Fulltone Fat Boost on bass?

sir juice · #1 12-22-2007, 02:16 PM

I accompanied my guitarist friend as he looked for pedals. He was playing a Fulltone Fat Boost, and although the changes that were made to his tone were subtle, they are EXACTLY what I'm looking to add to my tone.

It seems to fatten his tone, adding punch and all his chords had a certain crunch about them that was just beautiful. And it just compressed the sound ever so slightly but not so much that effects any serious dynamic changes.

I was just wondering whether any of you have played it and found any flaws that would be apparent on bass on not guitar eg. loss of low-end etc. Because if not I'm buying one as soon as I can!

bongomania · #2 12-22-2007, 03:06 PM

We've had a number of threads on the Fat Boost, one of them just last week IIRC. Yes, lots of bassists use it, and it is pretty well liked. No low-end loss.

syciprider · #3 12-22-2007, 03:09 PM

It's very transparent as long as you don't go for extreme settings. I had one and now I wish I never got rid of it.

There is a new version available. Has spearate bass and treb knobs.

sir juice · #4 12-22-2007, 04:54 PM

Is the new one active or passive?

I really don't like the tone from an active circuit

timmyc · #5 12-22-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

No low-end loss.

Sorry I completely disagree. When I had it I could quite clearly hear a dip in the low end.

syciprider · #6 12-22-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sir juice

Is the new one active or passive?

I really don't like the tone from an active circuit

Well it won't be able to boost your signal if it was passive.

bongomania · #7 12-22-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sir juice

Is the new one active or passive?

I really don't like the tone from an active circuit

All boosters are active. There are some passive tone circuits that go beyond treble rolloff, but they are uncommon- so I'd be curious to know which tone circuits you do like.

As to the question of low-end loss, I never heard any- but then when I owned the two I had, I was only playing 4-string, so I may have missed what would be lost on a low B.

**grygrx** · #8 12-22-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

All boosters are active. .

O'rly?

Villex Passive Rotary Tone Booster?

bongomania · #9 12-22-2007, 06:49 PM

Seems to go against the laws of physics, reminding me of the Accuswitch. Do you happen to know how it is supposed to work?

cybersnyder · #10 12-22-2007, 07:12 PM

Listen closely to the Villex rotary tone control. The mids are definitely boosted, but the highs are cut. His new 3 band EQ is supposed to boost low, mid and high independently with no loss to the other bands. A TB'er got one recently and may possibly post some clips. I hope he posts them as I'm cautiously optimistic about the new system.

Back on topic, I believe that the Fat Boost 2 was recently released. Not sure what the difference is.

bongomania · #11 12-22-2007, 08:26 PM

I'm just wondering where the extra voltage is coming from in the Villex. It has to come from somewhere, and I don't think it is possible to lower the resistance, so is the amperage altered somehow?

cybersnyder · #12 12-22-2007, 08:31 PM

There was a post earlier about the mid boost control. Someone that knew electronics well. I think the deal was that you steal from the highs to boost the mids. I agree with you. The boost has to come from somewhere.

Silent Fly · #13 12-23-2007, 05:12 AM

It might depend how you measure 0dB. In the graph in the Villex web site, 0dB is measured in the 'flat' position after the installation .

...which means that in the flat position the "booster" may actually attenuate the signal (e.g. by 9dB). When the selector is moved in the +3dB position, the attenuation is reduced by 3dB. It means that it is absolute terms the signal is attenuated by 6db but in relative terms it is boosted by 3dB.

I may be totaly wrong of course. It would be interesting have a chat with Mr.Villex about it.

fishtx · #14 12-23-2007, 10:19 AM

I tried out the Fat Boost and although thought it sounded pretty good...I found that it colored the tone noticably (which may not be a bad thing to some). I guess this really didn't surprise me...I mean it is called "Fat Boost" after all....I was looking for a completely transparent clean boost, and am still looking.

Rumor has it that the MK.4.23 is the cleanest boost out there...but it's "mo' money"...I think it goes for about $220 from Tonefactor...I wanna try one out.

Silent Fly · #15 12-23-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishtx

(...)I was looking for a completely transparent clean boost, and am still looking.(...)

I heard that this is very linear/trasparent.

rakirksey · #16 12-23-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent Fly

I heard that this is very linear/trasparent.

I think that is the circuit the Fat Boost is based on. I think from the link or other around you can actually purchase a kit. Pretty easy build I would think and definitely less than $220.

Silent Fly · #17 12-23-2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakirksey

I think that is the circuit the Fat Boost is based on. I think from the link or other around you can actually purchase a kit. Pretty easy build I would think and definitely less than $220.

I have never tried the Fat Boost but from what people say about the coloration it is more likely that it is based on this.

You may also be interested in this and this.

OriginalCrash · #18 12-23-2007, 12:08 PM

Just out of curiosity, those who've tried the Fat Boost, was that the original or the FB-2?

Brian

bongomania · #19 12-23-2007, 01:28 PM

I think the FB-2 only just came out. Aside from that, there were actually two versions of the original, with somewhat different control and LED layout. I had one each of those two.

syciprider · #20 12-23-2007, 05:00 PM

The original was an Orman clone. Then Fulltone changed it a bit. The revised version has detents on one of the knobs. I forget which one. Version 2 just came out as Bongo has said.

I miss having one. I should pick one up again. It's a great boost.