Anyone uses the xotic bb bass like this?

[BrandonBass]

I run my dirts through a vt bass, and recently purchased an xotic bb pre because it sounded amazing thru an ampeg in a guitar center. However, I couldnt replicate the same sound through my house amp. It produced a fizzy type of o/d which i dont really fancy at all.

I almost got rid of it until i found out another application for it. As a tone enhancer.

I found with the gain on the BB set just a tiny bit above minimum, it gives my sound more clarity when engaged. I have no idea how it was done, but i can tell my tone is more 'balanced' when i engage it with near minimum gain and treble and bass flat.

Anyone else does this?

[dannybuoy]

I set mine with gain on 9-10 o'clock, treble backed off a hair, bass boosted to 2 o'clock. It does sound better at low gain I agree!

[Flymo Wang]

Ditto for me, albeit slightly less drive - don't hugely love the high gain of this but for low gain o/d it's great, but def need to cut treble and boost bass a bit.

[Matt Dean]

This is exactly how I've been using it. However, I've also been using as a highish gain distortion.

When using it as a tone enhancer, I tend to set the treble at noon (or slightly advanced towards 1:00) and the bass about 2:00-2:30. As a distortion, I dial back the treble to about 10:30 or 11:00 and push the bass to about 3:00.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

This is exactly how I've been using it. However, I've also been using as a highish gain distortion.

When using it as a tone enhancer, I tend to set the treble at noon (or slightly advanced towards 1:00) and the bass about 2:00-2:30. As a distortion, I dial back the treble to about 10:30 or 11:00 and push the bass to about 3:00.

i dont find the need to boost so much bass. as its really transparent. But it does make me sound better without changing it, ironic aint it?

[Mark Olson]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

I run my dirts through a vt bass, and recently purchased an xotic bb pre because it sounded amazing thru an ampeg in a guitar center. However, I couldnt replicate the same sound through my house amp. It produced a fizzy type of o/d which i dont really fancy at all.

Therein lies the difference between the right amp and the wrong amp (or simulator) for use with effects. That's why so many people hate effects for bass, because they're not smart enough to use the right gear with them but their ears are just good enough to realize they sound like crap with them.

[Lowbrow]

I do - just a wee bit of gain, roll off a bit of high, boost a bit of bass, volume at 4 oclock - I find the BB cleans up when turned up high.

I mix the BB signal with clean signal using a Boss LS-2 pedal - then run the mix into a VT bass set at a modified 'fat tube' setting. Drive about 10-11 oclock.

EDIT: just a bit of BB mixed into slightly boosted clean before it hits the VT. Sounds lika toob.

[Matt Dean]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

i dont find the need to boost so much bass. as its really transparent. But it does make me sound better without changing it, ironic aint it?

I play in dub and reggae bands so, I boost the bass. When I play in my rock band, I roll it back and turn up the gain.

[blastjv]

This is exactly how I use mine. I get a punch and clarity that really helps to focus my sound. I kind of treat it like you would an active preamp inside your bass. It also gives me a touch of compression, and just a tiny bit of grit.

My settings are:

Gain - 8:00
Volume - 11:00
Treble - 10:30
Bass - 2:00


I'm not really in love with the sound of it used as an actual overdrive, but as a preamp it's PERFECT!!!

-JV