So I tried out the Boss ST-2 Power Stack and all I can say is WOW! I went to my nearest GC and saw that they had both the new ST-2 and the PS-6. I was pressed for time so I went ahead and asked to check out the ST-2 because I did not have the time to run through all the settings of the PS-6. I asked one of the sales reps (A young kid) if I could check it out. He took it out the pedal and some cables and led me towards the Guitard room. I then told him that I played bass. At which point in this dudes infinite wisdom proceeded to inform me that it would probably sound “muddy” and wouldn't work well for bass
. He then added that a Sansamp would probably be a better choice. I then told him that I already have a Sansamp product (VT Bass) and would try it just the same. He said “Okay”
(its time like this when I wish someone would invent a sarcasm font!)
Anyhow I figured that this pedal would be Boss's answer to Tech 21's products. I kept this in mind the whole time. So I picked up a MIM passive Fender Jazz and a 1x12 Markbass combo. The knobs on the pedal where all set to noon. Of course I got a distorted sound which some might deem usable. It did not sound “digital” to my ears. But this was not the sound I was looking for. What I wanted to see was if this pedal could cop the Tech 21 vibe (more specifically the VT Bass or the BDDI). After about a minute or fiddling with the knobs I finally realized that the “Sound knob” was the key! When you set the knob to it's lowest (0-2 or 3) levels BAM!
Very musical, rich break up and punchy as hell! It totally nails the Geddy Lee tone! This pedal is defiantly more in the BDDI camp with a touch VT bass. But to me this pedal was much more musical than the BDDI. In all truth fullness I never really got on the BDDI bandwagon because I always felt the BDDI sounded “artificial”. I did not get that filling with the ST-2.
Like other Tech 21 products it's very responsive to dynamics. I loved the way it responded to my touch. If I held back the tone was nice and round but as soon as I dug in I was rewarded with sweetest overdrive tone. I tried other settings and got a verity of overdrive tones but I always came back to the “Sound” knob's lowest levels.
Now for the bad, which is not so bad.....This pedal does have some low end loss but it's slight. You can dial it back in with the bass knob but it can get “muddy” (I guess the dude was somewhat right
). However, the pedal makes up for this in punch and musicality. To my ears it retains the lows much better than the stock Digitech Bad Monkey.
Well the you go, I wished I had the cash on hand to snatch this little guy up but it's defiantly on my “list” of pedals to get in the near future. If you're considering the VT Bass or the BDDI I would whole heartedly recommend the Boss ST-2 power stack as a cheaper alternative (I believe it was $99!). With that in mind I predict that this pedal will make it's way onto a lot of bass players pedal boards. All in all it's a great guitard pedal that's suitable for bass.
. Literally the worst dirt pedal I'd used on bass.
