Best effect device [multi or single] for bass/amp/cab MODELING only

jibreel · #1 10-15-2009, 10:03 AM

Read and searched through a lot of posts.
What I am after:

My main fretted bass is a Carvin AC-50 which is peizo only. Black nylon flats. Sound great.

In an ideal world, I would have an effects device that would allow me to occasionaly make it sound more like a p or j or ric etc. Something like the variax without the variax bass. I am not looking for all of the variax sounds though.

Also, I do not care about all of the other effects: chorus flanger distortion etc. Just modeling[ish] effects.

$ 100 - $ 300 range only.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jumbotron · #2 10-15-2009, 01:11 PM

I'd recommend something by tech 21. Their analog "modeling" kicks serious butt on digital options. The VT Bass has a lot of tones in it, but for programmable versatility (if you want that), you can't go wrong with a PBDDI.

JimmyM · #3 10-15-2009, 11:18 PM

VT Bass = pedal of the future.

bongomania · #4 10-15-2009, 11:23 PM

While I agree that the Tech21 offerings do what they do better than the digital versions I've heard, they only do a small range of tones. I recently borrowed a Line6 Bass Pod XT Live, and I was actually pretty impressed by the range and quality of the amp models. It's not "my thing" enough to where I'd buy it, but the versatility of amp tones was undeniable and the quality was good enough for most live gigs I think.

Oh and PS Jibreel, try the new Diamond bass compressor. I think you'd like it.

Crystalman85 · #5 10-15-2009, 11:45 PM

If you ask me, I would say go with either the korg "toneworks" ax3000b or the line 6 bass pod xt live. both multi-effects processors has amp and cab models.

JimmyM · #6 10-16-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

While I agree that the Tech21 offerings do what they do better than the digital versions I've heard, they only do a small range of tones. I recently borrowed a Line6 Bass Pod XT Live, and I was actually pretty impressed by the range and quality of the amp models. It's not "my thing" enough to where I'd buy it, but the versatility of amp tones was undeniable and the quality was good enough for most live gigs I think.

Ya, if you want a lot of different quality tones, the Line 6 is pretty good stuff. I was even impressed with their B-15 model. But I prefer analog. There's just something a little iffy about Line 6 stuff. I don't think it's quite as far along in realism as the VT.

PilbaraBass · #7 10-16-2009, 12:40 AM

VT bass will not make a Carvin AC 50 sound like a P or J or anything but a Carvin AC50...
The VT emulates an amplifier (SVT) and it does a spectacular job at that.
The only thing that will model like a variax may be a Roland V bass...everything else is about amplifier modeling.

I have a fretted Carvin AC 40 and an Active Jazz, and a P-bass and a fretless ATK...the AC40 cannot sound like ANY of these basses...and that's NOT a bad thing...I love the AC40...
it's just not the same type of bass as the others...

JimmyM · #8 10-16-2009, 01:01 AM

Good point Pilbara, but I think the dude isn't looking for an exact copy but a general approximation. Personally, I'd just get a cheap Precision, but with the 5k rolloff and a mid forward pedal like the VT, you could sort of dummy up an old school sound.

dannybuoy · #9 10-16-2009, 01:46 AM

I think you should check out a Roland V-Bass. It does modelling of different basses/pickups etc and is the only way I know of to get your bass to sound like a totally different instrument like a Variax does.

gastric · #10 10-16-2009, 06:32 AM

If you want amp and cab modeling in a hardware box then the Line 6 gear should get your first consideration. Widely available on the used market, and not that expensive even for their Pro rack mount line. And if you don't want a large pedal or rack unit they have the little bean shaped ones that are small. You could strap it to a mic stand probably.

For bass modeling, I have no recommendations.

WaldoNova · #11 10-16-2009, 06:38 AM

Wouldn't a Knockout pedal by Electroharmonics sort of achieve this? I've heard it makes a single coil sound like a humbucker and viceversa. Might be what you're looking for.

jibreel · #12 10-16-2009, 06:47 AM

Thanks all, for your suggestions.

And yes, I know the AC50 will also sound like an AC-50. I just want to influence the tone sometimes with something more than standard tone controls and EQ.

OK, so I just ordered a VT. If that doesn't do it I will try the para driver or perhaps the Pod. The roland V bass would be great but I just don't want to spend that much. Overall, I am very happy with the tone of my basses.

Diamond bass compressor Hmmm.........

JimmyM · #13 10-17-2009, 02:00 PM

BTW, the tone that you're looking for is mostly in the character knob. Ignore what Tech 21 gives you for sample settings. They are in the ballpark, sort of, but not really. You're probably better off going for more of a B-15 sound.

PilbaraBass · #14 10-18-2009, 05:10 PM

On the Carvin AC-40/50, there is a LOT of control on the 2-band preamp....if you roll the highs off a bit. and push up the bass a tad, you can get a deep, round tone...but the instrument has plenty of open high end if you bring the treble knob into play.

You can get sounds closer to P-bass and Jazz bass...but you won't get a jazz bass sound with those nylon tape strings, either...they're GREAT for doing the acoustic bass thing, and that's what I love my AC40 for...but if you're serious about getting P-bass and J-bass sounds from your AC50, then take the nylon tapes off, put them away (DON'T get rid of them)...and get a set of nickel rounds (not stainless, they'll be too bright for the piezo pickup, IMO...

after you've experimented a bit with your amp and your tone settings with the nickels, you will have a better idea of where you need to go....