Pedal needed to drive passive bass?

Ginsly · #1 09-09-2010, 10:04 AM

I've read a lot on TB about using a line driver with passive basses, but how necessary is it? I use a Marcus Miller Jazz Bass in passive mode, and I'm happy with the sound I get. What are the advantages of using an RC Booster or something like that? I figure if it ain't broke don't fix it, but I'm wondering if this is something I should check out. I have a few fuzz effects, but all but one (VT Bass) are separated out with an X-Blender, and I run about 45 feet of cable (thanks to my coiled Bullet). Thanks fellas!

kevteop · #2 09-09-2010, 10:19 AM

Next time you're playing at rehearsal volume, try unplugging from your pedals and straight into the amp. Do you hear a difference? Is that difference a positive change?

If so then you might want to consider a good buffer (depending on what pedals are on your board - some of them might be actively damaging your sound). FWIW I noticed obvious losses running 30ft of good cable with all my pedals true-bypassed, so I'd be surprised if you're not getting any.

Ginsly · #3 09-09-2010, 10:34 AM

I have a VT Bass at the end of my chain, and it's a buffered pedal - is that kind of what you're recommending? I have a 30 ft coily cable going into my X-Blender which goes into the VT Bass, so there's not many true-bypass pedals in my normal chain. From there I'm using a 15ft cable to the front of my amp. Just thought that info might help. Thanks for the advice!!

fitz420 · #4 09-09-2010, 11:04 AM

kevteop, i just did the same thing not too long ago and ordered a buffer thats not here yet. i have bass -> 18' ->6 true bypass pedals -> 18' ->amp. all cable is canare. i intend to put the buffer at the end of my chain. is this what you'd do as well in this case.

pbass2 · #5 09-09-2010, 11:46 AM

Curious about this topic. I recently got an RC Booster which I'm finding is now always on (my basses are all passive). I just like the sound, and I do have the gain/vol boosted a bit from what the bass would be dry--maybe about 25% hotter. Would this suggest I could maybe go with longer cables than I'm currently sporting? Currently it's 15' to the pedalboard, 20' to the amp, all good quality Zaollas. I never really thought about buffers before---is my RC essentially serving that purpose in this configuration?

kevteop · #6 09-09-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginsly

I have a VT Bass at the end of my chain, and it's a buffered pedal - is that kind of what you're recommending?

I haven't used the VT Bass, I don't know how good the buffer is on it, maybe others can comment I know it's a popular pedal here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginsly

I have a 30 ft coily cable going into my X-Blender which goes into the VT Bass,

... but honestly I think a high impedance signal down 30ft of cable is going to suffer a bit. Even if you buffer it after that, you've still fired it down 30ft of cable first.

Try playing your bass through your normal set-up with your pedals bypassed. Now take just the 15' cable and plug that directly between your bass and the amp. I imagine you will notice the difference immediately. It will be like you've cleaned your ears out. I notice it myself despite having a pretty lo-fi bass sound by design, and also ears that have done 20 years of gigging.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitz420

kevteop, i just did the same thing not too long ago and ordered a buffer thats not here yet. i have bass -> 18' ->6 true bypass pedals -> 18' ->amp. all cable is canare. i intend to put the buffer at the end of my chain. is this what you'd do as well in this case.

Like you, I've got a pedal on order that will be doing buffering duty for me. But mine's also a bypass looper (a 2-loop mixer actually, but that's irrelevant to the discussion), so it will be the only pedal that will be in my signal path 100% of the time, effectively it will be the first and last pedal in my chain.

Personally I would put the buffer first in my chain so it can start driving the signal as soon as possible, unless you have pedals that react better to a high impedance signal (the Woolly Mammoth for example) which you might want to put infront of it.

Ginsly · #7 09-09-2010, 04:51 PM

Thanks for the advice! I actually do use a Woolly Mammoth and some other fuzz pedals that don't like anything between them and my bass, so putting the VT at the beginning of the chain might be problematic. Switching my bass to Active mode would solve many of these problems I assume, but will have a similar negative effect on my fuzz pedals. I've considered putting an RC Booster before my effects loop, but it seems like my pedals won't like that too much either. Might just have to ditch the 30' coily cable... Aarrgh!

kevteop · #8 09-09-2010, 06:54 PM

Well test it out first, see if you can notice any loss from your current setup compared to just your 15' cable. I wouldn't want to go over 20' to the board myself (IIRC I currently have 15' to the board and 20' to the amp). If that wasn't enough length I suppose I'd be thinking about a wireless system.

christoph h. · #9 09-10-2010, 06:35 AM

Ginsly, can you switch cables?

I always use the shorter cable to the FX board and the longer cable to the amp.

In your case that would cut the "unbuffered length" in half.

AndersS · #10 09-10-2010, 06:40 AM

Try the Z-Vex Super Hard-On at the end of your chain or right before the VT, awesome pedal. Really improves your sound, that or the boost section of the Box of Rock (a less glassy Super Hard-On).

Beck McCartney · #11 09-10-2010, 07:07 AM

It is my understanding that a buffer works best in front of the rest of your pedals. Visual Sound makes the best buffer on the market. All of their pedals are buffered plus they have and RF killer, so you will never hear radio signals coming through your amp. I use the open road overdrive, which is not only a great buffer, but a superb overdrive.

Ginsly · #12 09-10-2010, 11:32 AM

All great suggestions! I would check out a Super Hard-On, but I can't really buy another pedal right now - it's on the back burner, though! Christoph - that's a great idea about switching my coily cable to go to my amp instead of my pedals. Don't know why I didn't think of that before. I have a band practice tomorrow, so I'll try out some of these tactics and report back. Thanks for the input, everybody - I love this place!