I couldn't find a video about the basics of shoegaze bass sound on UA-cam. So I thought it was about time to do it myself. This video gives you an overview of what bass models the early shoegaze bass players used, what amps they took on stage and what effects are most commonly used in that genre. I also have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT to make! Let me know if you want to know anything else about bass in shoegaze music. If you have any interesting effect chain combinations that you want to share: Please let us know in the comments below! But for now - I hope that video helps some of you guys achieving a great bass sound for your projects. Stay healthy and happy!🍭. - Kenneth
my favourite shoegaze bass sounds are from Cocteau Twins on Wax and Wane, and Son Of Mustang Ford by Swervedriver. Wax and Wane is a little more relaxed and ethereal, and Son Of Mustang Ford is super grindy. A really nice balance.
14:43 as you can see, he's a true shoegazer. he has a hand on his left foot so he can easily change his pedals' patch while playing. anyway, awesome content in this video, very cool
Very good this video, and also the previous one related to the bass, in general there are very few channels that deal with the bass in shoegaze, thanks for dealing with the subject, it would be interesting to make videos like those made by Paul Del Bello with more popular bands, and understand how they sound, and have more idea of what techniques make in some cases these are unique or with a very different sound. Best regards,
Came here because you referenced this on your Cocteau Twins video. I know so little about music that most of your hi-tech equipment settings discussion flies right over my head, but you do explain some things that are so basic they answer questions I either didn't know I had, or never would have asked musician friends (too embarrassed because it would show how ignorant I am, ha!). Like for instance I didn't know there was such a range in bass guitar types, which you discuss early in this video. So many times I have listened to a song and wondered (privately) "Now, is that bass or guitar?" because it'd be fairly deep and low but not extremely, and played very nimbly, with distinctive notes as opposed to chords. So what you're saying is, there are basses that can do that, and ones that can't. Amazing! EDIT: 12:07 WHOA! I NEVER would have guessed that's bass!!! I had no idea the instrument could sound THAT bright!!! 49-year-old, sitting here just blown away.
I recently picked up a really awesome Op Amp Fuzz, a Quill Effects Precipice, which works absolutely fantastically on Bass especially for these tones. It's designed for lower tunings to begin with and sounds so much tighter than other high gain pedals. They're out of production until later in the year, but something like a Keeley Moon could work really well too. The high end rolloff that can be sometimes be a turn off on Muff-style or adjcent fuzzes is actually very useful on Bass for switching between a regular brighter bass sound and a distorted one, without having all that uncontrolled fret/string noise.
Never be afraid to experiment but I find when mixing it's better to have one aspect of the song act as an anchor to the rhythm or to balance things out. So for example if you have a really washy guitar sound it's generally better to have a cleaner bass sound to keep things from turning to mud in a bad way and vice versa. I've attempted tracks where the bass is as heavily effected as the guitar and it became a mess to sort out making it sound good or even coherent.
Definitely agree with this! Often in my case this'll be an acoustic guitar track (or an electric guitar track without effects, or a piano). Regarding bass, I usually tend to either have it clean, but have a rather complex bass line (often I'll use my fretless bass for those kind of songs), or have a simple bass line with effects, but with any recording, one needs at least one clean instrument with little or no effects
this is a great video! ive been getting super into shoegaze style guitar effects, but never really even thought of applying the mentality to my bass playing. the reverse reverb trick in particular sounded great on bass.
Weird I thought I had watched this. I have always liked Flanger on bass myself it really brings 2 string slide bass lines to life. Way back in the 90s when I was writing and recording "shoegaze" myself, it was my go-to effect for bass (the 90s were not a time that you could pull off solo shoegaze.)
I recently found your channel and I really like it. I wanted to mention something though. When using your DI box, I've been told it's better to run its output into your Focusrite using the XLR connection because the mic preamps are better quality. That said, for a long time I just ran my guitar directly into my Focusrite and it didn't kill me or anything. Thanks again for the great content, I look forward to discovering more inspiration from your videos!
If you're trying to shoegaze bass on a budget, I can't recommend getting a Squier Bronco strongly enough. Something about the cheap, tinny strat pickups they use seems to translate really well to trebly mids and the signal holding up through multiple pedals. I don't know why the Fender Mustang bass I had left me cold but the Bronco, less than a quarter of the price, sang to me. ymmv
Haha. I don't think so. But I recently uploaded a video about a guitar shaped keytar - a Fender Mustang game controller. You could say it's a video about shoegaze keytar. ;)
I’m torn between a Mustang and a Jaguar. My sound is more on the darker side of Shoegaze with post punk, goth rock, Deathrock, punk and some darkwave bits. Currently I’m using a Fender Jazz Fretless which I love but I want to add a short scale to the mix. Thanks and phenomenal video!
Wow, it is very inspiring for people like me who likes experimenting with gear and tone, good luck in developing your profile and talent, regards from Poland
Very interesting and informative video! I tend to experiment with bass as much as guitar (a lot of melodic walking bass, and one of my basses is even fretless, I use that one on many recordings), and I came for ideas for a bass tone for a new song I'm recording. Now will need to try reverse reverb on bass when I get home, never thought of using that before but it seems to be the thing that song needed!
@@berlinshoegazer Ok I tried it, and it was perfect for that song :D the bass sounds so sinister, along with the sitar it makes a pretty strange feeling... I hope to release the song (and album) later this year!
I used to play an Ibanez with active humbuckers when I was in an industrial band, which I sold; I started writing shoegazing songs recently and recording them at home just with my guitars but I have come to accept I need a bass as well. Would a PJ pickup configuration work better? The one on your Mustang seems to be doing the trick just fine…
interesting stuff...just wondering do you know any bassists in this kind of genre who shift from that cloud of distortion to a clean sound in the same song (as a kind of style they repeat?)
Ay bro if I have an Apollo Twin Duo interface, you still recommend the DI box? My guitar teacher said save my money, but I’m loving the sounds you’re getting. Don’t think I could afford the Zoom as well though. Curious your thoughts!
Awesome video! Question, I want to buy this pedal for my bass guitar. Should I buy the MS-70CDR or the MS-50g? I primarily will be using it for bass guitar however would like to use it for guitar as well. From an effects and "will I lose any low end because this is a guitar pedal" standpoint, Which one should I buy?
Zoom mase the MS 60 B for bass. The MS pedals don't change the input signal. But the standard effects on the MS70CDR and MS50G are optimised for guitars I guess. But I never really care tbh - I just try to use what I have in a specific moment. Thank you for the nice words.
Great playing on the tunes, your channel is awesome. I have to give you credit for turning me on to the Drop Nineteens Mayfield album. That Shannon Waves bass line is the cat's ass. If you haven't heard already check out MJ Guider she's a really cool artist that plays bass and sings etc.
I actually said you need a "mid-y" and "trebly" sounding bass. But I just looked it up and it what I ment is "mid emphasized". Sorry for my weird pronunciation.😄
a month ago i purchased the Zoom MS 70CDR but i sold it right away again! It sounds so artificial and plastic! i hated every second of owning this pedal!!!
I couldn't find a video about the basics of shoegaze bass sound on UA-cam. So I thought it was about time to do it myself. This video gives you an overview of what bass models the early shoegaze bass players used, what amps they took on stage and what effects are most commonly used in that genre. I also have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT to make!
Let me know if you want to know anything else about bass in shoegaze music. If you have any interesting effect chain combinations that you want to share: Please let us know in the comments below! But for now - I hope that video helps some of you guys achieving a great bass sound for your projects. Stay healthy and happy!🍭. - Kenneth
a MUST HAVE for every shoegazer is four hands
Great video.
My bass came with a thumb rest. Some people call it the b string.
I’m a bassist and just got into this genre a few days ago, thx for making this
my favourite shoegaze bass sounds are from Cocteau Twins on Wax and Wane, and Son Of Mustang Ford by Swervedriver. Wax and Wane is a little more relaxed and ethereal, and Son Of Mustang Ford is super grindy. A really nice balance.
Thanks for sharing. I'll check out Son Of Mustang Ford. Weren't listening to very much Swervedriver in the past.
swervedriver should be fucking legendary
So happy to see another shoegaze bass video !
Yeah, I also thought it was time to to another one. I'm happy you like it.
Was just thinking abt how there’s not enough bass shoegaze content . Right in time
14:43 as you can see, he's a true shoegazer. he has a hand on his left foot so he can easily change his pedals' patch while playing.
anyway, awesome content in this video, very cool
I don't change the patches. Just wanted people to see the effect chain. 😄 Thank you for your comment.
Thanks for the video !
Thanks for another shoegaze bass video, btw really love the "bassics of bass" pun.
Hey I’ve been watching your stuff for a while, but now I have a shoegaze band, so they’re required to watch you now too
😄 I hope it's entertaining and inspiring in some way.
Very good this video, and also the previous one related to the bass, in general there are very few channels that deal with the bass in shoegaze, thanks for dealing with the subject, it would be interesting to make videos like those made by Paul Del Bello with more popular bands, and understand how they sound, and have more idea of what techniques make in some cases these are unique or with a very different sound.
Best regards,
Came here because you referenced this on your Cocteau Twins video. I know so little about music that most of your hi-tech equipment settings discussion flies right over my head, but you do explain some things that are so basic they answer questions I either didn't know I had, or never would have asked musician friends (too embarrassed because it would show how ignorant I am, ha!). Like for instance I didn't know there was such a range in bass guitar types, which you discuss early in this video. So many times I have listened to a song and wondered (privately) "Now, is that bass or guitar?" because it'd be fairly deep and low but not extremely, and played very nimbly, with distinctive notes as opposed to chords. So what you're saying is, there are basses that can do that, and ones that can't. Amazing!
EDIT: 12:07 WHOA! I NEVER would have guessed that's bass!!! I had no idea the instrument could sound THAT bright!!! 49-year-old, sitting here just blown away.
I recently picked up a really awesome Op Amp Fuzz, a Quill Effects Precipice, which works absolutely fantastically on Bass especially for these tones. It's designed for lower tunings to begin with and sounds so much tighter than other high gain pedals. They're out of production until later in the year, but something like a Keeley Moon could work really well too. The high end rolloff that can be sometimes be a turn off on Muff-style or adjcent fuzzes is actually very useful on Bass for switching between a regular brighter bass sound and a distorted one, without having all that uncontrolled fret/string noise.
Never be afraid to experiment but I find when mixing it's better to have one aspect of the song act as an anchor to the rhythm or to balance things out. So for example if you have a really washy guitar sound it's generally better to have a cleaner bass sound to keep things from turning to mud in a bad way and vice versa. I've attempted tracks where the bass is as heavily effected as the guitar and it became a mess to sort out making it sound good or even coherent.
Definitely agree with this! Often in my case this'll be an acoustic guitar track (or an electric guitar track without effects, or a piano). Regarding bass, I usually tend to either have it clean, but have a rather complex bass line (often I'll use my fretless bass for those kind of songs), or have a simple bass line with effects, but with any recording, one needs at least one clean instrument with little or no effects
this is a great video! ive been getting super into shoegaze style guitar effects, but never really even thought of applying the mentality to my bass playing. the reverse reverb trick in particular sounded great on bass.
Weird I thought I had watched this. I have always liked Flanger on bass myself it really brings 2 string slide bass lines to life. Way back in the 90s when I was writing and recording "shoegaze" myself, it was my go-to effect for bass (the 90s were not a time that you could pull off solo shoegaze.)
Fuzz and reverb carries a long way 😊
I recently found your channel and I really like it.
I wanted to mention something though. When using your DI box, I've been told it's better to run its output into your Focusrite using the XLR connection because the mic preamps are better quality. That said, for a long time I just ran my guitar directly into my Focusrite and it didn't kill me or anything. Thanks again for the great content, I look forward to discovering more inspiration from your videos!
If you're trying to shoegaze bass on a budget, I can't recommend getting a Squier Bronco strongly enough. Something about the cheap, tinny strat pickups they use seems to translate really well to trebly mids and the signal holding up through multiple pedals. I don't know why the Fender Mustang bass I had left me cold but the Bronco, less than a quarter of the price, sang to me. ymmv
I came to this video as a bassist and shoegaze fan, but seeing that keytar behind him, I must know: does he ever make a video about shoegaze keytar?
Haha. I don't think so. But I recently uploaded a video about a guitar shaped keytar - a Fender Mustang game controller. You could say it's a video about shoegaze keytar. ;)
I've heard the first ever DI Box was created at Abbey Road for Paul McCartney's bass.
Great sounds
Thank you so much! :)
2:30 it's actually a jazz bass
I’m torn between a Mustang and a Jaguar. My sound is more on the darker side of Shoegaze with post punk, goth rock, Deathrock, punk and some darkwave bits. Currently I’m using a Fender Jazz Fretless which I love but I want to add a short scale to the mix. Thanks and phenomenal video!
Both basses are amazing. Just go with any of these and play it and if you love it, you'll know. :) I really like the mids range of the Mustangs.
Mustang or jaguar with updated bridges.
Wow, it is very inspiring for people like me who likes experimenting with gear and tone, good luck in developing your profile and talent, regards from Poland
Im a huge fan of jazz basses. I ended up buying a pj though. I feel like pj configuration is pretty versatile.
Okay this is pretty cool
Very interesting and informative video! I tend to experiment with bass as much as guitar (a lot of melodic walking bass, and one of my basses is even fretless, I use that one on many recordings), and I came for ideas for a bass tone for a new song I'm recording. Now will need to try reverse reverb on bass when I get home, never thought of using that before but it seems to be the thing that song needed!
Thank you. Yes, reverse reverb is an amazing effect for psychedelic pad sounds.
@@berlinshoegazer Ok I tried it, and it was perfect for that song :D the bass sounds so sinister, along with the sitar it makes a pretty strange feeling... I hope to release the song (and album) later this year!
I'm interested in learning to play bass in a similar style to hum, which is basically like shoegaze metal, would you be able to do a video on that?
always inspiring
As always nice video
I am re-watching it as I speek
That was a sick video, thanks for the info!!
Thank you, Blake. I hope you could get something out of it.
Ringo Deathstarr...favorite local band in Austin. This was cool
I used to play an Ibanez with active humbuckers when I was in an industrial band, which I sold; I started writing shoegazing songs recently and recording them at home just with my guitars but I have come to accept I need a bass as well. Would a PJ pickup configuration work better? The one on your Mustang seems to be doing the trick just fine…
Very informative, thank you so much! I just subbed to you.
Excellent content, thank you. Would it be possible for a video on how the effects pedals are set up? As a newbe to effects I’m a little lost.
You are right, I could've done that in this video. I will do next time. Thank you for you lovely comment.
Thks for the vídeo
Glad it helped!
Bass was a Girls Domain in Noise movement...just saying, and bare foot pedel pushers.
interesting stuff...just wondering do you know any bassists in this kind of genre who shift from that cloud of distortion to a clean sound in the same song (as a kind of style they repeat?)
Hm.. only myself at the moment. But there may be many more.
Ay bro if I have an Apollo Twin Duo interface, you still recommend the DI box? My guitar teacher said save my money, but I’m loving the sounds you’re getting. Don’t think I could afford the Zoom as well though. Curious your thoughts!
Jaguwar
Great vid! Would you consider doing a video on how to get Belong's Common Era sound? Specifically the song Perfect Life?
Flatwound or roundwound?
Awesome video! Question, I want to buy this pedal for my bass guitar. Should I buy the MS-70CDR or the MS-50g? I primarily will be using it for bass guitar however would like to use it for guitar as well. From an effects and "will I lose any low end because this is a guitar pedal" standpoint, Which one should I buy?
Zoom mase the MS 60 B for bass. The MS pedals don't change the input signal. But the standard effects on the MS70CDR and MS50G are optimised for guitars I guess. But I never really care tbh - I just try to use what I have in a specific moment. Thank you for the nice words.
cool
Thank you!!! :)
9:15 That's getting pretty close to my brown note right there...
First time here and loving! +1 subscriber
So cool to have you on board. Welcome!
Great playing on the tunes, your channel is awesome. I have to give you credit for turning me on to the Drop Nineteens Mayfield album. That Shannon Waves bass line is the cat's ass. If you haven't heard already check out MJ Guider she's a really cool artist that plays bass and sings etc.
Do you have a favorite zoom pedal chain that you like
Hello, could you talk about the tunings for the second part ;)
what string gauge do you use for shortscale?
Who was that woman in the video playing the Rickenbacker bass?
Oyemi. The bass player of Jaguwar.
german jerma
yep!
I heard “you need a bass that has Midi” 😂
what did he actually say?
I actually said you need a "mid-y" and "trebly" sounding bass. But I just looked it up and it what I ment is "mid emphasized". Sorry for my weird pronunciation.😄
@@berlinshoegazer There's nothing wrong with your pronunciation, brother. Your English is brilliant.
got it. imm use midi bass . Ezbass in a good plugin
i love your accent, where are you from
Berlin, Germany. Haha
👍
i didn't know mustang bass had midi ;P
All of my instruments have midi. 😛 I meant "mid-y" or I think it's called "mid emphasized".
a month ago i purchased the Zoom MS 70CDR but i sold it right away again! It sounds so artificial and plastic! i hated every second of owning this pedal!!!
I know what you mean. But some specific sounds work great for me personally. It's still a bit trashy.
Lovely idea but unfortunately the sound quality of the music you play is very poor and cannot hear what you want to achieve 😢
Shoegaze sucks
I love it.
Ugh fuzz really does make bass sound awful
There’s really a ton of tones you can get from a fuzz pedal, it depends heavily on the pedal itself and how you fine tune it
You look like Zach Cregger