help me spend my money

kxt · #1 01-16-2011, 09:51 PM

ok, so here's the deal. my parents got me a $100 gift card to guitar center for christmas. i was thrilled, but now i have a bit of a dilemma.

i run sx p-bass (stock pickup, which i like, and dr fat-beams) into vt bass (regular, not deluxe) into either a hartke combo amp (where i run the vt bass into the effects loop as basically a preamp) or a g-k combo amp (which has a pre-amp that i like, so i use the vt as dirt).

i play in 2 bands - band 1 is a smorgsaboard of classic rock, latin, island, and elevator music

in this band i mostly use a clean fat warm tone but occasionally throw in some dirt. band 2 is a more modern alternative/indie band, which will have the same basic tone but use more dirt and be open to more sounds. band 1 has an established set list, while band 2 is just starting out and has a lot of room for experimentation.

the biggest upgrade to my sound would be a new amp - but i dont have even close to the cash for that, so that's out of the question. also, i'm not interested in a tuner pedal - i have a regular tuner which does ok for my needs and i'd like to get more bang for my (gifted) buck.

i can probably add 10-15 to cover patch cords and a little extra cost. beyond that, my budget is pretty tight this month and i am looking to use the pedal for my next gig on the 29th.

i don't like chorus. i played with one for quite a while and i just don't like the effect. i do like phaser and tremolo sounds, but am not sure how much i would use them. i haven't really played a whole lot with a compressor, so i don't know if it would be anything useful to me or not. if i went with heavier dirt it would be EHX BBM, unless something better is suggested that i can get from GC in my price range. i'd love to upgrade to the VT deluxe but that would probably require a trade here which is probably not in the cards. an octave
might be fun but i don't think i would use it as much as some other options.

here's what it seems my best options are:

1. EHX BBM plus cords and maybe a little accessory-type thing or two.
2. upgrade my pickup (i'm thinking dimarzio model p or seymour duncan quarter pounder).
3. EHX worm to have a variety of modulation effects at my disposal
4. digital bass multi (digitech or deltalab)
5. BBE OptoStomp
6. 3 danelectro pedals with a variety (say octave, phaser, distortion)
7. boss oc-3
8. ??

any insight is appreciated.

phmike · #2 01-16-2011, 10:14 PM

Have you replaced the pots and cap in the SX? $20-ish should cover it. I did that to mine and it really made a nice improvement. I still have the stock pickups (P/J) and they sound fine to me.

I have an EHX WORM and it's OK but it's effects are a bit mild for some folks tastes.
I borrowed/tried a Big Bass Muff but didn't like it because I prefer more of a mild overdrive to fuzz/distortion. I then tried a Digitech Bad Monkey and liked it enough to buy it.

kxt · #3 01-16-2011, 10:26 PM

pots and cap will probably be replaced separately, as i am planning to install a mini toggle killswitch and will probably change out the electronics then.

bad monkey looks intriguing. thanks!

kevteop · #4 01-16-2011, 11:59 PM

The bit about "I plan to use it at my gig on the 29th" is setting some alarm bells ringing. It can take a while to get effects working well on bass, you will probably need to work on incorporating new sounds in rehearsals. Don't expect to just switch on a pedal during your gig and for it to add instant awesome, it's just as likely to make you disappear completely out of the mix.

If you don't like chorus you probably won't like flangers much either. Be careful with phasers they can be very destructive and the last thing a bass player needs is to be phasing in and out of being audible. Time-based effects on bass are all but useless unless they have a tap-tempo feature so for your $100 we can also rule out tremolos and delays.

It seems we're ending up with a choice of dirt, octaver or filters, or maybe a phaser. Personally I think filters are more useful than phasers because they are more controllable and predictable, and I think octavers are more useful than anything because you still have a firm presence in the bass end of the mix when you switch it on, it's a safe choice.

Fuzz can be difficult to incorporate because if your guitarists are using a lot of distortion you'll basically have to battle them with sheer volume to be heard (but on the other hand if your guitarists are playing clean then your fuzz will be audible at a much lower volume).

So there you go, some thoughts to chew on before you go out and buy a Big Muff.

*insertcoolname · #5 01-17-2011, 12:19 AM

I'm a pretty heavy user of effects on bass, and I find I use my tremolo very little and I don't even have my phaser on my bass board.

I'm not a huge fan of the BBM because I find that if the guitars are distorted at all you'll just drop out of the mix. I like the Tech 21 XXLB as a really heavy distortion type effect, and it's got a lot of mids so you'll even jump out in the mix.

Mark Olson · #6 01-17-2011, 03:15 AM

I HIGHLY recommend a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder. That is a monster pickup! I think you'd be really happy getting one of those installed in your bass, I think it'd make a big difference in your overall tone. An effect would be a more fun purchase, and if you decide to go the effect route I'd recommend an MXR Phase 90, which is pretty classic on bass and I'll be you could find a use for it, but to be honest the Quarter Pounder is going to make a much bigger difference in your overall tone, and I think you'd be really happy with it!

Good luck!

Mingus Addict · #7 01-17-2011, 04:08 AM

It sounds like what you really need is a new amp, so this is pretty easy. All you need to do is go back in time to when the Deep Impact was on clearance at Guitar Center for $100, return to the present, and sell it on e-bay. This should raise you enough money for a pretty solid head and cab.

whoapower · #8 01-17-2011, 08:49 AM

Save the bucks. Do the small upgrades on the bass (pots & pickup). Save the dough. Get the amp you really want. Don't waste time on effects just yet.

Pro-Tip: Also, don't look at Effects on talkbass - tone/sound/effect envy will suck your money away!

Von Felgenhauer · #9 01-17-2011, 08:56 AM

Id say a preamp/ DI would be the best bet if you don't have money for an amp.

39-Bassist · #10 01-17-2011, 08:58 AM

If you playout enough then put the money into 4 sets of strings....you will need them and they will go quick if you play alot. Just a thought.

Swimming Bird · #11 01-17-2011, 09:34 AM

$100 isn't much to play with -- save up and get something better like the VT Deluxe or a new amp or a Way Huge Swollen Pickle.

If you have to have something, buy used and stretch your money. Maybe give a flanger or delay a try.

RocktimusBass · #12 01-17-2011, 10:05 AM

If you want to go the pickup route, get the quarter pounders, I put them in a MIM Jazz Bass and it made a major improvement on my tone.

When you replace the pickups I think you should upgrade the pots and caps in the bass while you are in there... It will make an improvement on your tone and you will get a longer life with quality pots ands caps.

Replace the 1/4" jack too... the cheap ones on the SX basses wear out, the last thing you want is to be shorting out at a show. I like the Switchcraft 1/4" jacks.

If any money is left over get a bass big muff, that would be an easy pedal to add into a setup quickly Just don't over fuzz it because you will get lost in the mix.

kxt · #13 01-17-2011, 07:31 PM

thanks for the responses, all!

i should mention that band 1 has only an acoustic guitar (that sometimes plays with drive) and keys (most often piano, and the keyboardist usually plays in higher octaves) so there's a lot of sonic space. band 2 also only has 1 guitarist, so i don't feel like there's a lot of competition in the mix.

i go through a set strings about once every 6 months and i have a backup set already so that's not such a priority. i'm using the VT bass more or less as a preamp most of the time and i like that.

the switchcraft jack is cheap so i'll definitely at least get that. if/when i upgrade the pickup, i'll do everything else, so i dont have to keep opening up the cavity.

sounds like i'll have to at least try a filter! any recommendations? digitech BSW seems like it might be good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mingus Addict

It sounds like what you really need is a new amp, so this is pretty easy. All you need to do is go back in time to when the Deep Impact was on clearance at Guitar Center for $100, return to the present, and sell it on e-bay. This should raise you enough money for a pretty solid head and cab.

LOL! if only it was that easy...

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoapower

Pro-Tip: Also, don't look at Effects on talkbass - tone/sound/effect envy will suck your money away!

too late on that one - as most of you can probably sympathize with, i'm hooked.

RocktimusBass · #14 01-17-2011, 07:43 PM

Digitech BSW is a pretty good synth pedal. I gig pretty heavily and mine just died, but i have used it for a few years. I got lots of really cool sounds out of it.

kxt · #15 02-02-2011, 09:25 PM

ok, so i went with option 3 (EHX worm) against most of your advice, and...

you were right.

part of the reason i bought it is because my newer project may require me to switch to guitar for a bit. BUT there are some important things i learned, viz.

- i don't have nearly as much use for tremolo as i thought i would.
- i can't really tell the difference between vibrato and tremolo, at least in practice on this pedal. i know what the difference is supposed to be but for whatever reason it doesn't seem like this pedal really differentiates.
- if i'm going to get funky an auto-wah is not my favorite way to do it
- i do like a little bit of phaser but this pedal doesn't do it for me

also, in the course of experimenting with my guitar i discovered my VT bass makes a really sweet guitar OD pedal as well as doing all the tasty bass goodness.

so i'm returning the pedal and i'm back to where i started, except a few different options.

1. check with GC stores for used gear i could buy and have shipped
2. EHX BBM plus cords and maybe a little accessory-type thing or two.
3. upgrade my pickup (i'm thinking dimarzio model p or seymour duncan quarter pounder).
4. boss oc-3

at this point i'm thinking i want octaver, dirt, and maybe a phaser. but who knows where i'll go next? that's half the fun, right?

a review of the worm will be forthcoming for the benefit of my low end effects loving brethren.

whoapower · #16 02-03-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kxt

1. check with GC stores for used gear i could buy and have shipped
2. EHX BBM plus cords and maybe a little accessory-type thing or two.
3. upgrade my pickup (i'm thinking dimarzio model p or seymour duncan quarter pounder).
4. boss oc-3

at this point i'm thinking i want octaver, dirt, and maybe a phaser. but who knows where i'll go next? that's half the fun, right?

Sorry to hear about the worm. Tremelo isn't too bassy. I have a few tremelo pedals, but they are used on a guitar setup. The EXH Wiggler, similar and with tubes, gives an incredible sound on guitars.

If you want a Boss OC-3, I believe I have one sitting around unused. I'd sell it for the used market price, whatever that'd be. Just PM me if interested. If you have the money, I'd suggest going for the EHX Micro Pog. Lots of cool sounds, you can even slightly double up your sound which helped fill some songs in a 3 piece rock band.