Video summary
Bird brained bass players SCHOOLED: The CLANKY BASS: DD Verni, Dan Lilker's CHEAP thrash bass amp!
Main summary
Key takeaways
Summary of the video (general ideas)
The speaker argues that a “clanky” metal bass tone shouldn’t be gatekept as something only achievable with specific playing techniques (such as fingerstyle or slap). They claim that a large portion of “clanky” sound is created by using a pick, and they criticize online commenters who insist otherwise as ignorant or overly rigid about “correct” technique.
They address viewer criticisms claiming you can’t get a good metal bass tone with a pick (or that pick players are “lazy” or “weak”). The speaker flips the argument: the industry and classic recordings demonstrate that many well-known metal/bass tones were made with picks, and they suggest that commenters are effectively “programmed” to be anti-pick.
The speaker then provides practical advice for getting a clanky bass tone, including:
- Use a metal pick
- They compare it to using a regular pick: metal picks increase clank, while regular picks are fine for practice.
- Play closer to the bridge
- This helps notes “ring out” and emphasizes the clanky character.
- Use round-wound stainless steel strings
- They discourage flatwounds for this goal.
- Consider pickups/gear choices that support clank
- They mention PJ Bass hybrid-style pickups and suggest moving toward the bridge pickup for more clank.
- They discuss bridge setup, arguing that bridge design and how the string contacts the saddle can affect clank.
- They note that a roller bridge isn’t ideal, though it can still produce some clank.
- Pay attention to string/fret buzz and overall setup
- They say buzz can be part of the chaotic metal bass sound.
- They cite examples where tone differences come partly from low action and intentional/acceptable buzzing, specifically mentioning Peter Steele as someone whose tone involves string buzz.
Throughout, the speaker criticizes “guitar nerds” and negative commenters, claiming the harshest critics are a small portion of viewers but still influence creators. They encourage embracing criticism rather than avoiding comments, and the video ends with more “watch the comments / embrace negative feedback” messaging.
Speakers (identified from the subtitles)
- Main YouTuber / Host (unnamed in subtitles; speaks throughout; hosts the “Circle Tone” intro/outro)
- Christristen Cole (academy producer / YouTuber mentioned)
- Bob Greasie III (commenter mentioned)
- DD Verni (mentioned as a clank/Overkill figure)
- Dan Lilker (mentioned in the video title)
- Danny Carey (mentioned as “Danny Lar” in subtitles; context suggests a musician figure)
- David Ellison (mentioned as a clank/technique reference)
- Owen (thanked as “Bass players, thank you, Owen” — likely a commenter or viewer)
- Frank Bow (likely referring to Frank Bello; name appears distorted in subtitles)
- Peter Steele (mentioned)
- Dave Mustain (likely Dave Mustaine; appears as “Dave Mustain” in subtitles)
- Metallica (band referenced; not a speaker)
- Andy Sneap (referenced, likely a producer/engineer)
- James Hetfield / other Metallica figures (implied by discussion such as “Metallica cheated”; not explicitly named as speakers)
- Faith No More members / “Peter Gold” (referenced; likely a name distorted in subtitles)
- “YouTube commenters / bird brains” (a group referenced, not a single speaker)
Note: The subtitles are messy, so some names may be slightly misrecognized. The “Main YouTuber / Host” is the only clearly consistent speaker throughout.