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  • #22752
    Tim
    Participant

    Do any bassists here use many pedals?

    I use a Boss LMB-3 Limiter/Enhancer (the guy I played for bought it me for Christmas…when I get excited/drunk I forget everything I know about dynamics! it allowed him to ‘cap’ me) Very good pedal, nice to be able to forget about levels when your rocking out, but one little stomp and you’re in full control for the gentler bits.

    I keep fancying an Overdrive pedal, possibly the Boss one…and the little kid in me wants a Wah but I keep telling myself I’d never actually use it, well not for anything practical anyway.

    Tim.

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    • #66277
      Tim
      Participant

      UPDATE: there’s a reason the official demo of the Bassballs features more guitar than bass…it’s a bit boring for bass.

      A tiny bit might help you to punch through in a band setting but most of the effect isn’t much use unless you want to play NIB…

      However, it’s found it’s way into my guitar gear and is now nestled between my Boss DS-1 and my amp where it can generate some beautifully chaotic noise 😈

    • #66263
      Tim
      Participant

      I got me a (Russian sadly) Bassballs…crazy pedal, takes some very careful tweaking but can really add some punch to the sound (sounds good with guitar too!) I think I’d still use a stand-alone OD though, the distortion option is a bit all or nothing.

      The other option is to max all the controls for full on talky bass…

    • #66258
      1bassleft
      Participant

      As I’ve explained separately to the mods here, the bug came back to hit me massively on Sunday and I’ve spent as much of the week as possible wrapped in a blanket. Sorry to miss both Tim and Dave at the show but I’ll keep a pencil ready for future events. Thanks VERY much for your offer, Dave and I’ll send you a note soon.

    • #66242
      Dave_at_DHA
      Participant

      [quote=”1bassleft”]Hello Dave and a seriously big welcome to Guitarsite,

      I like the VT1 very much and, in terms of OD tone, it’s up there with the V-Twin and Matchless pedals but without the arm+leg cost. Mine is a VT1 (not the bass model with the i/p pad) and I bought it used from eBay (the seller turned out to be “Brycebites” on the PlexiPalace forum). It’s not in my house so I don’t have the serial # to hand but it must be an older model considering its history. It’s not the single-gold colour you did ages ago, but the “dayglo-camo” style of paint.

      I’d be interested in hearing about the “klunk reducer” mod, of course. As I say, though, it covers all my needs from additional crunch (I already use valve amps) to full-on, “Jon Spencer” style fuzz-bass. I’m also planning on testing it out with replacements for the usual EH12AX7.[/quote]

      Hi,

      This is one of the very first bass versions I ever did, Chris (Brycebites) sold it after he purchased another one. Drop me an email via the web site and I will let you know about what mods you can add to bring it up to date.

      Dave

    • #66254
      Tim
      Participant

      Annoyingly, I didn’t see this post in time and I actually left BassDay quite early as I was a bit bored between things happening…and if I never hear another slapped bass I would be very happy indeed! ‘Bond’ was cool though.

      However, I did get some Overwater stainless flats (ground wound) which are on already, and lovely.

      Nice to finally meet Dave from DHA as well although I didn’t have the guts to test a pedal infront of so many people 🙁

    • #66239
      1bassleft
      Participant

      I’ll be making Remembrance Sunday my #1 priority (10-12am) and I’m supposed to do some teaching-preparation stuff afterwards but I can wing it. BassDay looks too good to miss.

      Dave, it would be great to say hello there and Tim too. Flesh-pumping is a rare chance; can we make a meetup? I assume you’ll have a DHA stand, Dave. If you’re going, Tim, we ought to get together there at some predetermined time.

      btw, the s/n on my VT1 Purist is 0303 (Jan 07) and, Tim, I do highly recommend the peds. Dayglo/camo might not be your style (matt black with black LED is your thing, I know) but the OD tone beats all FX at the same price level.

    • #66237
      Dave_at_DHA
      Participant

      [quote=”1bassleft”][quote]We have a stand a Bassday in Manchester (UK) this coming Sunday if anyone is going please say hello.[/quote]

      Carbuncles 😡 . That’d be 11/11 and I’m pre-booked at 11am. I haven’t checked the details (annoyingly, I’ll be in M/C on Saturday) but that sounds like a good event to goto. If I make it, I’ll definitely say “hello”[/quote]

      If you do come bring your pedal and I can explain the mod in more detail or even do it if there is time. I will put some bits and a soldering iron in my bag just in case.

      Dave

    • #66235
      Dave_at_DHA
      Participant

      [quote=”Tim”]I’ve just checked out Bassday, looks good (finger well and truly off the pulse as usual!) and it’s do-able from mine too! (tho I get paid on the 19th, bugger)
      If they haven’t sold out for door tickets I may just see you there.

      And hello! 1bl is the resident valve-sniffer but as I said earlier, I really do fancy your pedals (maybe not the dayglow ones though!)

      Tim.[/quote]

      Be nice to see you there. We are doing show specials if you are looking for a deal.

      Dave

    • #66281
      1bassleft
      Participant

      [quote]We have a stand a Bassday in Manchester (UK) this coming Sunday if anyone is going please say hello.[/quote]

      Carbuncles 😡 . That’d be 11/11 and I’m pre-booked at 11am. I haven’t checked the details (annoyingly, I’ll be in M/C on Saturday) but that sounds like a good event to goto. If I make it, I’ll definitely say “hello”

    • #66252
      Tim
      Participant

      I’ve just checked out Bassday, looks good (finger well and truly off the pulse as usual!) and it’s do-able from mine too! (tho I get paid on the 19th, bugger)
      If they haven’t sold out for door tickets I may just see you there.

      And hello! 1bl is the resident valve-sniffer but as I said earlier, I really do fancy your pedals (maybe not the dayglow ones though!)

      Tim.

    • #66245
      Dave_at_DHA
      Participant

      [quote=”1bassleft”]Thanks, Dave.

      I shall do that over the w/e but, unless you object, I’d be happy also to have the mod posted here if it doesn’t eat tremendous bandwidth, or interfere with your intellectual property rights. Guitarsite is a friendly home for “how do I fix this prob?” posters :)[/quote]

      no problem posting the mods other than there are different mods for different versions. But, we can sort something out.

      We have a stand a Bassday in Manchester (UK) this coming Sunday if anyone is going please say hello.

      Dave

    • #66256
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Thanks, Dave.

      I shall do that over the w/e but, unless you object, I’d be happy also to have the mod posted here if it doesn’t eat tremendous bandwidth, or interfere with your intellectual property rights. Guitarsite is a friendly home for “how do I fix this prob?” posters 🙂

    • #66257
      Dave_at_DHA
      Participant

      Hi,

      I know Chris – Brycebites well as he is a big user of my pedals and a good guy to talk to about swapping valves.

      email me via the web site and I will give you the mod details.

      Dave

    • #66280
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Hello Dave and a seriously big welcome to Guitarsite,

      I like the VT1 very much and, in terms of OD tone, it’s up there with the V-Twin and Matchless pedals but without the arm+leg cost. Mine is a VT1 (not the bass model with the i/p pad) and I bought it used from eBay (the seller turned out to be “Brycebites” on the PlexiPalace forum). It’s not in my house so I don’t have the serial # to hand but it must be an older model considering its history. It’s not the single-gold colour you did ages ago, but the “dayglo-camo” style of paint.

      I’d be interested in hearing about the “klunk reducer” mod, of course. As I say, though, it covers all my needs from additional crunch (I already use valve amps) to full-on, “Jon Spencer” style fuzz-bass. I’m also planning on testing it out with replacements for the usual EH12AX7.

    • #66243
      Dave_at_DHA
      Participant

      [quote=”1bassleft”]I’m amazed with myself. I haven’t mentioned that I finally bought a DHA VT1 valve OD pedal yet? Well, I have. You can look dha up on eBay, but I bought one 2nd hand for cheaper. It’s absolutely right for getting the distortion in without much loss of bottom end. I guess the 12AX7 valve is better for this than transistors. I did wonder whether I’d wish I’d gone for the dual-12AX7 pedals he does but this has plenty distortion (at least for bass) and the twin-valvers must be barking mad. I recommend this ped with one proviso; there is quite a ‘kdunk’ when the heavy duty switch is stood on. Pity about that.[/quote]

      Hi,

      If it’s an older model then there was a problem with a kdunk when switching. There is a mod you can make to fix it.

      Is it a bass or guitar model, does it have an i/p pad, what’s the serial number?

      Dave
      DHA

    • #66255
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Things with a 12AX7/ECC83 in them tend towards the more expensive; the VT1 is one of the cheaper options I know of. If you don’t need to OD, but want to add a little valve grunt, then one of the hybrid amps could be just what you’re after.

      Which leads me to your Ashdown thread…

    • #66276
      Tim
      Participant

      Have been looking today, the ‘Blowtorch’ is generally £160 and even Boss’s ODB is £70 def seems worth holding out for one of those DHA units, the more I search the more I want a sinple metal stomp-box with a valve in it!

    • #66278
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Yes, the VT1 Purist is as much OD as anyone on bass would ever need. Twiddle everything to the right and you can do that QOTSA “Little Sister” thing; which is as far as you’d want. I’ve never tried it in front of a SS amp, but it certainly gives an old valve amp that footswitchable “crunch” option.

    • #66272
      Tim
      Participant

      Had a look at the DHA stuff the Purist-bass sounds like it’d be great, might have to save some pennies…

    • #66234
      1bassleft
      Participant

      I’m amazed with myself. I haven’t mentioned that I finally bought a DHA VT1 valve OD pedal yet? Well, I have. You can look dha up on eBay, but I bought one 2nd hand for cheaper. It’s absolutely right for getting the distortion in without much loss of bottom end. I guess the 12AX7 valve is better for this than transistors. I did wonder whether I’d wish I’d gone for the dual-12AX7 pedals he does but this has plenty distortion (at least for bass) and the twin-valvers must be barking mad. I recommend this ped with one proviso; there is quite a ‘kdunk’ when the heavy duty switch is stood on. Pity about that.

    • #66265
      Tim
      Participant

      Technically not an effect pedal as such but I’ve just bought a volume pedal from a pawn-shop with the intention of ‘dropping it Cello-style’ however, it’s now in pieces, drenched in switch cleaner, pawn-shops…tsk.

    • #66250
      mackflynn
      Participant

      Hmm. Very Interesting

      Not something I’d ever considered yet, or even really knew about. I’m currently really interesting in getting a whammy pedal next.

      On a side note, I was at the Tool concert last night in Toronto, ON. Best live show I’ve ever seen, and bassist Justin Chancellor was the most inspiring bass player I have ever seen. Turns out, in one of their songs he plays this unbelievably rediculous droan for about 5 mins. It’s distorted slightly, lots of feedback, modulation, and it’s a perfect sustain with zero release or decay. He was not using any ebow’s or hand held mechanisms, but was swinging his bass between his two different cabinets.
      I know he uses a huge rack of preamps and effects, along with his pedals.
      I was very impressed to see that he was in charge of most of the song’s effects and ambience, and not the guitar. At the same time, the songs never lost any richness or deep undertones. INCREDIABLE.

      If you want to hear the sound i was describing, download the song Lost Keys, by Tool of their 10,000 Days album. You’ll probably be surprised that the droan is done all on bass.

      If anyway knows how on EARTH this was done, that’d be awsome. It was absolutely incrediable!

    • #66264
      1bassleft
      Participant
    • #66269
      1bassleft
      Participant

      I like a Flanger (with or without OD) to get a synthbass sound. The only thing I can think of for eBow stylee is a really extreme setting on an envelope filter. I imagine Roland’s V-Bass could do it (anyone tried a V-Bass?) and I remember a band’s bass player with (I think) something like a Boss BE6 who could get a droning, continuous note without any attack or decay.

    • #66266
      mackflynn
      Participant

      I’m currently using a Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter.

      It’s really is a rediculous pedal, but extremely versitile, and extremely powerful. I use it frequently, mainly just for a light phase effect, but unlike many other phasers, it has a lot of presence even on the low end. It can also create a very synth like bass sound, once messed around with enough.
      On the low end, It is excellent even just for some additional dynamics. If set up properly, the phase can really create emotional highs and lows in the song, that dont sound like an effect, but a subtle shaping.

      I doubt I’ll ever get rid of this pedal. It’s become an important piece to my set up. Among it I have a Boss DD-6 Delay. Another awsome effect when used created. You dont hear it on bass too often.

      Can anyone think of, or has anyone found a way to create whole tones on a bass? I’m thinking similar to an ebow on guitar. But (like always) I had to try the ebow on the bass. Didn’t work so hot.

    • #66270
      1bassleft
      Participant

      I’m in exactly the same setup and often use OD for exactly the same reason as Bassman. The rhythm guitar fillin sound is good, but I lose the bass end quite a bit. I keep looking for a reasonably priced valve OD pedal but no luck so far. My signal splitter should do the trick but I haven’t had a gig or even loud rehearsal to try it out yet.

    • #66247
      Bassman5000
      Participant

      I use a Ibanez SR400 or SR405. Havivg the actice electronics with a bass adjust on my instument, one on my amp and one on my pedal, I adjust my sound clean before I use it and then adjust from there. I use very little on the pedal because what I have already gives me enough bass. All I really use it for is to add a little color to my sound during long heavy guitar solos because we are a four piece band with one guitar. I find that when the bass is a little dirty, it really fills up the emptiness that the rythym guitar leaves. That and it sure is fun playing anesthisia/pullin teeth live !!!

    • #66249
      Tim
      Participant

      [quote=”1bassleft”]Off-topic, but always meant to ask. Tim, how come all your av-pics have you plucking? I thought you were mostly a plecker, like me. Do you (and I admit I do) get an inferiority complex about being seen publicly plecking? Pleckers of the world, unite. I shall instigate a “pleck pride” march for bass players.[/quote]

      I am mainly plec but sadly, as in I’m a sad git, I think its an aesthetic thing, a close up of a plecker can look a lot like some guy with w***ers cramp. I’ll try to hack up some live shots for a touch of realism next time 😀

      Hey Bassman, Good to hear someone else slating both the Pod and the 607 in one post! Quick question; do you lose much bottom end through the ODB-3? I’ve read mixed reviews and don’t want to sacrifice too much bottom when I finally pick an OD, just wondered what your op was as you’re actually gigging it?

    • #66267
      Bassman5000
      Participant

      I just bought a Line 6 bass pod live or somethin like that. I HATE IT!!!! I totally wasted my money (I will eventually take it back) First the thing comes with a 100 or so page book??!!! after three pages it started to sound like chinese!! I couldn’t understand a damn word they were sayin’. I’m with the guy erlier in the forum about K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid) I hate having to push pedals when I’m playin live. All I use is a Boss ODB-3 and a Boss TU-2 tuner. I only use the OD for heavier songs like metallica& megadeth, but very little. The OD gives more “growl” during the “chugging” parts. I also have a Zoom 607, Let’s just say it has been in my gig bag for 3 years now LOL. In my books effects suck!! Usally the pedals are too complicated(take the Line 6) or they dont really do a whole lot to the sound. Boss is the only manufaturer that I found to change the sound. I have used the flanger and also the delay and they kick a**!! Other than that effects suck! 😕

    • #66233
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Off-topic, but always meant to ask. Tim, how come all your av-pics have you plucking? I thought you were mostly a plecker, like me. Do you (and I admit I do) get an inferiority complex about being seen publicly plecking? Pleckers of the world, unite. I shall instigate a “pleck pride” march for bass players.

    • #66279
      Tim
      Participant

      Glad that’s cleared up then 😀

    • #66251
      Michael
      Participant

      Yeah wasn’t until after you said that I realized it now looked like Tim meant Gordy. It was actually that dope with his ‘Travel’ spam.

    • #66274
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Worse for me: Tim provided the Ashdown link at the end of his post. I’m not sure myself, but it is well priced

    • #66240
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Ah, thanks for the info, Mike. I thought the crit was aimed at Gordy. Hence the confusion on my part: Tim and Gordy are both (of course) handy posters.

    • #66238
      Michael
      Participant

      ➡ Just to add, I deleted the offending spam post which I believe Tim was referring to.

    • #66246
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Be fair, Tim. I never know when a post will send a thread onto pg 2, and I’m a mod. The Ashdown sounds tempting. When Lee_UK did a stint on bass, I suggested Ashdown for his amp. I don’t know about the pedal, though. Can you make a link to the specs? If not, you can just buy one and post up your ops 🙂 No refunds from Guitarsite, though 🙂

    • #66260
      Tim
      Participant

      [quote=”Tim”]Well after much pressing of tiny plasticky buttons I think I’ve reached a conclusion…I want a decent overdive pedal, and thats about it.
      Very interested in the new Ashdown Drive Plus, got really good review in Bass Guitar Magazine, they specifically mention that it doesn’t lose too much bottom, it has low freq drive and high freq drive knobs and a balance knob that pans between the two which seems to really make sense, it’s true bypass…and it costs £99. The knobs on the pic on the Ashdown website are labelled differently to the pic in the mag tho, but the manual agrees with the mag pic, which is a little odd? But the whole new range seems worth a look.

      http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk/bass/detail.asp?ID=152%5B/quote%5D

      Ok, so this is kind of a ‘bump’ due to our cruising friend taking us onto page 2. Sorry.

    • #66241
      Gordy Smiff
      Participant

      Might be best to start a new thread to ask that question. 🙂

    • #66232
      Tim
      Participant

      Well after much pressing of tiny plasticky buttons I think I’ve reached a conclusion…I want a decent overdive pedal, and thats about it.
      Very interested in the new Ashdown Drive Plus, got really good review in Bass Guitar Magazine, they specifically mention that it doesn’t lose too much bottom, it has low freq drive and high freq drive knobs and a balance knob that pans between the two which seems to really make sense, it’s true bypass…and it costs £99. The knobs on the pic on the Ashdown website are labelled differently to the pic in the mag tho, but the manual agrees with the mag pic, which is a little odd? But the whole new range seems worth a look.

      http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk/bass/detail.asp?ID=152

    • #66261
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Not a bad idea, really, Tim. I spent a lot more than that on the Peavey Max and found out I don’t like it.

      FWIW, I don’t think these multi-FX, step-down, step-up patch selecting jobbies are what a bass player wants anyhoo.

      Stomp. Overdrive on/off. Stomp. Flange on/off. That’ll do. Acccidentally stepping on #99 and getting the Leslie speaker Sim with 2sec delay and reverse plate echo can really make you sound like a buttock.

      I’m going back to a couple of stomps (with a splitter for continuous dry bass, though).

    • #66248
      Tim
      Participant

      Before you say anything…I’ve used one before and they’re absolute crap…Yes folks, today I bought a Zoom 506!!!

      I’ve been looking at stomp boxes and they cost anything from £20 to crazy money so I want to get it right when I buy them but, crucially, I don’t know how they’d combine, do I want an overdriven flange with delay? (probably not but you get the pic). So £24.99, get a (very) rough idea what works with what and sell it on for a tenner is the plan…I’ll keep you informed, the presets are as nasty as I remembered 🙄

    • #66262
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Very indulgent and noodley, but I’ve started making use of the WEM Copicat style of valve echo amp I recently bought. The extremes of depth and repeat are the most fun, it’s good for that “one of these days” from Floyd’s “Meddle” album bass sounds. There is a song we did that I used flange for and it’s much better with the echo.

      Of course, with the bass being such a rhythmic instrument, it needs a bit of tweaking to get the values right to be used seriously. Otherwise it flubbles all over itself and the beat can disappear. Like I say, an indulgence really but I’m not the type who gets excited by a compressor pedal in my Christmas stocking.

    • #66244
      1bassleft
      Participant

      I just recently missed out on a potentially problem solving OD 😥

      Plexi Palace had a short-lived Bass section and I brought up that loss-of-bottom problem (I mean the bass disappearing when using OD, not the “curry before gig” problem). As mentioned only mega-quids Matchbox Dirtbox seemed to do the biz, but another player reckoned on the Budda Phatman so I looked it up.

      All seemed good; twin AX7 blah blah blah. The only problem was that he got it on a special for $95 and the best of the net is $230. Dial in the ruinous British import duty and I’m looking at a hefty whack. Besides, if someone else can get a bargain them so am I 😛

      Hey ho, I’m on FleebUS (rare for me) and one comes up with a BIN of $99, but it’s a US only auction. 5am, too tired to swap emails with the seller so I emailed my chum in LA to handle it for me. In the time it took for him to read it and goto Fleeb, someone else had got in there. Rats 👿

      Any other passing bassist with an op on the Budda or other good bass OD? I have to say I find the silicon pedals not so great and I’m not sure about geraniums (won’t the scent be a bit overpowering?) but I’ll shelve my pro-valve bias if any good suggestions are out there. Wav links even better.

    • #66268
      Tim
      Participant

      Never touched it on stage but a lot of rehershal tended to focus on knob-twiddling…

    • #66236
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Modellers (like the pod) are fine and dandy for recording. How the heck anyone can use them live is beyond me. Twiddling with small knobs onstage only leads to embarrassment. I’m in the “keep it simple” (like the player) camp. Valve amp, step-on crunch, step-on flange. No nasty surprises unless I’ve overdone it on the “free drinks for the band” gig.

      I rarely get those gigs, either 😥

    • #66275
      Tim
      Participant

      Might try with a splitter, makes more sense as I do like a definate punch to my sound.

      The guy I used to play for always put me through a bass pod, he was so pround when he got it but it just had too many options for my taste, he tweaked for hours then I came along plugged in and played. Was apparently very good in the studio though (I was just the live bassist)

    • #66253
      1bassleft
      Participant

      The Wah is something I never really got real use out of. A flanger is quite good for a slightly synth-bass or demi-Paladino “yeeoo-dee-yoo” sound. I like OD as an effect, but it is absolute murder getting a good OD for bass that doesn’t lose all the bottom end and suddenly turn it into a rhythm guitar. Only the very expensive ones with a couple of 12AX7s (like the Mesa V-Twin or Matchless Dirtbox) come close.

      One way around this is to split your bass signal with an ABY pedal (although I use the Nobels 4-splitter) and have a dry bass combined with the OD. I used to have a cheap little Boss digital multi-FX which was very simple. It had separate fottswitches for chorus/flange, EQ, Distortion/OD and Noise limiter. I never used the EQ and limiter, but I would set up the flange and OD to how I liked it then stepped on the relevant switch as/when.

      Annoyingly, I gave it away when I got a Peavey Max100. The Peavey is too complex, loads of things I don’t want, and has to be stepped up and down through unwanted patches. The OD is very noisy, too. I’d be much happier with a straight flange pedal and a good OD/dist and step on whichever I want.

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