Blackstar Distortion pedals on bass?

PunkRocker33133 · #1 08-13-2009, 05:42 PM

These pedals seem to get rave reviews for guitar, but I haven't seen any of them on bass. Has anyone tried any of them? And if so, which one and how was it?

Higgins666 · #2 08-13-2009, 05:51 PM

I've been using one on bass, the HT-DistX to be exact, It's very nice for getting a high gain sound (as that's what it's designed for) & the low end is very nice! I'd like to try some of the other Blackstar pedals aswell, to see how the lower gain pedals work out. Oh, one quick tip, if you have the HT-DistX in your set up, you might need a noise gate.

PunkRocker33133 · #3 08-13-2009, 06:03 PM

That's the one I was looking at. I may go try one out this weekend if I ahve the time

bassman03 · #4 08-13-2009, 09:07 PM

I know that Brian Marshall from Alter Bridge uses one of these. Might be able to find it in some of their songs if you listen hard enough.

**BassIsFun17** · #5 08-14-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgins666

I've been using one on bass, the HT-DistX to be exact, It's very nice for getting a high gain sound (as that's what it's designed for) & the low end is very nice! I'd like to try some of the other Blackstar pedals aswell, to see how the lower gain pedals work out. Oh, one quick tip, if you have the HT-DistX in your set up, you might need a noise gate.

what sorts of tones do you get out of it? does it do fuzz sounds well? like Isis sounding distortion?

coolrunner989 · #6 08-14-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman03

I know that Brian Marshall from Alter Bridge uses one of these. Might be able to find it in some of their songs if you listen hard enough.

Think that is what it is one the intro to The Damage Done? I havent really looked into his setup (I know he has a Sadowsky) but he has a great tone going on.

DanFold · #7 08-14-2009, 06:17 PM

I used one in the studio. Me amp was pretty distorted but it just wouldn't come through into the control room how i wanted it. So we sent the signal through one of these Blackstar's after the bass was recorded and it sounded unbelievable!

I'd send you the tune but it's gonna be the next single.

**BassIsFun17** · #8 08-14-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanFold

I used one in the studio. Me amp was pretty distorted but it just wouldn't come through into the control room how i wanted it. So we sent the signal through one of these Blackstar's after the bass was recorded and it sounded unbelievable!

I'd send you the tune but it's gonna be the next single.

oh hell yeah that would be so great to hear a sample
i think i may go to guitar center and just pull the trigger on one tommorrow though haha.

Darkstrike · #9 08-14-2009, 06:35 PM

I've been using a HT-DistX as well, and really like it, had soundclips up, but the site I used closed, and the originals were wiped from my computer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgins666

I'd like to try some of the other Blackstar pedals aswell, to see how the lower gain pedals work out.

The Dual Channel one, green label, IIRC, is no good, well, I didn't like it anyway, sucked my low end away too much.

**BassIsFun17** · #10 08-14-2009, 06:37 PM

[quote=Darkstrike;7821566]I've been using a HT-DistX as well, and really like it, had soundclips up, but the site I used closed, and the originals were wiped from my computer.

what sort of sounds were you able to get from it?

Darkstrike · #11 08-14-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassIsFun17

what sort of sounds were you able to get from it?

Quite a few really, though I use it mainly as a heavy distortion, I could get kinda fussy tones, the more guitarish low end less distortion, if I put up the gain really high, I could get screaming harmonics.

The only downside is, roll the gain to 12 o clock, and you got a pretty heavy distortion, I'd like it if it could go a little higher before going crazy, to try an tube amp sim, but its hard to balance with the small range befor ethe dirt kicks in heavy.

**BassIsFun17** · #12 08-14-2009, 06:44 PM

as far as low end though....its retains it well and will hold up in a metal band. when i need to add a layer of heavy bass distortion?

Darkstrike · #13 08-14-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassIsFun17

as far as low end though....its retains it well and will hold up in a metal band. when i need to add a layer of heavy bass distortion?

It can, though I don't play with a band, I found no problems with the low end, I kept the bass near max, and the mids low on the pedal, with the ISF rolled completly clockwize, IIRC.

Here's an old, short clip I found of mine, please excuse the terrible playing.
All bridge pickup, through a Marshall bass amps "vintage channel" meaning a tube pre, and mic'd, the buzz and clack is acoustic, as I was standing over the mic.

http://www.mediafire.com/?eyzz0ytjn0o

**BassIsFun17** · #14 08-14-2009, 06:56 PM

that sounds pretty damn good
i think i will just pull the trigger on one tomomrow at guitar center. if i dont like it, i can always return it.

Darkstrike · #15 08-14-2009, 06:57 PM

You'll have to update us on how you get on!

**BassIsFun17** · #16 08-14-2009, 07:05 PM

oh i definitely will.
today i bought a used mxr blow torch...and i hated it. so i returned it and got a swollen pickle and while its heavy ass fuzz....its really not just not my thing as much as it used to be....so next in line is this high gain distortion. i think ill be pretty please. i guess my only worry is that it wont do so well on a low b string...as ive had problems with distortions before. once i get amp fixed i could easily run it through my effects loop and use the blend knob. either way i think it will be the keeper.

Darkstrike · #17 08-14-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassIsFun17

oh i definitely will.
today i bought a used mxr blow torch...and i hated it. so i returned it and got a swollen pickle and while its heavy ass fuzz....its really not just not my thing as much as it used to be....so next in line is this high gain distortion. i think ill be pretty please. i guess my only worry is that it wont do so well on a low b string...as ive had problems with distortions before. once i get amp fixed i could easily run it through my effects loop and use the blend knob. either way i think it will be the keeper.

I love the Blowtorch, but its an aquired taste, and very much a fuzz, a synthy one at that.

As for low B, I found it fine for that, the deleted clips all had B's on them.

The effects loop and blend should make it stellar.

**BassIsFun17** · #18 08-14-2009, 07:12 PM

the blow torch was too gated for me. it couldnt get any tones to sustain or anything. it was quite synthy.

any problems with the ht-disx and active electronics?

Darkstrike · #19 08-14-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassIsFun17

the blow torch was too gated for me. it couldnt get any tones to sustain or anything. it was quite synthy.

any problems with the ht-disx and active electronics?

I get ya, as I said an aquired taste really.

No trouble with actives at all, works just as well with them.

**BassIsFun17** · #20 08-14-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

I get ya, as I said an aquired taste really.

No trouble with actives at all, works just as well with them.

okay that sounds great.
i really hope my amp gets repaired soon...that way i can try it in the loop and stuff.