Best Envelope Filter under $100?

[lm183902]

I'm on the search for a new envelope filter, but am on a tight budget.

Can anyone suggest a decent on for under $100?

 

[bongomania]

A used DOD FX25 (ideally one of the old pale green non-sparkley ones) is funky as heck and typically $35 to $75 used.

 

[phat daddy]

Find a used DOD FX25 (two knob version). They're the coolest in the price range and I've seen them on TB for as little as $50 shipped. Great pedal especially if you're a slapper. I think Flea used one on a couple tunes in Blood Sugar Sex Majic, I know it's Mike Watt's favorite envelope filter, and it's always been mine as well. But keep in mind envelope filters are very subjective to the user's opinion and they all have different flavors sound-wise, so what's cool for me may not be your thing.

 

[speak_onion]

Ashdown Env Filter.
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They get little to no love around here, but four2oh and I dig them very much!

 

[TheMutt]

+1 The FX25 is definitely an amazing pedal.

Another choice, if you're looking for some variety, would be a Digitech Bass Synth Wah. There's a whole ton of people who love that thing here, and there are usually 1 or 2 for sale in the For Sale: Accessories section here; or you could check the 'bay for a new or used one, or just buy a brand spankin' new one from a music store near you.

Other choices include:
Electro-Harmonix BassBalls (a very different filter from your run-of-the-mill variety)
Electro-Harmonix Dr. Q (it's a love-it hate-it kind of pedal, personally I'm on the love-it side)
Electro-Harmonix Mini/Micro Q-Tron (not as good as "big brother" IMO, but there are some on here who like them just fine)
MXR M188 Bass Auto Q (If you are patient and look long enough, you can get em for under $100)

Or, you might look into a multi-effects pedal if that's your thing.

 

[Sir Edward V]

Look for a used QTron, original huge version

I got mine for $70, and this thing is great.

 

[Racermech]

My vote goes for the Digitech Bass Synth Wah. Very versatile little box and I got mine on ebay for cheap. There is a lot more in this little thing than most people expect.

 

[phillm47]

I replaced my Digitech BSW with a MXR Bass Auto Q. New, the MXR is $120.00, slightly over your budget. The Digitech is a fine pedal, and allows one to "blend" the original signal with the effected signal, nice feature. $80.00 new, and many times a steel on Ebay. One caveat on the BSW, it eats batteries like Rosey O'Donald eats donuts. If you go the Digitech route, budget for a power supply.

FWIW, I really like the MXR, funky as all get out, and holds the bottom end well.

 

[funkadelickbass]

Ibanez SB7...I own and love it

or a EHX BassBalls...if you can find one...I have latly only found the nano

 

[RickenBoogie]

The nano Bassballs is an awesome pedal, but has very little in the way of control. Essentially, it's got it's one sound, and that's it. The Micro Qtron has more control and 3 modes, but not an ideal filter, to me. I have both, but the Qtron is disposable. It seems, although there are many filters to choose from in your price range, they all have different voicings, and shapes, so it would be best to listen for yourself to see what suits you.

 

[bigchiefbc]

I got a used Mini Q-Tron on the 'Bay for 47 bucks shipped. Now, I'm a newby to funk, but this thing definitely brings all the funk I can handle. My only complaint with it is that it is really only useful to a bassist on one setting (low pass) and even then, if you have the drive setting higher than about 9 o'clock, it won't trigger (the drive knob doubles as the trigger/threshold knob). I will be getting a soundclip of this bad boy up sometime in the next 2 days.

 

[bradjonesbass]

I got my MXR for right around $100 and my Bassballs for about $65 used - be sure to get the USA made bassballs, as the Chinese one uses some cheaper components aside from being assembled there. The USA model is silver, the Chinese is black. That DOD is awesome, but the prices are starting to go up on the original models. I got one for $25 a few years ago, and now they're going between $50 and $75.

 

[markjazzbassist]

used Q-tron or Bassballs.

 

[jgsbass]

My vote goes for the Digitech Bass Synth Wah. Very versatile little box and I got mine on ebay for cheap. There is a lot more in this little thing than most people expect.

+1

 

[98dvl]

For a while, Musiciansfriend had the Russian Bassballs for $30 new.

Look for a used MXR-188 Bass Autowah too... I picked mine up for $80 I think.

 

[TheMutt]

Personally I'd forgo trying to get a Sovtek pedal (the Russian Electro-Harmonix stuff). The quality just isn't there.

 

[Rick_no7]

If you like a thick Envelope filter, go with a FX25

The Electroharmonix stuff just seems very thin to me. I like their other pedals, but for Envelopes I like the FX25. To me its in the same style as the BassIQ and EMMA Discombobulator.

 

[lm183902]

I used to have a BassBalls and an Ibanez SYB-7, but got rid of them both, now i wish i could get both back.

Is the new version of the FX25 as good as the origianal?

 

[phat daddy]

The FX25B doesn't sound nearly as good to my ear. The range is broader, filter's more sensitive, and "swoosh" factor is bigger on the original.

 

[bigchiefbc]

I got a used Mini Q-Tron on the 'Bay for 47 bucks shipped. Now, I'm a newby to funk, but this thing definitely brings all the funk I can handle. My only complaint with it is that it is really only useful to a bassist on one setting (low pass) and even then, if you have the drive setting higher than about 9 o'clock, it won't trigger (the drive knob doubles as the trigger/threshold knob). I will be getting a soundclip of this bad boy up sometime in the next 2 days.

As promised, here is my clip of the Mini Q-Tron. NOTE: I am totally new to funk, so the playing is an absolutely awful attempt at "Alright" by Jamiroquai. But the pedal is the point of the clip anyway

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