Good effects pedal for Nirvana/grunge sound?

grunge_freak · #1 08-03-2010, 12:19 PM

Hey guys, I'm in a Nirvana tribute band and I'm looking for a good effects pedal for that Nirvana sound. I want something that can match their clean tone, and can match the distortion sound that Krist got on songs like Breed. I have a p-bass and a Behringer amp. My friend suggested I look at the digitech grunge pedal, and I've looked at an Ibanez pedal but what do you guys think? Thanks,

Fishyfan · #2 08-03-2010, 12:27 PM

if i remember correctly, Kris used a Rat and a DS-1 live....dont quote me on that tho....there is a detailed description of what he used out on the net somewhere.

MetroBass · #3 08-03-2010, 12:30 PM

Thought he had a flanger of some kind as well? Definitely one of the old Rats.

grunge_freak · #4 08-03-2010, 12:32 PM

my friend uses a DS1 on his guitar, I wasn't aware you could use it on a bass... thanks!

Fishyfan · #5 08-03-2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunge_freak

my friend uses a DS1 on his guitar, I wasn't aware you could use it on a bass... thanks!

some complain of low end loss, but in my experience its not a HUGE deal...and if it is, then there are clean blends and mods for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroBass

Thought he had a flanger of some kind as well? Definitely one of the old Rats.

he used Kurt's EHX Polychorus on Come As You Are i think.

grunge_freak · #6 08-03-2010, 12:39 PM

I've heard of the polychorus yeah I might get one of those next time I come into more money and I can use it for my guitar too... as far as a pedal for my bass, the DS1 seems to run cheaper than a RAT, is there a big difference in the sound or would it not really matter for doing covers of their songs anyway you think?

Andy Walhor · #7 08-03-2010, 01:50 PM

This site might be helpful to you:

http://www.livenirvana.com/equipment/index.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunge_freak

my friend uses a DS1 on his guitar, I wasn't aware you could use it on a bass...

Is this friend the lead singer and guitarist in your tribute band? If so, it would add another layer of realism to your band if you borrowed his DS-1! (According to http://www.livenirvana.com/equipment/krist.php, Novoselic borrowed Cobain's DS-1 when Cobain moved to the DS-2!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunge_freak

as far as a pedal for my bass, the DS1 seems to run cheaper than a RAT, is there a big difference in the sound or would it not really matter for doing covers of their songs anyway you think?

According to the same webpage, Novoselic returned to the Rat.

grunge_freak · #8 08-03-2010, 01:59 PM

thanks man, I guess I have a decision to make here then. so is this the rat I'd be looking for

http://cgi.ebay.com/PROCO-SOUND-RAT-...item41518c162f

or is it the bigger vintage one that's like $120?

**DosiYanarchy** · #9 08-03-2010, 02:10 PM

to be honest, i had a modded rat (had the original Lm308n chip that the old rats had) and unless blended with clean tone (using a boss line selector or something similar) it lost alot of low end.

I think your best bet would be to get an electro harmonix bass big muff- i've tried one a few times, and im still amazed at how versatile it is - it will certainly grunge up your sound.

grunge_freak · #10 08-03-2010, 02:14 PM

I have heard alot of good things about the big muff. thanks I'll definitely check it out. any other reccomendations for pedals are more than welcome, I just want to make it sound as much as like Nirvana as possible

G0rilla · #11 08-04-2010, 04:31 AM

This

Quote:

Originally Posted by DosiYanarchy

I think your best bet would be to get an electro harmonix bass big muff- i've tried one a few times, and im still amazed at how versatile it is - it will certainly grunge up your sound.

And this

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunge_freak

I have heard alot of good things about the big muff. thanks I'll definitely check it out. any other reccomendations for pedals are more than welcome, I just want to make it sound as much as like Nirvana as possible

Doesn`t makes any sense. Sorry, but i have both BBM and Rat (modded turbo rat tho, but also have tried regular one), and they are two completely different beasts. BBM will definitely grunge up your sound, but in different direction than Krist was.
I think you have to try all of them - Rat, DS-1 and BBM, and if you play in cover band - take one that sounds closest to Krist, or pick one that sounds best for you if you play in original band - that way you will avoid any complaints about copying his sound.

Oh, and dont forget that bass and amp is also very important, if you want to sound exactly as any other bass player.