Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

[Bob_Ross]

I'm trying to find a distortion that's warm, sustainy and not abrasive - the opposite of what you'd use for really aggro/noise. Any suggestions? It's still not something I'd use a lot, so not looking to spend 200 bucks.

I was all set to highly recommend the Damnation Audio MDB as being exactly what you described ...until you mentioned your price ceiling. Sorry.

 

[monsterthompson]

25602379[/URL], member: 76495"]I'm trying to find a distortion that's warm, sustainy and not abrasive - the opposite of what you'd use for really aggro/noise. Any suggestions? It's

I don’t recall it being particularly sustain-y but the BBBOD is pretty nice. It’s warm but colored and tends to be dark. I enjoyed it. Sold mine to a bud who loves it.
BlueBerry Bass Overdrive (BBBOD) - BJFe-inspired

Any chance you’d be interested in something like a dirty compressor?
The Sex Drive seems popular bu I haven’t tried it. It’s actually a dirt pedal with comp.
https://www.durhamelectronics.com/sexdrive

Barbershop is a popular drive on TB but not my favorite sounding in the demos. It’s gonna be priced on the high side.

 

[emjazz]

Speaking of Fripp... saw King Crimson (with the 3 drummers) as well as the Zappa Band last Monday. Quite the show, although having seen this lineup twice before, I think it's getting a little bit stale, at least in terms of the setlist. Zappa Band killed it, especially Mike Keneally, who did double duty on gtr/keys, and looked like he was having so much fun he would explode.

So, the guy who hardly uses dirt has need of a recommendation. On my small board (the one I use for non-ambient gigs), I just have some cheapo fuzz that I bought years ago. It ain't cutting it. I'm trying to find a distortion that's warm, sustainy and not abrasive - the opposite of what you'd use for really aggro/noise. Any suggestions? It's still not something I'd use a lot, so not looking to spend 200 bucks.

The only suggestion that I have is just over $200....I'm just such a huge fan of the Electronic Audio Experiments Longsword (up for sale tomorrow on his site).
Do you want a smooth fuzz, or a smooth distortion?

 

[emjazz]

Yeah....I could recommend a few, but all are around $200 because they're made by small builders.

 

[monsterthompson]

Joyo Orange Juice is popular as a fake B7K sound on a budget. It has some range to the sound. Check starting around 2:50

 

[emjazz]

What about the Dr. Scientist one that @steubig likes? That seems to do everything, and can be had for like $150 used.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

What about the Dr. Scientist one that @steubig likes? That seems to do everything, and can be had for like $150 used.

its called The Elements

 

[monsterthompson]

Yeah....I could recommend a few, but all are around $200 because they're made by small builders.

Loe has a $100 option on the horizon. Might be worth a look. One knob is kinda limiting.
Link Removed


Champion Leccy has the $130 Fettle boost that gets dirty. The Canny Fettle has more gain and is $175. Gotta watch IG for build dates or look for a used one.
The Fettle Boost – JFET boost/ pre amp

 

[hieronymous]

I've been eyeing the Way Huge Smalls Pork & Pickle - has a lo-pass filter on the clean signal, plus more options under the hood. I'd be using it mainly as an always on mild overdrive, but with other options available.

 

[steubig]

you’re looking for that creamy fripp thing? i’ve been looking for that for decades. ugh. not easy.


i wasn’t gonna say much, but yeah, the elements has really good eq and gain possibilities.

benefit is that it’s extremely versatile and the blend control is very useful (and has exp pedal capabilities).

it’s not always “creamy,” but (imo) that’s not always easily achieved on bass.

 

[monsterthompson]

I've been eyeing the Way Huge Smalls Pork & Pickle - has a lo-pass filter on the clean signal, plus more options under the hood. I'd be using it mainly as an always on mild overdrive, but with other options available.

Ooh. Forgot about that. Had a Pork Loin for a bit. It’s not bad.

 

[steubig]

i'm not hearing that the pork loin is gonna do what @lordradish is looking for, but i may be way off bass ().

 

[hieronymous]

i'm not hearing that the pork loin is gonna do what @lordradish is looking for, but i may be way off bass ().

Wait, you're expecting me to pay attention to what people are actually asking?!!

Just kidding, I actually didn't even listen to the video in the context of the question, I think I was thinking more of the overdrive side. I think I need to watch the demo again, or ideally play one.

 

[Bob_Ross]

you’re looking for that creamy fripp thing? i’ve been looking for that for decades. ugh. not easy.

Huh, I thought @lordradish just made a non-sequitur when he mentioned seeing King Crimson and then asked about "a distortion that's warm, sustainy and not abrasive - the opposite of what you'd use for really aggro/noise." Didn't occur to me that he meant a creamy Robert Fripp type sound

...but if he did, I can offer this one tip: As a recovering guitarist who was enamored of Robert Fripp's playing during my early 20s, the key to emulating his 1970s creamy fuzztones is judicious low pass filtering before you hit the fuzzbox. Roll off the tone control on the instrument all the way, or try a cocked wah in its dullest/warmest position.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Anyone here ever try those cheap small behringer rca only audio interfaces for ipad?

Want something really small with plug and play capabilities.
A 2 in focusrite would be too big.

 

[lordradish]

That just leaves you with about 85884938573992495 choices.

Only 85884938573992495?

 

[lordradish]

Huh, I thought @lordradish just made a non-sequitur when he mentioned seeing King Crimson and then asked about "a distortion that's warm, sustainy and not abrasive - the opposite of what you'd use for really aggro/noise." Didn't occur to me that he meant a creamy Robert Fripp type sound

...but if he did, I can offer this one tip: As a recovering guitarist who was enamored of Robert Fripp's playing during my early 20s, the key to emulating his 1970s creamy fuzztones is judicious low pass filtering before you hit the fuzzbox. Roll off the tone control on the instrument all the way, or try a cocked wah in its dullest/warmest position.

Actually, that was just coincidental... I love Fripp's tone on a lot of things (esp. Starless), but I wasn't thinking KC tones for my bass. Thanks for the pointer, though.

 

[lordradish]

The only suggestion that I have is just over $200....I'm just such a huge fan of the Electronic Audio Experiments Longsword (up for sale tomorrow on his site).
Do you want a smooth fuzz, or a smooth distortion?

I used to think fuzz, but I'm not so sure, anymore.

 

[lordradish]

Anyone here ever try those cheap small behringer rca only audio interfaces for ipad?

Want something really small with plug and play capabilities.
A 2 in focusrite would be too big.

Why not iRig Pro Duo?

 

[lordradish]

i'm not hearing that the pork loin is gonna do what @lordradish is looking for, but i may be way off bass ().

That's not punny.

Actually, I forgot about the Loin... might consider that one.

I didn't even think how the Fripp/distortion inquiry would be tied together...was just a coincidence.