Which direction to fatten a bit?

[ausf]

I'm playing a StingRay through a Bassman with the occasional use of a Micro Q-tron, Crybaby Bass and Boss ODB. Obviously a Flea tone is what I'm interested in. I'm almost there, but I just want to fatten or round out the tone a bit, add some punch without muddying the percussive lows or losing the sharp highs.

I'm thinking of trying one of two options: Either a Boss Limiter/Enhancer with a 7 band EQ or a VT Bass.

Unfortunately, my options for in store trials are slim on what I'm looking at. I've read every review I can find, searched, etc. and while they are helpful, I'm not sure.

Any opinions or thoughts?

[bongomania]

The VT might mess with your highs more than you'd like. Plus its main purpose is to emulate a tube amp, and you already have a tube amp. I'd say start with the EQ pedal, to boost low mids. If you find that you're clipping the amp too much, then maybe get the limiter. Be advised that the "enhancer" part is just a "suck knob", and will not fatten anything.

[ausf]

Thanks Bongo.

The Bassman is a newer solid state one, not a big rig. I heard so many great things about the VT, but I was afraid of high loss. All the video reviews are Ps played smoothly, not an aggressive active bass or style.

I don't have clipping issues, but heard the Limiter helped a bit with tone, but a suck knob isn't what I had in mind.

[lowregister]

I agree, stay away from the LMB-3 for that purpose.

I'm in love with the Electronix Submarine- counterclockwise makes it fat, clockwise gives some trebles back and every happy medium in between

[ausf]

I checked out the Submarine (and Designer too) on their website. The plot thickens. What would be the difference between the VT and the Submarine?

[lowregister]

I do not own a VT but I know that it has overdrive on it. So it may be a bit overkill for what you're looking to do. The submarine is just a humble two knobbed pedal

[Hollow Man]

Originally Posted by ausf

I checked out the Submarine (and Designer too) on their website. The plot thickens. What would be the difference between the VT and the Submarine?

This is what I was going to recommend. The VT Bass is an overdrive; it can probably do some fattening, but it's going to induce clipping, which may or may not be what you want.

The Submarine(s) are tone-shaping. In and of themselves, they won't overdrive or clip your sound (although they could potentially overdrive or distort something else in your chain).

[ausf]

I liked the Submarine samples online and really liked what I've read about Electronix, so that may be my best move.

You guys are a lot of help, thanks gentlemen.

[OilcanRacer]

just a touch of reverb maybe. makes my sound bigger, thus i am all the fatter for it.

[bigblondeafro87]

What kind of speakers are you running through? Poor quality speakers can make things very muddy.

That said, try boosting your high mids for some clarity to your tone.

[ausf]

Eminence speakers.

Muddy isn't a problem now, I was concerned about it with the VT. Just looking for some clean punch.

[cybersnyder]

Definitely check out the Submarine. I think you'll find it does what you want. I was just playing with two Submarines and my Stingray. I also have a VT pedal and it's great, but you would use it to get an Ampeg sound. Sounds like you don't want to alter your tone, just add a little punch. I can't promise you would like the results because I don't have your exact setup, but I'm reasonably certain that the Submarine would get you the results you want.

[ausf]

Yeah, I'm getting behind the Sub...

I was a big fan of the Ampeg sound back in the day with Rics, but now I'm pretty much drawn to that clean, percussive EBMM sound.

Not that I don't appreciate other sounds, I love to listen to 'em, just not what I want to play anymore.

Some great advice here, thanks guys.