Any possible way to get this tone?

[vegas532]

...from an Ampeg PF-500? (or close to it) Thanks

Hit up the Effects forum, we tend to be less "judgmental" in there.

Probably, but who would want to?

There are plenty of us who use gain/distortion to great effect. Now I understand why the Effects Forum needed to lay down a no trolling rule due to the purists (aka snobs).

 

[mpdd]

For 90s stuff I always use a rat tail distortion with a clean blend.

 

[XrisThaBassman]

Apparently, it's all the amps and the sansamp these days. I've always played AIC with a bit of dirt (pun intended). Mike Inez

 

[JimmyM]

You can get pretty close by cranking the gain and using one of the higher mid selector positions, maybe try hitting the ultra-hi as well.

 

[mcnach]

...from an Ampeg PF-500? (or close to it) Thanks

Nope.

But there's a few overdrive pedals out there that will get you close.

The Source Audio Aftershock will definitely get you close enough on their "heavy" distortion engine,, and you have a million parameters you can tweak if you want to get even closer.

edit: I see you're considering the Darkglass B3K. It's definitely that kind of sound, yes. I had one but I didn't get along with it. There's a little too much mid-scoop in that pedal for my taste and I just couldn't get it to sound right if the mix was a little busy, although it sounds RIGHTEOUS by itself. That's why I prefer the Aftershock. Their 'heavy' distortion engine is based on the Darkglass, but it allows you to tweak it just the way I want it. You can use an editor app running on your phone, connect it to the pedal, and have access to many parameters. You also get to save a few presets... but that's not why I like it. For heavy distortions, there's little that the Aftershock cannot do, really.

 

[mcnach]

@Direct Box Rox I have to make a comment on your ‘Silence = Deaf’ comment under your Avatar. You maybe thought it funny but in reality it’s not. My hearing is significantly impacted by more than fifty years of music performance. It’s no joke to not be able to hear your family and friends when they talk to you. If you get fitted for hearing aids, the cost of a great amp or bass pales in comparison to the cost of them. My latest set cost me $6000!

Protect your hearing ‘cos it’s so easy to damage!!!!

+1000 on protecting your hearing!

Although your contribution to the thread is questionable (first making fun of the OP's taste, and then adding criticism to his choice of words under the avatar, while talking about your own unfortunate (but self-inflicted) situation)... the truth is that a lot of people do not realise the importance of hearing protection or just how easy it is to damage permanently your hearing, so if adding a comment here and there about it results in just one more person thinking seriously about hearing protection, then I'll applaud that.

But don't criticise others (whether it's a joke or simply sarcasm) just because you made a bad choice.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

...from an Ampeg PF-500? (or close to it) Thanks

Sounds like overdriven GK growl to me. To fake it, I’d try Fresh strings, buzzy action, scooped EQ, and an aggressive OD pedal. Loose strings/buzzy action is a big part of that tone.

 

[JimmyM]

Sounds like overdriven GK growl to me. To fake it, I’d try Fresh strings, buzzy action, scooped EQ, and an aggressive OD pedal. Loose strings/buzzy action is a big part of that tone.

Inez is a longtime Ampeg/Sansamp user.

 

[Spidey2112]

It's not fun or funny. It's sarcasm. It's a nod to Peter Steele (RIP) from Type O Negative. Flying in the U.S. Navy already did a number on my hearing - so I hear ya (no pun intended).

Thanks for serving!

 

[Thir13teen]

you may want mix distorted sound with clean sound accordingly. To be honest this sound is not my cup of tea. If want the soud to be distorted I prefere it "pure" distorted.

You are right. But the "pure" distorted (as you put it) - I can't stand. The two I links I provided are for me, the perfect tone

 

[Thir13teen]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Holy crap. That is probably the most defined distortion I've heard for a bass.

 

[Thir13teen]

I have a pf500 and I can tell you you're not going to get that exact tone from just the amp alone. You will need some kind of effects help. The Sansamp might be a good place to start. I use a Darkglass B3k but I go for a more twangy sound; blend in a Muff maybe. The pf500 will get just a bit of grind if you crank the gain, but it won't get that hairy on its own.







Not only are you completely unhelpful, failing to answer the question, while mocking the OP's taste in music, you also decided to hijack the thread for a completely unrelated hearing protection lecture.

Thank you my friend I did some adjusting and cranked the gain on the PF-500. To my ears (and strictly my opinion) it didn't sound very good. But, I must say - for any type of "normal" setting - I find it almost impossible to get a bad tone out of the PF-500. I've owned 2 Ampeg amps in the past (SVT II & a 15" combo amp) and I love this one. I couldn't afford a new one this go around but found one in great condition for $239 + tax locally. After 15 mins playing through it I felt like I made a really good purchase - I was (and am) happy

 

[Thir13teen]

1) Mike Inez
2) Direct Box Rox

Based on the info below, probably a few others.

Alice In Chains, "Stone"
Chart (2013) Peak Position
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[2] 1
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[7] 11
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[8]

Nice work Tim! I appreciate it

 

[Thir13teen]

Thanks for serving!

You are very welcome!

 

[Thir13teen]

You guys have been most helpful. I appreciate the answers/response. One of things I love about TB is the camaraderie. We all have different likes/dislikes/tastes in music/tastes in gear - but we all have a common love for bass (Ok - sappy public service announcement is now over)

 

[Spidey2112]

You guys have been most helpful. I appreciate the answers/response. One of things I love about TB is the camaraderie. We all have different likes/dislikes/tastes in music/tastes in gear - but we all have a common love for bass (Ok - sappy public service announcement is now over)

Don't forget the humor...

My new/old status:

Laugh=Still alive... rock on, brother!

 

[Slevage]

Probably, but who would want to?

Hey, Teacher, Leave those Kids alone!

 

[littlebooner]

It's not fun or funny. It's sarcasm. It's a nod to Peter Steele (RIP) from Type O Negative. Flying in the U.S. Navy already did a number on my hearing - so I hear ya (no pun intended).

Off topic, but I’m curious what you flew in the Navy. I have a few friends in the Candian Forces and am a bit of an aviation enthusiast. I always enjoy hearing people’s experiences who have served their country.

 

[BassmanPaul]

+1000 on protecting your hearing!

Although your contribution to the thread is questionable (first making fun of the OP's taste, and then adding criticism to his choice of words under the avatar, while talking about your own unfortunate (but self-inflicted) situation)... the truth is that a lot of people do not realise the importance of hearing protection or just how easy it is to damage permanently your hearing, so if adding a comment here and there about it results in just one more person thinking seriously about hearing protection, then I'll applaud that.

But don't criticise others (whether it's a joke or simply sarcasm) just because you made a bad choice.

I started out playing in 1962. We knew nothing of hearing protection. The amps of that era had little power so it wasn’t a big thing. it wasn’t until power levels started increasing that protection became a needed thing. For many of us by the time realisation set in it was too late. Choice never entered into the equation.

Yes I made a flippant comment originally. I still find it ironic that the distortion we older folk fought so hard to be rid of is now looked upon as a great thing! LOL

 

[obimark]

Lower your action until your frets are clanking all over the place (which can be good some time)