What's the ultimate Flea Bass!? 🌶
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- Since Flea played quite a variety of basses over the years I thought it would be interesting to compare them and see if there is one bass for the ultimate Flea sound! I play three different riffs to demonstrate the slap sound, the fingerstyle sound and to hear what it sounds like when you play with a pick.
For the slap sound I play a snippet of Stone Cold Bush from the 1989 album Mother's Milk. For the fingerstyle sound I chose the Aquatic Mouth Dance main riff from 2022's Unlimited Love and to demonstrate the pick sound I picked (pun intended) a song from By The Way called This Is The Place which was released in 2002.
Basses:
1. Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray
2. Fender Signature Flea Bass
3. Fender Signature Active Flea Bass
4. Modulus Silver Sparkle Flea Bass (Lane Poor Legacy Pickups
Aguilar OBP-1 Preamp)
Bass EQ:
1. Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray V:10 T:5 M:5 B:5
2. Fender Signature Flea Bass V:10 T:10
3. Fender Signature Active Flea Bass V:10 B:7 T:6
4. Modulus Silver Sparkle Flea Bass V:10 B:7 T:6
Effect:
dbx 160a Compressor
Bass Amp:
Gallien-Krueger 800rb
Speaker Cabs:
Mesa Boogie Road Ready 2x10
Mesa Boogie Road Ready 2x15
Gallien Krueger 800RB
-10 dB: Disengaged
Volume: 5,5
Lo Cut: Disengaged
Mid Contour: Engaged
Hi Boost: Disengaged
Treble: 5
Hi Middle: 5
Lo Middle: 5
Bass: 6
Boost: 4,5
Crossover: X
Biamp: Disengaged
Hi Master: 4,5
Lo Master: 5
Slap: Modulus
Fingers: Jazz bass
Pick: Modulus
i rlly love the sound of the modulus
Modulus all the way!!
For me it will always be Stingray. I liked the Fender Active Signature the least.
I agree, I was a bit disappointed in the active Fender...
No the Flea Fender Active is a phenomenal Bass. Its a super powerful loud and punchy Bass and cost only 30% of the modulus flea Bass @@RedHotChiliRiffs
The Flea Active Jazz Bass for me. It sounds somewhere between the StingRay and Modulus, so it’s a perfect all-purpose RHCP bass.
I love Musicman and the Modulus
active jazz bass kills everything
Aquatic, I feel the first Flea jazz bass is the only way. That tone for me is unmistakeable due to how much I love that song
I agree. It’s a shame Flea doesn’t play that bass when they play AMD live….
@@RedHotChiliRiffswhich one does he use live?
The active Jazz Bass….
@@RedHotChiliRiffs ah, thanks
For stone cold bush, the stingray. In general though, totally the modulus
Music Man. Love the tone a lot😃
Fender Signature Flea Bass all the way !!!!!!
just perfect! !!
I have all of them and they are all perfect in their own way. Musicman Stingray Special is powerful and has a lot off punch and attack. The Modulus Funk Unlimited is a Killerbass. Its more aggressive as the stingray. The Fender Flea Active Jazz Bass sounds hot and loud like a Modulus but not so deep Because it has wood not a graphite neck. And the Fender Flea Roadworn Jazz Bass is good for softer Performances.
Your bass skills always amazes me! 🤩
Thanks man!
he refuses to admit tho that guitar is a WAY HARDER INSTREUMENT TO PLAY THAN BASS IS.
For mother's milk era - stingray all the way, everything after that - my choice would be Jazz bass (the passive one)
The actual bass he played on BloodSugarSexMagik album. Period.
StingRay!
As someone who owned a Modulus, 77 Stingray and a Flea signature J bass. Modulus hands down!
I wish I had never sold my Quantum 5
I'm a week late, but:
Finally, the video! TYSM!
I prefer the Modulus personally.
It’s never too late for a bass comparison video!!
- Sting Ray on "Stone Cold Bush"
- Fender Jazz on Whatchu Thinkin`"
- Modulus on "This is the Place"
✳️•✳️•✳️•✳️
Passive jazzbass, balanced and more versatile
Modulus, Ray, JazzMM, Jazz
Great video, I personally really liked the StingRay and active JB tones. The Modulus is still a classic though.
The modulus definitely has the "flea tone", which in my opinion is a colder, more precise and a little bit sterile version of the stingray tone. But my personal favourite was the stingray by far. It sounds vey sharp and defined but also powerful in the low-end, unlike the modulus.
I don't think the modulus is not powerful in the low end. It's a very growly somewhat mean tone actually.
@@zeenedin9013 it does have a growly tone, I like it. But it lacks a bit of booty IMO. The stingray sounds a bit more organic to me.
I have a couple of mofuluses and let me just say this - there’s no way this guy is using the preamp in anything other than a full-flat setting. The OBP1 preamp in that modulus is known for MONSTROUS bass - it’s by miles the hottest bass knob of any bass I own.
I never set the EQ flat on the Modulus. The volume was on 10 the bass around 7 and the treble around 6.
@@RedHotChiliRiffs interesting… any post processing on these signals? My OBP3 just absolutely blasts down doors above like 5% of rotation above the detent haha.
What a video! Loved this. Great to find your channel. Great playing sir.
Thanks man!
The sound of the jazzbass is so amazing
The passive Jazz Bass or the active?
@@RedHotChiliRiffs the passive! Reminds a lot the audio of stadium arcadium era! The best era and sound in my opinion! Your playing always on top 🙏🏻
Stingray for the slap fo sho! The rest is between the Stingray and the Fender (nonactive). It's strange but the Modulus doesn't bother me as much in this video, compared to when Flae used it. But the Stingray is my clearcut favorite! 🌶🔥🌶🎸🔥🔥🔥🔥🌶🌶🌶🌶🤙🏽👍🏽🤘🏽
The early-chilis Flea sound is thanks to the legendary Spector NS-2J. Unfortunately they are prohibitively expensive in the second hand market 😁
Wonderful video, dude!
Thanks!
WHOAH awesome video!!
My personal favourite has always been the Uplift Mofo / Mother's Milk era when Flea used his Spector basses. To me, theses basses had the best tone with their deep lows, scooped low-mid, and snappy top-end. These basses complimented Flea's playing style beautifully and sound so open, clear and brutal ❤❤🤟🤟
I agree. I love Flea’s bass tone on MM. I wish I could find/effort an old Spector NS-2 with JJ configuration!
Jazz Bass Signature (Pasive) and Modulus!
Great comparison overall, this video was convincing enough for me to bite the bullet and purchase my very own Modulus bass(blue glittered) , that I wanted since I was teen.
I love the sting ray and the fender bass.
Which Fender, the passive or the active?
Passive! But the active is also a good one. The modulus is unfortunately last:(
For me the Modulus is the RHCP sound. I wish Flea would still play them . They also look better IMO.
I think the most unique basses of these are Jazz bass and StingRay. Modulus sounds like dry Stingray. Fender active sounds like pathetic parody of modulus...
You should do a video on what the best Frusciante or Klinghoffer start could be
I looked at most of these basses, when trying to find one for my daughter. She, at the time, was a huge Flea fan. I tried an actual Flea Bass, but it felt cheap and honestly, didn't care for the tone. Modulus was out of the question due to price. I didn't like the looks of the active jazz bass so I bought her the passive pink jazz bass. Talk about a great all around bass... installed La Bella low tension flats. I liked it better with the rounds, but she loves the flats and it's her bass lol.
I absolutely love the passive Fender Flea bass! I use it a lot for my own projects. I think you’ve chosen wisely my friend….
@@RedHotChiliRiffs she loves it... she cracks me up tho... pink doesn't go with all of her outfits. She hits me up to borrow a bass when she wears something that will clash. lol
Bello/Magnifico.👑✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️
So much of his tone is really in his style and his technique more than anything. However, I definitely have a preference for the old '90s Stingray tones and his early 2000s modulus tones. I've had both bass guitars several times over my lifetime, and I always end up coming back to those personally as well
0:47 my favorite Bass
Modulus and active jazz bass. But for fingers the passive jazz bass sounds better.
The passive Jazz bass is my favorite for AMD as well.
Modulus and jazz ! I f*cking love his live sound with the modulus on the hyde park record and the live at La Cigale with his 61 Jazz bass !
That Stingray killed the others.
Modulus ❤
Spector
NS-2
Spector and Wal are my 2 favorite Flea tones from my 2 fav albums
Specifically the NS-2J with two jazz pickups instead of the normal P/J
Wal. The sound of BSSM
Dude, been watching your videos all day. Superb and instant subscribe!
Thanks man, I really appreciate that!
I’ve had my modulus for over 20 years and there is nothing quite like it ❤
Modulus for sure
The stingray for flea is best.
Ironically each new bass that is brought out for flea ends up being part stingray.
I personally like the jazz bass best.
But for flea the stingray is best in my opinion!
To truly complete your Flea bass collection you need a Spector NS-2 (from Uplify Mofo Party Plan & Mother's Milk), a Wal MK2 (used on Blood Sugar Sex Magik) and Alembic Epic (used on One Hot Minute). Otherwise, all your other basses are spot on!
All of them ❤
Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Bass ♥
Stingray!!!
Jazz bass sounds amazing
Suena genial !
Music Man!!!!!!
Modulus for me, both for live and studio. I think Flea had the best live sound at the Off the Map DVD and best studio sound in Californication / By the Way era. Second next comes the vintage Jazz Bass, but only for studio, it sucks live.
For finger picking the Jazz. For everything else the Stingray.
1-2-4-
Fender all the way for all the songs
Which one?
Music Man IMHO
Fender signature has a sound that would be easy to fit in the mix.
Wow this is so cool, every era is amazing 🎉 you cant select!
Flea's top three bass sounds are the Spector NS he used to record Mother's Milk and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, the Wal bass on Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and the Music Man sound on the One Hot Minute album.
For OHM he used the Alembic Epic. He only used the Stingray on Aeroplane.
He used an Alembic on Blood Sugar as well as the Wal.
I never heard of that. I don’t think that’s correct….
@@RedHotChiliRiffs From a magazine interview with Flea in the early 90s.It wasnt used much.I remember he said it was on the bass break in Naked in the Rain at least.
MM StingRay. Best Flea Sound
Being totally ignorant about instruments I would say the first one (black one) and the silver one (the bass with glitters).
Peace&Love
❤🔥🌶️
I just came here to say "it's Modulus". Cheers! :D
allmost stone cold bush😍
Faltou aquele da epoca do stadium
Amazing video 🤩 thank you very much!! I’m a modulus man but some songs I prefer the musicman and some the jazz bass . I don’t like the active jazz 🤣
when it comes down to flea ... its very hard not to hear the modulus and sting ray .. My personal preference is the jazz bass .
I like all of them except the Fender active. I had the other three, each has an unmistakeable tone, (specially in Flea's hands) tough call. Maybe the jazz bass would be my choice.
Jazz bass!!!
Modulus for me
Please make cover on knock me down!
If i ever get a chance to upgrade from a Sterling to a real Music Man, id def add one to my collection!
Hey!! Can you make a video talking about how to get the flea bass tone, with some hints about EQ, bass pedals, bass amps, etc?
You can find all the info about my gear and the settings I use in the description of (almost) every video.
@@RedHotChiliRiffs Thanks!!
Wal bass 🫶🏻
StingRay sounds coolest in all playing styles.
Music man
the jazz one stands out
Personally I love Jazz Bass. But to be fair the modulus is the sound of Flea
Flea Active Jazz Bass for me overall for every style and era, and the one I dislike the most is the Modulus, I just can't get into the tone of it
Hey man i have a problem with my ce1, when i use the high mode it dosen't add a crunch it's sound like if its bypass but low mode still works fine. What do you think is the issue?
I don’t know. Maybe you can ask jfxpedals.com
The MusicMan Stingray and the Passive Jazz Bass sound extremely good. The Modulus really sounds like crap
Again, a very nice video!!
But what EQ settings do you have on each bass ? Any changes between slap, finger and pick?
Good point! You can find the EQ settings in the description of this video. I didn’t change any of the settings for the different parts.
Wow you really made this video! Thanks😁👍
I cannot believe how boring the Fender Flea Active sounds, his current main bass. At least in this comparison I cannot hear any character, nothing distinctive in its sound.
For Slap, Stingray, for anything else, Modulus. Btw is it still borrowed?
I love the Modulus on This Is The Place but I prefer the passive Jazz bass on Aquatic Mouth Dance. I gave the Modulus back but I’ll miss it….
@@RedHotChiliRiffs how did you record? DI or mic'ed? And what bass strap are you using?
@zeenedin9013 both. 50% DI, 50% amp
i managed to find the Fleabass Model 32 last year,, but with the pickups upgraded to seymour duncan basslines stingray pickup for about $300 and I never looked back since! hope you get your hands on one of them in the near future
I had one while I was recording this video but it sounded so weak with the stock pickup compared to the other basses that I didn’t include it in the video. I think the Seymour Duncan was a great investment though!
Wow! Looks like you came pretty close to 99 live sound which is Holy Grail for me! Please tell about DI do you use and about Dbx. Where is it in a chain? Thank you!
The signal is Bass - dbx160A - Radial JDI thru to the GK800rb amp and Radial JDI XLR out to the BAE 1073MPF preamp.
@@RedHotChiliRiffs Thanks a lot! Do you believe Flea used 160a in 99 live?
I’m not sure. He did use a rack compressor in 1995/1996.
Stingray all day.
This video is also demonstrating how difficult it is to cut throw a mix with the Fender Active JB..😢
no Wal or Spector PJ? 😢
What about the Alembic Epic!! What a noob right!?
Got to be the modulus for me. I am currently saving up for a modulus. I’ve wanted one since I was 11 and I’m now 31.
I’ve had a Modulus Flea bass purple sparkle for 10 years but never really liked it. I sold it around 2010….
@@RedHotChiliRiffsif you see or hear of anyone selling one, could you let me know please?
Flea will sound liem flea no matter what bass the overall tone especially slap is going to matter due to fret size differences. His 60' jazz has the teeny tiny frets.
Honestly, they all sound fantastic, but work slightly differently for different songs. I’d probably record with the Jazz (I have one and love it) but use the Modulus live for the extra bite and articulation.
Stingray or the passive Jazz for my taste. Didn’t like the other two at all
Wal bass 👻
What about the Alembic Epic!?
really disappointed you didnt use the actual flea bass by flea. So i guess the Modulus will have to do.
And no Alembic Epic, no Wal and no Spector NS-2! What a noob right?!
@@RedHotChiliRiffs I completely forgot about the Alembic!
What, no Wal?
The fenders sound dead and with no mids compared to the Stingray and the Modulus