Tone Thickener

GeneralElectric · #1 05-23-2008, 07:26 PM

I want my bass tone to be fatter! So now I come here.

I play a P-Bass with flats through an Ashdown MAG300 (soon to upgrade to a Mesa 400+) and I want my tone to fatten up and become thicker.

The only effect I use with frequency is my Fulltone MOSFET bass driver.

So what'll giving more fundamental low end and just overall 'thickness'

This is probably a terrible word for it...

Maybe a graphic EQ pedal?

Mr. Pickles · #2 05-23-2008, 07:32 PM

Barber Linden EQ! I just did a review today.

nad · #3 05-23-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

P-Bass...flats...Mesa 400+

I think you'll be fine once that 400+ shows up.

I know a lot of tube dudes like to run clean boosts in front of tube amps, something I've never understood since distorting tube preamp just makes things sound brittle to me, but that's one way to go about it.

Also I think nowadays bass tube amps use solid state rectifiers, but I once had a Sunn Sorado that just dripped butter with a GZ34 tube in lieu of the solid state rectifier it came with. If possible, definitely try this.

i2k · #4 05-23-2008, 07:34 PM

Try delay with delay time and feedback gain set to very very low.

GeneralElectric · #5 05-23-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nad

I think you'll be fine once that 400+ shows up.

I know a lot of tube dudes like to run clean boosts in front of tube amps, something I've never understood since distorting tube preamp just makes things sound brittle to me, but that's one way to go about it.

Also I think nowadays bass tube amps use solid state rectifiers, but I once had a Sunn Sorado that just dripped butter with a GZ34 tube in lieu of the solid state rectifier it came with. If possible, definitely try this.

I plan on picking up one used in the classifieds. After expenses I have $200 "free" dollars a week, so maybe I should see if I can work out a payment plan

Nyarlathotep · #6 05-23-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nad

I think you'll be fine once that 400+ shows up.

+1

D-Fly · #7 05-23-2008, 09:14 PM

The old Electro-Harmonix "Mole" or "Hogs Foot" bass booster is a cool effect to fatten up your bass tone. It's an easy to build circuit, and makes a great first time project. Schematics are widely available on the web.

**Adam Barkley** · #8 05-24-2008, 05:08 AM

Have you tried using the EQ on your amp? This seems like a thread to justify a purchase that might not even be necessary.

Low D. · #9 05-24-2008, 05:26 AM

Agree that when u ll have the 400+ the tone will get fat anw. But you seriously need to try out this: Aphex Bass "Xciter"!

bongomania · #10 05-24-2008, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Barkley

Have you tried using the EQ on your amp? This seems like a thread to justify a purchase that might not even be necessary.

+1 Try boosting around 300-500Hz and cutting back just a bit on the other freq. ranges.

gillento · #11 05-24-2008, 10:49 AM

The Demeter Compulator fattens your tone (and is a great compressor, too)

tomvelsor · #12 05-24-2008, 03:25 PM

roll down your passive tone knob.

NoHitWonder · #13 05-24-2008, 04:43 PM

Have you tried an Aphex Bass Xciter?
It thickens up the low end without changing the overall volume or tone.

http://www.aphex.com/pedals.htm

GeneralElectric · #14 05-24-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomvelsor

roll down your passive tone knob.

My tone knob is always at zero.

I'm going to try the EQing bit.

I just think its my not so good amp responsible for this.

steve21 · #15 05-24-2008, 08:15 PM

Try a BBE Sonic Maximizer?

Nick Kay · #16 05-24-2008, 08:22 PM

Low mids. LOTS of low mids.

GeneralElectric · #17 05-24-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

Low mids. LOTS of low mids.

I can't use my amp now (since its late, and I live in the city) but my low mids are usually boosted all the way it'll go and the bass at 1 oclock. Everything else is set flat (with the exception of treble with is rolled all the way off)

phatbass30 · #18 05-24-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillento

The Demeter Compulator fattens your tone (and is a great compressor, too)

+1!

mine is always on, can't imagine playing without it!

jucas · #19 05-24-2008, 11:13 PM

I'm gonna say that if rolling off your tone, cutting highs, cranking the low mids, and boosting the bass isn't doing it on this amp, throwing an effect in the mix probably isn't going to solve the problem either... save the cash for the new amp.

Auchenorrhyncha · #20 05-25-2008, 09:58 AM

you might want to try the EP pre

I havent heard anything of it on bass, but it should work the same.

http://www.clinchfx.com/?page_id=78