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New mxr bass distortion!
- Thread starter Patchbass
- Start date
Thx Dann!
Listening back to these, I'm kind of favoring LED mode for mellower tones. I really didn't get it for mellower tones, but it's nice to know it dials down so smoothly and it definitely becomes another option for that kind of thing. I left it with the LED trimpot fully juiced for these clips, BTW.
Listening back to these, I'm kind of favoring LED mode for mellower tones. I really didn't get it for mellower tones, but it's nice to know it dials down so smoothly and it definitely becomes another option for that kind of thing. I left it with the LED trimpot fully juiced for these clips, BTW.
I just took the back off and turned down the LED trimpot all the way. There's still a boost when you put it into LED mode but it's way less of one and is somewhat manageable, but I'm not sure just how manageable it is yet and won't until I gig with it. Fortunately, I have a gig later this afternoon! Not expecting to switch between them freely at will, but not expecting total FOH disaster, either.
I have to admit that I disagree with what it says in the manual about turning down the LED trimpot, though. They say it makes LED and silicon modes a lot more similar, but I hear the same changes in tone when I switch between modes as I did when the LED was cranked...added low bass frequencies and less distortion intensity at the same setting on the dist knob. The intensity level is easily compensated for, of course, but even when I add more drive, I still hear more low end. And I also won't know this until I gig, but judging by itself, it sounds more in line with the clean tone than silicon mode. The silicon mode still has plenty of low end IMHO, but LED mode does add something to it that I'm really digging.
I've done a complete turnaround on LED mode from when I first plugged it in. The classic sound is silicon, and that's why I loved my previous vintage Rat 2 and Keeley modded Rat 2, both of which got stolen out of my house at parties along with a few other things (which is why we never throw parties anymore). But LED mode gives you a bigger range of mild OD tones IMHO, and a little more fatness to the unblended sound, and I'm having a hard time deciding which I like better now. I do know, however, that since it says "bass" on it, the likelihood of it getting stolen at a party is way lower
I have to admit that I disagree with what it says in the manual about turning down the LED trimpot, though. They say it makes LED and silicon modes a lot more similar, but I hear the same changes in tone when I switch between modes as I did when the LED was cranked...added low bass frequencies and less distortion intensity at the same setting on the dist knob. The intensity level is easily compensated for, of course, but even when I add more drive, I still hear more low end. And I also won't know this until I gig, but judging by itself, it sounds more in line with the clean tone than silicon mode. The silicon mode still has plenty of low end IMHO, but LED mode does add something to it that I'm really digging.
I've done a complete turnaround on LED mode from when I first plugged it in. The classic sound is silicon, and that's why I loved my previous vintage Rat 2 and Keeley modded Rat 2, both of which got stolen out of my house at parties along with a few other things (which is why we never throw parties anymore). But LED mode gives you a bigger range of mild OD tones IMHO, and a little more fatness to the unblended sound, and I'm having a hard time deciding which I like better now. I do know, however, that since it says "bass" on it, the likelihood of it getting stolen at a party is way lower
rratajski
Commercial User
- Jul 1, 2008
- 6,121
- 2,671
- Disclosures
- Builder for FUZZROCIOUS PEDALS
I just took the back off and turned down the LED trimpot all the way. There's still a boost when you put it into LED mode but it's way less of one and is somewhat manageable, but I'm not sure just how manageable it is yet and won't until I gig with it. Fortunately, I have a gig later this afternoon! Not expecting to switch between them freely at will, but not expecting total FOH disaster, either.
I have to admit that I disagree with what it says in the manual about turning down the LED trimpot, though. They say it makes LED and silicon modes a lot more similar, but I hear the same changes in tone when I switch between modes as I did when the LED was cranked...added low bass frequencies and less distortion intensity at the same setting on the dist knob. The intensity level is easily compensated for, of course, but even when I add more drive, I still hear more low end. And I also won't know this until I gig, but judging by itself, it sounds more in line with the clean tone than silicon mode. The silicon mode still has plenty of low end IMHO, but LED mode does add something to it that I'm really digging.
I've done a complete turnaround on LED mode from when I first plugged it in. The classic sound is silicon, and that's why I loved my previous vintage Rat 2 and Keeley modded Rat 2, both of which got stolen out of my house at parties along with a few other things (which is why we never throw parties anymore). But LED mode gives you a bigger range of mild OD tones IMHO, and a little more fatness to the unblended sound, and I'm having a hard time deciding which I like better now. I do know, however, that since it says "bass" on it, the likelihood of it getting stolen at a party is way lower
When they mean similar, they mean in terms of volume. They should sound different in how they clip the signal and flavor/tone. I prefer the LED volume full-on and adjusting the volume knobs (same as one would on our RT, for example). It keeps the vibe a little more open for me.
No monies right now.
Nearly ordered a Ram the Manparts, but changed my mind when I saw this was coming out. Talked to my local store, they might have it within the week. Instabuy!
Took the Bass D on its maiden voyage today. Got there early so I could play with it a bit and also did a little tweaking of sounds during the gig. The LED mode is still a little louder in a mix than the silicon mode, even with the LED's trimpot backed off all the way, so probably best to stick with one mode or the other during a gig. Will probably take your advice to run it full-on from now on, Ryan. I ended up sticking with LED mode because I liked the extra bass response. I think if you don't want to run it with a blend, or if you lean toward mellower sounds, the LED mode is the way to go. Definitely the more Jamersonian of the two modes. Sounded absolutely superb with my "little more grind" setting and the tone knob rolled down halfway. Didn't get it too fuzzy because I wasn't sure how the knobs would behave on the fly. Ended up being very straightforward and simple, and the knobs had good range but weren't overly sensitive, so if your changes aren't drastic, you should be able to get a little experimental with it on a gig without throwing FOH into chaos.
I ended up sticking with LED mode tonight because it was the easiest for me to get up and running quickly...next gig will be all about silicon mode. Wish I could have done more experimenting with it tonight but my wife came by for the last 2 sets, so I chose to be a good husband and hung with her
I ended up sticking with LED mode tonight because it was the easiest for me to get up and running quickly...next gig will be all about silicon mode. Wish I could have done more experimenting with it tonight but my wife came by for the last 2 sets, so I chose to be a good husband and hung with her
rratajski
Commercial User
- Jul 1, 2008
- 6,121
- 2,671
- Disclosures
- Builder for FUZZROCIOUS PEDALS
The RTM is a tooooooooootally different sounding and responsive pedal. This MXR will be fun for you though! Enjoy!
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,636
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
mine just arrived today and i'm totally diggin' it.
More high praise, Jimmy almost had me spending money now it is time to count my change and lay that money down.
Brad, unfortunately there's nothing in it for us if you buy one, if that makes you feel any better but the more I play with it, the more brilliant it becomes. Got a little more bold with it on tonight's gig, and discovered that if you put LED mode down all the way with the trimpot, and turn the dry knob to unity gain with your clean sound, you can pretty much have your way with the other knobs and the diode switch and not screw your levels. And what's more, you can put it in LED mode and dial yourself something mild, then change to silicon and ratchet it up a notch. It's not drastically different, and you have to bend down to do it, but it does give you two choices instantaneously. Would still caution against wild distortion knob changes, like from barely-on grind to all the way up fuzz, but I was able to get some serious versatility out of it on the fly tonight by using the dry knob. I generally don't care too much for blends, but I do like going from James Jamerson to Mel Schacher in one pedal without too much fuss, so I may have to get used to the idea.
I set up my board yesterday to have 5 dirt pedals on it, but the Bass D covers so much ground that I'm taking John's Greedtone clone and the Bass Fuzz Deluxe off. That still leaves me with the Animato John made me and the SCR-DI, which has to stay for its cab sim anyway. Between the Bass D, Animato, and SCR-DI, I think that's plenty of dirt. Not like I'm in a doom band...I play oldies. And while the BFD has a cool Tonebender vibe, Rats have always been my thing for harder sounds. And I have to keep the Animato just because it's an Animato. That thing is truly diseased.
Ryan, had I known how big a difference LED mode made, I'd have probably sprung for a Rat Tail long ago instead of trying to make this Keeley Rat 2 I used to have work and getting frustrated with the hoop jumping. But on the other hand, I greatly prefer to have a smaller and simplified version of it so I'm kind of glad I held out till now You can't dumb a pedal down enough for me, especially when it comes to distortion.
but the more I play with it, the more brilliant it becomes. Got a little more bold with it on tonight's gig, and discovered that if you put LED mode down all the way with the trimpot, and turn the dry knob to unity gain with your clean sound, you can pretty much have your way with the other knobs and the diode switch and not screw your levels. And what's more, you can put it in LED mode and dial yourself something mild, then change to silicon and ratchet it up a notch. It's not drastically different, and you have to bend down to do it, but it does give you two choices instantaneously. Would still caution against wild distortion knob changes, like from barely-on grind to all the way up fuzz, but I was able to get some serious versatility out of it on the fly tonight by using the dry knob. I generally don't care too much for blends, but I do like going from James Jamerson to Mel Schacher in one pedal without too much fuss, so I may have to get used to the idea.I set up my board yesterday to have 5 dirt pedals on it, but the Bass D covers so much ground that I'm taking John's Greedtone clone and the Bass Fuzz Deluxe off. That still leaves me with the Animato John made me and the SCR-DI, which has to stay for its cab sim anyway. Between the Bass D, Animato, and SCR-DI, I think that's plenty of dirt. Not like I'm in a doom band...I play oldies. And while the BFD has a cool Tonebender vibe, Rats have always been my thing for harder sounds. And I have to keep the Animato just because it's an Animato. That thing is truly diseased.
Ryan, had I known how big a difference LED mode made, I'd have probably sprung for a Rat Tail long ago instead of trying to make this Keeley Rat 2 I used to have work and getting frustrated with the hoop jumping. But on the other hand, I greatly prefer to have a smaller and simplified version of it so I'm kind of glad I held out till now
You can't dumb a pedal down enough for me, especially when it comes to distortion.
Woah. That's heavy duty sales points. Unfutzable knobs are all about me. I hate attempting to fix something and messing it up 10x worse than it was before I futzed with it. Can't unfutz it until the next song. Aaaarg!
I have too many dirt pedals... I bought it anyway. That's just how I roll.
Dirt pedals are the great equalizer. When I find myself in a position of having too much money at the end of my bills, there always seems to be some sweet new dirt pedal to help me rectify the situation.
Dirt pedals are the great equalizer. When I find myself in a position of having too much money at the end of my bills, there always seems to be some sweet new dirt pedal to help me rectify the situation.
The knobs can also be left alone
But I really don't do it that much, either. I just wanted to see what it would do if I tried it. I probably will do it a little, but not like I'll be bent over to change it every song.
I tried out my M85 last night, and I think there's something wrong with it. I followed Ryan's recommended starting setup he gave in his Dunlop interview (clean off, tone full on, distortion full off, wet to unity, tweak from there). When I adjusted the distortion to get a slight grind, the gain shot through the roof, complete feedback at 9 o'clock setting (full counterclockwise being 7 or so).
Is this to be expected? I also noticed a slight rattling coming from inside the box. I know nothing about electronics, so I did not open the box to take a look inside.
I am planning on calling my Sweetwater guy this morning to ask for an exchange, but I want to check with you all first to make sure this isn't how it's supposed to function (and rattle).
Is this to be expected? I also noticed a slight rattling coming from inside the box. I know nothing about electronics, so I did not open the box to take a look inside.
I am planning on calling my Sweetwater guy this morning to ask for an exchange, but I want to check with you all first to make sure this isn't how it's supposed to function (and rattle).
Guitar Center shipped mine out yesterday, should be there on Monday evening. I was going to cancel getting this pedal once I got the Blower Box, but now I'm actually going to keep it. Going to have to rearrange my pedalboard and nix something I might not use too much (Psh...we'll see how THAT goes lol). I'll post some findings once I get to play with it, I'm betting this will play nicely with my P's and new Squier Jazz. Distortion boxes seem to love passive basses for some reason 
rratajski
Commercial User
- Jul 1, 2008
- 6,121
- 2,671
- Disclosures
- Builder for FUZZROCIOUS PEDALS
I replied to your private message, but since this post was public, I will reply publicly since this may help future users who may experience something similar:
I do not work for MXR, in MXR repair, etc. I only helped design the circuit. You will have to contact MXR directly to formally troubleshoot or possibly repair it.
Distortion adds gain (volume), so yes, this is normal.
Distortions, unless gated, generally feed back. Try standing far away from your cab and turn away from the cab to avoid catching the signal hitting your strings/pickups and creating feedback.
The rattling you're hearing may be the 9V jack. If so, the rattle would be normal. I would suggest opening the enclosure and taking a look. If it's just the jack rattling, your pedal sounds like it's working 100% properly. If not, please contact MXR for troubleshooting/repair.
I just ordered mine from MusiciansFriend. Chase bank offers an extra 5% off if you shop through them and use your Chase credit card fyi. It's not much but any discount is nice.
