tube sound

[redmustng65]

i would like some thoughts on adding a tube sound to my solid state amp .. do i buy a pedal or suggestions please

[mpdd]

bass mod wmd geiger counter works, blue tube 903 works, check'm out

[dannybuoy]

If you play with a pick and want agressive and grindy - VT Bass.

If you want a more mellow old-skool sound that loves a P-Bass with flats - Catalinbread SFT.

It's also worth checking out the DHA VT1!

[tomhanzo]

EHX Tube Zipper, Hot Tubes or English Muff'n. They all have actual preamp tube break up. They are amazing. The Hot Tubes is mid scooped and the other two are just nice.

[cheapbasslovin]

I'm with tomhanzo on the EHX tube pedals as a preamp. I love my Muff'n.

Not sure if that is what you are looking for, though. Tube sound is kind of a vague descriptor, what we've listed may not be the tube sound you seek. I've only used one all tube amp, and it has a completely different vibe than the Muff'n. These are just two distinctly different versions of 'tube sound'. VT and Bass Driver are also supposed to be 'tube sound'. That doesn't even get into the digital emulation or the variety of actual tube amps.

Like I said before, I love my Muff'n. When used as a low gain preamp, it takes harsh solid state pedals and makes them smooth and beautiful like I can't describe. If that is what you are looking for then I can't recommend it enough.

[metalmariachi]

Dave Hall VT-1
http://davehallampsusa.com/dhausa_cu...gain_bass.html

It’s great for every thing from non boost warming to mild over drive,

Valve Klipper
http://faustone.com/

A different beast, but you can get unity warmth out of it if that’s what you want.


MM

[Plays_For_Dog]

+1 for VT bass. The "character" knob can be a bit clangy when cranked, so you might have to counter adjust your amp and/or your bass tone. Really not that big of a deal once you figure out the pedal's characteristics and dial it in to where you want it. It's good enough I still recommend trying one.

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

If you play with a pick and want agressive and grindy - VT Bass.

If you want a more mellow old-skool sound that loves a P-Bass with flats - Catalinbread SFT.

+1, pretty good descriptions.

I JUST got my VT Bass yesterday, so I'm still getting used to it, but so far sounds really good for that aggressive rock grind. The fliptop setting they suggest is also a good starting point for some great fingerstyle sounds. These are rumored to be discontinued soon, which was enough of a push for me to order one... glad I did.

Watch the Catalinbread SFT Motown demo vid and you'll know exactly why I got it. This one has great picking dynamics too. Like Danny mentioned, it's more mellow than the VT, but still has plenty of crunch available. Check out their Heavy Doomy vid...

I also have the Tubeworks BlueTube that mpdd mentioned... GREAT overdrive, has a real tube in it. This one is the warmest overdrives I've tried out of 9-10 so far. A popular mod (which I did) is swapping a 12AU7 tube in for the 12AX7. SUPER easy. Not quite as much gain available with the AU7, but it's smoother. This one's discontinued, so you'd have to find one on the used market.

There's also the Sansamp Bass Driver DI. It's a "tube amp simulator" and definitely has it's own flavor/color compared to other overdrives, but it sounds awesome. That plus the DI... it never leaves my board.

5sg.

[M Sterling]

I run a MarkBass Compressore with a low gain OD (Pork Loin), and it gets pretty close to a tube amp sound. Probably not the most authentic way of going about it, but it works for me.