The serial number will be an 8 digit number impressed into the back of the headstock with "MADE IN USA" below. In 1977, Gibson introduced the serialization method that we primarily use to this day at Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, and the Gibson Custom facility in Memphis, TN. This should be an 8 digit number that can be dated by the 1st and 2nd digits as follows: Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, Gibson Memphisįrom 1975-1977 the number is typically found on a decal on the back of the headstock.
Please note that most of this information relates to serial numbers used from 1975 to present. Much as certain guitar brands are famed for their lithe, playable necks, so too the bass equivalents feature certain characteristics designed to support certain playing styles.This section is designed to assist in dating and/or identifying instruments manufactured or distributed by Gibson Guitar Corp. While bass guitars are inherently large and sometimes cumbersome, the metal basses we’ve chosen favor comfort and give the player a platform for speed. With some styles of metal requiring almost superhuman levels of dexterity and precision from the player, we’ve opted for comfort and ergonomics. This extra lower string means you can comfortably reach those lower tunings without sacrificing string tension, making the bass relatively easier to play. And, speaking of downtuning, we’ve also included a couple of models which offer five strings instead of the usual four. Active pickups work by including a pre-amp, powered by a 9v battery, which gives you much more tonal flexibility, both when playing at higher volumes and at lower tunings. Most of the best basses for metal we’ve chosen feature on-board electronics which help boost your tone before it reaches the amplifier, thanks to extra EQ controls on the bass itself.
It makes sense, therefore, to arm yourself with a bass guitar which can stand out. For many - arguably most - bands in this world, the style dictates guitars being downtuned ever further which can make it easy for the guttural heft of a bass to get lost among the noise. Often, however, bass players in metal bands face the tricky situation of fighting over the low-end frequencies. Regardless which genre or style of music you play, bass and drums provide the backbone upon which everything else is built, and metal is no different.
Regardless of the style you play, there’s a metal bass guitar for you in this guide. We’re also naturally drawn to the Rickenbacker 4003, partly because it has a place at the high table of metal through its past exploits, and partly just because it looks so darn cool. That said, basses like the Ibanez SR305E are easy to recommend thanks to their simple, straightforward approach which marries great construction and build detail with a wide range of highly usable metal tones, at a price that seems very sensible.
One man’s grind is another man’s thrash, so to speak. The task is made even more tricky because metal is such a broad church.