Chorus/Reverb for fretless--suggestions?

climb · #1 01-11-2008, 10:22 PM

I have an F Bass AC5 and an Alembic Epic w/Thor Epoxy fretless 4. Both sing beautifully.

I like to put a little chorus and reverb on my fretless sound during recording, but I usually do this right from my board. I'm looking for a good way to do this live. Any recommendations for bass effects unit that will give subtle but rich reverb and a nice light chorus at the same time? I don't want to dominate the sound, just enhance it.

Thanks for any info or advice!

bongomania · #2 01-11-2008, 10:35 PM

As far as devices that will do both at once, you're looking at a multi-effects unit, and they come in a broad range of prices and sizes and features. A search on "multi" will turn up some suggestions. No pedal out there has just a simple chorus plus reverb. IMO you'll get better tone and simplicity of use from two single-purpose pedals; the down side of course being that you have to hit two footswitches to engage both, unless you put both in a bypass loop; and then you are at three single pedals- chorus, reverb, and bypass loop. For individual recommendations on those, you'll want to search on those terms. I happen to like TC Electronic for chorus and Xotic for a bypass loop; I haven't experimented with reverb pedals currently on the market.

climb · #3 01-12-2008, 09:55 AM

Thanks Bongo--have you used any of the multi-effects boxes for this purpose? Seems like a simple request. I'd kind of like to get the Alain Caron fretless ballad tone (who wouldn't, right??)

Right now, strange as it may seem, although I have a high end rig, I'm plugging my fretless into a Marshall acoustic guitar amp that has chorus/reverb as a combo setting (digital), and actually sounds reasonable. But I hate to see my nice rig just sit there...

Le Basseur · #4 01-12-2008, 11:30 AM

Yamaha MagicStomp EB can do them both (in series effects).
Take a look here:
http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/...p_bass_en3.pdf
Regards,

bass-shy · #5 01-12-2008, 01:25 PM

Have you seen this?

http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/TROO.htm

I haven't tried it out personally, but it might be worth looking into. Good luck.

Swift713 · #6 01-12-2008, 04:21 PM

Looking at the arsenal in your signature I'm thinking money isn't a big limitation. I've heard good things about Evantide and TC Electronics multi's. I think that G-Force thing looks pretty cool the way it interlocks with pre and power amps plus has inserts for pedals etc. I of course am reasonably happy with my $100 Zoom B2.

dancehallclasher · #7 01-12-2008, 04:52 PM

If you can do with delay instead of reverb, try the Visual Sound H2O.

Swimming Bird · #8 01-12-2008, 07:30 PM

Similarly to the H2O, the Carl Martin Quattro Analog Multi Effect may suit your needs if you're cool with dialing an echo into reverb.

I'm using a fretless 6-string (a Spalt Magma) and I use an EH Deluxe Memory Man for my chorus/vibrato needs and a Korg KP3 if I ever add reverb live, though I will occasionally dial down my Boss DD-6 to do a reverb-ish sound. I suggest getting multiple pedals that sound exactly as you want them too -- better than having a multi where you only use one setting and sparingly.

Another thought: does that Marshall have a mic out? You could easily just run that as a small monitor/effects board.

ehque · #9 01-13-2008, 07:19 AM

A TC rackmount unit is what i'd recommend. I think the M350 is exactly what you want, and it's not that expensive, either. Just that it's a rack, that's all.

climb · #10 01-13-2008, 09:56 AM

Thanks for the suggestions--I'll have to check these out. In the end, I'd really like to find exactly the sound I'm looking for, and then keep it forever (or for at least one year...)

If you have others, keep 'em coming.

bongomania · #11 01-13-2008, 10:10 AM

Are you ever in a position to perform or record in stereo? I ask because stereo chorus has a slight time delay element which can sound like a bit of tasteful reverb.

climb · #12 01-13-2008, 10:27 AM

I only really record at home, and then I go straight to the board and use outboard effects.

How does that $100 Zoom box sound?

Jared Lash · #13 01-13-2008, 10:28 AM

Neither would be my choice for their respective effects, but for the purpose you are suggesting, I'd definitely check out the EBS Unichorus and Dynaverb. The Dynaverb especially seems well suited for fretless playing.

Another chorus that I think might fit the bill is the George Dennis Chorus Flanger. Light and very warm sounding. Most choruses (chorii?) have too much of a "metallic" sound to me, but I loved this one right away. Even the flanger sounds organic. They also have a version with a foot pedal control that can also work as a volume pedal but I haven't tried that one.

Good luck

funkalicious101 · #14 01-13-2008, 11:48 AM

I believe its chorae.