Buy the Enigma or the BBM and a QTron?

Frettage · #1 01-21-2010, 08:40 PM

I'm buying my first effects pedal (yay!). I don't have a big budget, and I've done a lot of research into what kinds of sounds I like, but I'm torn. The EHX Enigma gives a lot of options for messing around and creating new sounds, but ultimately it's just an envelope filter. The QTron looks like the kid brother of the Enigma, but if I buy the QTron I can also afford to buy the Bass Big Muff, so I'd have two effects instead of one (albeit one with a lot of options).

What do you think I'd be better off with? In terms of my background and musical style, I'm a newbie bass player. I'm into rock (Floyd, Sting, Dire Straits, etc) and love the sound of some funky jazz bass. I'm not into metal at all.

Thanks for your help!

Valerus · #2 01-21-2010, 08:43 PM

If I were you, I'd go with the BBM and the Q-Tron. And later on if you end up wanting more control in your envelope filter, then just upgrade.

Holy War · #3 01-21-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerus

If I were you, I'd go with the BBM and the Q-Tron. And later on if you end up wanting more control in your envelope filter, then just upgrade.

+1

cheapbasslovin · #4 01-21-2010, 10:00 PM

I am going to disagree with the above and say Enigma. Unless you're getting a Q-tron+ with its effects loop (I loves my effects loop

), the Enigma is just a superior filter IMO. Seems to me like it would be easier to add the BBM than the Enigma at a later date due to the price.

My current gig doesn't use a bunch of distortion so that may sway my suggestion some.

BassistFreak416 · #5 01-21-2010, 10:04 PM

also note the Qtron+, may cost a few dollars more but i believe it has a few better controls

BassistFreak416 · #6 01-21-2010, 10:04 PM

oop, someone beat me to the Qtron+

sillyfabe · #7 01-22-2010, 07:57 PM

my choice would be what I started with and then moved on to.
1) QTRON with a BBM ( i had a Way Huge Swollen Pickle but its the same thing more or less)
2) I then sold the QTRON and got the ENIGMA with Moog EP-2 expression pedal and still have the WHSP. Also I got Bogdan and now I can make the damn thing growl, purr, slurp, burp, quack and anything in between. BLISS!

Funkinthetrunk · #8 01-22-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

I am going to disagree with the above and say Enigma. Unless you're getting a Q-tron+ with its effects loop (I loves my effects loop

), the Enigma is just a superior filter IMO.

+1 Absolutely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassistFreak416

also note the Qtron+, may cost a few dollars more but i believe it has a few better controls

I strongly disagree. To me, the Enigma is just a better designed and sounding envelope filter, from top to bottom. No comparision.

sillyfabe · #9 01-22-2010, 08:49 PM

I strongly disagree. To me, the Enigma is just a better designed and sounding envelope filter, from top to bottom. No comparision.[/quote]

+1000000000000

the enigma is so versatile!

Frettage · #10 01-23-2010, 01:03 AM

Enigma ordered.

sillyfabe · #11 01-23-2010, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frettage

Enigma ordered.

Funkinthetrunk · #12 01-23-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frettage

Enigma ordered.

Excellent choice.

But now a warning....you may find yourself with an uncontrollable urge to wear star shaped sunglasses. If you don't seek help, it may progress even worse (see my avatar).

SoonerMatt · #13 01-23-2010, 02:38 PM

If you still want the BBM you should look at the used market. There always seems to be one for sale in the classifieds, and there are a lot of good deals on eBay.

Frettage · #14 01-23-2010, 10:22 PM

From what I see, they're available on the TB forums for a few minutes (eg FS: Boss DD3,OC2,DOD FX62,EHX BBM). The last VT Bass I saw for sale sold in under 3 minutes. On eBay you can wait a week to find you could have bought one brand new for only a few dollars more.