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"Gene Simmons" effect

bassgod76

bassgod76

Garbage bassist, but I love this goofy instrument
Mar 13, 2003
5,329
1,133
South Florida
#1
I joined a KISS tribute band, and I'm kind of looking around for a suitable bass effect to play during his "bass solo" (Okay, you can stop laughing now) before he goes into God of thunder. I own a Boss CE-5 chorus, but that's the only effect I currently own. Any ideas for something effective, simple, and cost effective, that won't bleed into my clean signal?

Or is it better I run an A/B box to keep my signal free of the effect, when not in use?

I'm a pedal/effects newbie.
 
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Reactions: GDES of Thunder and rickwebb
#2
I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish here. I'm not familiar with the song/solo in question, so that might be part of it...but are you asking what effect he is using?

Or just asking for something that would sound good? That would be a highly personal choice. If that is the case, the chorus would so just fine.

As for bleeding into your clean signal, only your ears are going to tell you that. True bypass or a good buffered bypass will help, but it's not always so clear cut. I wouldn't worry about an A/B box.

EDIT: I just listened to the Alive IV version, he's got some distortion going on...possibly something else.
 
#3
bassgod0dmw said:
I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish here. I'm not familiar with the song/solo in question, so that might be part of it...but are you asking what effect he is using?

Or just asking for something that would sound good? That would be a highly personal choice. If that is the case, the chorus would so just fine.

As for bleeding into your clean signal, only your ears are going to tell you that. True bypass or a good buffered bypass will help, but it's not always so clear cut. I wouldn't worry about an A/B box.

EDIT: I just listened to the Alive IV version, he's got some distortion going on...possibly something else.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to get something close to what he's using. Nothing exact, but somewhat similar.

Here is a good example. The .52 mark on shows it pretty well.
‪Kiss Madison Square Garden 1996 Reunion Tour Gene Simmons Bass Solo and God Of Thunder (HD)‬‏ - YouTube
 
#12
Well, I'm a fan of Big Muff's and their variants for distortion. If you look around you can certainly get them for a decent price in the used market.

As for delay, I've got an MXR Carbon Copy so that isn't much help. Most of the delays that I looked at were in the $150+ range, but I'm sure someone can recommend something that fits the budget.

You can also look into a multi effects unit, which would essentially have every effect you'd be looking for. They do lots of things well, but maybe not the best. Generally they are more than $100 though.

With any effect you want to be careful of losing the low end frequencies. Some are more suspect than others, but it's really preference on what they sound like to you. Plug it in and take a listen while you play. If it sounds good, you're golden. If you don't like it, move on.
 
#16
Do you want a chorus, flanger, overdrive, and delay?

Never used the CE-5, but people like em.
I've got a BF-2 and I love it, I've heard good things about the BF-3.
I've got an OBD-3 and I never used it. It's just too much, and I like a heavy sound. It gets mixed reviews, so I'd say make sure you try before you buy.
Never tried a DD-3, but I want one.
 
#17
bassgod0dmw said:
Do you want a chorus, flanger, overdrive, and delay?

Never used the CE-5, but people like em.
I've got a BF-2 and I love it, I've heard good things about the BF-3.
I've got an OBD-3 and I never used it. It's just too much, and I like a heavy sound. It gets mixed reviews, so I'd say make sure you try before you buy.
Never tried a DD-3, but I want one.
Click to expand...

My only gripe about try before you buy is that pedals are never anywhere near the bass section in a music store.

I think I would need all these pedals to get something near that effect he has on that video I posted. Maybe I'm wrong. Totally not a pedal guy in normal circumstances.
 

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