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Amp that best takes to effects?

AngusHasMoxie

AngusHasMoxie

Mar 11, 2013
461
595
Easthampton, MA
Disclosures
Formerly endorsed by Carvin, Basson and Dimarzio
#1
Not sure if this is an Amp/cab question or an effects question, asking it here.

So a little background, my guitar player plays a Dr.Z maz 38 SR, which is advertised as a great 'pedal platform'. I was wondering if us bass players have any brand/amp targeted to players who use a lot of effects?

I'm thinking something with a full range EQ, since in my experience so far a lot of effects get buried by bass.

First thing that comes to mind is a Carvin amp (due to it's EQ options), with a full-range cab.
 
#4
I think my Demeter VTBP 800 is a great clean sound, without much voicing or compression, and it's worked quite well with the effects I've used. I mostly use dirt and compression, and it feels like each pedal can act like plugging in a different preamp voicing. The head also has no issues with the chorus and filter pedals I've used.

The best results have been with a transparent cab, like my BB2. As soon as I add a voiced cab, then the issue moves to the voicing of that cab. The head eq is pretty simple but can generally adapt, as the eq points seem useful.

Not a cheap amp. Not a crazy eq for wild adjustments. Nothing "characteristic" about the voicing. I do think it provides a lovely canvas to work on though.

I'm sure there are other fine options. There is no best.
 
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#5
Honestly I think most bass amps, by their very nature, are suited to taking effects. Even amps with a lot of color like the Aguilar TH will sound great with effects. The only exception I can think of would maybe be an SVT or Mesa 400+ cranked up. Even then, fuzz and dirt will sound great.

IMO too much EQ on an amp can actually be a bad thing.
 
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#9
I'm currently running a GK MB112 +MBP112 setup, and while it transfers dirt really well, I miss a lot of the more atmospheric effects (reverb, phasers, flangers) with it unless I go full wet and play on higher registers, or play at very low volume. It's a little annoying since there's some cool effected parts I want to add to some of our songs but whenever I try at band volume it just sounds like my normal dry signal
 
#10
AngusHasMoxie said:
So a little background, my guitar player plays a Dr.Z maz 38 SR, which is advertised as a great 'pedal platform'. I was wondering if us bass players have any brand/amp targeted to players who use a lot of effects?
.............
First thing that comes to mind is a Carvin amp (due to it's EQ options), with a full-range cab.
Click to expand...

What that means for guitar players and bass players is very different.

Usually for guitar players it means a tube amp that makes nice sounding distortion when you slam the front end harder with boosts and such.

The only thing I would say to avoid with bass is a cab with a horn. They usually sound harsh in a bad way if you're using distortion pedals.
 
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#11
ole Jason said:
Honestly I think most bass amps, by their very nature, are suited to taking effects. Even amps with a lot of color like the Aguilar TH will sound great with effects. The only exception I can think of would maybe be an SVT or Mesa 400+ cranked up. Even then, fuzz and dirt will sound great.

IMO too much EQ on an amp can actually be a bad thing.
Click to expand...

I can personally guarantee that the Tone Hammer is a great amp for effects! :)

I can also confirm that the only amp I ever thought was bad with effects was an SVT that I had to use in a backline once. So mushy and unresponsive, ugh.

Most amps do a good job though. I wouldn't worry about it too much.
 
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#13
blindrabbit said:
I can personally guarantee that the Tone Hammer is a great amp for effects! :)

I can also confirm that the only amp I ever thought was bad with effects was an SVT that I had to use in a backline once. So mushy and unresponsive, ugh.

Most amps do a good job though. I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Click to expand...

two votes for the tone hammer, which I was already seriously considering. :hyper:
 
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#15
So I realize I will get some chuckles but: I have been using an Acoustic B600h head since they came out in 2010 and it takes pedals really well. (Honestly this had been one of the most reliable, consistently good sounding amps I've ever owned). It was mentioned above but sometimes too much eq can result in not so good tone. In my experience with Ampegs, Fenders, Trace Elliotts, Peaveys, and now Acoustics is if it sounds good without pedals it will sound good with quality pedals.

That being said I have never used effects loops and plug whatever board set up I've had at the time directly into the amp/head.

Let the laughter commence.
 
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#16
Like motoxer, I've yet to play an amp that sounds good without pedals but sounds bad with pedals. Cabs, however...I prefer 4 to 5k high end response and don't care for tweeters, so I usually turn them off. And if they don't do at least 4k without a tweeter, I generally don't like them.
 
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#17
JimmyM said:
Like motoxer, I've yet to play an amp that sounds good without pedals but sounds bad with pedals. Cabs, however...I prefer 4 to 5k high end response and don't care for tweeters, so I usually turn them off. And if they don't do at least 4k without a tweeter, I generally don't like them.
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I should have noted that I am a tweeter off guy as well...but then I would have to admit I mix a 4x10 with a 1x15:woot:
 
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#19
AngusHasMoxie said:
Not sure if this is an Amp/cab question or an effects question, asking it here.

...
Click to expand...

The question is welcome here, but in the BCA forum, prolly not so much. :laugh:

Wish I had some amp to suggest, but my little Micro 300 rarely ever gigs FX. All my pedalmania happens at home through cranked headphones, but even so the acoustics of the double bass tend to overpower the headphones. My latest headphone purchase was made specifically for the buds isolation properties, but they Shure seem to be poorly made clones.
 
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