Fliptop sound: bassdrive or VT or ???

ninepoundjammer · #1 04-23-2010, 11:36 AM

I know, rehashing a topic that's undoubtedly been beat to death but...

Love what I always assume to be the Portaflex sound on old R&B recordings.

Considered buying a tube amp. Don't think an actual B-15 would have enough power live (but would love to have one for studio work). The high price + size and weight and one trick pony-ness of a tube amp I just can't seem to get past. Any options I've overlooked. Any SS amps/pre's that just nail it?

Think I've resigned myself to using pedals with my current rig (J-Bass into SWR SM-400S and Bergantino 3x10). I have a Xotic X-blender on the way to add to the mix. Things I'm wondering about:

1) Have a Fulltone Bassdrive on the way. Like their OCD for guitar quite a bit. Wanted to give it a try, but have discovered lots of other options since I ordered it. With the blender, will I be able to approach the tone I'm looking for?

2) Tech 21 VT Bass. Man, people seem to love this thing, and on paper it sure fits the bill. I have seen it (rarely) described as gimmicky though, and I could see me thinking that. Thoughts? Saw a demo clip on YouTube that had some very interesting sounds, but they were all pretty over the top for me. Does this thing clean up well? "Speaker emulation" strikes fear in me as well. I'll get all the speaker emulation needed from my speakers.

3) Flipster. Is this a DIY build only or does someone produce them? How does it compare?

4) Barber Linden EQ. I like the idea, but not sure that EQ is really what I lack. Think I'm looking more to mimic power tube warmth/compression more than the preamp. Trying to keep my board as minimalist as possible. Another EQ stage just seems unnecessary to me (I'm already planning to use a Demeter EQ pedal to brighten up my tone and get a bit of boost for solos).

Speaking of power tube compression. How much do y'all think that contributes to the sound. I'm planning to double duty the keeley comp I already use for guitar. Was planning to use that primarily for slapping, but maybe a small amount of compression will help me get the sound I'm looking for when playing finger-style.

Any thoughts?
Joe

etoncrow · #2 04-23-2010, 11:39 AM

You really need to direct this question to JimmyM

bongomania · #3 04-23-2010, 11:45 AM

Oh, he'll be along shortly. He's drawn to this topic the way I am to compressors, and flies are to poop.

joshmickelson · #4 04-23-2010, 11:48 AM

you might want to consider a pjb bass buddy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvikKwHMybg

ninepoundjammer · #5 04-23-2010, 11:49 AM

But I already know he loves the VT Bass. Wondering how many contrarians there are out there.

I'll probably try out the VT Bass before too long.

Quote:

Originally Posted by etoncrow

You really need to direct this question to JimmyM

Oh! Henry · #6 04-23-2010, 11:51 AM

You could also ad the SFT to your list. It does Vintage Ampegy dirt very nicely.

etoncrow · #7 04-23-2010, 11:51 AM

when the VT bass deluxe comes out next month you might pick up a VT bass on the cheap

Jared Lash · #8 04-23-2010, 12:00 PM

Let me preface this by saying that I have not tried an SFT.

The VT Bass is VERY good at what it does. I use mine almost exclusively to get a B-15 like sound and am happy with the result.

The Barber Linden EQ is great for what it is, but it doesn't add a "fat" tone or color your sound in a way that will make a modern amp sound vintage.

The Flipster is a great pedal as well. It isn't as versatile as the VT Bass but it I feel it does Fliptop emulation as well or better. Not a big deal, but it is actually designed to emulate the SB- 12 Portaflex rather than the B-15.

I've played and recorded with an actual B-15 but never an SB-12 so I can't tell you how closely the Flipster matches that tone but it does sound really good.

Ric5 · #9 04-23-2010, 12:00 PM

The original bass pod 1 has a great flip top amp model built in.

ninepoundjammer · #10 04-23-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshmickelson

you might want to consider a pjb bass buddy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvikKwHMybg

That thing has some nice sounds...

beggar98 · #11 04-23-2010, 12:54 PM

I'm a big fan of the Flipster. Its available pre-built from OLC (http://olcircuits.com/olc_flipster.html). I think it sounds warmer than the VT Bass does, which IMO is the main difference between the SVT tone (which the VT nails) and the flip-top. I also play through a very sterile amp, so if you're set-up is already relatively warm you may be fine with the VT.

James Hart · #12 04-23-2010, 01:06 PM

another Flipster vote.

JimmyM · #13 04-24-2010, 07:23 AM

well you already know my opinion

but i'm down with all these other emulating pedals as well, including (believe it or not) the pod. there's something weird about the pod that i'm not quite into (must be the digital) but it does sound like a b-15. not too sure about the bassdrive, though.

scotch · #14 04-24-2010, 09:39 AM

The Bass-Drive isn't very B-15ish in my opinion.

The VT, Flipster, and even POD algorithm will all get you much closer.

faceinbass · #15 04-24-2010, 09:48 AM

SFT!

Catalinbread designed it by comparing it to an ampeg 'fliptop'.
Their Youtube vids show parts of the process.

etoncrow · #16 04-24-2010, 09:51 AM

I do not know if this helps but I am running a passive bass with a six position varitone into an Empress Para-EQ into a VT Bass into a ElectroniX Submarine Designer pre-amp into very clean Euphonic-Audio amps and cabs. I feel I can probably reproduce any non-effected sound with this set-up.

scotch · #17 04-24-2010, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etoncrow

I do not know if this helps but I am running a passive bass with a six position varitone into an Empress Para-EQ into a VT Bass into a ElectroniX Submarine Designer pre-amp into very clean Euphonic-Audio amps and cabs. I feel I can probably reproduce any non-effected sound with this set-up.

Hey! Varitone into ParaEQ is my secret formula. Cease & desist!!! ;-)

etoncrow · #18 04-24-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Hey! Varitone into ParaEQ is my secret formula. Cease & desist!!! ;-)

Don't tell anyone but, "Birdsongs rule!"; he quietly whispered.

ninepoundjammer · #19 04-28-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etoncrow

I do not know if this helps but I am running a passive bass with a six position varitone into an Empress Para-EQ into a VT Bass into a ElectroniX Submarine Designer pre-amp into very clean Euphonic-Audio amps and cabs. I feel I can probably reproduce any non-effected sound with this set-up.

I found a VT Bass in town to try out and was very impressed. Went ahead and snagged that.

Funny, I just ordered an EA Doubler yesterday morning thinking pretty much the same thing. Start with a very clean SS amp and use VT Bass etc to create the sound I'm looking for. Doesn't hurt that I play UB either, the Doubler was just too much to resist.

I hadn't seen the Para-EQ before. Looks nice. I just purchased a Demeter BEQ-PB a couple weeks ago but the Empress looks more powerful for not much more $. Argh. May end up having to A/B those eventually. Did hear good things about the Demeter though.

ninepoundjammer · #20 04-28-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshmickelson

you might want to consider a pjb bass buddy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvikKwHMybg

Eh. Sounded pretty cool on that YouTube clip, but I tried out some of their stuff in a local store and it's not really the sound I'm looking for. Wonder how much of that was the cabinet though. Cool for it's size and novelty, but seemingly not my thing.