What could my board use?

**jmattbassplaya** · #1 12-20-2010, 01:31 AM

Hey guys,

Christmas is coming up and I'll be getting some spending money that I thought I could put towards my board. As such, I'm looking for suggestions on what might be useful in addition to what I already have. For now, let's pretend my budget is only $150ish.

Currently, my board consists of the following (in chain order):

Korg Pitchblack > Boss OC3 > EHX Bass Big Muff > VT Bass Deluxe > (VT loop send) > MXR M82 > Boss CE5 > Boss BF3 > Boss DD5 > (VT loop return) > Markbass rig

I'm currently in a rock band that plays music along the lines of Tool, Muse, The Mars Volta, and Rush.

I was thinking of getting a dedicated OD, although I honestly like the VT's OD well enough not to bother with another.

I also thought about getting a new fuzz since the BBM isn't quite cutting it for me. I don't want something that is woolly or 'friendly' sounding. I'd like something that cuts like a knife, but keeps its low end.

I'm also considering a blender. I figure this might be able to save the BBM on my board since I like its cranked tone, but don't care for what it does to my low end (which becomes either too boosted or not boosted enough once engaged). However, I really don't know what else I could use a blender for

I also thought that a Whammy might be fun.

My last possibility was a dedicated power supply. Right now I use a 1Spot with most of my pedals daisy-chained. While it works pretty darn well, I'm thinking a Voodoo Labs or DC Brick could help reduce hum.

Feel free to shoot me any suggestions you might have! I really am open to any and all ideas.

Low Sound Love · #2 12-20-2010, 01:44 AM

Well, it seems you've got some good ideas already. I can vouch for the DC Brick, and a Whammy is really fun to play with (although it might be more useful for a guitarist is actual band setting). I've got an Xblender on my board, it's top notch.
As for the fuzz, my favorites are the Woolly Mammoth and the Musket Fuzz. The Musket should be in your price range, the mammoth is a lot more expensive but you might find one second hand (or you can build one yourself for $40, it's really easy).

onionpuzzle · #3 12-20-2010, 01:49 AM

what about a nice powered effects case, SKB makes some

**jmattbassplaya** · #4 12-20-2010, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low Sound Love

Well, it seems you've got some good ideas already. I can vouch for the DC Brick, and a Whammy is really fun to play with (although it might be more useful for a guitarist is actual band setting). I've got an Xblender on my board, it's top notch.
As for the fuzz, my favorites are the Woolly Mammoth and the Musket Fuzz. The Musket should be in your price range, the mammoth is a lot more expensive but you might find one second hand (or you can build one yourself for $40, it's really easy).

I actually remember hearing a demo of the Musket a while back and liking it a lot, so I'll definitely research it some.

And where can you find those Woolly Mammoth kits?! For $40, why not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by onionpuzzle

what about a nice powered effects case, SKB makes some

That's actually a really good idea. I just hate the thought of spending $100+ just on a case

Low Sound Love · #5 12-20-2010, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

And where can you find those Woolly Mammoth kits?! For $40, why not?

There are no kits as far as I know, but it's a simple build and all the components should be easy to find. You solder some components to a veroboard, drill a few holes and if all goes well, you saved yourself $200. It won't look snazzy but the sound will kill all small mammals in your house.

An earlier discussion here:
ZVex Wooly Mammoth alternative or clone?

WaldoNova · #6 12-20-2010, 05:32 AM

Look into BBE's Supa-charger IMO it is much more reliable than a Brick (YMMV). I found a Whammy to be fun but not very practical (for my situation). A lot of people are buzzing about the Iron Ether Oxide Fuzz which, seems to me, to be a very versatile fuzz. If I didn't already have a Brown Dog I would be all over it (still might.....damn GAS!!!!!!). I've also heard great things about the Fulltone OCD as an OD. Goodluck!!!!

madmatt · #7 12-20-2010, 07:54 AM

A chairman?

**jmattbassplaya** · #8 12-20-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatt

A chairman?

Wrong board

jamzcl · #9 12-21-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onionpuzzle

what about a nice powered effects case, SKB makes some

That's what I was thinking too if you wanted a powered board. I bought my SKB PS-45 used for less than $150 (including shipping)...they go new for about $250.

SteveMcB · #10 12-21-2010, 01:46 PM

If you want a whammy, how about the Digitech EX7 - some of the whammy modes, plus great leslie sim, decent univibe, space station synth sound and wahs. Smaller footprint than the whammy 4 too.
Steve

One Bad Monkey · #11 12-21-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I also thought about getting a new fuzz since the BBM isn't quite cutting it for me. I don't want something that is woolly or 'friendly' sounding. I'd like something that cuts like a knife, but keeps its low end.

The Fuzzhugger(fx) Arc Flash would be a good choice. It "can" do that wooly, friendly sound but it really shines as complete fuzzy death machine. I've found that it keeps the low end very well. One of the most versatile fuzzes I have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

My last possibility was a dedicated power supply. Right now I use a 1Spot with most of my pedals daisy-chained. While it works pretty darn well, I'm thinking a Voodoo Labs or DC Brick could help reduce hum.

IIRC, the DC Brick is nothing more than a fancy version of a daisy-chained power supply, so it would be more of a lateral move.

I'd definitely put the money down on the PP2+, just for the extra amount of things you can do with it, aside from the benefits of having isolated power.

Valerus · #12 12-21-2010, 08:03 PM

GREY STACHE FUZZ

SystemsCreation · #13 12-21-2010, 08:20 PM

The new Boss PS-6 is a tiny little box-o-fun if you're looking for whammy-ish type sounds.

It's right around your budget ($150), sounds good when played with overdrive and distortion, and won't take up a lot of real estate on your pedalboard in terms of size.

jumbo_steelie · #14 12-22-2010, 12:02 AM

I'd say keep your eyes open for a used PP2 or supacharger....or yeah the GREY STACHE.......

Matt Dean · #15 12-22-2010, 12:08 AM

There are used Grey Stache's?

**jmattbassplaya** · #16 12-22-2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamzcl

That's what I was thinking too if you wanted a powered board. I bought my SKB PS-45 used for less than $150 (including shipping)...they go new for about $250.

I didn't really want one, but after reading the reviews it seems like a VERY nice investment for my board. Supposedly the built-in power supply is really nice, too. I don't think I have the money for a new one, but I'll definitely keep my eyes open for a used one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveMcB

If you want a whammy, how about the Digitech EX7 - some of the whammy modes, plus great leslie sim, decent univibe, space station synth sound and wahs. Smaller footprint than the whammy 4 too.
Steve

That looks really cool. There's a review from a bassist on MF saying that it maintains lowend really well. This might be my new toy for Christmas

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Bad Monkey

The Fuzzhugger(fx) Arc Flash would be a good choice. It "can" do that wooly, friendly sound but it really shines as complete fuzzy death machine. I've found that it keeps the low end very well. One of the most versatile fuzzes I have.

IIRC, the DC Brick is nothing more than a fancy version of a daisy-chained power supply, so it would be more of a lateral move.

I'd definitely put the money down on the PP2+, just for the extra amount of things you can do with it, aside from the benefits of having isolated power.

I'll definitely give the Fuzzhugger a look, although I am pretty excited about that Digitech pedal Steve mentioned

Thanks for mentioning the flaws with the Brick. I actually remember reading that a while back now that you mentioned it. I think if I do something now, however, I'll just get one of those SKB boards with the built in power supply, since they seem to be really good. Thanks for the advice

Quote:

Originally Posted by SystemsCreation

The new Boss PS-6 is a tiny little box-o-fun if you're looking for whammy-ish type sounds.

That seems to do the whammy thing really well, and the detune could potentially make my CE-5 obsolete. I'll definitely look into this, although I'm not too crazy about the few reviews I've seen so far

**jmattbassplaya** · #17 12-22-2010, 01:06 AM

Out of all the demos I've heard between the EX-7 and the PS-6, the Boss pedal seems to do a better whammy sound than the Digitech pedal

One Bad Monkey · #18 12-22-2010, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Thanks for mentioning the flaws with the Brick. I actually remember reading that a while back now that you mentioned it. I think if I do something now, however, I'll just get one of those SKB boards with the built in power supply, since they seem to be really good. Thanks for the advice

I'm not a fan of the powered board (that whole all-in-one thing) as a whole, but the SKB looks rock solid.

**jmattbassplaya** · #19 12-23-2010, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Bad Monkey

I'm not a fan of the powered board (that whole all-in-one thing) as a whole, but the SKB looks rock solid.

I wasn't either. A lot of reviews I read on cheaper all-in-one boards were always negative, but these seem really good. Could be nice

I'm thinking I might go for either the EX7 or the PS-6. I really am dying to get a whammy-esq effect.

**A Strohman** · #20 12-23-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I wasn't either. A lot of reviews I read on cheaper all-in-one boards were always negative, but these seem really good. Could be nice

I picked one up from Craigslist for less than a hundred bucks a few months ago....nothing but positive things to say about it. The thing is built like a tank and allowed me to consolidate all of my effects (as well as my wireless) in one place, requiring only one outlet. I can't imagine doing without it now.