skinny jeans were essential. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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