Modulation for a Minimalist?

[Jason Hollar]

So I'm looking for a coupla funky gizmos to accent some 70's & 80's gigs.

Must be clean & subtle, no muss - no fuss, and not too edgy sounding for this Gen X journeyman.

Thinking about a phaser first and chorus pedal next.

Some of my ideal criteria:

- analog, simple
- standard 9v AC
- "modern vintage"
- low noise
- no volume drop
- mix knob???
- made in USA

Some possible contenders:

- MXR phase90 (block? script? EVH?)
- Whirlwind Orange Box
- EQD Grand Orbiter


Help me get my groove on dear TB FX gurus!

 

[Dave W]

The MXR Phase doesn't get any simpler, plus they're great with bass. I have an EVH that I love.

 

[willsellout]

Southampton Utility knife.

 

[Stubb]

Southampton Utility knife.

Not a bad shout. The chorus didn't sit right with me but the flanger on certain settings got close enough to a chorus I like. The phaser is great.

If I wanted analog, I would go with a JAM Bass Waterfall for chorus and your favorite version of the Phase 90 for phasing. I liked the Whirlwind Orange Box. The MXR Phase 95 is another Phase 90 with some options in a small package.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Unfortunately they must make the Utility Knife with unobtanium because it's never available (when I am!).

Not really looking to buy used - I'd like a manufacturer warranty.

The Jam Pedals chorus gets a lot of praise and the videos sound amazing.

 

[Inconnu]

An alternative to the Phase 90 would be an EHX Small Stone.

 

[willsellout]

Unfortunately they must make the Utility Knife with unobtanium because it's never available (when I am!).

Not really looking to buy used - I'd like a manufacturer warranty.

The Jam Pedals chorus gets a lot of praise and the videos sound amazing.

Unfortunately, I don't think they are even making pedals anymore. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Used is the way. But it is a hard pedal to come by. It took me a couple years to grab one used. Good luck with your search!

 

[HelpImaRock]

 

[Redshift Crilly]

The Jam Pedals chorus gets a lot of praise and the videos sound amazing.

I can echo that. The JAM pedals WaterFall is one of the few modulation pedals that I'd happily have always on. I first heard about them through an interview with Anthony Jackson that I read about six years ago. I've got a brace of other choruses in my collection, but this one hits the spot for me, especially for subtle (or not-so-subtle) 80s sounds. No complicated settings or permutations: everything is straight WYSIWYG. The graphics change all the time, being a hand-painted pedal.

If you go for JAM, do make sure to go for the bass model of the WaterFall. The difference between it and the standard (guitar) model appears to be very slight, but since they make the two...
By the way, they're designed and handmade in Greece, in case the "made in USA" criterion is very important.

 

[Hasty]

Maybe the Keeley Dyno My Roto? It's a Chorus/Rotary Cab/Flanger. I love the tones I get from the Flanger and the Rotary cab. I'm iffy about the chorus, but to my ear that flanger fits most situations where I'd want some sort of modulated effect, but I'm not a purists so I might not be the best person to make suggestions.

However I feel like the most useful tone from it is the Flanger, so if that's not your bag then it might not be a good fit for you.

 

[Z-Bass]

I use and recommend the MXR M290 Mini Phase 95 if you're looking for a no fuss phaser with a small footprint and decent price. You get the Phase 45, Phase 90 Block, and Phase 90 Script all in one. I compared the Script setting with my regular MXR Phase 90 Script (which my son is borrowing) and it was identical (at least it seemed that way at our rehearsal space).

 

[bass12]

I like the MXR Analog Chorus precisely because you can get a very subtle chorus effect out of it. When I was originally looking at chorus pedals I found none were capable of a subtle enough (to my liking) effect - until I tried the Analog Chorus.

 

[Z-Bass]

I like the MXR Analog Chorus precisely because you can get a very subtle chorus effect out of it. When I was originally looking at chorus pedals I found none were capable of a subtle enough (to my liking) effect - until I tried the Analog Chorus.

You know I've always wanted to give that one a shot. If anything, I like the finish and color of the pedal box. Your description lines up with what I'd want in a chorus.

 

[waveman]

Zoom MS-70 CDR will cover just about any modulation effect you need.

Even better is a Zoom MS-60B since it would have drive, octaver, filter, etc along with the basic modulation effects. And the tuner works in just about every light condition

 

[ole Jason]

Uncommon recommendation in the bass world but I love the Boss DC-2w on bass. The Ibanez CS-9 is a similar vibe but try before you buy if it's something you'll be kicking on and off throughout songs.

 

[HolmeBass]

So I'm looking for a coupla funky gizmos to accent some 70's & 80's gigs.

Must be clean & subtle, no muss - no fuss, and not too edgy sounding for this Gen X journeyman.

Thinking about a phaser first and chorus pedal next.

Some of my ideal criteria:

- analog, simple
- standard 9v AC
- "modern vintage"
- low noise
- no volume drop
- mix knob???
- made in USA

Some possible contenders:

- MXR phase90 (block? script? EVH?)
- Whirlwind Orange Box
- EQD Grand Orbiter


Help me get my groove on dear TB FX gurus!

9 volt DC, center negative is a soft-standard for effects pedals now - NOT AC.

I used to use the MXR Phase 90, block script, and it sounds good but does have a slight volume drop.

I switched to the EQD Grand Orbiter and it has so much more control on tap. I really like it.

 

[mambo4]

Minimal modulation with no pedals:
1. slowly move where you pluck back and forth between the neck and the bridge
2. slowly vary your fingering pressure to get a little fret buzz coming in and out
3. sustain the note, twiddle the the tone knobs(s) in real time

 

[Killing Floor]

Red Witch Moon Phaser is dead simple and does it for me.

 

[eriky4003]

ElectroHarmonix Modulator which has chorus, flanger and phaser plus a few more!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Zoom MS-70 CDR will cover just about any modulation effect you need.

Even better is a Zoom MS-60B since it would have drive, octaver, filter, etc along with the basic modulation effects. And the tuner works in just about every light condition

That's what I was thinking...a used Zoom multi-FX or brand-of-choice.

Riis