Changing The Tone

[Scorsa]

alright im pretty much broke and i dont even have money for a decent amp so im just playing through pa's right now and my bass sounds extremely thin because im using a dean razor. I just need some suggestions to help sound better without buying an amp. got any recommendations for pedals or anything that will help the problem until i can fork up the cash to buy an amp

[Oraflora]

Sansamp Bass DI Box.
This is a direct box you can send your signal to the PA, and boost (or cut) your presence, drive, bass and treble.
I have one, don't remember the cost, but it can have a dramatic effect on your sound.

[jimmy rocket]

Or, if you'd like to spend half the money, buy a Hartke Bass Attack DI. Sounds awesome as a preamp straight to pa, or through an amp.

[Swift713]

Maybe try the Electronix Submarine or look for a used Sansamp BDDI. The Zoom B2 multi effect pedal also has various means of fattening your tone. However, I would primarily suggest that you buy a fatter sounding bass if you want a fatter tone.

[crapusername]

there are loads of fat sounds to be found with the Razorback.
the key i found is to bias the pickup blend towards the neck pickup, and tweak the eq until you get the sound you're after.
if you don't get what you're after with this, then i'd suggest a pre/di.
there are three major candidates - the sansamp and hartke as already mentioned, but also the MXR M80 di+. my razor really responds well with the m80, and would probably be a great fit!
mind you, it does depend what style you're playing in- you may not be playing metal/ rock music anyway!
hope this helps

[bigchiefbc]

Originally Posted by jimmy rocket

Or, if you'd like to spend half the money, buy a Hartke Bass Attack DI. Sounds awesome as a preamp straight to pa, or through an amp.

And if you want to spend half of THAT, get a Behringer BDI21, which I'd say gets slagged less than any other Behringer unit on this board. It actually gets a decent amount of love around here.

[roysloco]

Originally Posted by Swift713

... However, I would primarily suggest that you buy a fatter sounding bass if you want a fatter tone.

Bwhuwhuhuaahahaaaar!!! Best advice for someone without a lot of money looking to improve their tone? "Buy a better bass"!

Thanks for that, I needed cheered up!!!

I can recommend the Sansamp - I've got a very, very cheap bass (less than £120 all in) and I've had many-a-compliment on my tone at gigs (with full sound systems and pa-only) from the other bassists, who play WAY more expensive basses than mine!
It's little, it sounds awesome, it's light but built like a tank AND it works of phantom power if need be!! It's also about $200 new, which is considerably less than a new bass!

[stflbn]

Also depends greatly if you're P.A. can support the bass frequencies.

That bass is capable of more than decent sounds... as almost every bass anymore is. Sounds like you need to soul-search and decide what's most important. Saving money and buying a rig to play through, or buying a different bass which will leave you in the same situation you're in now (bass and no rig)

I'd suggest looking at Peavey, Hartke, etc level used rigs locally once you have a bit of money saved up. I really see no reason to blame the bass you have.