Bass Octave and Distortion for 3-piece band

gus1894 · #1 08-06-2009, 10:20 AM

I play in a band with one guitarist and one bassist, no keys or second guitar. Mostly, it works out pretty well, I enjoy the uncluttered sound a great deal. My dilemma comes in where I would like to be able to back up the guitarist during solos with a little bit more "umph".

My thought is a solid distortion (that doesn't sacrifice tone) and a digital octave that I can utilize an octave below AND an octave above. Either simultaneously or one or the other depending.

I am more than aware that the likelyhood of finding this in one place is not gonna happen (I am not necessarily looking for a multi-effects unit, but if there was a good one that wasn't too over-the-top and didn't claim too much real estate I'd be interested) so I have already accepted that I will need two or three different pedals to achieve this goal.

I am open to and looking for any input, advice, ideas, experience in this direction. Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Gus

3toes · #2 08-06-2009, 10:23 AM

For the Octave Down/Up I'd say see if you can try out a Micro POG.

Distortion is not my forte so I'll pass on a recommendation there

OptimusPrime · #3 08-06-2009, 10:23 AM

EHX MicropPOG for the octave. Digital and has both octave down and up.

dannybuoy · #4 08-06-2009, 10:30 AM

Akai Unibass - will put out an octave up + a 5th, and also add distortion to that signal, leaving your clean bass intact, so it basically sounds like a rythym guitar chugging out power chords on top of your bass. You can even route the effected output to a separate guitar amp. They are discontinued but pop up from time to time on here and eBay.

kaputsport · #5 08-06-2009, 11:00 AM

I was going to say just get an OC-2 ($70) and get any dirt pedal you like.

You would be surprised how thick your tone is playing in the higher register with the OC-2 and fuzz/dirt on. I use the OC-2 and my Animato/Woolly Mammoth all the time...

gus1894 · #6 08-06-2009, 12:17 PM

Thanks Kaputsport. I've owned the OC-3 in the past - nice pedal, but it does not have the octave up feature. So far my money is on the POG.

Anyone have any experience with Zoom? I've heard that their multi's are really solid for the money. The reason I wonder about the Zoom is that they take up minor real estate

Thanks.

groooooove · #7 08-06-2009, 12:22 PM

if you can live without the octave up an OC-2 will definitely treat you right. theres tons of good fuzzes out there, my current favorite is the chunk systems brown dog. can do wall of fuzz, or very subtle hair- and everything inbetween.

gus1894 · #8 08-06-2009, 12:30 PM

I am steering towards the MXR M-80 Bass D.I. + Dist. - I've owned one in the past, nice distortion, also has a blend feature to dial back in the clean tone.

Now to decide on an octave

kaputsport · #9 08-06-2009, 12:31 PM

Yea, my point was, play an octave higher on the neck, and use the OC-2 with a fuzz/dirt after it.... You will totally understand what I mean... Normal tone half, Octave 1 full, Octave 2, barely on, or off...

gus1894 · #10 08-06-2009, 12:43 PM

hm. have thought of it. will have to give it a whirl

imkelvis · #11 08-06-2009, 01:08 PM

I play in a trio with Reeves Gabrels (Tin Machine, David Bowie) and in the spirit of never knowing what will be on his pedal board or in his head/hands I've had to put together a few different tones to go under his solos. Right now I have a bass big muff and an ebs octabass in one of the loops on my board. I turn them both on with one switch and play an octave up from the original fingering. Sounds huge! I used the boss octaver years ago and thought it was fine but the ebs changed my life. So much more focused and tracks much better. Sounds like an actual bass in the low octave! I play alot with the octave down and no fuzz but rather than chase distortion pedals that retain enough bass - I find the two pedal/one switch solution works best for me when I'm trying to cover unison bass and guitar parts.

bwv1013 · #12 08-06-2009, 02:46 PM

i believe the boss ME-50B (multi effects) has a setting that applies distortion to higher frequencies only. i'm in exactly your situation so it's on my shopping list for that reason.

neatobassman · #13 08-06-2009, 03:12 PM

There's a lot of ways you can go. There are +/-octave pedals like the micro pog, and distortion units that have the up octave in it. I can't think of any of those off the top of my head right now for some reason.

Thunderscreech · #14 08-06-2009, 03:22 PM

Okay, I'll bite:

Tech 21 XXL Bass Edition for your distortion (you did ask for distortion) or a ProCo Rat of some fashion, and a Micro Pog for your octaves. Some people like octave up, others like down, others still both. Play around and see.

Play like Geezer Butler. Use lots of notes, and you will have a big, strong sound. if it gets down to it, get an 8-string (octave course; 4 pairs of 2), and see what that does for you. Schecter makes a few good ones, and you can always find them used.

But you asked about effects, so, again: tech 21 XXL Bass Edition and Micro Pog are your go-to boxes.

Pitbull Growl · #15 08-06-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neatobassman

There's a lot of ways you can go. There are +/-octave pedals like the micro pog, and distortion units that have the up octave in it. I can't think of any of those off the top of my head right now for some reason.

octave up + fuzz = Ampeg Scrambler
octave down + fuzz = MXR Blue Box

There's others, but that's a good start.

There's schematics for these pedals all over the web and some ppl like to build clones of these both into one unit w/2 switches (1 for each function).

HTH

DeluxeRed · #16 08-06-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwv1013

i believe the boss ME-50B (multi effects) has a setting that applies distortion to higher frequencies only. i'm in exactly your situation so it's on my shopping list for that reason.

Yes, it has several settings (and combinations) that will work. It has 8v-up and -down, and several distortion/fuzz/overdrive flavors. Versitle, easy to use (though I don't use it for that, exactly).

The trick to filling in the extra space is to send a full-range tone, not necessarily 8ve-up or -down, but lotsa lows, mids, and highs. (As well, as I've mentioned before, changing how you play behind the solo can help as well.) What I've found works well in our 3-piece backing trio is that I actually send the full sound naturally with lots of mids and drive/grind. So I started using my VT pedal to set my "normal" tone, which is a little flatter, more "vintage", then I kick the VT off to send in the mids-army while the gp goes off and solos or whatever. Which kinda suprised me--I figured I'd use the VT for more "drive" (during solos), so it just goes to show ya gotta try it out and go with what sounds best, despite your best laid plans.

neatobassman · #17 08-06-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitbull Growl

octave up + fuzz = Ampeg Scrambler
octave down + fuzz = MXR Blue Box

There's others, but that's a good start.

There's schematics for these pedals all over the web and some ppl like to build clones of these both into one unit w/2 switches (1 for each function).

HTH

Thank you

gus1894 · #18 08-06-2009, 04:42 PM

Thanks all. Lots of really great ideas. I have been flirting with the Boss ME-50B for a while. I may have to give it a try simply for the fact that buying individual pedals that are quality will amount to more $$ and more real estate and wiring mayhem.
Had an 8-string - Shecter. VERY nice instrument, but I found that it was either all 8 or switch to another bass - back and forth - etc. A pedal you can click on and off when you need it.
I tend to have a very "active" playing style - lots of notes - play with a heavy blues and walk influence, octaves, chords. But I had been playing with two guitarists for so long that I got used to the rhythm guitar adding that extra base to allow me to go off more often - not having that, I have to cover more of the backbone, and being in a cover band, of course results in different needs when playing than originals.

But I digress, thanks for all of your input! I am off to do more research. Anyone has any more ideas, please send them my way.

Thanks again!!
Gus

Pitbull Growl · #19 08-06-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neatobassman

Thank you

np

RS · #20 08-06-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imkelvis

I play in a trio with Reeves Gabrels (Tin Machine, David Bowie) and in the spirit of never knowing what will be on his pedal board or in his head/hands I've had to put together a few different tones to go under his solos.

You play with Reeves Gabrels?!? Sweet. What's the name of the band? Any clips?