How to Sound Like...David Ellefson of Megadeth

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 5 лют 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 190

  • @stevegel4669
    @stevegel4669 2 роки тому +83

    I played with David this past weekend. Talented bass player! Also he played through my darkglass he likes it alot.

    • @gnocky2292
      @gnocky2292 2 роки тому +39

      did he play with u after?

    • @TheBendsLover
      @TheBendsLover Рік тому

      ​@@gnocky2292 what the fuck was that

    • @yeims9480
      @yeims9480 Рік тому +3

      @@gnocky2292 💀💀

  • @MungasaurusBravo69420
    @MungasaurusBravo69420 2 роки тому +195

    Ellefson didnt do anything illegal so theres no problem, but his right hand technique is among the best for a reason xd

    • @hotdogdownahallway741
      @hotdogdownahallway741 2 роки тому +25

      That doesnt change the fact that he cheated on his wife though.

    • @yakeeb3742
      @yakeeb3742 2 роки тому +24

      So it’s okay to morally reprehensible as long as it’s not illegal? What a goofy take😂

    • @MungasaurusBravo69420
      @MungasaurusBravo69420 2 роки тому

      @@yakeeb3742 its not a good thing but hes a rockstar spanking his monkey consentually to some groupie, no one really cares

    • @tucsinglek2042
      @tucsinglek2042 2 роки тому +29

      @@hotdogdownahallway741 which has nothing to do with his bass playing. just a problem between his wife and him an not the whole fucking world.

    • @hotdogdownahallway741
      @hotdogdownahallway741 2 роки тому +6

      @@tucsinglek2042 I’m talking about the part where he says “he didn’t do anything illegal so theres no problem”. I know Ellefson is an amazing player and i think that particular event shouldn’t destroy his career but it was still a terrible thing to do regardless.

  • @thomas_the_cat
    @thomas_the_cat 2 роки тому +50

    using a pick is actually a big part of his tone

  • @LowEndLobster
    @LowEndLobster 2 роки тому +41

    I know. You know. You know I know. I know you know. Ya know?

    • @ricardojmestre
      @ricardojmestre 2 роки тому +2

      @LowEndLobster salutations from this crustacean!

  • @Totentanz2440
    @Totentanz2440 2 роки тому +38

    1:51
    Many people get this wrong, but Ellefson was able to play Megadeth's stuff with his fingers, since he was playing with his fingers until sometime around the first album, where he made the change to preserve his right hand's stamina, and because he preferred the tone that pick players had.
    You can go back and look at early live shows, he was using his fingers while playing songs from the first two albums without much of a hitch, even being able to follow some of Dave's soloing during the instrumental "Quicksand".

    • @Fireglo
      @Fireglo Рік тому +5

      He actually said it was starting to get too difficult to play Mustaine's music with fingers.

  • @davedixon2167
    @davedixon2167 2 роки тому +19

    I definitely hear a P pickup sound in things like Peace Sells. Love the presentation in this video, bro! May have needed juuuust a little more presence/2-3k but it's pretty close!

  • @matthewd6306
    @matthewd6306 2 роки тому +17

    You got 80% there, but its missing some Brightness. Ellefson has a very bright and scooped tone, with the low end compressed a ton.

  • @adamrushka8096
    @adamrushka8096 2 роки тому +9

    You forgot his 800rb. That was the most important part of his sound in the 80s and 90s

    • @ampthebassplayer
      @ampthebassplayer 2 роки тому +3

      I try to keep these videos as short as I can, and sometimes that means cutting out things. The Which Bass channel does an exhaustive list of Dave’s gear, among others.

  • @jackgreehan
    @jackgreehan 2 роки тому +2

    There was a sale on a Jackson 5-string recently so I picked one up. It costed $270 to sound EXACTLY like Dave

  • @replicant8532
    @replicant8532 2 роки тому +7

    I don't think David Ellefson needs a disclaimer at the beginning of the video man. It's not like he is convicted for some heinous crime.

  • @MrPx93
    @MrPx93 2 роки тому +7

    How about how to sound like Rex Brown especially on the reinventing the steel album.

  • @Thorthevikingdork
    @Thorthevikingdork 2 роки тому +14

    Great video mate, its always lovely to hear insight like this!
    A tone I'm very curious about is Paul Gray from Slipknot
    I've been messing around with multiple pedals, but just can't seem to get it right, so a video like that would be awesome possum

    • @racerdeth
      @racerdeth Рік тому +1

      The big trick to getting those kind of driven tones is bi-amping, which is easy enough when recording but if you're playing in the room and you only have the one amp, then signal blending.
      Your lows should be clean and compressed. Your mids and highs should be distorted. The stuff that often kills in a mix can also often sound pretty ugly on its own!
      But yeah if you want to do it with one amp and you don't have a Microtubes X7, then a drive with a blend knob with a compressor working hard in front of it will get you partway there, but better yet a splitter would be good, so there is a separate path for lows and mids/highs. That way you can have your clean lows, and also high pass your drives

  • @rogersgonc
    @rogersgonc 2 роки тому +2

    Great approach dude! Thanks and regards from Brazil.

  • @klaymeister
    @klaymeister 2 роки тому +15

    Sounds a little less crispy than his tone, but I bet some active EMGs would change that real quick.

  • @FrozenLemur
    @FrozenLemur 2 роки тому +2

    best end to an intro ever XD i know you know i know it was good.

  • @chrismorris3897
    @chrismorris3897 2 роки тому +3

    Thank you for the video! That was awesome!

  • @ryangoodrow8829
    @ryangoodrow8829 2 роки тому +14

    1:51 technically, Wikipedia is paraphrasing Ellefson, he said he made the switch to a using a plectrum around “Peace Sells” in order to accommodate for the faster tempos, The first album and live gigs dated before peace he was playing a mix of finger-style and pick.

    • @iamgribs
      @iamgribs 2 роки тому +4

      I recall he also said the producer asked him to do it since it cuts thru easier

  • @adamtucker3128
    @adamtucker3128 2 роки тому +2

    A hell of a pick player. One of the busiest right hands in the business.

  • @harrywiktrom
    @harrywiktrom Рік тому +2

    I really appreciated Ellefsons bass playing on Bust in peace

  • @BYLRPhil
    @BYLRPhil 2 роки тому +4

    You guys need to do Red Fang!

  • @allendean9807
    @allendean9807 8 місяців тому

    His tone on Countdown to extinction is the metal template, in my humble opinion

  • @rileyyyyh
    @rileyyyyh Рік тому +1

    i just got a charvel 4b with the same pj active pickups as his jackson. it’s incredible the tone is exactly the same. i put blue steels on it tho

  • @rl-ub9hx
    @rl-ub9hx 2 роки тому +3

    Great job! Killer job dialing in the tone dude

  • @averagetim6190
    @averagetim6190 2 роки тому +3

    That headstock joke! 😃

  • @ionehkontehdiabo7627
    @ionehkontehdiabo7627 2 роки тому +14

    Thanks for the video guys, but I don’t think it sounds like Ellefson. Hartke and a neck EMG 35CS for the new stuff. EMG PJs and an Ashley preamp for Peace Sells tone. Pick near the bridge, and pick hard.

    • @Farewelltokingz
      @Farewelltokingz 2 роки тому

      Actually not that hard. He just compresses pretty hard and uses full boost on his Bass’s 3 band preamp

    • @ionehkontehdiabo7627
      @ionehkontehdiabo7627 2 роки тому +1

      @@Farewelltokingz true on compression, but his old PJs didn’t have onboard preamps. The 30th anniversary one does. Tbh you’re right about not needing all those specific amps, but I can’t lie, the emg pickups are important.

    • @Farewelltokingz
      @Farewelltokingz 2 роки тому

      @@ionehkontehdiabo7627 Of course EMGs are important. I think his Jackson’s and Spector had a preamp but the BC Rich’s didn’t

    • @ionehkontehdiabo7627
      @ionehkontehdiabo7627 2 роки тому

      @@Farewelltokingz Spector definitely did, come to think of it, the original concert bass def did have one, I was wrong, either the EMGs were soldered to the Jackson/Charvel Pre or it was all replaced by an EMG harness. I know the 30th anniversary uses all EMG

    • @bambi290594
      @bambi290594 7 місяців тому

      You may not believe but it almost sounds identical when I run my Kelly Bird JS3 through my old Hartke A100

  • @geronimotempesta8930
    @geronimotempesta8930 9 місяців тому

    This guy had to do that intro cuz he fears being caught in 4k as well, he like "I would never" hahhahahha

  • @thomaslehrer5706
    @thomaslehrer5706 Рік тому +2

    Great Video!!
    HOW TO SOUND FRANK BELLO PLEASE!!!!!

  • @Gorazd1974
    @Gorazd1974 Місяць тому

    he used gallien krueger 800 rb head and hartke 4x10 cabinets for recording Countdown To Extintion

  • @lewissharman409
    @lewissharman409 9 місяців тому

    Thanx for putting me on

    • @lewissharman409
      @lewissharman409 9 місяців тому

      And I’ll have to get the settings for the b1four

  • @GingerBass
    @GingerBass 3 місяці тому

    The MXR M80 di+ is a great underrated pedal.

  • @jaredbossart4038
    @jaredbossart4038 Рік тому +1

    Can we get video on how to sound like Geezer?

  • @RH-xs8gz
    @RH-xs8gz 2 роки тому +1

    I don’t know if the strings on your bass were new or not but I’m not sure you can mimic Dave Ellefson’s tone without new strings.

  • @sakminis
    @sakminis Рік тому +2

    Great vid, but the way you played Peace Sells hurt me a bit, it clearly sounds so wrong to the record

  • @ThrashingBasskill
    @ThrashingBasskill 2 роки тому +38

    Sry, but to my ears, it didn't sound like him at all..

    • @Jett-Litt
      @Jett-Litt 2 роки тому +3

      Agreed

    • @Durkhead
      @Durkhead 2 роки тому +3

      Not even close

    • @christopherfidler3019
      @christopherfidler3019 2 роки тому +2

      Sadly I also have to agree.

    • @madcona
      @madcona 2 роки тому

      It seems to be a bit of a theme with this guy

    • @Farewelltokingz
      @Farewelltokingz Рік тому +2

      @@madconaIt’s because he doesn’t have access to any Basses with active pickups really. I’m also pretty sure rust in peace is straight into board with no amp and some EQ.

  • @zaicolainen
    @zaicolainen 9 місяців тому +1

    8:07 most interesting part of video

  • @mrgskye
    @mrgskye 2 роки тому +1

    On next week's episode: How to sing like.... Ian Watkins

  • @web3922
    @web3922 Місяць тому

    3:24
    HE MADE A REFERENCE TO HOLY WARS :D

  • @1234drums
    @1234drums Рік тому +2

    Dave is so underrated, mostly because of pick versus pluck elitists ❤❤❤❤

  • @adamphillips6747
    @adamphillips6747 Рік тому +1

    Nothing sounded like his tone. When you were trying to play peace sells I had no idea what you were playing… maybe woodshed a little bit more.

  • @danzemacabre8899
    @danzemacabre8899 3 місяці тому

    You could ignore Wikipedia since it isnt exactly know to be consistently factual and that Dave has absolutely no charges or convictions for whatever wikipedia is accusing him of, ill give him the same level of respect I'd give you, the benefit of the doubt, anyway ,Ellefson is renowned for his picking prowess, be it guitar or bass, there are quite a few guitar players that are blown away with his technique, hes also very proficient in dfferent techniques in muting with both hands, i dont use a pick but i love his work and its fun and challenging to play his stuff with fingers and its helped in creating a unique tone. I wasnt attempting to be confrontational or adversarial, i just think in this day and age where social media can run rampant and false narratives are easily created. That we all look at the true facts which are presented when most of us arent truly intimate in others situations and start judging with speculation and here say ,and the facts are , people who were much more knowledgeable about the situation chose not to charge him , and the only true facts are that wikipedia can be bias and full of shit ,

  • @melvinatkins998
    @melvinatkins998 8 місяців тому

    Only way to sound like Megadeth is to be Megadeth! 💯

  • @michaelblaney4461
    @michaelblaney4461 2 роки тому +7

    I guess I never really listened to Megadeth ,maybe I should.

    • @Facu_Roldan
      @Facu_Roldan 2 роки тому +2

      You definitely should

    • @ampthebassplayer
      @ampthebassplayer 2 роки тому +1

      I was never much of a fan, but after doing this video I found myself listening to Megadeth just because. Start with Rust in Peace and see where that takes you.

    • @iamgribs
      @iamgribs 2 роки тому +1

      Peace Sells is one of my favorites

    • @sonojon0
      @sonojon0 2 роки тому +1

      Peace sells and Rust In Peace are your two best friends of Megadeths catalog!

  • @ulash12344321
    @ulash12344321 Рік тому

    Hi AMP,
    First I wanna say nice video, really like it. All the tone samples are really close but the originals have more hi end information I think (to my ears) and sound more "airy" as well. I have a hard n heavy cover band where we play lots of Megadeth stuff. In adition I'm a big Ellefson fan. So that I'm trying to give an Ellefson vibe in the band. I know Ellefson's sound is so clean and really away from a drive pedal but in orther to have that hi and airy clarity I'm using my EHX Soulfood bass pedal. When I hit that one everything changes. It brings the feeling of the compression in the low end, brings a vide range of frequency responce and the hi end information that I'm talking about. Sure I need to tell that the bass I'm using has EMG pickups on it. Maybe the starting point is that ;)

  • @faker6968
    @faker6968 Рік тому +1

    The dawn Patrol and peace sells tones sound way off! Turn up the treble

  • @lunamiles6516
    @lunamiles6516 2 роки тому

    would love to see a take on Troy Sanders' or Paul Gray's bass tone

  • @JEG69
    @JEG69 2 роки тому +2

    david likes the tone to be borderline 18 lmao, bi amped of course

  • @corvokenway.
    @corvokenway. Рік тому

    How'd you do this with a HX Stomp? 🤔

  • @Bigscott4130
    @Bigscott4130 2 роки тому +1

    dUg Pinnick. You gotta do a How to Sound Like... dUg Pinnick. THEE Godfather of modern rock and metal bass tone!

    • @Jett-Litt
      @Jett-Litt 2 роки тому

      Yeah, that won't happen with a Zoom pedal alone.

    • @ThrashingBasskill
      @ThrashingBasskill 2 роки тому

      @@Jett-Litt but with the sandamp dug pinnick sig pedal, it will and it will only do this sound.

  • @Cake_Doge
    @Cake_Doge 2 роки тому +1

    What a nice shirt

  • @phantonex8772
    @phantonex8772 Рік тому

    where do we find the patch? I looked on patreon and couldn't find it anywhere

  • @danwatt5789
    @danwatt5789 2 роки тому +14

    Dave Ellefson did nothing wrong. But it seems that the court of public opinion is more important than the truth, or an actual court for that matter.

    • @AcidifiedMammoth
      @AcidifiedMammoth 2 роки тому +12

      He cheated on his wife and while she wasn't underage, it's still creepy.

    • @chriskiefer7493
      @chriskiefer7493 2 роки тому +3

      Grooming.

    • @chriskiefer7493
      @chriskiefer7493 2 роки тому +1

      Grooming.

    • @Facu_Roldan
      @Facu_Roldan 2 роки тому +1

      @@AcidifiedMammoth and who cares? It's none of our business. It's not like he killed or raped someone.

    • @AcidifiedMammoth
      @AcidifiedMammoth 2 роки тому +3

      @@Facu_Roldan People care. Otherwise it wouldn't really have generated buzz. If everything that didn't affect someone directly wasn't of a concern of theirs we'd still be barbarians. I don't think it would've this big a trouble if she wasn't so young.

  • @DarthRoedy
    @DarthRoedy Рік тому +1

    Am I the only one bothered how he played peace sells? Lol

  • @Javier-qk7ms
    @Javier-qk7ms 2 роки тому +2

    How to sound like Jason Newsted in "Justice for All". That would be great.

    • @hotdogdownahallway741
      @hotdogdownahallway741 2 роки тому +1

      They did that already

    • @Facu_Roldan
      @Facu_Roldan 2 роки тому +4

      Don't turn on your amp and you're good to go.

    • @codyhansonbass
      @codyhansonbass 2 роки тому +4

      His tone on those albums was actually insane. Check out the isolated bass tracks

    • @ampthebassplayer
      @ampthebassplayer 2 роки тому

      Already got you covered! ua-cam.com/video/Cpd7BI8m9-A/v-deo.html

    • @awesomeprunes
      @awesomeprunes 2 роки тому

      You are so funny and original

  • @chriskiefer7493
    @chriskiefer7493 2 роки тому +7

    How to sound like Dave: " Hey girl, are you underage?"

  • @fredericnoel5794
    @fredericnoel5794 9 місяців тому

    missing a bit of cranking in the sound

  • @joaopaulobaixista
    @joaopaulobaixista Рік тому

    intro song?

  • @AlexofKtulu
    @AlexofKtulu 2 роки тому +1

    Sound like Greg Christian from Testament! Or Lemmy Kilmister

    • @iamgribs
      @iamgribs Рік тому

      Good mention with Christian he is excellent

  • @gokcengolge2366
    @gokcengolge2366 Рік тому

    Please do video about Robert Trujillo tone pls

  • @federicofava6130
    @federicofava6130 3 місяці тому

    If you want to sound like dave ellefson you only need to film you doing a jacket and then put it on youtube, and you will sound like elllefson

  • @Thisisswanbon
    @Thisisswanbon 2 роки тому +1

    Easy... You do that thing where you grab your cheek and move it in and out

    • @Thisisswanbon
      @Thisisswanbon 2 роки тому

      Side note... Great video! Really informative, well researched and excellently presented! This format works really well!

    • @creamysauce7966
      @creamysauce7966 2 роки тому

      Lmaoooo good one

  • @renatogamer407
    @renatogamer407 5 місяців тому

    Eq?

  • @seanfrost2509
    @seanfrost2509 Рік тому

    What about a comparison between Jason Newsted and Robert Trujillo playing the same Metallica songs?

  • @ginge4189
    @ginge4189 Рік тому

    GOTTA DO REX BROWN!!!!!!!!!!

  • @jorgearozoal
    @jorgearozoal Рік тому

    Tim Commerford tone! PLEASE!!!! 🙏🙏🙏

  • @joshualacey8828
    @joshualacey8828 2 роки тому +1

    Please do Eddie Jackson from Queensryche.

    • @Farewelltokingz
      @Farewelltokingz Рік тому

      YES YES YES. Although if you want to know, look at his equipboard. Spector or any PJ bass with EMGs through solid state amps with new strings will get you there

  • @pip5528
    @pip5528 Рік тому +1

    I personally think Megadeth did him dirty and should've given him a second chance after the sex scandal. I'd say this tone is pretty close so good job! Very well done! I know bassists don't normally palm mute nor is it good to do frequently unlike guitar but I'd say he does so tastefully in moderation, particularly if there's not much else happening.

    • @stevn744
      @stevn744 Рік тому

      well it was proven that david was innocent when it came to the whole child grooming stuff so yeah they did him dirty and where just trying to have a good image

  • @themiddle-agedmediocrebass479
    @themiddle-agedmediocrebass479 2 роки тому +1

    Would loooove a How to sound like... video for Ghost. The latest album, Impera, has some of the best bass tone I've ever heard. 👌👌🤘🤘

  • @Raddimus55
    @Raddimus55 2 роки тому

    Dan Maines of clutch

  • @lettuce9001
    @lettuce9001 2 роки тому +2

    i’m really bothered by how this man plays peace sells riff

  • @iamgribs
    @iamgribs 2 роки тому +2

    Pick thickness matter a great deal, i am surprised he uses .88

  • @gurlerium
    @gurlerium Рік тому

    hi messi plays bass :)

  • @noob_acid3095
    @noob_acid3095 6 місяців тому

    You guys need to start to add eq to your tutorials bc you’re using the right things but it doesn’t sound like it at all bc the eq is wrong

  • @seanmartin728
    @seanmartin728 Рік тому

    Frank Bello

  • @sickynixx
    @sickynixx Рік тому

    Funny, I Came to the Video to See if I could improve my Sound.
    Turns out im already playing a mxr di plus into a hartke with a pic.
    I liked my Sound before and now I know im just an eq fiddeling away from beeing a clone.😅
    Since im Not playing thrash I guess its ok

    • @sickynixx
      @sickynixx Рік тому

      P.s. and besides the gear there also is a significant skill difference 😅

  • @apnoiz6922
    @apnoiz6922 2 роки тому

    Gene Simmons next please

  • @zackarysmith2222
    @zackarysmith2222 Рік тому

    Man why the fuck did you play peace sells like that LOL

  • @aldomichel9473
    @aldomichel9473 Рік тому

    DO REX BROWN!!!!!!

  • @kenairockband
    @kenairockband Рік тому

    Practice

  • @TheBigMrJGC
    @TheBigMrJGC 2 роки тому +1

    yeah just hit up lil girls and you'll soon to sounding like him for sure

  • @alexanderhemming9148
    @alexanderhemming9148 Рік тому

    I mean honestly he has P basses and seems to like them yet obviously doesn't use them for any of the music he plays. Seems to me like that would indicate you really can't play p basses for metal at least as far as I can tell from his actions. Interesting conclusion you came to though

  • @JEG69
    @JEG69 2 роки тому +2

    imagine being davids ex wife, and this video shows up

  • @Durkhead
    @Durkhead 2 роки тому +4

    You need new strings and u were picking to far away from the bridge I'm sorry but this was a massive fail

  • @steve1982n
    @steve1982n Рік тому

    Stop trying to sound like someone, just sound like yourself your identity your own style

  • @4fit816
    @4fit816 2 роки тому

    Red bass sounded best

  • @mr.timebombman2230
    @mr.timebombman2230 Рік тому +1

    He uses the same picks I use.

    • @ZvonTracy-g1g
      @ZvonTracy-g1g 2 місяці тому

      No no you use the same picks he uses 😂

  • @Moises_505
    @Moises_505 2 роки тому

    I think you need to get reverse p pickup to get even closer

  • @tun-tunninc.6492
    @tun-tunninc.6492 2 роки тому

    So...u gonna do a video on how u can WHACK it just like Ellefson to a 16yr old broad?

  • @davidbarnes5629
    @davidbarnes5629 2 роки тому +3

    Nope . Not as crisp as the real . Yours sounds like a blanket over the amp.

  • @thebarbender2403
    @thebarbender2403 2 роки тому +1

    Pls...how to sound like John Myung is good to be the next video.. cheers

    • @JM.COSMIC
      @JM.COSMIC 2 роки тому +1

      Just turn down your volume lol

  • @iamgribs
    @iamgribs 2 роки тому +2

    The bass you have is nice and you sound great but i don't think it sounds like him.

  • @mariano.tiberi
    @mariano.tiberi 2 роки тому +2

    I think that tone isn't the ellefson s tone

  • @yenneferalvarez7122
    @yenneferalvarez7122 2 роки тому +4

    Didn't sound close imo

  • @metalfather8139
    @metalfather8139 Рік тому

    Wikipedia is not an authority on all fact unless your a fool....but wer you using dead strings?

  • @nachbelichtet
    @nachbelichtet 2 роки тому +2

    Nice explanations, but the sound isn't even in the ballpark of Dave's sound.

  • @sscnapolibelgio4816
    @sscnapolibelgio4816 Рік тому

    Big difference between your tone and the Ellefson Tone !! this is not really the David Ellefson sound !! you need more clarity and medium in your tone !! and more comp ...

  • @MrCloud254
    @MrCloud254 2 роки тому

    Being somebody that doesn't listen to Megadeth, I'm not too sure about this one.

  • @WildWildWeasel
    @WildWildWeasel 2 роки тому +1

    I hated how David ended up being screwed by some bs rumors that ended up being totally untrue.

    • @creamysauce7966
      @creamysauce7966 2 роки тому

      It doesn’t change the fact that he mastrbated to a 19 year old girl, which is disturbing

    • @WildWildWeasel
      @WildWildWeasel 2 роки тому

      @@creamysauce7966 you’d be surprised with most girls with sugar daddies then lmao

    • @creamysauce7966
      @creamysauce7966 2 роки тому +1

      @@WildWildWeasel I'm not surprised, but it still disgusts me.

  • @8Junio76
    @8Junio76 Рік тому

    Sounds nothing like Dave Ellefson

  • @horror_wendafromsprunki
    @horror_wendafromsprunki 2 роки тому

    Do in waves trivium on bass pls or I unsubscribe

  • @WUBRGer_King
    @WUBRGer_King 2 роки тому +2

    Y'know, there are a thousand bassists who didn't groom a teenager before cheating on their wife. Maybe you could have picked one of them!

    • @ampthebassplayer
      @ampthebassplayer 2 роки тому +4

      Separate the art from the artist, my friend.