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Need More Bass!

Ginsly

Ginsly

Apr 1, 2010
187
20
#1
I'm having a little trouble adding some extra low-end to my setup. I use an Xotic Bass RC Booster at the end of my chain, but turning up the bass knob on it adds an odd character to the sound that I'm not too crazy about (I usually use a pick which adds to that problem). I also have a Devi Ever Dark Boost right before the RC, but it really muddies my sound and makes notes higher on the neck disappear very quickly. The Dark Boost adds some lows, but the overdrive on it seems very farty through my rig (Terror Bass 500 at 4 ohms through two SWR WM 4x10 4004 cabs). I really love the sound of the Terror Bass, but I want to add some low-end to it's mid-range sound. Would an EQ pedal do the trick, or should I be looking into better cabs or something?
 
#2
I used to play with tons of pedals and processors.

I got a mark II head and 4x10.... and now the pedals do nothing but muddy up what is an amazing tone. Thump so low you can feel it in your chest and gut. But it doens't hurt the ears.
 
#7
#9
Thanks for the input! I'll definitely look into the BBE pedal, but it seems like the Boss EQ isn't going to be the solution... I do use a blender pedal, but I put the RC Booster and Dark Boost after it so I can blend my fuzz pedals and send the blended signal into them. Might try putting the Dark Boost in the blender, although it inverts phase and most of my fuzzes don't. I use a Fender Jazz with passive pickups (it used to have a preamp, but didn't sound so great through my setup - I like a more old-school sound anyways). Thanks for setting my mind at ease about the 4x10s too!
 
#10
501ts5.jpg
 
#12
I really should try the Mole - I opted for the Dark Boost instead, because I heard that the Mole was even muddier. They're so cheap, I might as well try one out. As far as the cabs go, I do have a 15 cab that I might replace one of my 4x10s with. It work so well with my old SWR head, but that combo might sound better with the Terror Bass. Thanks for helping, everybody!
 
#13
Aphex Big Bottom di. Commonly just about $50 shipped used here on TB. Users tend to obsess over the plastic jacks and that they need some make-up gain. But last in a chain or in an fx loop like GK's have, with boost/post-loop-gain, they're fantastic.

Related post:
tocs100 said:
Yeah the input/output levels are a bit whack. My active Peavey does fine though with the input set to active, even tho the house mixer then needs an extra 10dB of gain (but quiet signals are why mixer pre's have 60+ db's of gain...)

Ya know what this pedal is perfect for? Gallien-Krueger amps: because the boost knob comes right after the fx loop to compensate for low-output pedals! I also hear lots of GK (and Ampeg) users saying their D.I's are noisy/hissy so the Aphex bypasses that problem too. THIRDLY, the Aphex gets that Eq & compression in between the GK eq frequencies--perfect. And the battery lasts for like 500 hours of use too.
Click to expand...
 
#14
Ginsly said:
I really should try the Mole - I opted for the Dark Boost instead, because I heard that the Mole was even muddier. They're so cheap, I might as well try one out. As far as the cabs go, I do have a 15 cab that I might replace one of my 4x10s with. It work so well with my old SWR head, but that combo might sound better with the Terror Bass. Thanks for helping, everybody!
Click to expand...

Don't try. It's garbage. It doesn't just boost your low end but it cuts your high end, which I'm sure is what it's suppose to do but don't use it f you want to add clear bass to your rig.

I recommend a Tech 21 Sansamp at the end of your chain or,m many pros use this.You can not only add bass end but you can shape your sound which is sometimes more beneficial. Or try messing with your pick-up configuration- do you have a pickup blend nob or just selector switch? If you have a blend knob try finding a good mix between neck and bridge pickups.
 
#15
Awesome, thanks for the heads up! I read into the Mole a little more, and it seems like you're right. I don't have a pickup blend knob since I took out the preamp, but I might look into getting another VT Bass once they add the Sim Defeat button (had one before, but it didn't really work in my setup). Thanks for the help!


ethridgenetz said:
Don't try. It's garbage. It doesn't just boost your low end but it cuts your high end, which I'm sure is what it's suppose to do but don't use it f you want to add clear bass to your rig.

I recommend a Tech 21 Sansamp at the end of your chain or,m many pros use this.You can not only add bass end but you can shape your sound which is sometimes more beneficial. Or try messing with your pick-up configuration- do you have a pickup blend nob or just selector switch? If you have a blend knob try finding a good mix between neck and bridge pickups.
Click to expand...
 
#19
...about that Dark Boost... I run one through a blended fuzz and it's super. Volume at 9, effect at 3...it does buzz some, but that needs to be added too. It's attack envelope is like an anvil. I run it into a Brown Dog or an Attack Goat. It might work with EH BBM. It also responds well with a high level into it, like the RC into the DB.
 

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