Metal specific basses

[SteveXFR]

Having never actually played a metal specific bass I'm curious about whether they're actually anything more than just a bit metal looking.

Do they actually fo a better job of producing a good and clanky tone?

I ask because I'm a bit curious about the Ibanez Iron label basses as a replacement for my P bass

[mowf]

Apparently they’re 27% more pointy than a Precision.

[PaulThePlug]

Blah Blah and Matt Black.. nope...

I'g just go Ibanez SR, they are lovely

[itu]

By the way, which metals have been used in basses, and by whom?

Kramer/Travis Bean/Hoxey/Aluminati...: Al necks

alusonic: Al bodies

Ogre: Mg bodies and necks (but no basses)

Gittler: steel body and neck

 

Anything else? Ti?

[LowB_FTW]

2 minutes ago, itu said:

Ti?

A solid titanium body bass. I suspect I'd not be able to afford such a thing, but I absolutely want to try one now.

 

Mark

[Jackroadkill]

You should get a really long strap; it's well known they increase the metallicness (metallicity?) of the bass.

[Dad3353]

But it's all in the fingers, innit..? 

[Lfalex v1.1]

I think it's an "image" thing to shift units. 

 

If you look at what metal bassists are playing, there's plenty of Ps, Js, Warwicks that aren't Vampyres, G&Ls, Gibsons (especially T birds), Ricks, regular Ibanez, Stingrays, etc.

 

It's only a few that favour the pointy items.  And they seem to use BC Rich and similar. 

 

That clanky tone (for me, at least) comes from nice,  fresh strings,  a moderately low action,  appropriate EQ/ Drive and a slightly more aggressive playing technique. 

A pickup swap to something hotter/ brighter might help,  but not as much as EQ, strings and technique. 

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2023 by Lfalex v1.1

[Doctor J]

It's all about the looks. They don't sound any different because of the shape, unless if there's a specific electronics package in there. Albert King didn't sound like Megadeth even though he played a Flying V.

[SteveXFR]

9 hours ago, Jackroadkill said:

You should get a really long strap; it's well known they increase the metallicness (metallicity?) of the bass.

 

Super long straps are more of a punk thing (yes I know, Church of Misery).

 

I did wonder whether they were just an aesthetic thing. 

An Ibanez SR 5 string would probably do the job quite nicely. A set of super bright strings and a bit of overdrive should get me to a disgraceful metal tone

[Newfoundfreedom]

I think it's more or less just an esthetic thing. 

 

I used to prefer the looks of a more modern bass ( my tastes are slowly changing ) For a good few years I've played a Traben as my main bass, and they're very much considered "metal". The band I'm in is about as far from metal as you can get, and the thing sounds absolutely sublime with an excellent tonal range that would fit nicely in any genre. 

 

On the other side of the coin you have people like Steve Harris who almost defined the genre and has happily played a P Bass for decades. 

 

 

[leftybassman392]

So, um, instead of asking if a bass is good for metal, we're now asking if metal is good for a bass... is that right?

 

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2023 by leftybassman392

[Hellzero]

A one string bass, or if you play in Metallica a no string bass is perfect or a totally unwired bass.

[neepheid]

Beyond aesthetics, no such thing.  Any bass can give a clanky tone - lower the action, job's a good 'un.

[woodyratm]

Dingwall are awesome for metal also. The Nolly sigs (NG2/3) are great. New strings, pick (supposedly!) and some distortion. Bring tha metulz! 

[Eldon Tyrell]

10 hours ago, Jackroadkill said:

You should get a really long strap; it's well known they increase the metallicness (metallicity?) of the bass.

Preferably a metal strap (and a Spector bass, of course) 😁

 

[woodyratm]

1 minute ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Preferably a metal strap (and a Spector bass, of course) 😁

 

My shoulder winced in pain at this picture.

[Hellzero]

4 minutes ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Preferably a metal strap (and a Spector bass, of course) 😁

 

Are you called Alice? 😂

[Newfoundfreedom]

Looks really comfy. 

[Eldon Tyrell]

7 minutes ago, woodyratm said:

My shoulder winced in pain at this picture.

 

2 minutes ago, Newfoundfreedom said:

Looks really comfy. 

 

No pain, no gain 😉

 

Took inspiration from the legendary Peter Steel(e)

 

 

 

[kusee pee]

My main gigging bass is currently an SR iron label MS5.  Have to say, it's lovely, so easy to play, looks great, lovely tones.  I'm looking to get a BTB iron label as a pair.  When I bought it, I wasn't looking for a metal bass (we're a function band!) but it just played so well, it stood out over the dozens of basses I tried at the time.  Honestly, I love it.

[Waddo Soqable]

I reckon "metal specific bass" is sales malarkey.. 

In no particular order.. Amp, Fx, Tuning, and "how you play it" would all be more relevant I'd say. 

On the odd occasions when I've been recruited into doing metal-y  type stuff ( purely as a hireling ) I've used a. a Rickenbacker 4001.. and b. a Hohner Jack headless, in the case of the latter tuned down to a kind of drop C. 

Both of those functioned perfectly adequately for the purpose. 

[Maude]

Get a Daisy Rock bass and an Ashdown Pedal of Doom and melt some faces! 

🤘😠

[Lfalex v1.1]

3 hours ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

 

 

No pain, no gain 😉

 

Took inspiration from the legendary Peter Steel(e)

 

 

 

I thought it was

 

"No Hope=No Fear"

[msb]

I’m just a thumper , but have a bunch of old friends in the metal business.

They like fresh strings and pedals. Their choice of basses actually is pretty normal.