Bass brands that CLASH with effects? CLASH! BANG!! IT JUST CLASHED! A BIG OL' CLASH!

SpankyPants · #1 12-29-2007, 09:18 PM

Generally, a hot signal is desirable for effects. It offers a solid, steady base for dynamics-oriented effects (octaves, synths, envelope followers, etc). However, sometimes this is not the case. Often times a very hot signal (or very deep notes) will cause a fuzz to drop out or completely obliterate dynamics in general. Sometimes a bass will even clip effects (DSP) when bypassed. And of course, active basses have a much lower-than-optimal impedance which can cause problems too.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is if there are certain bass brands that are poorly (or favorably) associated with effects. Some stereotypes that I've come across are that Fenders generally do well with effects, but G&L's do not. G&L's have a preamp, but it's bypassable. Even in passive mode, G&L's are extremely hot. I've heard SB-2's (single P pickup) that are much louder than active basses with more than one pickup. Personally, I've seen a few effects that weren't pleased by my bass' high output.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Do G&L basses really clash with effects? Why? Does anyone know of any other brand/effect stereotypes?

syciprider · #2 12-29-2007, 09:23 PM

I used to have a Bassballs. It didn't work right with my Stingray.

Envelope filters are also sensitive to the bass settings (for obvious reasons)

bongomania · #3 12-29-2007, 09:29 PM

Spanks- check the thread title, it needs a little something.

SpankyPants · #4 12-29-2007, 09:32 PM

What? You think I something out?

SpankyPants · #5 12-29-2007, 09:33 PM

Fixed.

JanusZarate · #6 12-29-2007, 09:50 PM

EBMM Stingray, Sterling, and Bongo basses can clash with certain effects, especially sensitive envelope filters and some fuzz pedals. But IME, my Stingray has given me no trouble so far.

I wouldn't let that stop you from trying them out... think of it as a minor disclaimer instead.

JonathanD · #7 12-29-2007, 09:59 PM

For me its not that the bass will CLASH BANG BOOM its that you have to have your effects set for the bass. You can't change basses and expect the same results.
I use a Line 6 bass pod in the chain and I have some set with a low input gain and some with a high input gain. One thing that really sucks as an audience member is when someones effects levels are all over the place throughout the night.

Try using a Boost/cut type pedal as the first thing in the chain, or if you have a boost cut eq like on my MM SR5's you can cut the eq instead of boosting. I normally bump the treb back just a touch. If I boosted the mid and bass instead it would be too hot for my settings.

In short, most basses will be fine, you just have to set the levels(I>E> sensitivity on a filter). However some pedals are ser for a certain type of input and do not allow for others. And I will agree the G&L basses are just way too hot for effects most of the time.
My Stingrays do fine though
Jonathan

keb · #8 12-29-2007, 10:03 PM

My Rickenbacker (which has fairly hot pickups) can distort my EHX Small Clone if I play hard. It's not too noticeable though, and I usually play with a bit of overdrive in my tone anyway so I'm not too worked up about it.

vegas532 · #9 12-29-2007, 10:27 PM

Wals are generally unkind to effects. You just have to set them very carefully.

diechris · #10 12-29-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas532

Wals are generally unkind to effects. You just have to set them very carefully.

thats very funny.. because the bassist for tool uses a wal... and TONS of effects.. haha

seanm · #11 12-30-2007, 12:20 AM

And by effects, you mean stomp box effects. Obviously, effects in the effects loop are not going to be as affected by different basses.

Probably most effects are tested against a Fender P bass. So it is not surprising that most effects work really well with a Fender P. This is just an educated guess on my part though.

vegas532 · #12 12-30-2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diechris

thats very funny.. because the bassist for tool uses a wal... and TONS of effects.. haha

And I'm sure there was lots of trial and error on his part, masking it easier on us fanboys.

**grygrx** · #13 12-30-2007, 09:13 AM

I've got a 5 string birdsong bass that I just love the feel and sound of. But, it's a passive instrument with extremely low output. It's clashing wildly with my recent envelope filter lust. I've been thinking of how best to get around it.

Lowpro · #14 12-30-2007, 09:30 AM

My Spector can get pretty mean ( I crank everything out, max attack) and I use a Guyatone BR2 and what happens is sometimes the bass signal just gets rolled to a REALLY low end and it freaks me out, makes me think I'll tear a speaker X.x

Otherwise, while passive is usually great for effects I've never had a clash with any other than my autowah and to a lesser extent my Flanger, only because that little wooshing sound seems louder than the flange when I have my fuzz on, but that's not a big deal to me right now, for recording it might suck >.>

SpankyPants · #15 12-30-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanm

And by effects, you mean stomp box effects. Obviously, effects in the effects loop are not going to be as affected by different basses.

Probably most effects are tested against a Fender P bass. So it is not surprising that most effects work really well with a Fender P. This is just an educated guess on my part though.

Yup, that's what I was aiming for.

And as far as the Pbass, my own bass is a P. I just have a super-hot ceramic pickup that's been known to decimate certain pedals.

seanm · #16 12-30-2007, 11:37 AM

You could try just putting a simple buffer or boost pedal at the start of the chain. Assuming the signal is too hot, that could knock it down.

You also could just turning down the volume on the bass

If you are worried about losing the highs when doing that, there is a treble bleed mod that fixes this.

SpankyPants · #17 12-30-2007, 11:57 AM

That's actually why I haven't turned the bass volume down; I was worried about loss of tone.

Hmm... mod...

OhThePeacock · #18 12-30-2007, 01:54 PM

Envelope filters seemed to not like my Peavey cirrus (18v preamp) but they do fine with my 9v jaguar.

diechris · #19 12-30-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas532

And I'm sure there was lots of trial and error on his part, masking it easier on us fanboys.

haha no doubt. having multiple rigs and the money to try practically anything must help a lot!

Swimming Bird · #20 12-30-2007, 05:53 PM

My Spalt Magma can overdrive the clean out on my GR-20 and make me put envelope filters' sensitivity very very low. Though, that's usually with the preamp EQ working hard.