How to sound like Geezer Butler

In the bass world, Geezer Butler is a well known bassist. Geezer’s playing style has stood the test of time and his recorded works is still revered to this day as one of the best hard rock and metal tones ever heard.

How do you get that sound?

You can start with the EMG GZR P/J pickup set (also available in a short version.)

Now while true you can get just the P pickup, to get the full range of sound it is totally worth it to get the set, especially considering it doesn’t cost much more than just the P alone.

After you get the hardware, you have to start examining the earlier recordings more closely.

Here are two examples:

Sweet Leaf

This is a deceptively simple bass line. At first, it sounds simple, but the deeper you dig into it, you find it gets rather complicated (especially when the song speeds up later on.)

You hear a lot of heavy-handed play style here, some blaring and even distortion. This track is anything but clean, but that’s a big reason why it’s so great.

After Forever

This is another great track where the heavy-handed play (especially heard at the 1:58 mark) really puts down the thunder.

Again, it’s not clean, it’s distorted and very in-your-face.

Sometimes Geezer used a pick

This can be seen here from a 1974 concert:

Geezer did whatever was necessary for the song to work. Much of the time he used fingers, but when it was required, out came the pick. It didn’t happen often, but it did happen.

It starts with hardware, but ends with your fingers

Getting the GZR P/J set is a good start, but as the old saying goes, “it’s all in the fingers” after that. Here are a few tips to help you along:

• It is not a requirement to use thick strings. Use whatever is the most comfortable for your fingers.
• You may have an easier time getting the Geezer sound by turning an entire step down to D-G-C-F, or using the alternate tuning B-E-A-D. The looser tension may help bring out the fretboard “chunk” you’re looking for.
• Instead of overdriving a tube-type amplifier by cranking it to 11, consider the Tone Hammer instead, a much more “civilized” way to get great vintage style overdrive.
• Use your tone knob; use it often. You’ll notice that many Geezer recordings have a “slightly muffled” sound. Yes, the bottom end is there, no question about that, but the top end is kept a bit on the muted side. Don’t be afraid to “mud” your tone a bit to get that Geezer sound.