Best pedal type for combo amp?

mmbongo · #1 09-07-2009, 10:20 AM

I have a Warwick Blue Cab 60 combo amp on the way to use strictly as a practice amp, and due to the limited tone controls on it I'm thinking of adding a pedal to it to get the tone shaping a little closer to my main amp (GK 1001RB).

So on a smallish combo amp such as this, would it be better to get just an EQ pedal, or a 'tone shaper' such as the Harke VXL?

gnasher1993 · #2 09-07-2009, 10:30 AM

Some sort of preamp would probably do. You need to work out what you want from the amp if you don't already know.

I use Dave Hall's DI-EQ pedal and it makes my practice amp sound great. It's basically just a 3 band EQ with selectable mids and a DI output. Highly recommended!

You could even try something like the VT Bass or the new Catalinbread SFT if you want a bit of dirt as well.

P-oddz · #3 09-07-2009, 10:40 AM

VT Bass might fill out some of your sound problems.

warwick.hoy · #4 09-07-2009, 10:45 AM

Maybe also consider an Aphex Aural Xciter. I had an SWR LA 8 at one point in time that I used as a glorified practice amp. The Xciter really helped me get a bigger more believable bass tone out of an otherwise week sounding amp.

FeuerFrei · #5 09-07-2009, 10:58 AM

Sansamp BassDriver

Or, maybe just a GEB-7?

gnasher1993 · #6 09-07-2009, 11:09 AM

I've just re-read your original post and you say the amp is on its way. I'd say wait until it's with you and then decide what you want from it, then decide on a pedal.

mmbongo · #7 09-07-2009, 11:34 AM

Good suggestions, thanks! The amp will be here tomorrow, I'm assuming it will have a rather 'boxy' sound just from past experience with small practice amps so that will probably be the main thing I'll need to tame.

I see that Sweetwater is doing 12 month financing on anything, so that Hartke pedal is looking mighty tempting. Hey, having 12 months to pay off $89 is almost like getting it for free

M@ddest_H@tter! · #8 09-07-2009, 03:38 PM

Obligatory MXR m80 suggestion

bwv1013 · #9 09-07-2009, 04:06 PM

all of my suggestions have been mentioned so i'll +1 all of them:

-boss bass eq
-Tech 21 (either the VT pedal or programmable DI; both will fatten/warm -up your tone a bit)
-aural exciter

i would start with either the eq or one of the Tech 21 pedals, i think they'll have a bigger impact on your tone.

squashedOpossum · #10 09-08-2009, 01:32 PM

Let me be the first to give kudos to the Hartke VXL preamp. I have a cheap 100W 15" amp that I use for a monitor. I run the Hartke through the effects return, bypassing the tone controls of the cheap amp. I LOVE the sound I'm getting out of my Jazz with this thing. I borrowed a SansAmp BDDI for awhile, and was able to compare the two. Using the "SVT" settings outlined in the SansAmp manual for the BDDI, I was able to duplicate the sound on the VXL with the same settings -- without the use of the Hartke Shape control. Using the Shape control can take you in completely different direction. I have my VXL set for two different sounds, using each button independently. I rarely use them both. Of course I must say YMMV, but it was the best $70 I've ever spent. (Got it at zzounds.com before they raised the price.)