SteveXFR Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowf Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 Apparently they’re 27% more pointy than a Precision. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 Blah Blah and Matt Black.. nope... I'g just go Ibanez SR, they are lovely 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowB_FTW Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackroadkill Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 You should get a really long strap; it's well known they increase the metallicness (metallicity?) of the bass. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 But it's all in the fingers, innit..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 (edited) 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 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 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. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted July 23, 2023 Author Share Posted July 23, 2023 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 (edited) 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 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 A one string bass, or if you play in Metallica a no string bass is perfect or a totally unwired bass. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 Beyond aesthetics, no such thing. Any bass can give a clanky tone - lower the action, job's a good 'un. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodyratm Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 Dingwall are awesome for metal also. The Nolly sigs (NG2/3) are great. New strings, pick (supposedly!) and some distortion. Bring tha metulz! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldon Tyrell Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 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) 😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodyratm Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 1 minute ago, Eldon Tyrell said: Preferably a metal strap (and a Spector bass, of course) 😁 My shoulder winced in pain at this picture. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 4 minutes ago, Eldon Tyrell said: Preferably a metal strap (and a Spector bass, of course) 😁 Are you called Alice? 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 Looks really comfy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldon Tyrell Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 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) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kusee pee Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddo Soqable Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 Get a Daisy Rock bass and an Ashdown Pedal of Doom and melt some faces! 🤘😠 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 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" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msb Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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