Aphex xciter, VT Bass and an active bass ??

[Brass Brawls]

I'm pretty much an effects newb, so .....

I'm looking to get more out of my low end, i was thinking of the aphex 1402 xciter but i have a musicman sterling and i've heard the pedal doesn't do that well with active pickup's.

Does anyone have this pedal with active p/u??

Is there another pedal you guys/gals would suggest??

mm sterling> vt bass> gk800rb> ampeg810

Contrary to what i've heard I found the VT Bass actually robs me a bit of my low end. But i love the VT otherwise, and it is an always on pedal for me. I've rolled the bass knob on my GK and tried the same with the VT, but it's not what I'm looking for.

any suggestions? is the 1402 for me?

[FreaqyFrequency]

If you have an active, do not get an Aphex Xciter. That is my strongest recommendation. Perhaps it may work for an active with low output, but I could not get it to stop clipping for my Bongo.

[*insertcoolname]

You could always try different strings or boosting bass onboard. A compressor might tighten up the top end which would allow for some more lows. Also, you could try running an eq pedal like the boss GEB-7.

[thirtypoint87]

don't know anything about the 1402, but the Aphex Bass Exciter pedal is the one pedal I wouldn't want to do without. I'm pretty sure that there's a tiny wizard inside it who uses magic to make anything I put through it sound sweet. Really!

[FreaqyFrequency]

For my passive Peavey, I'll admit it did seem to make things sound wider and clearer. A bit artificial to my ears, but still a better sound in a mix.

But again I say, you will be sorry if you buy it for use with a hot active. Unless, of course, mine is just a lemon, but this seems to be a common complaint, upon further research, for those with active basses.

You may find better luck with the rackmount 204 unit, which of course is designed to take considerably hotter line-level signals. But I agree with Coolname's reply: look elsewhere for fatter tones.

[JimmyM]

VT's do roll off a little low low end, but that's the Ampeg sound. Put an exciter on it and boost it artificially and it's no longer that sound.

[dannybuoy]

Originally Posted by FreaqyFrequency

If you have an active, do not get an Aphex Xciter. That is my strongest recommendation. Perhaps it may work for an active with low output, but I could not get it to stop clipping for my Bongo.

+1. It even clips with most passives if you play real hard. The active/passive switch is useless as active mode massively reduces the volume going into the pedal but doesn't boost it at the end to make up for it! Although if you're placing it at the end like you should, you can back off the volume going into it slightly with the VT Bass. Maybe the rackmount version overcomes this issue?

[BassBrass]

I use the acoustic version of the Aphex pedal before a Boss limiter (no Boss exciter on) in the effect loop of my Peavey Tour 700, and a VT on my pedal board, near the end. Bass is active LTD Viper 404 usually...a very loud bass that I boost the treble and mids a bit on, it has tons of low end. No clipping. Aphex set to passive/wet, but using the active input (lower level) to the amp. The VT can produce too much bass if set wrong...I usually have character at 10 o' clock and mid range at 2, bass at noon, treble at 10, drive at 11. I have a bass Aphex at home, but it's dull sounding compared to the acoustic (green) one. Might be the pedal...I bought it on ebay and maybe it was worn out, too used.

[Surly]

If I turn up the drive on the VT where I lose low end, I'm able to EQ it back. I just need different amp settings when using the VT. I used to use the Xciter but find I can get the same results with the EQ.