Pedal emulating 3 note chords

[BigAlBass69]

After recently seeing the versatility of a 12 string bass in a smal group setting (2-3 players) onScott Devines channel, got me thining about an upcoming project. Rather than purchase an entirely new rig, is there a pedal or a set up of pedals that could give me a chrd by hitting one string? In other words, a root 3rd, 5th and octave ringing out simultaneously would be a good fit. I have looked have an EHX Micro Pog and a standard MXR Bass octaver but these will not due the complementary notes, only octaves, unless I am mistaken. So I turn to the experts:
1) Does a single pedal exist that can do this?
2) If not a single pedal, what would be the smallest chain that could accomplish this?
3) Does this even make sense or should I try to see a doctor for wanting a bass to sound like a chorded guitar?

Thank you all for all of your comments and concerns in advance. Let he fun begin..

 

[SunByrne]

The Boss PS-6 will get you a good part of the way there.

 

[Rhythmman535]

You want a Harmonizer pedal. there are a bunch out there. Keep in mind that the pedal won't know if you want to play a major, minor, half-diminished, diminished, augmented or dominant 7th chord until you set it accordingly.

 

[J Posega]

The EHX HOG can do most of this, I think.

Keep in mind though, most 12 string triple course basses are tuned with two octave strings (eeE aaA ddD ggG). Some folks might tune one of the octaves to a fifth (eAE aDA dGD gCG).

I haven't seen this video about 12 string basses, mind sharing a link?

 

[hrodbert696]

As @Rhythmman535 said, sorta, but a harmonizer pedal doesn't know if you want a minor 3rd or major 3rd unless you tell it. In general with those kinds of pedals, you either need to set what key you're playing in and it will create the chords from that key (i.e. if you tell it you're playing in C and then you hit an A note, it will play Am), or else you're supposed to run a chordal instrument through it and it will select harmonizing notes to yours from whatever chord that instrument is playing - not helpful if what you're trying to do is have the bass BE the chordal instrument.

When I bi-amp, I don't get the full chords you're after, but what I do is have a MicroPOG set to octave up on full and everything else at zero. The dry out goes to bass pedals and my main amp, the effect out (with that higher signal) then goes to a PitchFork, which is set to a 5th up on a 50/50 blend. I usually then run it through distortion (currently a Fulltone OCD). What that gives me is a power chord, which I can kick in when my guitarist is soloing to fill sonic space he's left empty. It's not full chordal playing like a 12-string, though.

 

[BigAlBass69]

Heres the link, and you are welcome.

 

[Thud Staff]

Perhaps this?

 

[BigAlBass69]

As @Rhythmman535 said, sorta, but a harmonizer pedal doesn't know if you want a minor 3rd or major 3rd unless you tell it. In general with those kinds of pedals, you either need to set what key you're playing in and it will create the chords from that key (i.e. if you tell it you're playing in C and then you hit an A note, it will play Am), or else you're supposed to run a chordal instrument through it and it will select harmonizing notes to yours from whatever chord that instrument is playing - not helpful if what you're trying to do is have the bass BE the chordal instrument.

When I bi-amp, I don't get the full chords you're after, but what I do is have a MicroPOG set to octave up on full and everything else at zero. The dry out goes to bass pedals and my main amp, the effect out (with that higher signal) then goes to a PitchFork, which is set to a 5th up on a 50/50 blend. I usually then run it through distortion (currently a Fulltone OCD). What that gives me is a power chord, which I can kick in when my guitarist is soloing to fill sonic space he's left empty. It's not full chordal playing like a 12-string, though.

I do like that set up...gets me close

 

[BigAlBass69]

Perhaps this?

Whaaaaat?

 

[BigAlBass69]

Seems to lose a bit of the low end, however.

 

[GMC]

What you need is a Diatonic Harmoniser. The best in class for this is the legendary Eventide H9. A close second (it's not it's intended primary function) is the Awesome Source Audio C4. The runner up is the palatial EHX Hog2. The Hog 2 is pretty much a digital octave on steroids. It can't harmonise, but it can add a synthesized 5th and lower or higher octaves. It's also got an amazing filter on the synthesized output...but that's a subject for another story.

 

[landrybass]

The digitech bass whammy

 

[darkwasthenight]

If you just want a fifth plus octave then Fishman Powerchord, Akai Unibass, TC Electronic Brainwaves and Quint, EHX POG (not micro) and Pitchfork, Boss PS6, Eventide H6. All have varying other amounts of features which you might dig or not.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

EHX pitchfork? Can do octave up/below separate or together. And you can set it to different intervals
Edit: it also lets you select the footswitch to latch or be momentary, so you can do whammy like effects

 

[Killing Floor]

C4

 

[Mk90]

I've been thinking TC Brainwaves for this kind of thing. You could even set the mash button function to switch between major and minor chords.

 

[skyline_01]

All of the above, plus another nod to the TC Electronic Quintessence.

I had one for a short time but just sold it recently to make room for a compressor pedal. It does all the cool interval/chordal stuff similar to the ones mentioned above - I just found that I didn't have time to really devote to learning how to really "use" it. Seemed to be a solid pedal though.

 

[bassbrad]

@Alan Scharrer thanks for sharing that video, several bass players to also note are Greg Lake of ELP and Abraham Laboriel. In the past I have played multi course 8 and 12 string basses from Hagstrom, Dean and BC Rich to get those tones but these daze I am using various pitchshifters and harmonizers instead as I don't have the hand strength or the budget for so many basses. I employ: Akai UniBass, TRex Quint Machine, Donner Harmonic Square, Source Audio C4 Synth, Panda Audio Future Impact plus effects in my Digitech BP8 and Zoom processors.

 

[bigjames]

My Zoom B3 has a pedal that does this. You can choose intervals (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, etc.) / triads and key (to automate major / minor voicings).

 

[BassyBill]

TRex Quint Machine - dry signal, octave down, fifth up and octave up all continuously mixable. Sounds like the best match for what’s being asked for here. I love mine! Best octave pedal I’ve used, plus more.