Im after some effects help please guys.....

[gaslight11]

Hi all hope you'll safe and well. I'm after some help please, my setup is my Ibanez bass into a boss GT 1B unit and into a Blackstar amp. I just don't like the sound I get. What should I do buy a better effects unit or invest in pedals?
I just rock out in my man cave/music room so the amps fine, I've always played 6 string before taking up my true love bass 18 months ago and there's not been a day go by that I've not picked it up. But I just wish I could get the various sounds that im after. I love Rush and tool and well 60s 80s music. On guitar id use a podx3 I think it was called or guitar rig software and got a great sound. Any help would be really appreciated. Thank you and keep safe. Simon.

 

[eriky4003]

With those bassists you may also want some bright sounding strings like Rotosound 66s or Dunlop Super Brights or DR Hi Beams. After that, not sure what your amp sound like but maybe a grindy preamp (Tech 21 VT bass?).

 

[gaslight11]

With those bassists you may also want some bright sounding strings like Rotosound 66s or Dunlop Super Brights or DR Hi Beams. After that, not sure what your amp sound like but maybe a grindy preamp (Tech 21 VT bass?).

Hi thanks for the reply, so this Pre amp does that provide the effects ie Echo/delay etc..... Thanks.

 

[HalfManHalfBass]

What size amp are you using? I would try to get a good, deep, powerful bass tone before complicating it with effects. Effects are meant to be used for....well....effect. So instead of using them as a way to a great fundamental tone they are icing to an already well-baked 'cake'. Rush probably means you're after some kind of overdrive and the 80s were that overuse of chorus thing......

 

[eriky4003]

Most preamps are pedals that simply warm up a tone. But something like a Tech 21 Fly rig might give you more that you would like and I know Line 6 and Boss would make multieffects unit. Do a search on this forum for multieffect units, you should get plenty of ideas.

 

[gaslight11]

What size amp are you using? I would try to get a good, deep, powerful bass tone before complicating it with effects. Effects are meant to be used for....well....effect. So instead of using them as a way to a great fundamental tone they are icing to an already well-baked 'cake'. Rush probably means you're after some kind of overdrive and the 80s were that overuse of chorus thing......

Hi thanks for the reply, its a Blackstar Valve amp HT5, thanks.

 

[gaslight11]

Most preamps are pedals that simply warm up a tone. But something like a Tech 21 Fly rig might give you more that you would like and I know Line 6 and Boss would make multieffects unit. Do a search on this forum for multieffect units, you should get plenty of ideas.

Thank you.

 

[HalfManHalfBass]

Hi thanks for the reply, its a Blackstar Valve amp HT5, thanks.

That's a 12" 5 watt valve guitar amp -that no doubt sounds great dimed on guitar -but with bass you really need to move and feel some air. I'd suggest something bigger and specifically bass centered.

 

[el murdoque]

I second this. The amp itself might be fine, but a guitar cabinet that was designed to go well with a 5 watts head will not excel at doing bass.
You should look into bass cabinets (should you own a separate head and cab) and/or bass amps (or combos) before you upgrade your pedal game.

 

[El Spearo]

Fully agree with previous comments, it's the amp that' letting you down. Even a small bass combo will sound better than a guitar amp. Have a look at Ampeg, Fender and Gallien Krueger, you can't go wrong with any of those.

 

[40Hz]

Hi! A belated welcome to TalkBass.

As others have suggested, don’t spend money on pedals if what you really need is a decent amp.

You need a decent amp.

Without a solid foundation to build your sound on you’re building a house of cards.

It doesn't need to be large or expensive necessarily. But it does need a be a bass amp matched with an appropriate speaker for bass instruments. The Fender Rumble series is a good starting point. They come in a variety of wattages. They're affordable. They sound good. And also pedal friendly if you decide you still need some effects.

tl:dr - Get a decent bass amp first.

 

[dmt]

From my [fortunately] limited experience playing my guitar into a Blackstar tube amp, my first thought was also "amp". Among others, the Fender Rumble amps get a lot of love here

 

[JamesNC]

I got an old Ashley SC-40 rackmount preamp for the older and harder rock stuff, my favorite music, and I’m happy. The diy mod plug for distortion is great as well.

 

[james condino]

If you only rock out in your man cave and don't have to worry about transporting the thing around, start looking at the local craigslist / marketplace /classified ads for the biggest bada$$ old school 4x10 to svt sized cab and powerful amp that you can find, the heavier the better. You'll be able to find one for a few hundred $$$ over the next couple of months. Getting a simple bass sound compared to moving huge amounts of air will amaze you how much fun it is to be a bass player; no effects necessary....

 

[gaslight11]

Gents thank you all so much for your replys and knowledge. First things first a bass Amp. Thank you.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

Among others, the Fender Rumble amps get a lot of love here

Yes, and the Rumble 800 has modeling capabilities. There even a Geddy preset in there.

 

[Pulverizor]

Fender Rumble Studio 1x10" 40-Watt Bass Combo

 

[BOOG]

Save some pesos and invest in a really good cab. After that, start experimenting with heads.

edit: gotta do a little research into cab voicing (i.e. old school vs. hi fi and everything in between)

 

[oldcatfish]

Hi all hope you'll safe and well. I'm after some help please, my setup is my Ibanez bass into a boss GT 1B unit and into a Blackstar amp. I just don't like the sound I get. What should I do buy a better effects unit or invest in pedals?
I just rock out in my man cave/music room so the amps fine, I've always played 6 string before taking up my true love bass 18 months ago and there's not been a day go by that I've not picked it up. But I just wish I could get the various sounds that im after. I love Rush and tool and well 60s 80s music. On guitar id use a podx3 I think it was called or guitar rig software and got a great sound. Any help would be really appreciated. Thank you and keep safe. Simon.

The problem is that you are using a guitar amp. The speaker isn't designed for bass frequencies. Pick up a small bass amp, or since you have a boss pedal that has amp models built in, even a small keyboard amp or powered speaker would do. The bigger the speaker, the better it is likely to sound, generally speaking. I have a small Peavey one that I use to teach lessons with, and it sounds decent enough. Fender also makes a nice small one--the Rumble series. I'm sure there are others too.

 

[gaslight11]

Yes, and the Rumble 800 has modeling capabilities. There even a Geddy preset in there.

Oh yes I like the sound of that and the rumble series do I just need the amp or anything else? Thank you.