Go Back   TalkBass Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > Effects [BG]
Register Rules/FAQ/CUP Members List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read



Supporting Membership
Thank You

Latest Supporting Member
Donate to Upgrade Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 08-18-2011, 01:16 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
How to get clean tube sound from SS bass amp

Sign in to disble this ad
I am old school - Used a 1968 Sunn 200 S bass amp (tube) when younger and now I am trying to get back that sound. Have a Hartke LH 1000 amp with Avatar B410 cab and vintage Fender Jazz. Bought Tech 21 VT bass pedal and like how it thickens out sound but do not like the slight fuzz that is always present. Looking for a pedal or pre amp that will thicken sound like a tube amp but stay clean - Like my old Sunn 200 S. Any info on pedals that will work for me.
  #2  
Old 08-18-2011, 01:19 PM
scottfeldstein's Avatar
And I went BING BOP. BINGA BINGA BING BING BOP.
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin
Send a message via AIM to scottfeldstein
Supporting Member
Hm. I would have thought the VT would do that for you. My SansAmp bass driver DI does. Of course that presumes that what you're describing as "clean tube sound" is what I think it is. Things get pretty subjective.
__________________
Endless Blue
  #3  
Old 08-18-2011, 01:35 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Meriden, CT
I've tried the Sansamp BDDI and yes that comes close - in fact its the way I am going (once I get one). I am told (but I haven't experienced this) that you might also be able to get close to this sound with a good compressor. See the comments here for more on that: Boss CS-2... am I just using it wrong?
__________________
Bass inventory (all 4 string/passive):
Fender Jazz Geddy Lee
Fender Jazz fretless
Washburn Force-8 Chicago BBR
Guild SB-202
Gem short scale
Aria 1930 fretless violin hollow body, scroll head
  #4  
Old 08-18-2011, 01:39 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Windsor, Ontario
My VT bass pedal gives me a great clean tube sound, as well as nice break up settings.. I have never had this 'constant fuzz' thing you are hearing...
__________________
Be sure to check out FRONTIERS at myspace.com/frontiersisaband
  #5  
Old 08-18-2011, 01:40 PM
Ukiah Bass's Avatar
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ukiah, California
Supporting Member
I got fat clean tube tone at a gig on Saturday. My amp was a Euphonics Audio Micro fronted by an SIB Fatdrive tube preamp. Cab was an LDS nEARful 12/6. Judge for yourself:

"Godfather Theme" played by The Stormy Weathermen - YouTube
  #6  
Old 08-18-2011, 01:41 PM
rpsands's Avatar
Less Ebay, more Mel Bay
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Supporting Member
The EA Iamp 800 does a very convincing fat tube sound with some extreme eq (lots and lots of boost at 150-200hz or so). Check the manual for their recommended settings (and apply the knowledge to other amps !
__________________
Dingwall ABZ 5
Lots of pedals
Markbass SD1200 -> fEarful 1515/66 (or TC115N)
Red Complex
  #7  
Old 08-18-2011, 02:22 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Thanks for the responses. By fuzz I mean a slight buzzing from the speakers that you just sort of notice while playing. Speakers are ok when VT Bass not on. The buzzing sound gives a nice edge to some music but is out of place with other music types.
  #8  
Old 08-18-2011, 02:47 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NJ
Try an art tube mp.
  #9  
Old 08-18-2011, 03:04 PM
Lowbrow's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon, USA
Supporting Member
Effects/Settings Suggestions

If you're talking about a buzzing noise, yes, the VT can add some noise in certain situations. I've rarely had this problem and find it more attributable to room lighting than the effect pedal.

If you want a suggestion for getting a 'clean tube' sound out of the VT, give the settings below a try. This is my 'set it, forget it' setting; for OD I add a BB Preamp before the VT.



The Xotic BB Bass Preamp in itself may be helpful in your tone quest as it does low OD well, which can be interpreted by some as 'warmth.' But if you don't like fuzziness (I do not) you'd have to go extremely light on the drive level.

Effects like the Catalinbread SFT can add tubey warmth but to achieve this you need to dial back the effect's bass and treble and go easy on the drive. It really takes over otherwise. This is how I run it in order to get warmth, a bit of OD, and still keep a measure of transparency:


FYI, I run the SFT at 9v; It also operates at 18v. I can't be bothered to buy an 18v DC adapter. For amps I use a hybrid Mesa WalkAbout or a SS Carvin B800.

An effect that I don't have but have heard is the Wren and Cuff Phat Phuk, which may be up your alley. You'll find demo clips on youtube. The Wren and Cuff dude talks endlessly, but be patient as his is the best clip.
__________________
Bury me with my Fender P

Last edited by Lowbrow : 08-18-2011 at 03:24 PM.
  #10  
Old 08-18-2011, 03:47 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: northeast Ohio
You can't buy an apple and expect it to taste like an orange.

If you want an orange, you need to buy an orange.

A tube mp won't add any "tube" sound in my experience.
__________________
I'm a weapon of mass distortion.
  #11  
Old 08-18-2011, 03:57 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
...and it kinda depends on exactly what type of tube tone you're after. Not all tube amps sound the same, and I'm not aware of a "pedal" that simulates your old Sunn amp specifically. An EBS MultiComp set to "tubeism" ain't a bad starting point.
__________________
edit signature
  #12  
Old 08-18-2011, 07:05 PM
mpdd's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Supporting Member
i had some luck with my ss ibs marshall and a blue tube 903
  #13  
Old 08-18-2011, 07:11 PM
Oreomeister365's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: State college, PA
Supporting Member
I don't suppose this "constant fuzz" you heard was coming from the tweeter hmm?
__________________
I max out all knobs to get the largest tone possible.
  #14  
Old 08-18-2011, 08:31 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Thanks again. I experimented more the VT Bass and it sounds better but I will look into some of the alternatives that you mentioned.
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Follow TalkBass on Twitter   Visit TalkBass on Facebook  

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:18 AM.




Copyright 2011 Talk Music Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Play guitar? Visit our new sister site TalkGuitar.com [beta]
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.12
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.