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Reverb?

#6
icecycle66 said:
Well, the problem is, I neither like nor don't like.

If I knew I liked something I wouldn't ask for additional input.
Click to expand...

Either way you have to find out yourself. Borrow a reverb pedal and try it out on your next gig. A little reverb can do wonders to a solo, bass melody and/or a fretless bass sound...but often (in my experience.. of course depends on the kind of places you play) you dont need more reverb but less.
 
#7
For an example of what I like, listen to the baritone guitar in Angelo Badalamente's music, e.g. his soundtracks for David Lynch. Spacious throbbing chords, without a lot of busy instruments filling the mix, sound delicious with reverb--and this works for bass, not just baritone.
 
#9
Even if you like it, it might not be right for your situation. You probably don't want to have one reverb on the bass, and a different reverb on the guitar, for example. It might be more of the guitarist's territory. Or have one reverb covering everything, from the mixer.

If you're playing solo bass then you can make your own rules.

I love the atmosphere that reverb can create, but it's just one available flavor out of many, and it's not right in every situation.
 
#11
If you are getting a reverb pedal, the most essential thing is to make sure there is a low pass filter and if available, a high pass filter. If you apply the reverbed effect only to the higher frequencies and your low end stays intact, reverb sounds AWESOME. For years people would not only scoff at pedals for bass, but you said anything about reverb and they become disgusted...made me really want to try reverb.

The strymon bluesky, eventide space and iron ether nimbus all sound great on bass.
 
#15
I have a Yamaha Rev 7 in my rack and often use it in solos and slow pieces. When laying down grooves in rock and funk, not so much. Still love it. It's my only effect and goes through the effects loop so I can apply the merest smigeon.
 
#17
I've been working on whipping up the demo video for the Soundblox 2 Reverb and I found that first and foremost, you want to make sure that you set your reverb so that it preserves the low end. That goes for any bass effect really.

After that, I found that a good reverb sound can open up the range of the bass into stunningly beautiful territory. Chordal and melodic bass playing ring out and sound absolutely fantastic through the right reverb effect. Also, the lower notes have a resonance to them that a guitar player can't really achieve. In a reverb, they almost sound like Tibetan monks throat singing.

So, I would say that a Reverb can be stellar if you're playing/performing solo on the bass. If you're playing in a band, some of the more subtle sounds of a reverb can fatten up your tone in a nice way...similar to what some would use a chorus for.

Ultimately, just like any other effect you've got to sit down and work with it and meet it in the middle with your playing. How far you have to go to meet it depends on your natural playing style.
 

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