Help me talkbass

JeffLieby · #1 04-11-2011, 05:07 PM

Ok, I am selling my MarkBass rig due to lack of use. I don't use it anymore, and can't justify keeping it. Help me out with the replacement....

Option 1: Line 6 POD X3 Live

Option 2: VT Bass Deluxe and either a Line 6 M13 or a Boss ME-50B

It should be noted that I also sing lead for praise and worship band at church, and in a Christian rock band. Not sure if that would sway me in the X3 direction.

What do you guys think? I am on the fence...

sandmangeck · #2 04-11-2011, 05:15 PM

boss gt10b!

JeffLieby · #3 04-11-2011, 05:16 PM

Thought about it, what is your rationale?

matt descending · #4 04-11-2011, 05:25 PM

ME50B. Line 6 has no soul.

sandmangeck · #5 04-11-2011, 05:27 PM

I own it. It's awesome. I've had it for 2 years, and still haven't figured it all out.

JeffLieby · #6 04-11-2011, 05:55 PM

Cool, yeah I don't really need the vocal stuff in the POD. I'm really leaning Option 2. I can get an ME-50B for cheaper than an M13 also.

Crystalman85 · #7 04-11-2011, 06:05 PM

If you ask me, I would say go with option 2. purchasing a tech 21 sansamp vt bass deluxe along with a boss me-50b. tube-emulation pedals with either a multi-effects processor without any amp and cab models or stomp boxes would be an excellent pair because the use of a tube emulation pedal with effects like distortion and chorus effects would create a totally radical sound. multi-effects processor with amp and cab modeling doesn't necessarily require using tube-emulation pedals because amp and cab modeling on multi-effects processors has a different but a similar result. which is why I say go with option 2. using tube-emulation effects would be best to use with either multi-effects processors that doesn't have any amp and cab modeling(like the boss me-50b) or stomp boxes.

cheapbasslovin · #8 04-11-2011, 07:20 PM

Give both the M13 and the ME50B a go before you buy. I owned an ME50b and I would take my M13 any day of the week and twice on Sunday over the ME50b. If I had to downsize, I'd take the M9 over the Boss. Obviously Mr. Descending disagrees with me, you'll have to make up your mind.

JeffLieby · #9 04-11-2011, 08:24 PM

Specifically what turned you off about the me50-b? Did you find the m13 distortions to be lacking?

My name is Mudd · #10 04-11-2011, 11:17 PM

Option 2 - VTD for tone and grit, Boss for modulations. You're going direct to FOH, then?

cheapbasslovin · #11 04-12-2011, 01:32 AM

Nothing specifically turned me off about the Boss. I used it for better than three years, and liked it. It had a notable delay between patches (I don't know if newer models have sorted that). There were a handful of effects that I really wanted to like, but didn't (filters, note hold, pitch bend), but the rest were adequate to good.

Probably the biggest reason I prefer the M13 to the Boss is the versatility. The Boss IS (octave/wah/eq) > (dirt/synth) > (delay/modulation/verb) with the wah, volume, pitch bend all mixed in there at the end. You can't go octave>filter. You can't go synth>dirt. You can't go dirt>dirt. You can do all of that with the M13 or M9.

I don't have a problem with the dirts on the M13, but I have some things I do that may skew my opinion that you may not want to do. I have a parallel setup that allows me to clean blend or mix two dirts for a multiband tone. I run everything into an English Muff'n. I swear every dirt ever sounds better when run through that box. I also run my bass volume at about 50 to 60% of full. The designed input signal of the M13 is such that it seems to prefer this lower input signal. This gives the dirt, filters, comps much more dynamic range, IMO.

Jimbob Jones · #12 04-12-2011, 05:01 AM

I've never tried the Line6, but I'd give the ME50b a -1 IMO; comparing directly to singles, I just couldn't find a sound that I liked. A couple of the chorus/flange etc. sounds were were ok, but the dist/comp/tone shaping were just awful.

YMMV though!

gus1894 · #13 07-06-2011, 11:13 PM

Not a knock so much as logic, IMO. How could you recommend against the line 6 bass if you haven't used/owned?

I would go with the M13 only first. The effects are very bass friendly even if Line 6 set out to make a guitar device.
I've owned the M9 and the M5 as well as ghetto ME-50B. The boss I found a bit lacking. Also you're talking about technology from what? 4 or 5 years ago? Where as the M-series is much more current, benefiting from newer developments and such.

I would also only but the M13 only first because there are several eq and comp stomps om the unit. You can easily put an eq in front of your distortion or whichever effect to enhance your end result. Also, the versatility of the M-series is great you can put whichever effects im whatever order you prefer w/o restriction. He'll, you could run two of the same effect if you wanted to. Oh and last benefit with the M13...Looper.

But as always, we are all drawing from personal experience and preference and playing in oft times very different situations. If you can try before you buy you'll be much better off.

Good luck with your quest!