Heavy Metal Bass - Precision or humbucker?
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DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Heavy Metal Bass - Precision or humbucker?
I've got all 3 - P, J, and Humbucker/Bar-style. Which one I use depends on the individual track I'm working on, or the song I'm playing along with. If I want more low-end, I'll take the P or Bar. If I need staccato 8th notes for a pounding rhythm, I go with the J ala Judas Priest.
I've got all 3 - P, J, and Humbucker/Bar-style. Which one I use depends on the individual track I'm working on, or the song I'm playing along with. If I want more low-end, I'll take the P or Bar. If I need staccato 8th notes for a pounding rhythm, I go with the J ala Judas Priest.
Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: Heavy Metal Bass - Precision or humbucker?
It really depends on the style. For modern metal with tight tones, it's really hard to beat EMG humbuckers or a good set of Jazz pickups. Pbass pickups tend to be farty on the low end with faster styles/more gain and instead of sounding punchy like they normally do they just sound mushy and sloppy.
It really depends on the style. For modern metal with tight tones, it's really hard to beat EMG humbuckers or a good set of Jazz pickups. Pbass pickups tend to be farty on the low end with faster styles/more gain and instead of sounding punchy like they normally do they just sound mushy and sloppy.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Heavy Metal Bass - Precision or humbucker?
I like my Stingray, but a Jazz Bass does well with metal, too.
I like my Stingray, but a Jazz Bass does well with metal, too.
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: Heavy Metal Bass - Precision or humbucker?
yeah, depends on the style. sometimes you want something thick and warm, especially with very technical stuff, or stuff where the guitar tone is necessarily thinner.
but with more classic stuff, stoner stuff, doom and thrash, it's hard to beat the P-bass sound.
yeah, depends on the style. sometimes you want something thick and warm, especially with very technical stuff, or stuff where the guitar tone is necessarily thinner.
but with more classic stuff, stoner stuff, doom and thrash, it's hard to beat the P-bass sound.
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Heavy Metal Bass - Precision or humbucker?
PJs are my favorite. Can do everything.
PJs are my favorite. Can do everything.
jaybonitrane
Snickerdoodle Milk
Re: Heavy Metal Bass - Precision or humbucker?
It must have a tight punchy low end...so humbucker.
It must have a personality to blend...so single
Paging PJ....or any SH bass with balls.
It could also be 2 humbuckers with blade magnets.
It must have a tight punchy low end...so humbucker.
It must have a personality to blend...so single
Paging PJ....or any SH bass with balls.
It could also be 2 humbuckers with blade magnets.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Heavy Metal Bass - Precision or humbucker?
A friend of mine back in '88 had a Jackson with piezos under the bridge. Sounded great, but the piezos were known to crack from the vibrations.
A friend of mine back in '88 had a Jackson with piezos under the bridge. Sounded great, but the piezos were known to crack from the vibrations.
SlowGrind93Z
New member
Re: Heavy Metal Bass - Precision or humbucker?
Humbuckers got the beef.
Humbuckers got the beef.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: Heavy Metal Bass - Precision or humbucker?
Actives allow better tonal control through the boost/cut of frequencies. I think that neck through basses with hardwood bodies, heavy bridges and brass nuts make better metal basses. They have better clarity, tone and timbre than bolt-on neck basses with softer tonewood bodies. I would argue that construction is probably more important than the pickup style whether P, J or soapbar.
Actives allow better tonal control through the boost/cut of frequencies. I think that neck through basses with hardwood bodies, heavy bridges and brass nuts make better metal basses. They have better clarity, tone and timbre than bolt-on neck basses with softer tonewood bodies. I would argue that construction is probably more important than the pickup style whether P, J or soapbar.
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