What bass did Jason Newsted use on Enter Sandman?

Jason Newsted used a Wal Custom Bass on 'Enter Sandman.' Wal basses were known for their active electronics and distinctive punchy tone that cut through heavy metal mixes.

How to get Jason Newsted's Enter Sandman bass tone?

The key is blending a direct bass signal with an amplified signal, using a SansAmp PSA-1 or similar for overdrive character, and applying compression for sustain. An active bass with punchy mids and a solid-state amp provide the foundation.

What amp did Metallica use for bass on Enter Sandman?

The bass was recorded through an SWR SM-400 solid-state amplifier. This amp provided the clean but powerful sound that was then blended with the direct signal and processed through the SansAmp PSA-1.

What is SansAmp PSA-1 used for on Enter Sandman bass?

The Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1 was used to add distortion and grit to the bass tone on 'Enter Sandman.' It provided the amp modeling and overdrive character that gave the bass its aggressive, slightly overdriven edge.

How was Enter Sandman bass recorded?

The bass was recorded at One on One Studios by blending a direct signal with an amplified signal from the SWR SM-400. Compression was applied to control dynamics and enhance sustain, while the SansAmp PSA-1 added the signature overdrive character.

bass guitar from "enter sandman" by metallica

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Tone Profile

Aggressive and punchy with a slightly overdriven edge. It delivers a solid foundation for the heavy rhythm and has a thick, powerful low end.

Shop This Rig

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Wal Custom Bass(instrument)
SWR SM-400(amp)
Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1(processing)

The Story

Jason Newsted's bass tone on 'Enter Sandman' was recorded using his Wal Custom Bass through an SWR SM-400 amp at One on One Studios in Los Angeles, with producer Bob Rock and engineer Randy Staub. The distinctive sound came from blending a direct signal with the amplified signal, while a Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1 was used to add grit and overdrive character to create the aggressive, punchy foundation that drives the song's heavy rhythm.

Production Credits

Producer: Bob Rock

Engineer: Randy Staub

Recorded at: One on One Studios, Los Angeles

Signal Chain

Instrument: Wal Custom BassShop on Reverb

Amp: SWR SM-400Shop on Reverb

Processing: Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Wal bass or a bass with similar tonal characteristics (active electronics, punchy).
Use an SWR SM-400 or a similar solid-state bass amp to get the clean but powerful sound.
Incorporate a SansAmp PSA-1 or a similar amp modeling pedal/plugin to add grit and drive.
Blend the direct signal with the amp signal for added clarity and punch.
Use a compressor to tighten up the low end and add sustain.

Original Gear

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Wal Custom BassShop on Reverb(guitar)
SWR SM-400Shop on Reverb(amp)
Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1Shop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Yamaha BB734AShop on Reverb$600-$700

Alternative to: Wal Custom Bass

Active electronics and punchy midrange response similar to the Wal's characteristics for aggressive metal tones

Gallien-Krueger MB500Shop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: SWR SM-400

Solid-state design with clean headroom and punch that matches the SWR's powerful, clear low-end delivery

Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DIShop on Reverb$200-$250

Alternative to: Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1

Direct descendant of the PSA-1 with the same SansAmp tube amp simulation and overdrive character

Neural DSP ParallaxPlugin Boutique$100-$150

Alternative to: SWR SM-400 + SansAmp PSA-1 combination

Includes SansAmp-style processing and solid-state amp models with DI blending capabilities for the aggressive metal bass sound

Spector Euro4LXShop on Reverb$1,200-$1,400