Tone Shaper for my Colour what should i get? help....

[wicked quick]

i am looking for the right device in a multiple fashion and frankly am at a loss! i am looking for advice and input into my situation?

i am using a steinberger synapse, fretted bass and flat wound strings through a mini mark bass amp.

the sound i'm after is the color of sound that jacos pasterious and specifically the soft tones of victor wootten.

i have been looking at 2 manufactors, dunlop and tech21

1st part of my question: what is the major difference between Tech 21 Paradriver DI Vs. Bass Driver DI? and which one is more appropriate for me if i stay with tech21?

2nd part of question: how does it compare to the Dunlop MXR M80 for tone shaping and should i be considering that one?

of course as a consumer i am looking for something reliable, and bomb proof construction.

much thanks for help

[Andy Will]

Firstly, save yourself a lot of cash initially and get set up with some roundwound strings. For me, strings have a huge impact on tone and really bring the electronics on your Bass and amp to life.
Also, more importantly........Jaco used Rotosound roundwounds (if I remember correctly) while Victor Wooten uses D'addario or Fodera.

A set of Nickel D'addario XL's would be a great and economical start since they are available quite easily, plus wouldn't be too 'rough' a jump from the smoothness of flatwounds. Not to put you off of pedal buying of course, as I'm currently a pedal-junkie, so any extra tone-shaping can always be fun

[Andy V.]

Originally Posted by wicked quick

1st part of my question: what is the major difference between Tech 21 Paradriver DI Vs. Bass Driver DI? and which one is more appropriate for me if i stay with tech21?

The Paradriver got a mid control.
I'd say it's the best for your needs.

Originally Posted by wicked quick

nd part of question: how does it compare to the Dunlop MXR M80 for tone shaping and should i be considering that one?

The sansamp is a tube amp emulator preamp, while the M80 is a two channel preamp with distortion.

You have to test drive both pedals and see what suits you better.
Sad but true...

And I agree with Andy Will, you can try changing your strings before buying a pedal.
This alone could make a world of difference in tone.

[wicked quick]

thanks dudes, thats what i am after for info and input.

can anyone tell me the pros and cons of paradriver Vs. bass driver from tech 21.

[Mark Olson]

I don't think either a sansamp or an MXR Bass DI is going to take your tone in the right direction if you're headed for Jaco or Victor Wooten tones.

The thing I'd recommend you look at, along with the strings, is the bass. What kind of pickups does your bass have? Jaco of course used a Jazz Bass, and a lot of Victor Wooten's basses have that jazz style bridge pickup, and I think the Jazz Bass style bridge pickup is a big part of those tones.