Bulid CapnSev's Effects Arsenal!

[CapnSev]

So I have always been a bass-straight-to-amp guy with the exception of putting in my Q-Tron and compressor sometimes, but I recently joined a 90s cover band and realize that some effects would greatly help. As a non-effects disciple, I thought it would be fun to see all of your recommendations and advice.

I want a nice, small, simple board.
Here's what I'm thinking I need/want:

- One more extra-greasy, raunchy envelope filter besides my Q-Tron. (Bassballs maybe?)
- An overdrive/fuzz. (Most likely a Bass Big Muff)
- A chorus. (No clue here)
- Pedal tuner. (Has to read a low B with no problem)
- A small, neat, lightweight board to put them on. (Can be powered or not, my Q-Tron is still going to need a 12v supply anyway)

My Punch Factory will be the last in the chain as my compressor/other DI.

I would prefer the effects to be true bypass.

Suggestions? Questions? Complaints? Donations?

[FreaqyFrequency]

Don't know about the OD or Filter, but you may want to check out the Visual Sound V2LC or H20 (they're basically the same circuit, the H20 just has a verb section) There are several people here who use them who will hopefully chime in.

The Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-200 picks up pitches down to C0 (about 16 hz), has exceptional response time and has a 0.02 cent margin of error. It is simply one of the best tuners you can buy (also, it is true bypass when not in use)

Demo here, compared to the revered Peterson StroboStomp tuner.

If you're looking for a cheap but sturdy non-powered board, look here. Powered board (with several different voltage options), look here.

Hope that helps.

-Sean

[Jared Lash]

If you could maybe post your set list and which songs you'd like to use the effects in, I think you'd get a lot more useful feedback. Or just a little more specific idea of the kinds of tones you want to get.

Otherwise you'll just get people listing their favorite of each type of pedal, which may or may not be helpful for your situation.

[fretlessman71]

I'll only help if you promise to give me all the money you've been making at your free gigs.










OK, fine, never mind. Here are my thoughts:


- One more extra-greasy, raunchy envelope filter besides my Q-Tron. (Bassballs maybe?)
----YES.

- An overdrive/fuzz. (Most likely a Bass Big Muff)
----Look for an old SansAmp Classic w/ dipswitches. It does EVERYTHING.

- A chorus. (No clue here)
----I'm very happy with the Boss Bass Chorus I just got - reminds me of a CE-2 without the bottom end drop.

- Pedal tuner. (Has to read a low B with no problem)
----StroboStomp if you like those; Korg Pitchblack if you don't. StroboStomp has other features you may or may not want/need.

- A small, neat, lightweight board to put them on. (Can be powered or not, my Q-Tron is still going to need a 12v supply anyway)
----My friend just got a "Trailer Trash" board he loves; dunno if that's what you wanted to spend on a board though. Other than that I have no clue; I'm buying Boss pedals I like right now because they fit well into the little plastic cases I have to have....

[Mr. Pickles]

a big +1 to Mr. Quixote (TheBigO) above me. Let us know what songs you need to play with effects and we can be more helpful. If you're just looking for flexible/affordable effects, state that as well.

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

I'll only help if you promise to give me all the money you've been making at your free gigs.

LOL! I guess I have labeled myself the resident free gig hater lately huh?

Anyhoo. I don't have a lot of time to post my set now (which I will post later in detail of what I'm looking for), but as far as chorus goes - I need something versatile, but subtle also. Think "Jeremy", and Alice in Chains.

Fuzz is along the lines of "Bulls on Parade" and Nirvana's "Breed".

The Envelope Filter(s) is to split between RHCP and the (very) occasional Jamiroquai tune (and for my other blues/funk band as well.)

Those are just a few examples of what I'm thinking, I'll be happy to add my set list later tonight or tomorrow morning.

[fretlessman71]

Then I stand by my original comments. ALL of them.

[TrevorOfDoom]

for chorus, i've been quite pleased with my EBS UniChorus. nice and subtle.

as for drive or fuzz... BassDrive?

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I need something versatile, but subtle also. Think "Jeremy", and Alice in Chains.

• EHX Clone Theory (inexpensive and flexible)

Fuzz is along the lines of "Bulls on Parade" and Nirvana's "Breed".

• Bass Big Muff would be fine here

The Envelope Filter(s) is to split between RHCP and the (very) occasional Jamiroquai tune (and for my other blues/funk band as well.)

• I don't think Bassballs would fit as it really only does one sound well. I think Flea uses a Q-Tron. Yours should be flexible enough to work on different songs.

Not trying to make you an EHX fanboy, it's just that their stuff is priced right and a great place to start exploring effects.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

LOL! I guess I have labeled myself the resident free gig hater lately huh?

Anyhoo. I don't have a lot of time to post my set now (which I will post later in detail of what I'm looking for), but as far as chorus goes - I need something versatile, but subtle also. Think "Jeremy", and Alice in Chains.

Fuzz is along the lines of "Bulls on Parade" and Nirvana's "Breed".

The Envelope Filter(s) is to split between RHCP and the (very) occasional Jamiroquai tune (and for my other blues/funk band as well.)

My old band used to cover Jeremy. Jeff Ament played it on a 12 string, but I just used my George Dennis Chorus Flanger. I'm not a big chorus guy, but I really like this one because it sounds a lot more natural and not as metallic as others I've tried. It's currently off my board on a shelf of pedals I keep planning on selling but haven't ever brought myself to. If you'd like I could record a clip of it.

RATM dirt is tough to cop because Timmy C is so secretive about his gear but also because he uses a bi-amp setup. Last practice I got a pretty close to "People of the Sun" with my Blueberry and the Rust Ride blended down pretty low. But a lower cost option might be a Bassdrive. It's pretty versatile and might be worth checking.

RHCP filters vary depending on the song (DOD FX25 on Power of Equality, dying Mutron on Sir Psycho, MXR on Coffee Shop etc) but live he uses a Qtron. The Qtron+ might be your beast as it's very versatile.

[CapnSev]

I do dig the EHX pedals for the most part, I have no problem making my board one brand if that brand does the job. I think the toughest part of this board is going to end up being the chorus and the board itself. I like the Clone Theory, but it's probably too noisy for me. A chorus is going to be pretty helpful at filling in gaps on a few tunes, as there is only one guitarist in the band. It also will help because I don't want to go get a 12-string for Jeremy .

I think the Bass Muff will go in as my dirty-tone pedal.

As for the tuner, that Sonic Research looks pretty sick, but it's way expensive too. I may go for the Korg Pitch Black. A guy I work with has one and it seems to read my bass pretty well.

As for the board, I'm still torn. I can't decide if I want powered or not. Actually, I do want a powered board, but most of them I've found are way too big for my purposes. I may just go unpowered and bring a 1-Spot and a power strip.

Here's my whole set for anyone that's curious, or wants to add more effects suggestions (let me know what you think!). In no particular order:

Beautiful Disaster - 311
Plain - 311
Down - 311
Rain When I Die - AIC
We Die Young - AIC
Man in the Box - AIC
The Rooster - AIC
Molly - Sponge
Plowed - Sponge
Mother - Danzig
Fell on Black Days - Soundgarden
Slaves and Bulldozers - Soundgarden
Outshined - Soundgarden
Rusty Cage - Soundgarden
Never Gonna Stop - Rob Zombie
Thunderkiss 65 - White Zombie
Wildflower - The Cult
Fire Woman - The Cult
Aeroplane - RHCP
Give it Away - RHCP
Higher Ground - RHCP
Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe
Hunger Strike - Temple of the Dog
Cherub Rock - Smashing Pumpkins
Mayonnaise - Smashing Pumpkins
Cult of Personality - Living Color
Torn - Creed
Possum Kingdom - The Toadies
Dead and Bloated - STP
Down - STP
Vaseline - STP
Trippin' on a Hole - STP
Breed - Nirvana
Heart Shaped Box - Nirvana
All Apologies - Nirvana
Far Behind - Candlebox
Doesn't Remind Me - Audioslave
Drive - Incubus
The Warmth - Incubus
Why I'm Here - Oleander
My Name is Mud - Primus
Wynonna's Big Brown Beaver - Primus
Even Flow - Pearl Jam
Alive - Pearl Jam
Jeremy - Pearl Jam
Dissident - Pearl Jam
Killing in the Name of - RATM
Bulls on Parade - RATM
Renegades of Funk - RATM
Know your Enemy - RATM
Keep Away - Godsmack
Bound for the Floor - Local H
Epic - Faith No More