Tone shaping and coloring pedals/effects?

justinellison3 · #1 11-12-2012, 05:08 PM

I have a Tech 21 Sansamp BDDI and that definitely makes a difference in my tone and I love it. One of the best DIs in my opinion.

But Im looking to getting some compression and other pedals into my rig.

Anybody know any good pedals that shape and color your tone while still sticking to the original sound of the bass itself?

Toolmybass · #2 11-12-2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinellison3

pedals that shape and color your tone while still sticking to the original sound of the bass itself?

First you would have to decide HOW you would like to shape and color your tone (ie:chorus?,flange?,dirt?.fuzz?)

Once you decide that then try to look for one that has a blend knob and its published reviews on that specific pedal!

justinellison3 · #3 11-12-2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toolmybass

First you would have to decide HOW you would like to shape and color your tone (ie:chorus?,flange?,dirt?.fuzz?)

Once you decide that then try to look for one that has a blend knob and its published reviews on that specific pedal!

I want something that makes my cleans noticeably smoother and rounder and just more inviting to the ears. Something that can make someone say "man that bass sounds amazing!!"

Toolmybass · #4 11-12-2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinellison3

I want something that makes my cleans noticeably smoother and rounder and just more inviting to the ears. Something that can make someone say "man that bass sounds amazing!!"

Whats your budget?

vegas532 · #5 11-12-2012, 05:23 PM

My VT Bass is pretty much always on. It makes my tone sound rounder, and all of my dirt pedals sound better with it.

ShowKing · #6 11-12-2012, 05:29 PM

I have my VT bass on most of the time but im not sure if its different enough to the BDDI to make the change. How about trying an MXR M87 bass compressor? Those 2 pedals are usually always on in my pedalboard

justinellison3 · #7 11-12-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toolmybass

Whats your budget?

I don't wanna spend more than $200 for a pedal. I've been looking at the Aguilar TLC and Ebs multicomp. Anything about those?

Also, I heard the Xotic EP booster is good for coloring guitar tone. What about bass??

Jay2U · #8 11-12-2012, 05:37 PM

It depends on taste, budget and use. Many effects can be placed between the bass and the amp OR in the effect loop. If it's in the loop, the original output of the bass and the pedal output can be mixed to give both the clean sound and the desired effect.

I'd go over to a well sorted store and try as many effects as possible, preferrably with my own bass.

A good compressor is always worth the money. You won't hear it's there until you switch it off.

Jay2U · #9 11-12-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinellison3

I don't wanna spend more than $200 for a pedal. I've been looking at the Aguilar TLC and Ebs multicomp. Anything about those?

Also, I heard the Xotic EP booster is good for coloring guitar tone. What about bass??

I don't know what kind of sound you're after. I remember using a Digitech Death Metal pedal for guitar to do an alternative version of Canon Rock:
Me doing some Canon Rock damge

By the way: this pedal costs about $60.

sillyfabe · #10 11-12-2012, 05:52 PM

Let me throw something a little different out there: I use a Tech 21 Red Ripper as my to e shaper with its low,mids,highs, drive, LPF, and level controls its a very powerful tone shaper along with everything else it can do....

justinellison3 · #11 11-12-2012, 05:54 PM

I hate everything by digitech and boss. I'm just going for a more colored, more round, more smooth TRUE, CLEAN tone.

Jay2U · #12 11-12-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinellison3

I hate everything by digitech and boss. I'm just going for a more colored, more round, more smooth TRUE, CLEAN tone.

Sorry to have upset you...

alec · #13 11-12-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinellison3

Anybody know any good pedals that shape and color your tone while still sticking to the original sound of the bass itself?

That's a contradiction - unless you mean something different.

I would also suggest the VT Bass but you have a BDDI... Probably worth checking out though. Both the BDDI and VT have some natural compression in them.

A decent EQ pedal could also take you a long way.

For a compressor, the Joe Meek Floor Q might be up your alley (I haven't used it) http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/floorq.shtml
Check out the other compressor reviews on bongo's site if you haven't already.

G3Mitch · #14 11-12-2012, 09:05 PM

i use the bddi aswell. the blend function on it allows me to retain 50% of my P Bass and still have 50% of the BDDI's awesome presence. I also blend all of my dirt pedals for the similar reasons, gives me dirt but i dont lose any of my bottom end punch. works really well for me in the group I am playing in right now. moral of the story? blending RULES.

I've never been into compressors. but thats not to say they cant be useful. more of a studio tool for me.

NeroJazz · #15 11-13-2012, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinellison3

I don't wanna spend more than $200 for a pedal. I've been looking at the Aguilar TLC and Ebs multicomp. Anything about those?

Also, I heard the Xotic EP booster is good for coloring guitar tone. What about bass??

The MultiComp colors your tone in a very delightful way IME. The main selling point of this little bugger is the fact that you can adjust the amount of compression, on the high and low bands via two internal trimpots when in multiband mode. Makes it sooooo much more flexible.

NKUSigEp · #16 11-13-2012, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinellison3

Anybody know any good pedals that shape and color your tone while still sticking to the original sound of the bass itself?

This is not possible.

rsmith601 · #17 11-13-2012, 08:36 AM

As noted by Alec, this sounds like an application for EQ.

tink9975 · #18 11-13-2012, 08:43 AM

you could look for a used Submarine, that might do the trick

justinellison3 · #19 11-13-2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tink9975

you could look for a used Submarine, that might do the trick

...... what??

tink9975 · #20 11-13-2012, 09:02 AM

sorry, Zeibek/MusicElectronix Submarine.
It's a bass preamp pedal that are not made anymore, but turn up used for around $90 (last I saw). there are versions with 2 knobs (vol, tone), and later ones that add an "ultrabass" switch. I use it to make my sound a bit thicker without changing the basic tone.

Its the yellow pedal in the top row in this pic.