• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Creating Amp Distortion

T

TylerDurden111

Aug 11, 2008
16
0
#1
How can I, if possible, create amp distortion like Death From Above 1979 and such using:

This SWR 4004 head,
Invalid Link Removed

and this SWR 4x10 Cab
Invalid Link Removed.

Ive tried searching how to create amp distortion for a while but everything is a little too confusing for someone who doesn't know much about amps, so easy to understand as possible please.
 
#2
turn the gain up. if there's a way to take it out of the clipping mode do that. you'll get signal breakup more at higher volumes (distortion). IIRC that guy is really heavy on the lows and the mids, so crank those up.
 
#3
I do not at all feel safe giving you this advice with that gear, but the DFA-style "amp is about to explode" sound is old crusty SS amps with all of the knobs cranked up, preferably without a limiter. You do NOT want to try this with that setup. Your speakers will be crying for mercy and you won't hear anything but sweet, sweet distortion. There's a reason Jesse ran a pair of 8x10s with two sub-300w amps.

So, if you really want the authentic DFA sound, you need about half the power and double the speaker count. I'd go for a good dirt pedal, instead.
 
#7
Have you thought about purchasing a Boss GT10B effects pedal? It has a plethora of customizable effects and with being able to alter the parameters on everything, you can dial in pretty much what you hear in your head.
 
#9
TylerDurden111 said:
So say i sold my stuff for rougly 900-1000$ what type of equipment would i buy to get this sound.
Click to expand...

Acoustic Control Corp 450 Head
Peavey Super Festival Series F-800B Head
2 Vintage Traynor 8x10 cabs

That's his set up.
Oh yeah you would also have to get a Ric.

Most of his rig isn't expensive you just have to find it. You could just look into finding some cheap SS heads with distortion built into them like some old Peaveys and give it a try. You can usually find them pretty cheap (around $200 or less) I wouldn't sell your stuff . Just try out some cheap heads with your cab, Just remember to turn off your tweeter they usually sound like $h!t with distortion/overdrive. or just try out some pedals either way you can keep your rig and not spend to much money on trying to get someone elses sound that you might get sick of.
 
#13
rather than going about it the expensive way, I'd start with pedals like: Tech 21 XXL bass edition, Gallien Krueger Diesel Dawg, Proco Turbo Rat, any number of fuzz pedals, etc, etc. I mean, my old Gallien Krueger 2001 head had a pretty hellacious disortion sound, but it runs $1500... and the Diesel Dawg is the exact same circuit for about $150 IIRC. If I were in your shoes I'd take the advice of the consensus and begin your search with some stompboxes.
 
#15
I do think one key factor has to be mentioned that wasn't mentioned yet. Even if he bought the same rig/bass, He's not him so no matter how hard he tries he'll more than likely never get that identical tone. Similar maybe, but exact? I seriously doubt it. The tone starts in the hands.
 
#16
If you want the good power tube distortion, you have to use an all-tube amp. Period. Having said that, there are a lot of pedals out there that do a great job of sounding heavy. My personal favorite is a ProCo Rat modded by Robert Keeley to add two extra settings that are very good for bass. And for live work, pedals are way more versatile and easier to control volume-wise than blasting a 300w tube amp. Even when using a tube amp, I'd still use a pedal for distortion live just because I did a lot more with clean tones and wanted an easier way to use distortion that didn't blast everyone out of the room.
 
#17
demon666 said:
Most of his rig isn't expensive you just have to find it. You could just look into finding some cheap SS heads with distortion built into them like some old Peaveys and give it a try. You can usually find them pretty cheap (around $200 or less)
Click to expand...

I gots an old peavey for sale in the classifieds. I've dimed all the knobs and it sounds kinda of mooshy (not mushy, I just coined a new term damnit) and kinda close to the tone of DFA, at least when pumped into a 410.

Just IMO & IME
 
#20
Do yourself a favor and get yourself one of these...
Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DIInvalid Link Removed

I use the RBI in one of my rigs and it provides a nice overdriven emulation. I only say emulation because it is not a true tube overdrive because it has no tubes. It's solid state but I think it will do the trick for ye.

-GOT
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back