Adjust your balls (bassballs that is)

Flaggus · #1 02-14-2008, 07:44 AM

I've seen this digging though some other posts, but haven't seen any posts directly about this ...

Just got the Nano Bassballs a couple days ago. Ya, it's a cool pedal, but I found that (to my ears) the filters were a little too peaky and bass shy). And I started sympathizing with some people who've said "this is useless" or "where could I ever use this effect".

Well, after looking through some old posts I learned of two little pots that reside in the pedal - one marked 200hz and the other 800hz. Marking their original spots, I spent about an hour fine tuning the filters to work (better) with _my_ basses (Warwicks), making sure (of course) to disconnect power before sticking a screwdriver in there. The result was bassier, more controllable/sensitive, less harsh (especially with the Fuzz on), and just generally better (very rubber-band-y IUKWIM). I don't know why EHX makes no mention of this in their (sub-adequate) documentation. But I think it's essential to getting the best out of it. And maybe, the factory settings for these will work just great for you. I've also seen some posts where people mod (usually the US version) these to external pots.

Now, I'm not saying adjusting these will suddenly make you use this pedal in EVERY song, but it may make it just a bit cooler & useful.

YMMV. Peace - M

The Lurker · #2 02-14-2008, 08:13 AM

I did this too.... it works pretty well. Some of us--myself, basstyra, and a few others--have also converted the trimpots into external knobs

I think the filters as they come stock are tuned more for guitar than bass.

rjs6700 · #3 02-14-2008, 09:22 AM

Seeing this thread has made my day, I can't wait to get home and try this.

Thanks

JayOnThaBeat · #4 09-29-2009, 11:39 PM

(God I hate being @ 0 posts when I join a new forum

)

Hey, are there any tips for this?

My nano sounds like crap, and I've been adjusting the two pots, but still can't seem to find anything that sounds *good*.

I have a MusicMan Stingray 4-string.

TIA.

~Jay

NortyFiner · #5 09-30-2009, 07:19 AM

I just sold my Nano Bassballs, but I found two keys to using it well:

1. Be subtle with it. It's not one of those effects that you just crank to 11 and roll; it takes a fine touch on the controls to get the most from it. I found that mine sounded best on a rather low setting, used to color the sound instead of defining it.

2. Like most filters, the Bassballs' response is VERY dependent on your attack. Finger, pick, light, heavy...you have to find a touch that works well with it for you, and be able to hit it consistently. This to me was the hardest part of using it well.

Hope that helps a little, anyway.

circlechange · #6 09-30-2009, 09:55 AM

Can someone of the Original Poster expand on this concept a little more.....You actually took apart the pedal and did what to it?

I have the bassballs (el nano) and I recently found a song where I can use this effect throught some of the song. The key when I use it is to play mid range and very lightly. I use the less fuzzier setting and crank the dial up a little less than half. Im using a fender jazz with ampeg 1x15 cab.

Wud · #7 09-30-2009, 11:45 AM

I'm rather keen to get the internal trim mods modded out to external knobs.
I first came across the idea via this thread -

Bassballs External Frequency pots mod?

There are photo's and a few options of different mods that are possible.

Flaggus · #8 09-30-2009, 11:53 AM

It's been a while since I thought about this ... but yes, you can take the pedal apart and adjust the two trim pots with a small screwdriver. The 200hz pot adjusts the lower filter, and the one that gets engaged most of the time for bass players. The upper filter seams to only come into effect when you really dig in. The purpose of my original post was to tune the pedal to Bass, as it seamed to come from the factory tuned for guitar.

My method of adjusting it was to open up the pedal, plug it in and power it (make sure nothing else is in the signal chain to color the sound and skew your ears), Play, unplug the pedal and adjust one of the trim-pots, plug it back in and see how it sounds, Repeat. Do one trim pot at a time, starting with the lower frequency.

I still have the bassballs on my pedal board and use it here and there. With the knob turned down to 9 o'clock and a light touch, it gets very doubby. I normally use it around 11, as that allows me to control the filters with my dynamics.

I definitely think the Bassballs is a 'color' pedal - something to be used infrequently and just to add something different to a part of one song.

XXL · #9 09-30-2009, 12:10 PM

I drilled holes into the faceplate and used a little screwdriver and turned the trims while I was playing until I got it sounding just right .
I used Shakedown Street as my test subject song.

End result! sounds great ,looks like crap. Maybe I can find some grommets to put on.

You can see the holes I drilled in the group photo

On a side note I really need to update my group photo

JayOnThaBeat · #10 09-30-2009, 03:28 PM

Thanks guys.

It's painstaking to do adjustments while trying to play... I'm thinking about having my lead git come over and slowly tweak while I play

CrispyDelicious · #11 10-01-2009, 07:53 AM

I highly recommend getting the external pots mod. You will thank yourself for doing it, and I'm sure if you post on CL, a local will do it for a reasonable fee. Makes the pedal a bazillion times more useable.

jlane72t · #12 10-01-2009, 08:21 AM

...and it's just plain fun to get tweaky with.

deepestend · #13 10-02-2009, 09:46 PM

Do the external trim pot mod. It's not hard and it makes the pedal a lot more versatile. If anyone needs it done, pm me.

dhines · #14 10-04-2009, 12:21 AM

Wow, this is exciting. makes you wonder why they don't do it in the first place, ya know? I now know how I am spending my Sunday!

fivestringgecko · #15 10-04-2009, 01:14 PM

Handy info to know for sure! I've wanted to get a Nano Balls for quite a while, but other gear always seems to get in the way!

Knowing about the trimpots, I think it just jumped higher on my G.A.S. list!

5sg.

deepestend · #16 10-04-2009, 02:22 PM

The hardest part is drilling holes in your enclosure.

Just order the pots from smallbearelec.com and some knobs. From there, you just have to do a little bit of desoldering and it's easy.

jphilly77 · #17 10-05-2009, 09:49 AM

Hey I've got a nano bassballs on the way to my pedalboard in the next week or so. I'm thinking about trying to mod the nano myself but I'm trying to find some actual instructions on how to wire the 5k pot terminals exactly. Like which wire goes to which terminal from the pot to the board? Does anyone have this info? Also what pots EXACTLY do I need to order? Linear or audio taper? Any other specs for ordering the pots?

-jphilly

Bassmike62 · #18 10-05-2009, 07:10 PM

Just bought the Bassballs (traded in a Boss Auto wah

) and right away knew that this gadget more suited fit my playing.

My unit came with the trim pots set at 9 o'clock (200hz) and 2o'clock (800hz). I toyed around with the pots to get a bassier sound, but eventually got back to roughly the same settings. I found out that turning the 200hz pot counterclockwise towards 2 o'clock gave me a little too much bwomp for my taste on the E string.

Question: what settings are you using to get a bassier sound ?