Best bass effect for a fatter/bigger sound ??

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by Davyo, Aug 2, 2009.

  1. Davyo

    Davyo Davyo Supporting Member

    Nov 26, 2008
    Las Vegas, Nv
    Hey all

    I'm playing in a 3 piece bar band, (classic rock) and wondering what effect/s are best to get a bigger, fatter, fuller bass sound.

    In the past I have always just used a chorus, just wondering what other options are out there.

    Sorry for the dumb question, I've just never been a bass player that has used many effects.

    Any suggestions would be great.
    Cheers
    Davyo
     
  2. gmarcus

    gmarcus Supporting Member

    Apr 4, 2003
  3. 1kinal

    1kinal Supporting Member

    Jan 18, 2006
    Montreal, Qc. Canada
    Endorsing Artist: SIT strings
    - Tech 21 VT
    - Electronix submarine
     
  4. - Tech 21 VT
    - Electronix submarine

    ...or a bass bone, they are pricey, but also handy for using two different basses during a gig.
     
  5. Bigger, fatter, fuller=ambiguous, at best. For me, that would mean OD, chorus or some other modulation-type box; I recently snagged an EHX Wiggler(hate the name), a subtle rotary-speaker/vibe sim.
     
  6. bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    Vague, yes. But based on what you've said, here's a +1 for the VT Bass. Also check out the DHA line of pedals, they are very fat and full sounding.
     
  7. Fat, w/o distortion? Compression, + pick, + 15" speaker= chunky,fat tone. +1 on the VT.
     
  8. if you've got a passive bass, you could try the aphex bass xciter
     
  9. JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Boost in the 125-200 hz area. All the fat you'll need.
     
  10. TOOL460002

    TOOL460002

    Nov 4, 2004
    Santa Cruz
    is the vt bass really better at boosting the low end than the bddi? i see all vt bass +1, but no love for the bddi, or eq pedals for that matter. couldnt any overdrive with bass/treble/maybe mid cut/boost be a good choice? im too lazy to try out my mxr eq, but ive got my bddi on a wired board and itll definitely give you extra thump.

    also, is the bypass on the vt bass the same as the bddi? both are tech21, so i would hazard a guess and say no, but thought id ask anyway. there is definitely 100% no doubt some noise even with the bddi off. is this also true for the vt bass? i hope this isnt a huge derailment, and perhaps something constructive, even though its just for my personal benefit. thanks!
     
  11. JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    I don't hear any noise with the VT that isn't there normally. It's a buffered bypass. As for the BDDI, I'm not a fan, but if a pedal works for you, it's great. The reason the VT gets all the love is because it's the greatest pedal in history.

    BTW, its low control is centered at 125 hz, which makes it ideal to add some big fatness that isn't overwhelmingly boomy.
     
  12. TOOL460002

    TOOL460002

    Nov 4, 2004
    Santa Cruz
    hahaha... i concede defeat. there definitely is noise with the bddi, but i am also very picky with noise, because with parallel loopers i need 10000000% clean channels with bypassed pedals. its not moog bad, but its there. maybe i will have to snag a vt bass and strip the bddi and make it just an alternate xlr out.

    disclaimer: the bddi was the 3rd pedal i bought (zoom 505 multi-crap pedal, and the xp-100, which gets some love, but has a garbage bypass too). it is the first good one i had, and i bought it because les claypool played it. im a tool...
     
  13. cassanova

    cassanova

    Sep 4, 2000
    Florida
    An octaver.
     
  14. jetofuj

    jetofuj

    Jun 16, 2008
    PL
    Some fat boost and an octaver.
     
  15. Kraken

    Kraken

    Jun 19, 2001
    Aylesbury, England
    I would suggest a Compressor, I'm currently using an EHX white finger, but there are many great compressors out there (and it is a subject that a simple search will get you days of reading material on this forum alone)

    never tried the sansamp VT but if Jimmy M says so - good enough for me.
    I will put the BDDI here as well as I have tried that and it is great.

    Lastly try an Octaver I've only tried a Boss OC-2 but again there are many many octavers out there and it is something that I am sure would be searchable to get many varying opinions on.

    on another note...

    TOOL460002 - the noise might be 60 cycle hum from a power supply on your BDDI - I had the same then got myself a Diago Power supply and it cleaned it right up!
     
  16. bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    The VT is a bit noisy when engaged, but dead silent when bypassed.
     
  17. honestly, for a "bigger fatter sound" you might be better off looking at PICKUPS instead of effects :bag:
     
  18. That or a better amp/cab set-up.