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Chorus/Flange for fretless

#43
I prefer just a touch of modulated delay on fretless over chorus. The effect is very subtle, but it stays out of the way better than most choruses I've tried (which isn't all that many, mind you). I've been happy with a cheap TC Flashback on the modulated delay setting. I just dial everything way down and keep the mix low and it's mostly pure bass tone with just a touch of modulation on top.

Here's a track I used it on with my Muckelroy fretless. It's there, but very subtle. I used it all over the whole album called Wave/Water.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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#44
Personally if I was looking to use chorus/flanger minimally (which it sounds like that's the case with yourself), I'd grab a Boss CE 3 and a Boss BF2 or BF3. They are all great pedals and if you look around (don't just limit yourself to Reverb, eBay and here, check Craigslist also), then you can come across them for stupid cheap. They sound fantastic and mix well with all the basses I've had.
 
#45
Basshappi said:
Chef, chorus is often used on fretless because it accentuates the 'mwah' and the harmonics, especially the harmonic glissando, on a fretless.
A deep, lush chorus is not needed so simple chorus units (Boss, EBS, MXR, EHX, etc) are sufficient to achieve the traditional "shimmer" that one most often hears associated with fretless. Keep it simple.
Click to expand...

I wholeheartedly agree with this post, @Chef... keep it simple. I'm on fretless about half the time these days. I use it always on, and in moderation. I use the Boss CEB-3 mostly for quick-n-dirty practice situations, but my favorite is the MXR M83 Bass Chorus Deluxe I keep mounted on the gig pedalboard. It also has a flipswitch for a Flanger effect (which I seldom if ever use) and a crossover flipswitch that I use all the time to keep plenty of low-end oomph.

bass_pedalboard.jpg
 
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#46
The 4 big owl-shaped Danelectro pedals from the 90's are all sleeper pedals that can be picked up for cheap.

Chief among them is the Cool Cat chorus which comes in 18V and 9V versions. The 18V version being slightly better.

They are very similar to the Boss CE-2 in sound and operation. They might be a clone or a derivative. There is no loss of low end.

Minor caveats are the knobs and output jacks are plastic, so road worthiness depends on how rough you are with those components. Some folks complain about the switch, but I've had no problems with mine.

You should be able to pick one up for well under 50 bucks on eBay or Reverb. Mine was 15 bucks and was just missing the battery door on the bottom. Really underrated and overlooked pedal.

151854000000000-00-500x500.jpg
 
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#50
Chef said:
1) I know ZERO about effects and what's available
2) I have a fretless Fender Precision, and fretless Fender Jaco, and a fretless Rob Allen MB2-5.
It seems to me as those many fretless players use just a tad bit of chorus/flange (am I even using the right term?!?!) both for color, and, perhaps, to mask intonation being not dead-on perfect....

Whats a good, cost efficient pedal device for this?

thanks
Click to expand...
I’ve been almost exclusively a fretless player for most of my bass playing years.

I always use just a tiny bit of slap back delay. It makes your tone stand out for lack of a better term.

Any subtle chorus works as well, for me ....along with the delay.

All my effects are on the treble PU only.....StereoPlayer.

A slow flange is a great sound I like to use on droning parts or when the guitarist is soloing.

A very short delay is “my” sound.
 
#55
StereoPlayer said:
I’ve been almost exclusively a fretless player for most of my bass playing years.

I always use just a tiny bit of slap back delay. It makes your tone stand out for lack of a better term.

Any subtle chorus works as well, for me ....along with the delay.

All my effects are on the treble PU only.....StereoPlayer.

A slow flange is a great sound I like to use on droning parts or when the guitarist is soloing.

A very short delay is “my” sound.
Click to expand...


And what do you use to get that?
 
#57
Nev375 said:
The 4 big owl-shaped Danelectro pedals from the 90's are all sleeper pedals that can be picked up for cheap.

Chief among them is the Cool Cat chorus which comes in 18V and 9V versions. The 18V version being slightly better.

They are very similar to the Boss CE-2 in sound and operation. They might be a clone or a derivative. There is no loss of low end.

Minor caveats are the knobs and output jacks are plastic, so road worthiness depends on how rough you are with those components. Some folks complain about the switch, but I've had no problems with mine.

You should be able to pick one up for well under 50 bucks on eBay or Reverb. Mine was 15 bucks and was just missing the battery door on the bottom. Really underrated and overlooked pedal.

View attachment 3084667
Click to expand...


where in MO re you?
 
#59
Funky Ghost said:
A nice demo of a couple here


I personally use the MXR M83 Chorus Bass Deluxe but I don't have a fretless.

I read once that Pino liked the MXR Bass Octave. Maybe explore that direction as well?
Click to expand...


what bass is that? Ibanez SR375E? $450? That's crazy, it sounded great.

also: I like chorus; I don't like flange. so there's that bit of knowledge gleaned from that
 
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#60
Nev375 said:
The 4 big owl-shaped Danelectro pedals from the 90's are all sleeper pedals that can be picked up for cheap.

Chief among them is the Cool Cat chorus which comes in 18V and 9V versions. The 18V version being slightly better.

They are very similar to the Boss CE-2 in sound and operation. They might be a clone or a derivative. There is no loss of low end.

Minor caveats are the knobs and output jacks are plastic, so road worthiness depends on how rough you are with those components. Some folks complain about the switch, but I've had no problems with mine.

You should be able to pick one up for well under 50 bucks on eBay or Reverb. Mine was 15 bucks and was just missing the battery door on the bottom. Really underrated and overlooked pedal.

View attachment 3084667
Click to expand...

I love this pedal and still have one in my collection.
I agree with everything NEV375 said , he is correct about the jacks, I had to retire the first one I had because of them.
 

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