Awesome crunchy bass tone for cheap?

boomaholic · #1 07-13-2010, 11:08 PM

So I really want that awesome, crunchy tube sound out of my bass. I play in a death metal band, and using full on overdrive/distortion (I have the Boss ODB-3) is just a little too much. I also cannot afford a badass Ampeg amp. For the tone I'm talking about, listen to this song on YouTube and skip to 2:38

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FnzWZarE6Y

Is the Sansamp pedal my best bet? Or what about the Behringer clone? Is it really as good as I've read? Any help is appreciated.

agreatheight · #2 07-13-2010, 11:14 PM

For cheap the Bad Monkey cannot be beat.

boomaholic · #3 07-13-2010, 11:18 PM

Really? Even better than the Behringer clone?

varunkapahi · #4 07-13-2010, 11:47 PM

how cheap are you talking? for metal the sansamp will sit you well in the mix get the behringer copy

boomaholic · #5 07-14-2010, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

how cheap are you talking? for metal the sansamp will sit you well in the mix get the behringer copy

So the Behringer copy is just as good as the Sansamp?

rodl2005 · #6 07-14-2010, 12:07 AM

Aint the TECH 21 VTBASS pedal cheap enough??? Hard to beat IT'S crunchy tonal options!

It'll do THAT sound with ease.
Probly a lot about 2nd hand now - with the deluxe version out.
But even NEW they're about $140 aint they?

boomaholic · #7 07-14-2010, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Aint the TECH 21 VTBASS pedal cheap enough??? Hard to beat IT'S crunchy tonal options!

It'll do THAT sound with ease.
Probly a lot about 2nd hand now - with the deluxe version out.
But even NEW they're about $140 aint they?

Yeah, new they are $140 on Amazon. I was looking to spend less than that though, actually. I'm sure it would be good in the long run, but I really want to know more about the Behringer clone. It sounds awesome, and my friend told me it's pretty much the only Behringer effect that's worth a damn. What do you guys think?

varunkapahi · #8 07-14-2010, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomaholic

So the Behringer copy is just as good as the Sansamp?

its in plastic housing, people say it might not be as durable but its a very good clone. if you are talking cheap its awesome

Bob C · #9 07-14-2010, 07:55 AM

It sounds like you want to be talked into the Behringer because it costs the least.

The only way to know for sure if it will do is try it out. If you buy one and it breaks or is lame, at least you're not out much money.

If you can try one out in a store first, even better.

SC Bassboy · #10 07-14-2010, 08:10 AM

I've never regretted spending slightly more money on a better product.

Din Of Win · #11 07-14-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC Bassboy

I've never regretted spending slightly more money on a better product.

True.

But... in this case, the Behringer is a GOOD alternative. It's also in that cheap range that if he were to upgrade to the sansamp he could sell the behringer at PRETTY close to cost without taking a big loss.

Get the behringer bdi21.

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BDI21.aspx

takfar · #12 07-14-2010, 09:15 AM

Many bassists I know swear by the Behringer ADI over the BDI on bass (better mids control, it seems)

but yea, Tech21's VT Bass is great for overdrive, and their XXL Bass is great for full-on distortion.

Meddle · #13 07-14-2010, 09:15 AM

The Ashdown drive plus is worth the money as well. You can dial in bottom end drive and top end drive, blend the two, set the input level to control the level of breakup as well. It is cool as you can add just treble distortion and then mix that lower than a cleaner bass signal to get a psuedo bi-amped tone that suits a band situation.

Crystalman85 · #14 07-15-2010, 12:30 AM

if you like tube emulation pedals and your budget is around $100, the hartke vxl bass attack pre-amp pedal would be a good choice.

Pandafist · #15 07-15-2010, 01:47 AM

Intersound IVP

Sten · #16 07-15-2010, 04:43 AM

Behringer comes really close in sound, but will not serve you as long. I recommend a second hand Tech21 bassdriver, a programmable one with 3 presets if you can (almost the same price). The overdriven sound that sounds good in full mix and the overdriven sound that sounds good during such bass breaks as in the clip are usually a little bit different (you can add a bit more drive for these bass parts, but doing so you will lose some low end that makes your bass sound good in the full mix with two overdriven guitars).

I have owned one for about 4 years now. I have never gigged even once without it during that time and it is my best purchase of all time.

By the way, good luck getting that sound out of an Ampeg stack. Will not happen, at least not without additional pedals.

BritPicker · #17 07-15-2010, 04:49 AM

The Behringer is GREAT. I have it on my board, and it is on all the time.

Not a full-on distortion, just a nice rounded crunchy full sound.

Mine is lashed down to my board, so it doesn't get abused, and never had a moments trouble with it.

I'd say go for it unless you are someone who kicks their gear about.