The meanest bass sound ever recorded

[Blazer]

Let's name those records where the bass just sounds VISCIOUS.

I'll start off with a classic: "Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen.

Man that bass sounds as if it was recorded through an amp that was on its very last legs

Then I'll push forwards "Substitute" by The Who

Although this mimed performance shows Entwistle with a Fender Jazz, he actually used a Gibson EB2 for the recording and switched on the bass boost feature of that bass for the solo resulting in that freight train-like sound. Note also Keith Moon displaying his hatred towards having to mime...

[Rhythm N. Bliss]

Tony Levin sounds FIERCE with LTE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFzj2I-m8yg&feature=related

Best concert of the Summer for me! In fact, the ONLY concert of the Summer.
Best concert I've seen in YEARS!!!!! This is my fav song of theirs.

[TBird1958]

 The first time I heard this song I damn near pee'd myself I loved it so..............It still gives me goosebumps to hear it cranked up. When I saw them around '75 there was Pete Agnew with 3 Marshall stacks and his EB......they played this, it kicked ass!   No Gibson content here tho, just a faux Super Connie 

[Freuds_Cat]

Definitely!    I saw Nazareth do this song in 1992 in London with Billy Rankin on guitar. What a great live band.

[Freuds_Cat]

[gweimer]

Gotta love Kenny Aaronson's roar on this


I don't know if this is the Gibson or the Zemaitis, but I always like the grit on this

[chromium]

These clips are all over the map, but I think the bass tones are each pretty wicked in their own ways...

[nofi]

nice to see sleep up there.

[Blazer]

If we're talking about "Grind" we can't forget about Jack Bruce.


And listen to that evil sounding twang that Rinus Gerritsen of the Golden Earring got from his Danelectro basses.


Speaking of twang, The Tielman brothers were using two Fender bass VI's in their performances, one to play the bassline and the other to provide some really kick ass riffs.

[hollowbody]

Chromium,  I just managed to get "I'm the Man" dislodged from my brain and you've planted it firmly in again!!!

Great clips, all of you.

One of my fave "mean tone" moments comes from Steve Swallow.  Distorto bass in a jazz combo???

[Freuds_Cat]

That Steve Swallow solo is great hollowbody and hell yeah! what a mean sound.

[bobyoung]

Form The Jeff Beck Group's record Beckola.



Not one the flashier bass tunes but Ron wood was a monster bass player, some of the best bass playing around is one this album. His bass roars most of time although not so much on this cut, but it was the only one I could find.