Geezer Butler talks to EMGtv about new album, gear and Sabbath

In this full length interview, Geezer Butler talks to EMGtv about recording with Black Sabbath and the gear he's using on tour. Geezer tells us how he was able to capture the classic tones we all know and love using his new signature EMG P Bass pickup, Lakland bass, DR strings and Hartke amp.
EMG GZR-P and EMG GZR-PJ are available currently available at www.emgpickups.com/bass/signature-sets-bass.html
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Check out Black Sabbath music here:
itunes.apple.com/us/artist/black-sabbath/id165907
Produced at: thecubeproductions.com/

[@shaunjonesrealestateteam20]

I got blistas on me fingers.

[@christiangarofil]

+Shaun Jones But the DR strings, I don get blistas anymore. Sounds like a teleshopping ad! Man, I love Geezer!

[@Mykekelli]

Shaun Jones lol the second he saw that i checked the comment section

[@mihorsewoman]

Funk Enstein Same here, lol!

[@minH-pj9jp]

That’s what happens when fucking literally beating those thick strings

[@perkele8341]

~Geezer Butlah

[@gareginasatryan6761]

He inspired almost every metal bassist.

[@jimparker211]

Yeah I think inspired cliff burton from Metallica

[@joeperkins8841]

He is the quintessential blues metal bassist. He’s the only reason I ever wanted to play bass

[@sandipbiswas766]

@@joeperkins8841 Same man! He's changed my life, the bass has made me a happy person! Cheers bro!

[@Supernaut710]

Including me

[@thebassmonster9190]

@Gonzalo benedicto add me too

[@stone9.098]

Geezer Butler is, easily, one of the most influential rock bassists of all time. Geezer and Entwhislte were the innovative masters of pentatonic modal style of bass playing.

[@dennissweeney6774]

Don't forget Jack Bruce

[@tripp8833]

* Stone he’s the most badass easily

[@elmoknows7]

Geddy lee and Lemmy

[@jackthomson5047]

@@elmoknows7 lemmy isn't a bass player. He's a guitarist with a bass

[@troloosauhund8747]

@@jackthomson5047 No. Lemmy is a Bassplayer. There is just a differnce between a Bassplayer and a Bassist

[@JorgeLeitner]

Damn, that bass sounds amazing.

[@marcosbass3144]

Hehehe chances the type of the tone, the SoundCloud oficial história Bass. In 70's It sound more "closed". It's cool but I prefer the old one

[@scoopedmids5461]

Every bass sounds amazing if Geezer is playing it

[@theladysamantha193]

Right?!

[@iamgribs]

It really does

[@customedge1]

I could listen to Geezer play bass all day long. There isn't another bass player I could ever say that about

[@Samsgarden]

+JOE FAQURSELF Quite a startling comment

[@jaysalazar8736]

To me it's mainly to do with his personality, it really carries into his playing which makes his music very much enjoyable.

[@TritnewNG]

Him, John Paul Jones and Roger Waters are definitely the best bassists out there.

[@marc2000z]

Geddy Lee, Geezer Butler, Steve Harris, Lemmy, Cliff Burton, Frank Bello, David Ellefson

[@swolehalfasian]

flea

[@Alanoru]

geezer is a fucking bass god just awesome sounds in every song.

[@88omair]

Bass king right here.

[@shapes2000]

7 minutes isn't a full length interview for such a legend.

[@blackblurable]

Coolest bassist ever and my personal favorite. If I ever got a signature bass, I'd get his for sure.

[@jefftolwinski3957]

Prince of Darkness I saw this and had to replay I actually have his signature bass. It’s a total beast of an instrument

[@elansleazebaganno]

@@jefftolwinski3957 Just get a Fender P Bass and get either EMG GZR P's or vintage Alnico pickups.

[@doomlordz5570]

So satisfying to watch him play. it's so smooth and natural

[@rileyyoung5935]

Damn, I wish I could meet Tony and Geezer and Jam with them.

[@TritnewNG]

I'd love them to teach me how to play.

[@guitarded78]

He's my favorite metal bassist. Its crazy how he plays rhythm guitar bass plus small fills and he gets away with murder. I actually like how he's not trying to shred at all like some. I could listen to him all day just playing the way he always did

[@1976GeorgeMa]

Geezer is the GREATEST!!!

[@iggyfritz7150]

I got blisters on me fingers😀 We love ya Geezer you are the God of thunder. Cant tell you how much your bass playing has litteraly moved me and some pictures in my house. 😄💥👍

[@EndeavorLeadGtr]

What a badass. His playing is so great, and he has some of the nastiest tones.

[@markr.devereux2713]

The GODHEAD: Tony, Geezer, Bill, Ozzy. I truly mean that. Where would heavy metal be without those gentlemen. VOL 4 !!!!!!

[@user-uo8om1zq3b]

Vol 4 forever 😝

[@rorybass7915]

Geezer is a fuckin badass. The first metal bassist \m/

[@djp3819]

I really dont think geezer gets enough praise or recognition for his raw talent and his skill in bass line creation or his lyrical genius that is so evident in so many sabbath songs.

[@theant9821]

As a lyricist i agree he flys under the radar, bus a a bassist he is regarded as one of the greats by everyone i know who knows anything about bassists.

[@user-zm4ie7tz8n]

I come here always just to hear him playing

[@JimMartiataka]

Geezer is God!

[@thebassrogue]

What I like about Geezer is that he's an amazing bassist, an even more amazing lyricist but he just looks, and talks like a totally unpretentious humble dude

[@doktorhund6926]

You could say a regular old geezer.

[@jqd5]

about time they got another bass player on here.

[@cycociccio8185]

1:42 Geez explains his top sound ever: "B.C. Rich" Bass and EMG active pickups... on "Heaven and Hell" album ... the best sound for a rock bass ..ever ...

[@csnide6702]

LOVE that album !

[@michaelroche4559]

Recently got the Geezer EMG's on my P-Bass and they sound AWESOME! I was expecting more high end, but I wasn't prepared for how heavy my low end got. And I play lots of music besides hard rock/metal, so they are very versatile as well. Highly recommended! Geezer is one of my main inspirations on the four string! Cheers

[@autumn8918]

Geezer and Burke Shelley are my two favorite bass players. I could listen all day....

[@jimmym6470]

Best P pickup I ever used, bar none.

[@jasonstone8587]

Very humble person....same Geezer from.the early days....hasn't gone to his head...amazing that only now he has a signature bass...and 13 was a cool sounding album...I bought the BlackSabbath The End DVD really emotional gig ...there's some extra footage on that disc of all the band playing in a room ....and they play Sweetleaf. ...I must of watched them playing that 20 times in a row ...f@# awesome sounding....just one gripe....the mighty Bill Ward wasn't there.....oh well can't have it all....

[@mikeysclips]

Best ad ever!

[@davidtaylor6613]

I love Geezer Butler! Saw both farewell shows in Detroit and he and Tony put on a master class for us fans. Huge influence on me with the box scales and right hand groove.

[@derek5168]

I just love hearing him talking about the bass he knows his instrument back to front and listening to him and other great bass players never gets stale

[@rupertansell8377]

Great sound, I've got to try that bass. Thanks Geezer

[@cricketbat09]

If only every advert was as entertaining.

[@ericpieper956]

Have 1972 fender P. G was always my favorite bass player!

[@jaydenwhitlen1489]

Weird seeing Geezer playing near the bridge

[@keithbradley3989]

Listening to Geezer play reminds me so much of myself: I play and sound just like him. Thanks Geezer! 30 odd years ago I said I wanna do that.

[@rafaelsevero5891]

Grande mestre das 4 cordas,adoro seu estilo de tocar,e a regulagem,do instrumento,dos cubos,e dos ganhos

[@garza2251]

I was at that Dimebash 2011 show in Hollywood at The Key Club! Great show!

[@JeromyBranch]

I had active EMGs in a Vester bass a long time ago. Used a 600W Hartke head with an Ampeg cab 1x24, 2x8, and a horn on top. Sounded absolutely amazing. You could make such a deep wholesome bottom that it just made everything in the band sound better.

[@nonbloc.7875]

Don't forget people, Geezer write most of Sabbath's lyrics too.

[@dennissweeney6774]

One of the GREAT ONES!!!

[@ironbassist1971]

Geezer Butler & EMG PICKUPS Perfect!

[@jeffreyspragg8964]

Awesome! Thanks for the vid.

[@johndesteno6461]

I ordered a set for my Fender Player Precision Bass... Anxiously waiting on the shop to call and tell me they are installed and ready to rock!

[@renecruz8973]

Met you Geezer and Iommi at OzzFest 2005, you guys autographed my Fused and OHMWorks CDs & I took pictures, Good Times! 🎻🪕🎸🥁Black✟✞Sabbath\m/⛧666⸸🤘🤟🤟🏼🤘🏼🤟🏾🤘🏾🤟🏿🤘🏿

[@Majnun74]

Almost nobody, including Geezer himself, can replicate that early 70's bohemian-wobble bass tone. That Lakland bass (above video) sounds like deep piano clinks.

[@AdenJama]

Yeah, I agree that the sound has changed massively. The new sound is probably an amalgam of a lot of different factors. Strings, pickups, amplifiers, volume, compression, loudspeakers, mixers etc. but also the way music is recorded nowadays.

[@sopainstantanea4887]

Still, it's a very heavy and powerful sound, but I agree... That wubble sound from late 60's and early 70's is kinda hard to get now. I have the GZR PJ pickups and they sound awesome!!! Let me tell you... They get pretty close actually to an old Fender sound, but they sound a bit modern also. It's a nice combination.

[@torontotonto6189]

Usually to get such sounds you need that (i assume) 100 watt Laney with the right cab and it has to be at 100% volume so no fools is gonna achieve that without some serious cash or proper studio and the Laney is gonna burnup up its tubes which are going extinct atm cos russia started a war

[@NicolasCageisGod]

They sound fucking amazing. As clear as the early 50s' p basses but a lot more powerful

[@garybeazley8071]

Great Bass Player..... One of the many guys from that time period that influenced me to play. Don't have a Lakland, but do have two Sadowsky's, Fender Jazz and P bass, and one of Leo's first G&L basses.

[@jaimecarrillo613]

I’m excited learning I play mostly same gear as Geezer🤟🏽🙏🏽

[@grunger5143]

Geezer is a fantastic bass player !!!

[@aarondavis4341]

That bass tech dont know how lucky he is,he gets to play with ALL of Geezers equipment,one,if not thee most iconic metal bassists,in metal history,dude gets to jam his basses whenever he wants

[@nicolasnicolas3889]

Geezer Butler is fucking amazing! He played with a broken finger in the 80's what a bass player! ;D

[@glenmurschel5939]

Well done, Geez deserves his signature gear! First saw him 1978 with a Rickenbacker 4001!

[@jondoeami]

Geezer, JPJ and Deacy are my all time favourite bassists!

[@scottsguitarlessonsblacksa9648]

I installed the Geezer PJs and I love them!!!!

[@markr.devereux2713]

That last bass guitar sounds SWEET OMG!

[@NickiTedesco]

i LOVE YOU GEEZER!!!

[@Jacob-Laeby]

Legendary bass player, awesome pickup!

[@adrianjabs5752]

Gene Simmons ego thinks he is bass god but Geezer IS the official bass God 👍

[@theartist124]

Most underrated bass player ever!!!

[@Headbanger9000]

how? Hes one of the most well known bass players in Rock and Metal music along with the likes of Steve Harris and Cliff Burton

[@mikekeeler6362]

@@Headbanger9000 yes very true guizar gets a lot of recognition and it's well-deserved

[@davidmohr1920]

I love these videos where he just says what he thinks no bs :-)

[@ayoutubechannel1499]

very inspirational i like his style

[@jetteastwood2714]

I love Geezers tone when he plucks over the neck, like he used to for the first 3 albums Sounds like no one else

[@jacobcousins4234]

He plays on the final fret and taps the strings, I'm teaching myself the same method and it sounds very close to how he plays. Dead strings are better for it

[@bassfire9159]

Master Geezer Butler!!!

[@mrsadistik2800]

The greatest, most unique and important bassist in metal, and that's a fact! Steve Harris is a close second, but Geezer's innovative style, sound/tone, and bass lines are the definition of metal!

[@rohantiwari7801]

Steve Harris is better. Geezer influenced him but Harris is the best bass player.

[@rohantiwari7801]

@FREE SPEECH seen heard les. But harris is the GOAT.

[@eightfifty2309]

Pretty cool of EMGTV to interview the bass tech as well.

[@raymondfink9580]

God I wish I could have seen them on that tour

[@glenmccarthy8482]

His album Black Science was a gem.

[@steliosfr]

The ultimate Master!!

[@christianboddum8783]

Love his lead fills on Slippin' away ;-)

[@iamgribs]

He fucking kills it on this song.

[@hansgaber6038]

Geezer is such a nice and amazing person, so grounded and humble. There is even no need to mention his style as musician, as this is unique and one of the best ever.

[@jnyfumare]

Nice one Geez!

[@daviddefigueiredo6018]

Geezer and Billy were the Heart of Black Sabbath!

[@user-uo8om1zq3b]

On first two albums wery great. \m/

[@MrAlfAcore]

Geezer is definitely the Nr.1 in Metal.

[@user-pv6oz9vx9w]

Россия,410040,Саратов,а.я.3092. Филофонист-меломан. ...СПАСИБО Geeser Butler за создание мрачной угнетающей гитарный атмосферы в группе BLACK SABBATH ♡!

[@guitarstar717]

Excellent Tone.

[@Amp1771]

That's the most coolest looking bass guitar I've seen.

[@sd3falco]

+swiv2d I looked into purchasing one..almost 4000 bucks! I got a Fender instead.

[@Amp1771]

fender is still cool De Falco

[@jackthomson5047]

@@sd3falco they do another one for about 1000. Lakland Gz bass.

[@grunt12394]

It's funny because I started on Electric Bass but I switch to guitar, and Geezer was the opposite but he is still one of my main musical influences if not number 1.

[@JCW7766]

This past spring I bought a 1985 Epiphone, P style bass guitar, for 65 bucks. The electronics were shot, but the rest of it was fine. The maple fretboard on top of a maple neck and the yellowing "Olympic" white P body is as classic Fender as it gets without buying a Fender. So only one thing to do to make this bass playable, replace the electronics and that's where EMG comes in. I bought the EMG GZR "P" set. It actually took longer to get the pickguard off and back on than it did to install the pups. After that was done I installed a set of flats, did a full set up, truss, action, and intonation, and it was off to the races. For a classic rock and roll sound from the 60s and 70s this thing nails it. I currently own 6 basses and this one with the EMG pups is the fav among my musician friends as far as sound goes of all the basses I currently own. It's also the bass that I have the least amount of money in, go figure. I just bought a Jaguar bass yesterday, P/J set up, and the electronics are shot. I know what pups are going to be going in that one soon. Thanks EMG for a great product!

[@haydenr5128]

The red strings are so cool!

[@peteranderson-oe7un]

Absolutely amazing.

[@jonesy2111]

Geezer rules!

[@woah4848]

He got me into using DR coated strings and now if I get a new bass before I’ve left the shop it gets a new set of Red Devils or black beauties

[@iamgribs]

DR, the best.

[@denotdeniot311]

Wow what a sound. He sounded like he used a pick, but actually he doesn't.

[@iamgribs]

It's no wonder he'd get blisters. I flipped out when i learned frank bello plays fingerstyle as well, he must be absolutely hammering it.

[@iamgribs]

@FREE SPEECH tell that to ellefson, newsted, roger glover, dd verni, chris squire, countless others

[@cactus-mcjacktus]

@FREE SPEECH did someone say elitist? just let people play bass how they want with whatever they want.

[@Savina.kazantzaki]

I LOVE HIM

[@jsg1469]

I use Hartke and EMG

[@gcf7175]

I like when that one guy called Rob Turner and Chris whats his name.

[@irishelk3]

Americas really the home of music, i mean I’m Irish, we have our traditional music, then England have their rock bands and the US then, its just wide open, anything you want, any band, instrument, venue. You want to keep busy and expand, you go to the states.

[@flowsubs9]

GEEZER 🎸❤ 🎸

[@franklin5194]

6:41 That smile!!!

[@jpab9201]

Master Butler strong bass , big influence metal music \m/

[@The_PlagueDoctor]

My first and last Black Sabbath concert was "The End"...

[@drcks]

Man, Geezer's tech is like the apprentice that follows the master wherever he goes, but also giving advice to the master.

[@iamgribs]

imagine that job, you are the assistant to the God Amongst Men for Metal Bass. The Original Gangster

[@leozicho3591]

His strings are so cool

[@GestapoPussyRanch]

I liked his sound when he played the BC Rich, especially on mob rules, but these Laklands sound good as well. I think they lend themselves well to Geezers heavy handed attack. I don't think you can go wrong with the Fender sound. I wonder what issues Geezer had with the Fenders?

[@johnjareo1047]

The issue is that Fender is not sponsoring him, Lakland is.

[@GestapoPussyRanch]

The Lakland does have as good punchy sound.

[@TritnewNG]

I've been using a Fender bass for about a year and it sounds amazing, especially when it's just a Squire.

[@Savage1776_]

They might be lighter too

[@kenRoberts1984]

SO GOOD \m/

[@brendanhayward7577]

ALL RIGHT YEAH

[@timothydiffu6474]

He is the best

[@rickpeterson8825]

The credit Geezer DOESN'T get is beyond mind-blowing! Dude is a monster !

[@highcurrent1125]

That footage of Geezer on stage live is bad ass!

[@perkele8341]

This makes me want to go play Sabbath songs