Boss ME70 with bass gig review

oldcatfish · #1 04-03-2011, 03:51 PM

It seems that every time that there is a thread about the Boss ME50B, someone asks about using the Boss ME70 (guitar version) for bass...but no one seems to have tried it. Well that got my curiosity up, since I already have an ME70 for guitar. So today I tried it at a church gig. Here's my take on it.

I used it with a P bass copy with high output aftermarket pickups into the ME70 and into a Fender Rumble 150 combo. I tried out the following effects during the rehearsal:compressor, defretter, pickup changer, chorus, natural overdrive, blues overdrive, tuner, and eq. I used all except the defretter, pickup changer, and blues overdrive during the actual church service.

My analysis...actually, I am pleasantly surprised. I usually don't use a lot of effects, but I liked most of the ones that I used today. Most of the effects sounded better than the Zoom B2 that I usually use. The only three drawbacks were the following:

1) I don't like the Fender Rumble's tone, so I usually use the Zoom to color the sound using an amp model and the eq. With the Boss unit, there are no specific bass models so I had to rely on the eq...and I really need to play with it on the Boss unit more. If you like your amp's tone, this won't be an issue for you.

2) The overdrive needs a dry blend to avoid getting muddy...but that's a drawback specific to most bass specific units too.

3)The compressor sounds great...but unfortunately, it's in the same module that many of the other bass-friendly effects are in. So you have to choose between the compressor, defretter, pickup changer, slow gear, etc. This is often a problem with many multi-effect units though.

As I said, I don't use a lot of effects. If I did though, I would seriously consider using mainly the ME70, since the effects sounded so nice. It works pretty well for bass, better than I thought that it would.

enjoi1018 · #2 04-18-2011, 02:44 PM

Hey Catfish, so glad to see a review of this. I'm obviously new as a member here, but have been trolling a little while.... I am torn between a used ME-70 and ME-50B. Both are in outstanding condition and are the same price.

Quite frankly, I can almost tell you I prefer the 70 over the 50B because of the exact reasons as above.

My question to you is, if you had to have one and only one, would you take the "riskier" (for lack of a better term) pedal in the 70, or stick with the bass-specific 50B? I realize that the "B" is just Boss's way to sell "bass-specific" pedals, but the 70 just is more pedal for the same money as I see it.

Look forward to see the light!

oldcatfish · #3 04-18-2011, 05:43 PM

Oh, I'd definitely get the ME70 if I could only have one.

In fact, if I actually used more effects, I'd use the ME 70 now instead of my Zoom B2.

The Boss effects are much better sounding in my opinion...but, I primarily use the Zoom for EQ, tuner, and amp modeling. And although the tuner and EQ on the boss work just fine, I do sometimes use the amp modeling. And the Zoom is a lot smaller and lighter. The ME70 is much easier to dial in though.

enjoi1018 · #4 04-18-2011, 09:25 PM

Between posts I actually went to my local shop and tested the ME-70 out. Went and found my exact bass on the wall (Ibanez SR-505) and went to town. I freakin' LOVE how easy that thing is to use, and how fun it is! I definitely want the separate MOD and DELAY pedals. Screw the "it's not a bass pedal" argument. It's got a killer equalizer.

My only experience with effects have been via a Digitech BP200. It robbed my tone, and only a few patches would sound mediocre enough to even use. I don't even use it to tune anymore. It sits under my bed, not even plugged in.

oldcatfish · #5 04-19-2011, 08:43 PM

I've fooled around with my ME70 more since I gigged with it...and it just gets better. I'm really debating whether to just start using it instead of the Zoom. The ME70 is really easy to dial in, while the Zoom takes more tinkering. If only the ME70 had a few good amp models.

If I were you, I'd just get the ME70. You'll like it better when you have a chance to play with it even more. I found a good clean sound with a compressor, and I can kick on the "natural overdrive" sound for a bit more grit...almost like a 2nd channel.

enjoi1018 · #6 04-19-2011, 09:06 PM

That's good to hear. I have been tossing these back and forth in my mind all day. I currently am looking at pictures of them side by side comparing what combinations/phrases can be created with both. I think the equalizer will help keep it dialed in if a few of the effects are lacking with a bass plugged into it.

My other gripe is the fact that it doesn't have a true bypass. Whats the easiest way to fix this? have a separate line running past the pedal?