Dirt pedals with flats?

[obsidianbass]

I don't think you are hearing the usual magic of the B3K > VT Bass combination there IMHO .

For me, the fun bit of using a dirt pedal like the B3K is what it does to the twang at the beginning of the note. The treblier that twang from the bass, the more gritty/bitey the pedal. If you have a less trebly / twangy sound from the string, you tend to get a plummy / buzzy / farty sound, not a bitey raw sound.

Of course some people do like 'buzz', and some songs call for it, but I don't think you're getting the sound that most people enjoy from the B3K.

That's what I've been wondering. I'm going to switch to rounds in a couple of days and record a new sample to see how it compares.

 

[Darkglass]

That's what I've been wondering. I'm going to switch to rounds in a couple of days and record a new sample to see how it compares.

Sounds interesting! But IMO the Microtubes sounds the best with newer rounds! But I love punch and attack... I you're more into fuzzy tones for example, rounds or older strings might do better .

 

[caeman]

I run flats through my overdrive pedal. I am not a fan of an overly bright bass sound, and my fingers just cannot play rounds anymore. I'm spoiled.

 

[Shardik]

I think non-traditional combinations of strings, basses, and effects is where a player can still really explore to help forge a unique sound identity. So it really comes down to what you are trying to accomplish.

My thoughts, exactly. To me a fretless with flats on a smooth distortion pedal has a powerful, but controlled sound that is useful when you want that deep, buzz without competing in the treble area. And doing slides on that is fun. Using compression with high sustain, but keeping some of the attack can also be beneficial, IMHO.

 

[topo morto]

That's what I've been wondering. I'm going to switch to rounds in a couple of days and record a new sample to see how it compares.

As well as just changing the strings, it's worth experimenting with playing style to create a bit of string clank for the B3k to 'feed off' - I often use LH slides, fingering of the the notes momentarily after I'm picking them, and digging in quite hard (well not at the moment as i have a broken finger... but usually). It all enables a grindy sound without a needing to use huge amount of gain. I'm not sure if those techniques work so well with flats - I only use flats with my fretless and when I'm playing that I stay clean.

With my P-bass and rounds i find the b3K + VT to be a really great combination. I haven't used them for a while but from memory I set the B3k for moderate drive and blend, and run it into the VT set fairly clean. results in a sound that's both fat and grindy.

 

[Freight Train]

I've experimented with this quite a bit, and I've found that adding tube distortion to flats, up to a certain point, does not make the bass sound distorted in the mix, but rather the added harmonics enhances it and creates a presence while still sounding round. And with the distortion I can play at lower volumes while being more present in the mix. I've found a sweet spot on the overdrive in my Bassman 100T with my G&L/flats that sounds beautifully round and full in ensemble, but anytime guitar drops out a great grindy growly grit in the bass is revealed. Almost like an auto-effect.
I also use a bass strung with roundwounds, and my experience there is the opposite. Adding distortion to it makes it disappear, and I have to raise the volume to make it heard in the mix.

 

[obsidianbass]

Very interesting! I've played one gig so far with this current setup (the latest addition was the dirt pedal) and I must say I received lots of compliments on my tone that night. One regular who comes to a lot of our shows said specifically that the bass was controlling the sound and made him want to head bang (metal band).

I think I'm still going to give rounds a try soon, but I have been spoiled by flats as well!

 

[monkeyfinger]

What brand/model of flats are you using? What guage?

 

[obsidianbass]

What brand/model of flats are you using? What guage?

I'm using Chromes, long scale, 45, 65, 80, 100, 132. They're pretty fresh too, I've had this set on the bass for about 2 months.

 

[Superdave]

I know Stu from Dubtrio uses flats with a lot of overdrive/distortion. He's running a Jazz through an Aguilar rig. Check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrxwRcWv32I

 

[astack]

I've experimented with this quite a bit, and I've found that adding tube distortion to flats, up to a certain point, does not make the bass sound distorted in the mix, but rather the added harmonics enhances it and creates a presence while still sounding round. And with the distortion I can play at lower volumes while being more present in the mix. I've found a sweet spot on the overdrive in my Bassman 100T with my G&L/flats that sounds beautifully round and full in ensemble, but anytime guitar drops out a great grindy growly grit in the bass is revealed. Almost like an auto-effect.
I also use a bass strung with roundwounds, and my experience there is the opposite. Adding distortion to it makes it disappear, and I have to raise the volume to make it heard in the mix.

Wow, that there is the sweet spot. Very well put.

Grit, grind, growl, wool, goo, hair, fuzz, honk, clank. So many flavors to try... but your combo sounds mighty tasty.

 

[Niff]

ric, chromes, dirt and fingers - totally in love with that setup. i feel you lose a lot of presence, depth and get too much bite from rounds - flats let you sit in the mix perfectly.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

My Stingray Fretless and 57AVRI P-bass both wear chromes and when playing electric I always have my SFX Red Dragon on. I use a touch of hair, and like others have said, it adds harmonics and puts the bass in the mix very well at lower volumes. And it does reveal that great-sounding grind when the guitars drop out.

My SR5 with rounds have not quite the opposite effect, but more sssst on the attack. It does drop out of a mix a little easier though.

 

[mazdah]

The only combination that didn't work for me at all with flats is dirt pedal with mixed clean signal (blend).

 

[swspiers]

ric, chromes, dirt and fingers - totally in love with that setup. i feel you lose a lot of presence, depth and get too much bite from rounds - flats let you sit in the mix perfectly.

Yep. back to flats for me. right, standard Chromes. This weekend I'll give TI a try.

flats give my distorion a lot control and definition, using a Supercollider Best -> Sansamp BDDI -> Mesa Boogie M9

 

[sillyfabe]

I prefer my EBOW,octave,fuzz,filter and synth with flats (use my Roger Waters P-Bass with Steve Harris flats)

With that said, I prefer modulation,delay and reverb with roundwounds (use my Geddy Lee J-Bass with DR Neon Greens)

 

[War Pig]

I love dirt with flats as well as rounds. I tend to prefer flats though, when I can get the growl I want out of them.

Here's some D'addario ECB80's (fresh) with my Pigtronix pedal adding some dirt. First is the clean tone, then I kick the pedal on.

 

[bassmandudeguy]

Sweet I just finished up a rebuild on a beat to hell pawn shop squire jazz and I ordered some chromes for it! I was kinda worried about how those strings would react with all my fx but then this thread popped up and quelled my fears! Right now I have some earnie ball slinkies on it that I had lying around for my 5er and they're just way too bright!

When I get the chromes in I'll report back!

 

[soma89]

I only use tapewounds and flats with fuzz. Rounds make overdrive/distortion/fuzz sound like a death metal guitar IMHO

 

[rhopper]

Well, I recorded a quick and dirty sample of my jazz with chromes > B3K > VT bass deluxe > Boss Micro BR. I'm playing fingerstyle.

I'm no wizard with recording so this is the raw track. Also, I've never uploaded audio to the forum before so I'll just link to the soundcloud track. If there's a better way, please feel free to educate me!

The VT bass was set flat according to some of the threads here. (Drive off, Character 12:00, Low 12:00, Mid 12:00, High 9:00, Level to unity with the B3K).

http://soundcloud.com/obsidianbass/bass-noodle-b3k

I think this setup sounds better going through my rig, though.

I think it sounds good too!