JPTR's Jive pedal. It is an always on with every bass every song. Hard to explain what it does except if I were to call it something relatable, it would be "bacon." Like bacon, it just makes things better.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Looking for a tone sweetener
- Thread starter NorthTexasBass
- Start date
Switching to rounds will completely change the sound. Try that first
I was going to recommend a Broughton Messenger. But their high pass filter has always been the dial I use to get the tone I like. I think I'm luck or not too picky that that has solved all my tone issues.
the "always on" HPF is a great and cheap solution.
You sound like a man searching for a Khan VTDI. This tube box is so simple, it doesn’t even have a knob, just a db pad and ground lift.
It’s hard to explain what it does, but it makes everything…. Bloom. I’ve been through a ton of tone sweeteners and pre amps. This thing is special
It’s hard to explain what it does, but it makes everything…. Bloom. I’ve been through a ton of tone sweeteners and pre amps. This thing is special
I am not even using the cab sim at this point. If I used the modern OD channel, I probably would, but on the first two channels it is unnecessary
Hmmm, I used to use a tape saturation effect when I used a Helix. I may need to check this out
I was just recently thinking whether there is some analog tape saturation effect, because I apply some tape flavour almost every time I record something (Satin plugin by U-he is great for that). Was considering Deco by Strymon, but I am in pure analog stage for my live setup now.. But this JPTR FX Jive looks really interesting! Didn't know about it..
I have been using a TC Electronic Spectra Compressor for what you are describing. You will have to dig through their tone prints to fine the sound you are after.
I have been wanting to try a Dark Glass Harmonic Booster. It may be better at doing what I am using the spectra compressor for.
I have been wanting to try a Dark Glass Harmonic Booster. It may be better at doing what I am using the spectra compressor for.
Sushibox Underground Accelerator is designed to do exactly that. It just opens up the harmonics and lets the bass “sing” more.
Yupper! That would have been my first suggestion.
Although I need to get one myself! 
Or maybe one of those Edison pedals?
- Jan 2, 2006
- 992
- 3,070
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Curt Mangan Strings, & Formerly Wyn Guitars. RIP Randy!!
Sushi Particle/Underground, Khan, or maybe the Caveman!! I use all of them, but have become partial to the Caveman. They all do a sweetening thing. Unfortunately you have to hear each with your setup (hopefully in the wild) to know which you prefer. I highly suggest first changing strings like @Lava mentioned, and rolling off the highs if they get to be too much, but you may be used to that big thump the flats provide.. Its a journey!!!
There are lots of great suggestions already in this thread, some I’ve tried and some I haven’t. Two that I own and like a lot as an always on pedal are the Spaceman Effects Saturn VI harmonic booster and the JPTR Jive preamp.
Of the two, I like the Saturn VI a little better for the role you described – a sweetener – than I do the Jive. I’ve used the Jive in that role before and it works well and I especially like the asymmetric clipping with the gain set pretty low, around 10:00-11:00. But, since I decided I like the Saturn better as an always on pedal, I started using the Jive to give me a tone dirtier than my always on tone (though still not high gain, I don’t need that much dirt).
One I haven’t seen mentioned yet is the Broughton FlipTop preamp. That’s what I use on my main pedalboard for my always on tone and it’s my favorite always on pedal I’ve used so far. It’s a very low gain pedal so, even with the Gain knob above 3:00, it’s still not very dirty. But it does what you asked for, sweetening your tone very nicely. The only reasons I didn’t suggest it up front is that they’re discontinued and are getting harder to find now, and also because some of the pedals you listed in your original post make me think your preferred tone is a little more modern than a more vintage tone that I tend to use. But, if you do find one, it’s still worth considering and, if you don’t like it, will be really easy to flip.
Of the two, I like the Saturn VI a little better for the role you described – a sweetener – than I do the Jive. I’ve used the Jive in that role before and it works well and I especially like the asymmetric clipping with the gain set pretty low, around 10:00-11:00. But, since I decided I like the Saturn better as an always on pedal, I started using the Jive to give me a tone dirtier than my always on tone (though still not high gain, I don’t need that much dirt).
One I haven’t seen mentioned yet is the Broughton FlipTop preamp. That’s what I use on my main pedalboard for my always on tone and it’s my favorite always on pedal I’ve used so far. It’s a very low gain pedal so, even with the Gain knob above 3:00, it’s still not very dirty. But it does what you asked for, sweetening your tone very nicely. The only reasons I didn’t suggest it up front is that they’re discontinued and are getting harder to find now, and also because some of the pedals you listed in your original post make me think your preferred tone is a little more modern than a more vintage tone that I tend to use. But, if you do find one, it’s still worth considering and, if you don’t like it, will be really easy to flip.
With all this talk about JPTR Jive I would be remiss not to mention that it's like 30% off on their website right now. Pretty good deal!
$105.20 with shipping. I’ve been meaning to try one for a long time. Really wanted the micro, but I think it was discontinued. Anyways, thanks for the heads up!
D
