if the funds exist: Vbass?

trb6pJM2 · #1 10-07-2007, 11:02 PM

I was wondering... if the money could be attained for a vbass and a GK3B pickup, through something like, holding jenna bush for ransom, or robbing a bank, would this be a solid idea? I know i have seen many boards on here worth more than 1035$, and that's roughly what this system would cost. It seems like an amazing system, and Alain Caron is my hero, and he uses it everywhere he goes. Not to mention, I'm trying to get into an orchestra, and that upright bass feature wouldn't hurt.

for all of you who havent seen it before, here's a link
http://rolandus.com/products/product...1&ParentId=116

niftydog · #2 10-08-2007, 02:05 AM

You should listen to it before you pass judgement. "That upright bass feature" probably sounds like mung beans getting squashed by flatulent rhinoceroses!

...and now the talkbass mantra:
Everything is subjective.

Personally, I'd sooner scrape my tonsils with a wood rasp than turn all my effect processing over to a DSP chip, so to me this would not be a "solid" idea.

twangchief · #3 10-08-2007, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niftydog

**snip**
"That upright bass feature" probably sounds like mung beans getting squashed by flatulent rhinoceroses! **snip**

Hey!!! I like beans!!

But seriously....+1 on the actual 'hands-on, ears-on' test. I decided against one after the test. Tracking probably could have been improved with adjustments but I just didn't feel good with it. On the flip side, the electric guitar version is great!!

greenboy · #4 10-08-2007, 06:56 AM

Tracking shouldn't even be an issue if the pickup is set up right, which I found rather easy on two different basses. The V-Bass doesn't "track" - analyze incoming waveforms - it simply applies COSM and effects algorithms to those waveforms. It's got scads of headroom and output practically high enough to arc weld with, sounds great whether individual modules are bypassed or online, and has been my main preamp and effects device since probably 2003.

Nobody has ever said anything but how great my rig sounds since I started writing my own presets. Sometimes other bass players are wondering what I'm playing through at gigs, can't believe there isn't some hidden stuff up there on stage.

00Funk · #5 10-08-2007, 07:15 AM

Thanks for mentioning Alain Caron. I dont feel so bad about droping that 1000 bucks now.
I had given up on the vbass, but watching Alain, sheds HOPE.

Wow, that guys great

In the past I have gotten so mad at that V bass, I tore off the 150 dollar pickup and wadded it up, and through it in the trash.

Im buying another one today, and will be patient this time, and really learn it correctly this time.

greenboy · #6 10-08-2007, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niftydog

You should listen to it before you pass judgement. "That upright bass feature" probably sounds like mung beans getting squashed by flatulent rhinoceroses!

Actually it sounds better by far than anyone's attempt to get "upright" with various string and pickup combinations, or use of [semi]acoustic bass guitars and piezos. It'll fool most people including a lot of bass guitarists in a mix, and the factory patches are not that hard to tweak into Wow! mode - especially for loud rockabilly/shockabilly.

greenboy · #7 10-08-2007, 07:26 AM

As far as modeling goes, it really helps to have a rig that acts more like a transparent window instead of 100-year-old bottle glass:

Peavey DPC-1400X into Carvin LS1503 PA cab:

Peavey DPC-1400X into Ampeg 1832 Extreme:

00Funk · #8 10-08-2007, 07:58 AM

THats Cool Greenboy, Am I correct in assuming, you use the V Bass as a pre amp ?

Swimming Bird · #9 10-08-2007, 08:13 AM

Um... why does the OP think this'll cost over a G? That's the retail price, but you should be able to beat the street price ($700) pretty easily. Even if this didn't include the cost of the GK-3b, and it should, it'd only raise the price by $100-$150.

Also, I'm not sure bass guitar through an effect processor would really thrill an orchestra, but good luck.

**Marcus Willett** · #10 10-08-2007, 08:24 AM

Editing makes all the difference with the patches. I've found most of the factory presets to be "too much" as in too much low end, reverb, whatever. After some time tweaking, you can get great results. It can be used as a pre as well, if you're so inclined. I was doing that for a while straight into a power amp before I got my Thunderfunk.

It doesn't have to cost a lot either. I saw a TB'er selling a GK-3B just a few days ago for $75. I've also seen (and bought) used floor units in the $350 range.

g00eY · #11 10-08-2007, 03:53 PM

Hey greenboy what are those two footswitches at the top of your VBass?

**SoComSurfing** · #12 10-08-2007, 04:39 PM

To the OP: Where are you located? $1035 is awfully steep. Used systems can be found for $500 or so. Places like Sweetwater, Musicians Friend, etc have them from time to time in their clearance sections.

00Funk · #13 10-08-2007, 05:18 PM

I paid 750 new for mine online, and I bought Two GK-3B pickups at 150 each.

I just hooked mine up stereo, directly to a power amp, into 2 eden 1x10 cabs. It sound fabulous going direct like that

greenboy · #14 10-08-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g00eY

Hey greenboy what are those two footswitches at the top of your VBass?

Those are internally routed to the same connection that goes out the back of the unit for footpedal/footswitch, basically CTL1 and CTL2 in each patch. It was a semi-tricky operation. I usually use CTL1 for another set of distortion/overdrive settings, and CTL2 for a volume boost. It beats having a TRS Y-cord with two footswitches eating more floor space.

I like each patch to have lots of control interaction.

trb6pJM2 · #15 10-08-2007, 06:06 PM

I live in minneapolis..... noone sells ANYTHING here.... it's too cold lol. BTW, the price on musicians friend was 899, plus 134.99, so.... 1035. That's new of course.

greenboy · #16 10-08-2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00Funk

THats Cool Greenboy, Am I correct in assuming, you use the V Bass as a pre amp ?

Yep, haven't carried a preamp in my rack for years now. Did at first at least part of the time, but now it would just be more weight and stuff in the signal path that wouldn't get used anyway.

trb6pJM2 · #17 10-08-2007, 06:10 PM

wait.... i just found one for 599.... ha.. ha.... awww.
shoulda done some more financial research.

http://www.interstatemusic.com/webap...ctId=900118498

if anyone is interested in buying, theres the link.

greenboy · #18 10-08-2007, 06:10 PM

I've seen 'em go for $500-$600 with pickups on eBay a few times now.

00Funk · #19 10-08-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Yep, haven't carried a preamp in my rack for years now. Did at first at least part of the time, but now it would just be more weight and stuff in the signal path that wouldn't get used anyway.

I am simply AMAZED how good this sounds without a pre in the way. Im so happy now

greenboy · #20 10-08-2007, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00Funk

I am simply AMAZED how good this sounds without a pre in the way. Im so happy now

Yeah, it can be a great uncolored pre, and enough EQ shaping is there if you need it. Head and cab models are deep enough that even after 4 years I'm still finding nuances.