Boss SP1 - Spectrum Mith or Real

[tomhanzo]

Hey has any one ever tried a Boss SP1 - Spectrum on a bass?

also is there a clone of it out there cause i cant find one.

[sonicvi]

Behringer has a clone.

[tomhanzo]

Originally Posted by sonicvi

Behringer has a clone.

yeah spectrum enhancer
But i cant find any clips. I guess i could ask if anyone has played it.

[RCCollins]

There are a lot of parametric EQs worth looking into on bass. Nothing against this pedal but it's probably not worth paying collector prices for when you can get a more full-featured para for well under a hundred bucks.

Lots has changed since this came out; these days, a lot of bass amps come with built-in semi-parametric EQ, which is useful but not nearly as flexible as a ParaEQ with adjustable width/Q.

[tomhanzo]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

There are a lot of parametric EQs worth looking into on bass. Nothing against this pedal but it's probably not worth paying collector prices for when you can get a more full-featured para for well under a hundred bucks.

Lots has changed since this came out; these days, a lot of bass amps come with built-in semi-parametric EQ, which is useful but not nearly as flexible as a ParaEQ with adjustable width/Q.

i guess i should have went about my question differently then.

I guess I should ask is there a good ParaEQ out there for bass? or are they just the same as a regular EQ? cause i thought they were different

[RCCollins]

They are very different. Para EQ in general is very practical on bass. Probably the best way to go is to use an amplifier that has parametric EQ, but as I mentioned before, true parametric EQ is fairly uncommon, and semi-parametric EQ is cool for a specific boost or cut, but far less flexible than the real deal.

A rack parametric EQ, or a preamp with parametric EQ, is an option for many folks. There are TONS of options for parametric EQ when it comes to rack gear.

As for stompboxes, check the range, but almost any parametric EQ can work well for bass. The classic bass paraEQ stompbox is probably the chrome-housed Yamaha NE-1. It still sounds great but it runs on a battery only, and has switchable Q rather than a Q or width knob. Since you brought up the BOss Spectrum, how about the PQ-3B, which Boss made for bass: Instead of Q selection, it has three bands of semi-parametric EQ (low, mid and high) as well as blendable effect level.

On a budget? For $50 you can get an Artec parametric EQ on eBay. It's hard to say what the range is, but I've found it works well on bass, and it has adjustable width/Q and GAIN in addition to level and frequency knobs. Very handy, I'd get something like this before investing more in a parametric EQ.

[tomhanzo]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

They are very different. Para EQ in general is very practical on bass. Probably the best way to go is to use an amplifier that has parametric EQ, but as I mentioned before, true parametric EQ is fairly uncommon, and semi-parametric EQ is cool for a specific boost or cut, but far less flexible than the real deal.

A rack parametric EQ, or a preamp with parametric EQ, is an option for many folks. There are TONS of options for parametric EQ when it comes to rack gear.

As for stompboxes, check the range, but almost any parametric EQ can work well for bass. The classic bass paraEQ stompbox is probably the chrome-housed Yamaha NE-1. It still sounds great but it runs on a battery only, and has switchable Q rather than a Q or width knob. Since you brought up the BOss Spectrum, how about the PQ-3B, which Boss made for bass: Instead of Q selection, it has three bands of semi-parametric EQ (low, mid and high) as well as blendable effect level.

On a budget? For $50 you can get an Artec parametric EQ on eBay. It's hard to say what the range is, but I've found it works well on bass, and it has adjustable width/Q and GAIN in addition to level and frequency knobs. Very handy, I'd get something like this before investing more in a parametric EQ.

RCCollins you have answered all my questions. Thank you so much.

Now if i could just find a clip of either of these lol.

[PoisonPen]

I am probably late to the game, but some here are underestimating what the Spectrum does. The Q is like running the signal through a wah pedal, if you play with it you can get those fixed wah Michael Schenker type tones with it. That being said, the Keeley Nova Wah does a better job for considerably less money, and has 2 separate circuits. For me the Spectrum would be a great pedal to use if it were still a bargain basement unit but ignorant collectors have scarfed them all up; I know of one guy who has 70+ in his collection.

[churchofamon]

Originally Posted by PoisonPen

I know of one guy who has 70+ in his collection.

Old thread and I am new to the boards... but this just made me upset. I would love a Spectrum (and agree with the comments that it would only really be good if it was a "value for money" pedal) and this "collect em for investment purposes" stuff irritates me. I know its a free world etc blah blah but goddamn...