**SANSAMP**

[jumanji]

Hi there,

I want to have a classic rock bass sound like john deacon, john paul jones. A heavy rock bass sound with a growl.

How can I achieve this with the Sansamp?
I play a 5-string Schecter Deluxe with a 350w Laney.

[scottmabe]

Ah yes.... finally I can share something worthwhile here..

I have a sansamp and LOVE IT. For the tone you seek I set the presence and highs about 2 oclock and the low at 3 oclock.

Use the mix to blend your bass tone with the sansamp, I run about 50/50 but it depends on the gig.

[jumanji]

Thankyou :-)

I just love the sound of the classic rock bass players it is unique, most rock bands nowadays (with regards to the bass sound) is all the same.

[Earthday]

Assuming this is about the Tech21 SABDDI I use it as a stompbox and usally have bass at around 11:00 and treble at 11:30 to fight the mid-scoop. Then I boost the lows on my amp's EQ. I adjust drive depending on how much dirt I want, and usually keep presence around 12. Then I adjust volume last to make sure I keep the same volume when switching it on and off. Then I blend to taste, usually around 80-90%.

I've never felt the need to go too crazy with any of the knobs (Though tons of drive can be fun a stoner rock borderline-drone type sound).

I consider it my rock tone, and kick it off for stuff like jazz, softer blues, anything where I want a cleaner sound. If I had the programmable version I'm sure I'd use it for a clean sound too.

[Baleen]

You can ditch the Sansamp and get an amp you like. That, and play forward on the strings; between the pickups and the neck. That classic sound, while sounding rich and full, implying loads of low-end also has mids which is where the definition comes from. The Sansamp scoops the mids unrelentingly leaving you a sound that's OK alone, but not useful in the context of a band and not at all vintage, (unless a mic and a DI were out of phase).

I have tried and tried to make mine do something good, but the only thing it's any good for is a simple DI, i.e. turned off. I've also compared it to my Ampegs and other vintage amps and can find no relation. Even with the tone controls rolled all the way off, to try to help the mids, it still doesn't cut.

Really, adjust your playing and your then your amp, and if you record, use a mic and a good DI and mix the signals to make something good. For live, either mic an amp you like or adjust your playing to sound good direct, which is what 95% of sounds techs are going to want to do.

And there are flat wound strings - clear pitch and focused sound. They'll do wonders for your pursuit of vintage sound....

[jumanji]

Thanx guys thats awesome going to try it out.
The Bass Player from Free also had a distinctive bass sound for classic rock.

[superfunk47]

As a SansAmp owner, I can honestly say that, IME, they don't suck up mids more than any other preamp. IMHO, bass players tend to get spooked by a lack of a mid knob. The Sansamp just takes a bit of getting used to when it comes to tone shaping because of their fixed mid level.

If you keep your low and hi knobs at or below noon, you'll have a flat or mid boosted sound. The lack of a mid knob actually being cranked can be compensated for with the level/drive (just be sparing with the drive, a little goes a long way when it comes to volume).

I was practicing with it at my jazz combo's rehearsal just a few hours ago, and it had no problem cutting through 2 trombones, a loud singer, a rather confident guitar player, an equally confident drummer, and an uninvited trumpet/guitar/aux drummer, set completely flat with blend at 100%.

I think a lot of it is also in the playing style. I play hard and close to the bridge. IMHO, your fingers are your most useful volume and tone controls.

[superfunk47]

^^^That said, I wouldn't mind an updated Sansamp wit ha dedicated mid knob, as it wouuld make the tone shaping process a bit simpler and quicker, and more precise. Anyone from Tech 21 listening?

[Mark Olson]

There is the Tech 21 VT Bass.

But have you tried playing a wah pedal through the sansamp? I believe that will make the mid scoop very apparent.