FourStrung Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Hi Guys, I just love it when my Precision starts to growl, it just makes playing a bass such a blast. Wondering if there are particular strings that just may boost this aspect of the sound, or is more technique? But I want more of it – please ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Typically that 'growl' is thought of as a strong low mid presence as seen in Warwicks, so look at your EQ in relation to that. There is also a jazz bass 'growl', caused by that burpy sound from the bridge pickup. Try playing closer to the bridge and see if this improves things for you. On the other hand, some basses just do not 'growl'. Some have a little bit when you're really digging in and playing hard but more often than not it seems dicated by wood choice and pickup placement. You can try and make the most of what you have through string choice and EQ'ing but nothing is going to change the inherent tonal character of a bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I think playing harder might increase growl and possibly raising the pup. I'm no expert though cos I mostly prefer my sound growl free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourStrung Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 Thanks Chris, I will try tweeking the EQ settings and playing nearer the bridge and see what happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbilly deluxe Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Try raising the action,and as already said,eq settings.I have EMG's in my P bass,clean and growly when played harder with heavier strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 You could just buy a Stingray some folk don't like the fact they always growl even when you don't want it too though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Rotosound roundwounds. Love `em, and they make my Precisions do exactly that - growl. Must admit, I prefer them when they`re old, but new there`s lots of growl and zing in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourStrung Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Lozz196' post='1369771' date='Sep 11 2011, 08:58 PM']Rotosound roundwounds. Love `em, and they make my Precisions do exactly that - growl. Must admit, I prefer them when they`re old, but new there`s lots of growl and zing in them.[/quote] A string change sounds a cool solution, thanks for the tip. I don't know a great deal about bass strings as I played guitar mostly, but now having a lot of fun on the bass Edited September 11, 2011 by FourStrung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1369728' date='Sep 11 2011, 07:29 PM']You could just buy a Stingray some folk don't like the fact they always growl even when you don't want it too though.[/quote] Indeed, just that pickup position that Stingrays use gets a growl (often referred to as the "Stingray position" when looking at other basses with a humbucker in the same position). It's not so close to the bridge that it 'honks' effortlessly, not so close to the neck that it's muddy. It just captures that low mid rang burp that makes a bass growl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 It's also the position I find you need to play with attack on none MM basses to get the growl, Makes sense that if you put a big feck off pup right in that spot you will get maximum growl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1369810' date='Sep 11 2011, 08:27 PM']It's also the position I find you need to play with attack on none MM basses to get the growl,[/quote] You're absolutely right. I never play near the neck and you just lose that punch and definition. My Zoot bass has a Bartolini humbucker in the MM position and playing over that just nets bags of growl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipperydick Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='Lozz196' post='1369771' date='Sep 11 2011, 07:58 PM']Rotosound roundwounds. Love `em, and they make my Precisions do exactly that - growl. Must admit, I prefer them when they`re old, but new there`s lots of growl and zing in them.[/quote] This... And pull em hard ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazy_olie Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I find nickels growlier than steels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='krazy_olie' post='1370252' date='Sep 12 2011, 11:40 AM']I find nickels growlier than steels.[/quote] eg, GHS Boomers. Not as 'brittle' or 'zingy' as Rotosounds. The G string is a bit fatter sounding on my Precision. Writing about sound is like dancing about architecture, though. One man's growl is another man's clank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 DR Black Beauties seem to be good for it on a Precision. They sound like nearly new Rotosounds for quite a long time. I play with a 1mm plectrum at the bridge. That seems to work too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourStrung Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) [quote name='bremen' post='1370266' date='Sep 12 2011, 12:54 PM']eg, GHS Boomers. Not as 'brittle' or 'zingy' as Rotosounds. The G string is a bit fatter sounding on my Precision. Writing about sound is like dancing about architecture, though. One man's growl is another man's clank.[/quote] Guess we are still talking roundwound, what about gauge? Edited September 12, 2011 by FourStrung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) Chris is right.. some basses just dont growl... but its not the bass on woods and construction alone..imo.. its a collection of things.. a growl (imo) is obtained by a certain string, a certain wind of pickups, a certain action, and in preamp cases, a certain preamp.. imo pulling the strings aggressively can do it, but sometimes chokes a note.. depends on your touch, and what your playing i guess.... sorry Chris , but imo a jazz bass with bias to the bridge is not really growl....... its a very focused tone, with no spill.. get a great roundwound string with a fat gauge.. not a hex core.. there way too tight.... you want it nice and floppy.. then if you can afford it some lindy Fralin P pups.. growl central Edited September 12, 2011 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 noticed a post about what we all think about growl... this is growl to me.. i will throw it out there and see what other peoples views are...?? as my growl may be very different to others.. headphones are needed.. this is very subtle growl and its on higher strings,.. but its there.. he has Lindy Fralins on this USA jazz.. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d9eydCfTdw"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d9eydCfTdw[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='FourStrung' post='1370391' date='Sep 12 2011, 01:21 PM']Guess we are still talking roundwound, what about gauge?[/quote] Yes, roundwound. 45 65 85 105 as endorsed by that bloke from California that can't afford a shirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourStrung Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='bubinga5' post='1370398' date='Sep 12 2011, 02:25 PM']Chris is right.. some basses just dont growl... but its not the bass on woods and construction alone..imo.. its a collection of things.. a growl (imo) is obtained by a certain string, a certain wind of pickups, a certain action, and in preamp cases, a certain preamp.. imo pulling the strings aggressively can do it, but sometimes chokes a note.. depends on your touch, and what your playing i guess.... sorry Chris , but imo a jazz bass with bias to the bridge is not really growl....... its a very focused tone, with no spill.. get a great roundwound string with a fat gauge.. not a hex core.. there way too tight.... you want it nice and floppy.. then if you can afford it some lindy Fralin P pups.. growl central[/quote] Remember I have a Precision... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='bubinga5' post='1370415' date='Sep 12 2011, 01:38 PM']noticed a post about what we all think about growl... this is growl to me.. i will throw it out there and see what other peoples views are...?? as my growl may be very different to others.. headphones are needed.. this is very subtle growl and its on higher strings,.. but its there.. he has Lindy Fralins on this USA jazz.. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d9eydCfTdw"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d9eydCfTdw[/url][/quote] This I like a lot! It's not what I understand 'growl' to mean though. I'm struggling to think of an example...hang on.. ah, here we go: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourStrung Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='bremen' post='1370424' date='Sep 12 2011, 02:45 PM']This I like a lot! It's not what I understand 'growl' to mean though. I'm struggling to think of an example...hang on.. ah, here we go: [/quote] While I love the bass on the first link, I think this may be closer to what I am seeking, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='FourStrung' post='1370430' date='Sep 12 2011, 01:51 PM']While I love the bass on the first link, I think this may be closer to what I am seeking, thanks[/quote] Pretty sure it's a Precision, though he used a MM now and again. No idea what sort of strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) [quote name='bremen' post='1370424' date='Sep 12 2011, 01:45 PM']This I like a lot! It's not what I understand 'growl' to mean though. I'm struggling to think of an example...hang on.. ah, here we go: [/quote] Yep like that tone alot.. for sure that is growl..... i guess there are different growls out there.. im sure its the fact that hes playing in the higher register though.. i define a growl as a certain tone that has very fast vibrato, in any frequency.. sounds like a pbass though.. sounds like he using an effect.. although i have no idea about effects Edited September 12, 2011 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Roto swing bass 55-105 and a hot pickup, either a quarter pounder or a di marzio model p or similar. Or get a ray! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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