Members seilerbird Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I have been playing guitar for over 40 years and just last week I bought my first bass guitar. I got a no-name copy of a Beatle Bass for $100 new on eBay and I got a Crate 100 watt 15 inch speaker amp for $167. For less than $300 it sounds killer. I have been using guitar processors since they first hit the market and could not imagine playing guitar without one. So naturally I went shopping for a bass processor. I have played a few and I don't like them. They make some cool sounds, that's for sure, but I prefer running the bass straight into the amp with all the controls set for as bassy a sound as I can get. The amp has a distortion channel and an octave control and I use neither. I simply use the bass pickup run into the clean channel with all the amp controls set as bassy as possible. This gives me the gigantic heavy bass sound I love. So my question is do most bass players use a processor or just run straight into their amp? If you do use a processor then which one and why? Thanks in advance for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 Most guys run straight into the amp. I would say that more guys use individual pedals than processors, but the ones that do use procs mostly use a Boss GT-6B or POD XTL...there are a few others as well, but they are the most common. I use pedals. I think they sound better than a proc. I think they are easier to use as well...and they look cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lokidecat Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I use a BassPOD XT (the kidney not the live flo'bo). I diggit. I can run it into an amp, a PA system, or straight into the recording system. I found it "gently used" for only $180 at the local guitar shop, too. Werd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rpsands Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I am seriously gassing for a Gt-6b at the moment. Heh. I think a lot of people like the analog effects, but I can't be bothered. Digital sounds fine for a lot of things. Chorus is pretty cool. Something I am concerned about is how good the digital compression is, but I know nothing about that For me, it's mostly distortion that sounds like {censored} digital, so I'll keep my MXR pedal in the loop and use it for distortion if I need it. Anyway, yeah most people plug straight in. that's what I do 99% of the time. However, a lot of times I find myself jonesing for a little chorus or flange, or some synthy type sounds, and I can't do them. Multi-effects seems the only way to affordably get what I want Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ashtray Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I've been playing bass and guitar for about 20 years now. On guitar, I would run through a processor or DMA for all the rock stuff, but straight to the amp for blues (with a single OD pedal thrown in between). On bass, I never use a processor, as I love the "clean" sound I get from my active electronics. My rig is set up with only a compressor in the effects loop, set to nearly transparent. (mostly to even out the loud notes, and provide a slight bit of sustain) There's a ton of good tones you can get without a processor, just by adjusting the eq, and which pickup you are on. Here's a tip if you join up with a band - less low frequencies, and more mids. At low volumes, that bass knob cranked sounds nice - but when you start playing at band volumes, even with large cabinets, too much low makes all your notes just sound the same. You won't be able to hear your runs, though you'll feel them. Boosting the mids will make every note you play much more audible. Of course retaining a good tone is a balancing act. Small tweaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fran da Man Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I try to talk new bass players out of processors...too easy to get hooked on the gadgetry. The only usable things for bass really are some compression (your hands will control that after awhile) or some envelope filter to play some funk...spaceage Bootsy stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I'll keep my MXR pedal in the loop and use it for distortion if I need it. Does that pedal have a LL signal, or an option to switch between the two? If not...I wouldn't run it in the loop... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueEcho811 Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I use a Behringer V-amp 2 for recording and live use as well. I can get so many different tones out of it, I'd be an idiot not to use it. Beats having a giant pedalboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 Beats having a giant pedalboard. Nonsense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seilerbird Posted February 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 Here's a tip if you join up with a band - less low frequencies, and more mids. At low volumes, that bass knob cranked sounds nice - but when you start playing at band volumes, even with large cabinets, too much low makes all your notes just sound the same. You won't be able to hear your runs, though you'll feel them. Boosting the mids will make every note you play much more audible. Of course retaining a good tone is a balancing act. Small tweaks. I don't think there is any chance of me joining a band. I am a free lance photographer and I live in my van. I have been traveling around the country for the last 5 years and I am never in the same place longer than a month. I would love to be in a band and if I ever did settle down and join a band it would be as a lead guitarist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I am a free lance photographer and I live in my van Read: Paparazzi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seilerbird Posted February 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 Read: Paparazzi You must know who I am. At the Grand Canyon I am called a Condor Paparazzi since I spend so much time photographing the condors. Amazing birds to watch and photograph in flight. Other than that 99% of what I photograph is birds and animals. If you would like to see my Joe Bonamassa photos then go here": http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=1890450 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 Nice pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RedsFan75 Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 Zoom B2.1u Good pedal and nice and compact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rowka Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members countrybass Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I just ordered a new head. Ampeg SVT-VR. I gave up on trying to find an original. I was scared ordering something fron Ebay and sending alot of cash with playing it first. I might be selling some of the stuff listed below too if anyones interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I just ordered a new head. Ampeg SVT-VR. I gave up on trying to find an original. I was scared ordering something fron Ebay and sending alot of cash with playing it first. I might be selling some of the stuff listed below too if anyones interested. What does this have to do with bass processors? You have to let me know how that thing sounds. I've been thinking about grabbing one myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 You can probably safely answer any question by posting a picture of this thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members countrybass Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 What does this have to do with bass processors? You have to let me know how that thing sounds. I've been thinking about grabbing one myself... It has absolutely nothing to do with it! lmao!!! I started to think about my new head as I was reading this one, got distracted at work and didn't realize that I hadn't started a new thread! lol!!! :freak::lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 It has absolutely nothing to do with it! lmao!!! I started to think about my new head as I was reading this one, got distracted at work and didn't realize that I hadn't started a new thread! lol!!! :freak: :lol: :lol: Well, make sure you write a good review of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members countrybass Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 :lol: Well, make sure you write a good review of it! Will do bro!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fastplant Posted February 13, 2008 Members Share Posted February 13, 2008 I use a Pod XT Live (floor board). I love it. I ran straight into the amp for years, but I wanted more control as I DI before the amp. I use it mainly as a pre/eq with the amp models. But I use a few effects on it as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members timmit65 Posted February 15, 2008 Members Share Posted February 15, 2008 I use a Pod XT Live (floor board). I love it. I ran straight into the amp for years, but I wanted more control as I DI before the amp. I use it mainly as a pre/eq with the amp models. But I use a few effects on it as well.http://img3.harmony-central.com/acapella/ubb/thumb.gif Ditto I use Compression and Amp Models all the time. I use synth bass on Tainted Love and Leslie on Blood and Roses. I do love the tones, turner and volume pedal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fastplant Posted February 15, 2008 Members Share Posted February 15, 2008 http://img3.harmony-central.com/acapella/ubb/thumb.gif Ditto I use Compression and Amp Models all the time. I use synth bass on Tainted Love and Leslie on Blood and Roses. I do love the tones, turner and volume pedal. I'll be honest. I'm not a huge fan of the compressor on there. It's not bad, just not on par with the Presonus I was using. I just moved it out of my rack to use in my studio. I may end up getting another one. The compressor is good, just doesn't sustain like the Presonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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