Looking to improve my tone...

[apisgogo]

Greetings from the east.

I'm looking some recommendation to improve my sound. The sound that im looking for is tight, ballsy and warm. I love Paul Turner's tone in their new album, Rock Dust Light Star.

My current setup are MIJ fender jazz bass with ultra jazz pickups and Aguilar ToneHammer preamp/DI box.

I quite close getting the tone from my current setup but I felt it lacked strong warm foundation. Thinking to add a compression perhaps?

So after countless of hours researching in this forum, I came up with few solutions:

1) Adding a compressor in my current setup. After reading reviews in Compressor Reviews , Markbass Compressore seems a great pedal to add warmth in my setup, and quite affordable.

2) Adding a Tube preamp such as ART Tube MP in my current setup. It's cheap and judging from the review it's quite a pedal.

3) Another tube pre solution, adding DHA VT1-Bass-Drive in to my current setup. I only heard good things about this boutique pedal maker. But I'm afraid it will overdrive my sound? Or, just get rid my tonehammer and get DHA-VT1-EQ?

Been reading about REDDI, used by the pros and sounded awesome. But I'm not keen to spend 700$ at the moment.

Am I going on track on my tone quest? Need inputs on my selections. Or you have better solution?
In my country, good bass gear is hard to find. My only option is to import them in. So I only rely on your kind reviews and comments over the net to help me decide.

Thanks.

 

[SVE]

I think Paul turner uses a gas cooker DI. Compression should work for getting his tone. A tube preamp would do it, or if you have money to spend he uses a DB751? I believe. Solid state output section into tube preamp; that will definitely give you more warmth. What kind of amp and cab do you use?

 

[apisgogo]

I think Paul turner uses a gas cooker DI. Compression should work for getting his tone. A tube preamp would do it, or if you have money to spend he uses a DB751? I believe. Solid state output section into tube preamp; that will definitely give you more warmth. What kind of amp and cab do you use?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Gas cooker seems hard to find n quite expensive I presume?

DB751 sounded great but its quite a hassle to import a big, heavy head.

I usually plug in direct to mixer (from my tonehammer Di). I prefer pedal setup (if possible). Also try to keep my gears as light as possible.

 

[chessrocks]

The sound that im looking for is tight, ballsy and warm. I love Paul Turner's tone in their new album, Rock Dust Light Star.

That's a really old-schoolish, funky tone you're talking about there.

Pretty cool stuff. If you listen to the bass when it's solo'ed, it is fuzzy, but it also has kind of a "synthy" thing going on as well. In the mix, that sound kind of disappears, but in solo mode, you can definitely hear that fuzzy gated synth tone going on. Of the options you're looking at, the ART would be too clean/transparent for that purpose.

You should have a look at something like the Sansamp Red Ripper. That's a really excellent pedal for that type of sound. Another very similar pedal for that kind of vibe would be the Source Audio Bass Mulitwave Distortion.

And a few others in that general category: Crowther Prunes & Custard overdrive, Wooly Mammoth.

If you prefer just that basic "fuzz" tone without the "synthy" sounding stuff, then the ones I would be looking at would include the Way Huge Pork Loin, and the EBS ValveDrive -- again, if what you're looking for is just the old school fuzz without the synth. Also the DHA VT1 that you mention might also be an option (although I am not familiar with that unit, it appears to be the kind of thing you're looking for).

 

[apisgogo]

That's a really old-schoolish, funky tone you're talking about there.

Pretty cool stuff. If you listen to the bass when it's solo'ed, it is fuzzy, but it also has kind of a "synthy" thing going on as well. In the mix, that sound kind of disappears, but in solo mode, you can definitely hear that fuzzy gated synth tone going on. Of the options you're looking at, the ART would be too clean/transparent for that purpose.

You should have a look at something like the Sansamp Red Ripper. That's a really excellent pedal for that type of sound. Another very similar pedal for that kind of vibe would be the Source Audio Bass Mulitwave Distortion.

And a few others in that general category: Crowther Prunes & Custard overdrive, Wooly Mammoth.

If you prefer just that basic "fuzz" tone without the "synthy" sounding stuff, then the ones I would be looking at would include the Way Huge Pork Loin, and the EBS ValveDrive -- again, if what you're looking for is just the old school fuzz without the synth. Also the DHA VT1 that you mention might also be an option (although I am not familiar with that unit, it appears to be the kind of thing you're looking for).

I never consider a synth sound before.

Judging from the soundclips and review, Tech 21 Red Ripper seems pretty close to what im looking for. Also considering Source Audio Bass Mulitwave Distortion. If i going this route, do i need compression?

Another option that I'm considering is getting a tube drive (DHA VT1 Link Removed). But this one comes without EQ. Do i need EQ?

Thanks chessrocks for your valuable information

 

[tk4207]

I've never tried these personally, but if you can get them into your budget, these might do the trick:

EHX Black Finger tube compressor Invalid Link Removed

or possibly this:

EHX English Muff'n EHX.com | English Muff’n - Tube Distortion/Preamp | Electro-Harmonix

 

[chessrocks]

Another option that I'm considering is getting a tube drive (DHA VT1 VT1-Bass-Drive details). But this one comes without EQ. Do i need EQ?

It certainly can't hurt. If you like your basic tone, of if your amp already has treble/mid/bass controls, then you probably don't need it.

Again, not familiar with the VT1 (haven't seen it anywhere in the States), but from it's description, it appears to do what you're looking for (i.e. adding some classic style tube fuzz).

Depending on what kind of drive or effect you use, you might not need any compression, as most overdrive/fuzz effects will naturally compress and saturate. Honestly, the more I listen to that tone, the more I'm thinking "Red Ripper."

 

[apisgogo]

I've never tried these personally, but if you can get them into your budget, these might do the trick:

EHX Black Finger tube compressor Invalid Link Removed

or possibly this:

EHX English Muff'n EHX.com | English Muff’n - Tube Distortion/Preamp | Electro-Harmonix

Thanks for the suggestion. From what i read here, number of people seems to prefer EBS ValveDrive over EHX Muffn as the EBS is voiced for Bass.

Price is a bit on the high side, but will consider! always love valve

It certainly can't hurt. If you like your basic tone, of if your amp already has treble/mid/bass controls, then you probably don't need it.

Again, not familiar with the VT1 (haven't seen it anywhere in the States), but from it's description, it appears to do what you're looking for (i.e. adding some classic style tube fuzz).

Depending on what kind of drive or effect you use, you might not need any compression, as most overdrive/fuzz effects will naturally compress and saturate. Honestly, the more I listen to that tone, the more I'm thinking "Red Ripper."

Here the tone that I love:


From what i gather, Source Audio Bass Mulitwave Distortion seems better value from Red Ripper, being cheaper and do a lot more.

Great stuff!

 

[chessrocks]

rom what i gather, Source Audio Bass Mulitwave Distortion seems better value from Red Ripper

You make a valid point, but overall, I don't think anyone can touch Tech21 when it comes to nailing the vibe of a classic American tube amp from the 70's, which I believe is what you're after.

 

[kasbrey]

I have both the Markbass Compressore and the DHA VT1 EQ (arrived last week). While waiting for the DHA I worked out how to get the tone I'm after (and what the OP described) from the Compressore.
Having now received the DHA, I am even more impressed. It absolutely nails the warm and fat tube tone at home through my Markbass Minimark and I'm trying to imagine whether I'll be able to use both units in front of my Markbass LM11.

 

[apisgogo]

You make a valid point, but overall, I don't think anyone can touch Tech21 when it comes to nailing the vibe of a classic American tube amp from the 70's, which I believe is what you're after.

Thanks for the valuable insights.

I have both the Markbass Compressore and the DHA VT1 EQ (arrived last week). While waiting for the DHA I worked out how to get the tone I'm after (and what the OP described) from the Compressore.
Having now received the DHA, I am even more impressed. It absolutely nails the warm and fat tube tone at home through my Markbass Minimark and I'm trying to imagine whether I'll be able to use both units in front of my Markbass LM11.

You just make me GAS... DHA VT1 with EQ is tempting (with EQ and headphone out is perfect). By any chance you have sound clips?

Appreciate your feedback