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Mutron 3+, what do you think?

Spencer!

Spencer!

Jun 25, 2006
3,226
341
Seattle
www.3leafaudio.com
Disclosures
Owner, Pike Amplification & 3Leaf Audio
#1
I want an envelope filter, but I don't have much experience with effects, so I don't know which one to get.

The only ones I've tried are the Digitech synth pedal and the EBS BassIQ. I hated the Digitech; it was not at all the sound I'm after. The Bass IQ was nice, but it required a lot of adjustment to get a good sound, and it was a little thin-sounding.

The tone I'm after is a fat, funky tone to color my sound. I'm really into Phish, and I've heard that Mike Gordon has used the EHX Doctor Q and the Lovetone Meatball, although the Meatball is way out of my price range.

I've heard really good things about the Mutron 3+, and they can be had on eBay for cheap compared to some rare pedals (Deep Impact, Meatball).

Mutron users, how do you like them? What kind of tones can you get out of them? Or recommend me a different pedal to suit my needs that won't break the bank.
 
#2
cheap compared to some rare pedals (Deep Impact, Meatball).
Click to expand...
I understand the deep impact, but given that the meatball appears to still be available brand new (Invalid Link Removed) I don't get why the meatball is tagged as "rare!" Anywho... just an observation.

EH would be a good start, they have several filter pedals and the prices for some are quite reasonable. People seem to like the mini Q-tron.

There's gotta be about a hundred choices I would think, especially if you're considering new or used.
 
#3
niftydog said:
I understand the deep impact, but given that the meatball appears to still be available brand new (Invalid Link Removed) I don't get why the meatball is tagged as "rare!" Anywho... just an observation.

EH would be a good start, they have several filter pedals and the prices for some are quite reasonable. People seem to like the mini Q-tron.

There's gotta be about a hundred choices I would think, especially if you're considering new or used.
Click to expand...
What I meant was that the Meatball is up there in price with the Deep Impact and other rare pedals. I won't be using an envelope filter that much, so I can't justify spending $500 on a pedal.

I'm just trying to get opinions on which pedal will get me the fattest, funkiest tone for a resonable price.
 
#4
What is the absolute maximum that you want to spend? 50 bucks? 100 bucks? Or just anything less than the 600 dollar Meatball? I can think of about 30 filters that are below the price of the Meatball.

I thought the Doctor Q produced the thinnest sound that ever came from my bass. I can't fathom what it would take to make that pedal seem full sounding.
 
#5
niftydog said:
...given that the meatball appears to still be available brand new (Invalid Link Removed) I don't get why the meatball is tagged as "rare!"
Click to expand...

There was recently a period of about three years IIRC in which Lovetone was out of business and not producing any pedals. They have resumed production, but only on a very limited scale. So they were honestly "rare" and hotly-collected and valued during the time they were out of production. And even though some more have been made, they are still approx. $550 USD new, and the one and only distributor says he has only a dozen left as of a couple weeks ago.
 
#6
abark000 said:
What is the absolute maximum that you want to spend? 50 bucks? 100 bucks? Or just anything less than the 600 dollar Meatball? I can think of about 30 filters that are below the price of the Meatball.
Click to expand...
I was thinking of spending around $100, but if there's a pedal that really stands out and has the tone I'm looking for, I'll spend more.
 
#7
i was in the envelope search for quite some time myself. heres what ive found out. if you want a good, thick envelope sound, at least in my experience, forget digital pedals. analog is the way to go. it is definitely more expensive, but as far as im concerned, its hard to put a price on good sound. i have not had the balls to pick up an original mutron (sight unseen off of ebay) but tend to think it would be the way to go. (not the +). i did not like the q-tron whatsoever, but have found good results with my moog mf-101. if you get the expression pedal to go w/it, it makes the pedal way more multi-functional. great envelope sound, you can use it as a straight up wah pedal, and get crazy theremin sounds from it. your bass will turn to water. also keep in mind that getting a good envelope sound may not come with just buying one pedal. i find that i can get the sweetest sound from using an electro-harmonix bass microsynth in conjunction with the moog (synth before the moog).

also take into consideration that you really need to be able to control your dynamics with envelopes, as they react to how you hit the string. they really are special in that you play the pedal, in a sense. so expect to be turning more than one knob and tweaking decent amount to get the sound you want. and do not be afraid to spend cash, if you are in a position to do so that is.

good luck w/your envelope search, its totally worth it. :cool:


tOm:bassist:
 
#9
I've played the original Mutron 3 (i have had all of them - octaver, biphase, touch wah - stolen...). A great EF. I just bought a Pigtronix EP1 - phaser/envelope filter: you cannot get anymore liquid than that!!! I have not tried it in a band context yet but from the few tests I made home, that thing is funky. I got lucky and bought one on evilbay for cheap and it had the mod that allows you to have both effects at the same time: liquifying!! A little more than a 100$ but a great phase AND envelope filter in one package.
 
#10
I have heard the Mutron III+ isn't as good as the original. I have not tried the III+ so I can't confirm or deny that. I do have an original Mutron III that I bought sight unseen. I played it and it was pretty weak sounding. I sent it off to Beigel Sound Labs to have it cleaned, recalibrated and a true bypass switch installed. I got it back and WOW! It was like a new pedal. I think it is the reigning king of envelope filters.

I have the Meatball and love it but it is a little hard to get under control when I use my active basses. When I use the passive it is neck and neck with the Mutron III. The Mutron III also sounds better with the passive bass.

I have tried the Pigtronix unit (a bandmate has it) and with the right mods it can get silly sounding. I think that unit is over you budget but is the closest you are going to get without picking up a Moogerfooger.
 
#16
I have a Chunk Systems Agent "00" Funk -- and I love it... yet, I find that I use my Emma DiscumBOBulator way, way more often... and it was considerably cheaper than my '00' Funk. I have tried to use my Q-tron+ (I played guitar for years) but, I couldn't get any usable tones out of it.

Here is an Emma that wasn't very pricey... just to give you an idea of what they cost.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211268&highlight=emma

good luck.. jh
 

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