Catalinbread SFT through Ampeg stack

[Josh Pelican]

Is anyone running this combination?

I'm trying to get the sound in their doom/stoner bass video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGPV4SBeF2k

It shows the settings at 0:16, 0:34, and a few other times. It shows the bass and gain at full. I tried this and hated it with the first note I played. I don't know what he's using for a head, but I know he has a Trace Elliott 4x10.

I've got a few tones out of it so far that I dig, but I'm really looking for that specific tone. I've played two or three basses and just cannot get it.

I just got this so I haven't played with it much, but I certainly haven't found that tone yet.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Yeah, many of us picked up an SFT looking for that sound, and I know I never found it. FWIW, I think the SFT sucks for anything other than low-gain wool (which I find it to be pretty good at)--and I certainly think it sounds like ass when pushed to the limit (though, to be fair, it sounds both mushy and harsh, so if anyone is after that combination, look no further). If you want heavy distortion, I advise you to look elsewhere.

[Josh Pelican]

That sucks. This arrived in the mail two days ago and I was stoked to get it. I just want that specific doom sound they have. I don't want to sell it and loose a bunch of money.

[TaySte_2000]

I use mine with a Mesa Boogie 400+ and Matamp 8x10, I'm using it as a dirty boost on an already gainy amp, but I have cranked it for doom and it can certainly do it, though I prefer my Subdecay Super Nova Drive for that as when cranked as really low definition, get for those long drone'd notes.

TO get the doom sound I cranked the gain, have the amp set fairly gainy as well and make sure there is a volume boost from the pedal to push it a bit further, reduce the treble to about 9 o clock and push bass up to about 3 o clock maybe higher, the eq is very interactive so can take some getting use to.

Also a detuned bass with heavy strings helps

If you don't like it and are worried about the hit why not return it to here:


http://www.tonefactor.com/contact.php

Universal Return Policy:

* Pedals purchased from other authorized dealers can be returned to Tone Factor for full purchase price within 60 days.
* Any new pedal purchase qualifies, whether we stock it or not.
* Items must be in original condition with box and paperwork.
* Proof of purchase required
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* Store credit is good towards anything that we stock.

[gnasher1993]

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

Yeah, many of us picked up an SFT looking for that sound, and I know I never found it. FWIW, I think the SFT sucks for anything other than low-gain wool (which I find it to be pretty good at)--and I certainly think it sounds like ass when pushed to the limit (though, to be fair, it sounds both mushy and harsh, so if anyone is after that combination, look no further). If you want heavy distortion, I advise you to look elsewhere.

I agree to all of this. I've only had my SFT for a few days, but I haven't found that sound either. As you said, It's a great pedal for low gain grit and I really love it for that, but not for higher gain sounds. I'm using a Crowther Hotcake for heavier distortion sounds.

[Josh Pelican]

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

I use mine with a Mesa Boogie 400+ and Matamp 8x10, I'm using it as a dirty boost on an already gainy amp, but I have cranked it for doom and it can certainly do it, though I prefer my Subdecay Super Nova Drive for that as when cranked as really low definition, get for those long drone'd notes.

TO get the doom sound I cranked the gain, have the amp set fairly gainy as well and make sure there is a volume boost from the pedal to push it a bit further, reduce the treble to about 9 o clock and push bass up to about 3 o clock maybe higher, the eq is very interactive so can take some getting use to.

Also a detuned bass with heavy strings helps

I am using a Spector tuned CGCF. Do you have any sound clips? How would you compare your sound to the video?

[TaySte_2000]

Originally Posted by Josh Pelican

I am using a Spector tuned CGCF. Do you have any sound clips? How would you compare your sound to the video?

I'm going to try and do some video clips after this tour so early August.

Personally I think I got it heavier than that video, but I think it's fairly easy to nail that tone with the pedal.

But the tone of it with a P and a Spector is going to be very different.

I nail the Sleep stuff when I use my Ric, but by the time I get the video clips done I'll have my Matamp amp

[TaySte_2000]

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

I agree to all of this. I've only had my SFT for a few days, but I haven't found that sound either. As you said, It's a great pedal for low gain grit and I really love it for that, but not for higher gain sounds. I'm using a Crowther Hotcake for heavier distortion sounds.

Interesting, distortion ios so subjective. I had the Hotcake and ended up getting a Tone Factor Mule as I felt the Hotcake was too muted in the highs but I was using both as a fairly low to medium overdrive.

I really need to get my Super Nova Drive clips done

[Josh Pelican]

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

But the tone of it with a P and a Spector is going to be very different.

I nail the Sleep stuff when I use my Ric, but by the time I get the video clips done I'll have my Matamp amp

I definitely want to get a P-bass. I've wanted one for a while and that video made me realize why I need one.

The reason I like the tone so much is because it sounds perfect for doomy/stoner bass, but it sounds good for powerviolence and grindcore, too.

[dannybuoy]

Try it at 18v - I haven't done so yet, but maybe that demo was done at 18v. It sounds much clearer and less mushy than mine does on the same settings at 9v.

[gnasher1993]

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

Interesting, distortion ios so subjective. I had the Hotcake and ended up getting a Tone Factor Mule as I felt the Hotcake was too muted in the highs but I was using both as a fairly low to medium overdrive.

I really need to get my Super Nova Drive clips done

The Hotcake definitely has a very muddy top end on higher gain settings but with the presence knob in the right place, it sounds great to me. I have the gain about 1 o clock and I get a really thick, heavy overdrive. It's really sensitive to what you put into it, it sounds really different with different basses.

I can definitely see why a lot of people wouldn't like it, it can be quite dull in the high end but it sits really well in a band mix, it cuts through on most settings I've found. I also find it really useful having a buffer after my tonebender.

Back on topic though (slightly)... Hotcake stacked into the SFT is great. Does anyone else find that the SFT stacks best AFTER other dirt pedals? I really couldn't get any usable stacked tones having it before

...and yes... get those Supernova clips done!

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

Try it at 18v - I haven't done so yet, but maybe that demo was done at 18v. It sounds much clearer and less mushy than mine does on the same settings at 9v.

I really need to try this... I'll give it a go tomorrow and report back.

[Josh Pelican]

That could be another problem. At present I'm only running it with a battery 'cause I don't have an adapter.

The settings on my amp are pretty close to noon. Bass rolled back a bit, mids and treble boosted a tad (mids more than treble). I know several users on here with the same EQ settings.

[TaySte_2000]

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

The Hotcake definitely has a very muddy top end on higher gain settings but with the presence knob in the right place, it sounds great to me. I have the gain about 1 o clock and I get a really thick, heavy overdrive. It's really sensitive to what you put into it, it sounds really different with different basses.

I can definitely see why a lot of people wouldn't like it, it can be quite dull in the high end but it sits really well in a band mix, it cuts through on most settings I've found. I also find it really useful having a buffer after my tonebender.

Back on topic though (slightly)... Hotcake stacked into the SFT is great. Does anyone else find that the SFT stacks best AFTER other dirt pedals? I really couldn't get any usable stacked tones having it before

...and yes... get those Supernova clips done!



I really need to try this... I'll give it a go tomorrow and report back.

Yeah I love my Supernova into the SFT, makes it sound like my amp will explode.

I'll take my little flip camera to practice this week and see what I can grab, but I'll be using the internal mic so not sure what the results will be.

[Josh Pelican]

I'm talking to Mike from Catalinbread via e-mail. He's going to help me achieve that tone and I will report back. Just so we're clear, my pickups are passive!

I will definitely try running it at 18V. Should I remove the battery if running it at 18V?

[Smurf-o-Deth]

The adapter socket will defeat the battery, so it's not necessary to remove it.

[Pandafist]

I use mine a LOT. I've had a tube SVT, and this pedal actually emulates the low gain growl better than any Sansamp I've heard/tried IMO.
If you want super high gain distortion... why would you be looking to use this for that anyway.
It's not a miracle worker.
It does one thing REALLY REALLY REALLY well. and a few other things just pretty well.

In summation - it's a great pedal. Stop hatin.

[Matt Dean]

Originally Posted by Josh Pelican

I'm talking to Mike from Catalinbread via e-mail. He's going to help me achieve that tone and I will report back. Just so we're clear, my pickups are passive!

I will definitely try running it at 18V. Should I remove the battery if running it at 18V?

Please share what Mike says...

[P-oddz]

I have to admit I'm kind of partial to Aguilar products as of late, but for the Stoner/Doom vibe - have you checked out the Aguilar Agro?

http://aguilaramp.com/agro_sample_settings.htm

Check out the Nathan Thomas clips. Sounds like that might be something up your alley(?)

[zarigunn]

Bi- amp.
SFT on the bass channel,
russian big muff on the treble channel.
that tru a twin channel tube head.
Awesome !

[bovine mind]

Glad I held out on this and ended up buying a vintage Rat and running it in a blend w/ a tube amp. Sounds similar but can get gnarlier.