.

[obsidianbass]

Hmmm...B3K...VT pedal...exactly the sound profile you're looking for? Hmmm...what amps would reflect that tonal profile? I'm at a loss.

Haha! Jimmy M's got it right. The Ampeg sound really does rock. I just like having the option of getting that big sound at low or high volumes!

 

[obsidianbass]

And I know it's been said all over the place a thousand times, but you won't be disappointed with the B3K. It takes a bit of time to learn its subtleties, but once you're familiar with it, it really rocks.

I'm not sure you want a VT bass, you already have an MXR preamp that gets a fair amount of praise around here. If you're not digging the dirty tones of the MXR, just try an overdrive (maybe the darkglass), into the MXR set as flat as possible. Light boost to the mids, and you're in business!

 

[Timm Grimm]

It is, but there's no sense buying gear you're going to fight all the time. Makes more sense to buy something that's more up your alley, no?

I'm thinking that that means buying things that compliment as opposed to stuff that more or less hurts your sound. Suggestions?

So I went to GC today to exchange a broken cable and I tried out a pro co rat pedal. Yeah... I wasn't feeling it. It just overall felt thin and lacking. Could have also been the amp I was on. A smaller orange combo.(I just stuck it in the first one I saw plugged in.)

 

[JimmyM]

The Rat just isn't a great pedal for bass unless you do a clean/dirty blend or have it modded. I love it under those circumstances, though...doesn't do mild sounds very well, but it does a heck of a rip-roaring distortion that's not quite fuzz.

I don't know what to suggest to you, though...there's so much different stuff out there when it comes to distortion of all flavors that it takes some time to research it all, and it's still no guarantee that you'd like what I like.

 

[Timm Grimm]

I don't know what to suggest to you, though...there's so much different stuff out there when it comes to distortion of all flavors that it takes some time to research it all, and it's still no guarantee that you'd like what I like.

I asked that cause it seemed like you were thinking something as opposed to what I've been talking about. Im really set on the B3k. Just a matter of finding one used. Only a matter of time.

 

[JimmyM]

Oh, I was just throwing in a sneaky plug for Ampeg

 

[Timm Grimm]

So I got a ehx bbm. Im really digging the fuzz but I'm having an issue. I have the BBM going into the m80 and sometimes the m80 makes a clipping noise then loses 90% of the volume. I messed around with it this morning and thought I had it fixed but I was playing for a sec just now and it did it again. Now I'm thinking it has to do with the volume coming from the BBM. I haven't had time to teat that theory because im about to go to a festival in Denver. Alice in chains(I know its not the same and I dont like either of the new cds but im looking forward to seeing my old favorites) and coheed and cambria. I'll test my theory tomorrow. Or late tonite. On a lighter note I ordered the pots and switches to do the BBM volume mod and oscillator mod. I'm really looking forward to that.

 

[Rickenmonster]

I used to play with fingers but changed to pick after damaging my middle finger at work. Different style&tones for sure. I've never been totally satisfied with my tone or abilities which I think is a good thing-keeps me practicing&trying new things.

 

[Timm Grimm]

Well I think I've figured it out.(hopefully) I switched the cables between my pedals for a new one. And it seems to have stopped at all volumes, so I'm happy there. Alice in chains was awesome. Their new singer sounds exactly like Layne Staley. I like to think I saw the best Alice in chains cover band on the planet.

So here's another bass related question. I'm going to ask this before I do my cursory search through Google. I'll update if I find the answer to my question. Is it possible to get rid of the clank from the attack of finger playing? I'm not playing overly hard but it's there every pluck. My setting on my bass are mids maxed and lows and highs flat, My amp is pretty much flat, and m80 same as bass with the color switch activated.(for those who don't know the color switch has a scooped affect, so the miss are maze to counteract that.) I've tried lowering the mids on my bass but it's still there. I'm hoping for straight tone with no clank. Once again any suggestion are much appreciated.

Also, I'd love to get some settings from anyone who plays stoner/doom and plays through a GK Backline 600, Mxr M80, EHX Big Bass Muff. You dont have to play through all of these. Any individual would be great too.

 

[Dredmahawkus]

Hey Tim I am 40 and took 20 years off....you never quite get that fast learning back like when you were a teen....like they all said just try and be one with your bass for a while....and keep practicing! a lot comes back! some doesnt! new stuff comes too! read this forum and watch youtubes for a few months....and you will get a great idea of what makes what sound....then you will buy it then sell it because you will want something else then that will suck and you will want something else and you will get that and that might be the one but by then you will need a backup bass so you will buy something else. meanwhile you will see a great youtube video on some amp you will have to have and you will sell your amp for that....then when you get it you will realize that wasnt the sound you thought it was so next thing you will be buying pedals and pedals and pedals.....welcome back! and thank you for your service!

 

[Timm Grimm]

Hey Tim I am 40 and took 20 years off....you never quite get that fast learning back like when you were a teen....like they all said just try and be one with your bass for a while....and keep practicing! a lot comes back! some doesnt! new stuff comes too! read this forum and watch youtubes for a few months....and you will get a great idea of what makes what sound....then you will buy it then sell it because you will want something else then that will suck and you will want something else and you will get that and that might be the one but by then you will need a backup bass so you will buy something else. meanwhile you will see a great youtube video on some amp you will have to have and you will sell your amp for that....then when you get it you will realize that wasnt the sound you thought it was so next thing you will be buying pedals and pedals and pedals.....welcome back! and thank you for your service!

I'm feeling really comfortable with where I am with my playing. My fingers are coming along really nicely. My sound is really my focal point right now because I know that by playing my abilities will improve.

 

[Timm Grimm]

Also, I'd love to get some settings from anyone who plays stoner/doom and plays through a GK Backline 600, Mxr M80, EHX Big Bass Muff. You dont have to play through all of these. Any individual would be great too.

Mainly for the gk bl600.

 

[WaldoNova]

Keep in mind that your "tone" that you like in your bedroom doesn't necessarily translate to the "tone" you'll like with a band. That clank could very well disappear in a band context. If the tone that you hear with the clank is good then it maybe just let it be until you here it in a band context. YMMV

 

[BFISHER1970]

If you are just using the amp for practice I would just get a small mixer with headphone out and a good set of headphones. Then you can hear what you are really getting out of your bass (and pedals) instead of trying to fight with EQ to make a small amp sound big.