Simulate Single Coil PUs

[floatingaxe]

I have an active bass with soapbar PUs. Most of the time I love its nice smooth tone, but somtimes you don't want smooth.
I've been trying to identify the slightly gritty sound I hear on a lot of recordings and I'm pretty sure it's the single coil PUs. I also pretty sure it's not the whole SS vs tube amp thing.
Has anyone had any success simulating that with effects?
It isn't a distortion, although I've been able to come close with very slight fuzz on my ME-50B. But it's not the same.
I think it's actually a slight volume increase when the strings pass directly over the poles in the PUs and then move away.

Any ideas?

 

[RickenBoogie]

mild overdrive.

 

[EskimoBassist]

I think you'd get pretty close to the sound that you're thinking of with a nice, low-gain overdrive. Have a search on the forums, there's loads and loads of stuff on different overdrive pedals, which I am sure will answer the question of which one would be best for you to look at.

 

[floatingaxe]

You both say overdrive, not fuzz. I haven't seen a good explanation of the difference here in the threads. I know the different sounds I get from the OD vs Fuzz on my ME-50B but actually prefer the Fuzz at low settings.
Anything that's NOT an OD/fuzz? As I said I've already tried that.

 

[RickenBoogie]

No, you've tried the o/d and fuzz settings on a multi-effects pedal. NOT the same thing at all. Much to learn, read up on all the different variations on overdrives, distortions, and fuzz pedals. The sound you're looking for is a good o/d pedal, not a model of o/d in a multi unit.

 

[Matt Dean]

No, you've tried the o/d and fuzz settings on a multi-effects pedal. NOT the same thing at all. Much to learn, read up on all the different variations on overdrives, distortions, and fuzz pedals. The sound you're looking for is a good o/d pedal, not a model of o/d in a multi unit.

Big plus one!

Just use the search and you will find a wealth of information on the best analogue ODs, Distortions and Fuzzes for bass.

However, after many years of trying different rigs, I've settled on a passive jazz bass with single coil pickups.

 

[floatingaxe]

No, you've tried the o/d and fuzz settings on a multi-effects pedal. NOT the same thing at all. Much to learn, read up on all the different variations on overdrives, distortions, and fuzz pedals. The sound you're looking for is a good o/d pedal, not a model of o/d in a multi unit.

Hmm. Good point. Although BOSS models it's own OD in the ME50B so it should be really close.
Maybe I'll head over to the nearest music-stuff-R-us and try some dedicated ODs and Fuzzes.

Thanks

 

[floatingaxe]

Big plus one!

Just use the search and you will find a wealth of information on the best analogue ODs, Distortions and Fuzzes for bass.

However, after many years of trying different rigs, I've settled on a passive jazz bass with single coil pickups.

Yeah, I'm beginning to think I should have invested in a bass with standard jazz PUs, although I don't really like the fender look.
But I have a lot of time and $$ invested in this one (defretted it) and I like everything else about it.
So I'll either find a decent effect to growl me up now and then or I'll just enjoy it for what it is.

Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[Matt Dean]

I should've added that my jazz is a nordy with big singles... not exactly the same as jazz pickups.

 

[mattfong]

EHX.com | Knockout - Attack Equalizer Reissue | Electro-Harmonix

This says it can make your Les Paul sound like a Strat and a Strat sound like a Tele...

 

[efe_gallagher]

Try the BB Bass Preamp (Xotic) or the MultiDrive (EBS). I've tried both and use the EBS, really beautiful gnarly gritt