What's YOUR "secret weapon?" (tone/gear talk)

Dave Muscato · #1 05-17-2006, 12:11 AM

What's your "secret weapon?" Everybody's got their one thing that really *makes* your tone... I'd love to put together a collection of ideas for great tone tweaks.

Personally, I would have to say my Aphex Bass Xciter pedal. I wrote a review in the Gear Review section. It's punch and clarity in a box - highly recommended and doubles as a DI.

Secondly, I would say GrooveTubes' Fat Finger. It's just a chrome-plated brass clamp that attaches to your headstock and adds mass to your instrument. I have two of them on my main bass and I'd say it increases my sustain at least 50%. They are really amazing.

So, what's your secret weapon?

P.S. Looking for gear suggestions, folks... we all know tone is in your fingers, but let's go beyond that too

Dave Muscato · #2 05-17-2006, 02:01 AM

I posed this question to local guitar hero (and my old teacher) Tom Williams. He swears by this stuff...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...0&src=3SOSWXXA

Finger Ease - read some of the reviews below.

flatwoundfender · #3 05-17-2006, 02:17 AM

My fingers/hands.

elros · #4 05-17-2006, 02:36 AM

In terms of gear: The DIY What Compressor. It has some mods of my own, and in combination with how I play the bass, it can replicate some elements of the Tony Levin style super-fat tone. It has that extra-punchy attack, and a moderate increase in sustain. I've had nothing but good compliments on my tone whenever I use it.

Peter McFerrin · #5 05-17-2006, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatwoundfender

My fingers/hands.

Well, duh.

Peter McFerrin · #6 05-17-2006, 02:42 AM

For me, I'd say it's Fodera Diamond stainless steel strings, .050-.135. The super-heavy gauge makes for a delightfully punchy, articulate tone that records beautifully.

The BurgerMeister · #7 05-17-2006, 02:55 AM

i'd say, first of all.... my '74 jazz. it all starts there. and then, my programmable sansamp bddi. i have a whole crappybuttload of other pedals, but all of their sounds are based on the bddi.

the amp is an svt2. but whatever. that's just to amplify the sound.

**Pacman** · #8 05-17-2006, 04:12 AM

My ears.

nonohmic · #9 05-17-2006, 04:16 AM

At the moment I get the best tone i can get out of my me-50b, but obviously in the scheme of things it aint that great.

But i have a good time ahead of me in finding a tone, new amp is next and the more i hear about the bass xciter the more i want one.

bmc · #10 05-17-2006, 04:20 AM

Sadowsky Outboard Preamp. Lost without it.

BurningSkies · #11 05-17-2006, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatwoundfender

My fingers/hands.

Interesting tip. I've never tried these before. Maybe that's the problem with my tone.

Indi86 · #12 05-17-2006, 10:10 AM

My AG500, or DR Strings. Probably a tie.

**Adam Barkley** · #13 05-17-2006, 10:14 AM

My BJF Blueberry.

ric1312 · #14 05-17-2006, 10:18 AM

Bongo Musicman Bass EQ'd as per style of song / straight in + Bose 2bass module PAS = Me in bass tone heaven.

malicous · #15 05-17-2006, 10:20 AM

For me it is my strings. Many guys who play the same mid grade (cheap) bass as me have come up to me after a show and said "howcome my bass dosn't sound so good?" Since I got my Sadowsky DI/Pre I think it makes a bigger difference than the strings.

Folmeister · #16 05-17-2006, 10:31 AM

The voices in my head that tell me what to do. That, or elfin magic.

Eric Cioe · #17 05-17-2006, 10:35 AM

The lack of frets. A lot of people don't notice I'm playing fretless at first, but then some of those little tasty slides start coming out.

Craig Garfinkel · #18 05-17-2006, 10:35 AM

My secret weapon is a secret.

Slater · #19 05-17-2006, 10:40 AM

Um, it's a secret!

Marcus · #20 05-17-2006, 10:43 AM

While these are no secret to any of you guys, the secret to my sound comes from DR strings. I've tried others but they just can't match the longevity and tone of DRs.