• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Something Tube-ish

#41
Bassmike62 said:
...a VT Bass DI, to a Pork Loin, to an MXR Bass Preamp, back to a VT Bass and now back again to a VT Bass DI ... with mids around noon and character and drive knobs around 10 o'clock.
Click to expand...

Very important ^ setting of VT character/mid knobs advice here. Keep it between 10 and 12 if you want to be heard and remain below razzy range. Keep mid at 12 or boost.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassmike62
#42
Ive been thinking about this, especially after a gig last night. I primarily play a P with LaBella flats, while I dig the tone for recording in some rooms I just can't get the tone I want. I love the GK for its clean power and portability, however Im wondering if its just not a good fit for that bass. What do folks think about the Tone Hammer pre-amp pedal? The GK can sometimes be a bit sterile and i'm thinking maybe the TH would give me a bit more tonal options.
 
  • Like
Reactions: blindrabbit
#44
P-oddz said:
The Tone Hammer is a great pedal. Good EQ control and very capable of a warm drive.
It might be worth looking into if you're into the flavor of your GK mostly.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I have the GK MB212-ii combo, I love the light weight/portability, huge sound and way more power than ill need. However, playing older music using a P with flats, I cant seem to get that old school sound i'm after. The GK can be to "clean" and I cant push it to "hit the rails" without getting way to loud:). I certainly don't have the $$ to buy a new rig and was hoping the TH would give me the best of both worlds.
 
#46
FirewalZ said:
Ive been thinking about this, especially after a gig last night. I primarily play a P with LaBella flats, while I dig the tone for recording in some rooms I just can't get the tone I want. I love the GK for its clean power and portability, however Im wondering if its just not a good fit for that bass. What do folks think about the Tone Hammer pre-amp pedal? The GK can sometimes be a bit sterile and i'm thinking maybe the TH would give me a bit more tonal options.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you'd love the TH pedal - try it running directly into the power amp and bypass the GK preamp altogether. You may find that you love it so much, you need to go out and buy a TH amp head! ;)
 
#47
cchorney said:
Compressor to squash your sound a bet. I use an EBS multiComp. It really gives that tube warmth, without changing your amps sound. If you want it to sound less like a GK and more like an Ampeg, then get a BDDI or Hartke Attach or similar. But for a more tube like sound, get a compressor.

Choose Your Weapon: Bass Compressor Pedals | Sessionville
Click to expand...

This "review" was clearly written by a guitarist, and the results don't necessarily jive with what prevailing opinions are out there in the bass world. Bongo's site is a more appropriate resource.

Compressor Reviews
 
#48
blindrabbit said:
This "review" was clearly written by a guitarist, and the results don't necessarily jive with what prevailing opinions are out there in the bass world. Bongo's site is a more appropriate resource.

Compressor Reviews
Click to expand...
From the article that you say was clearly written by a guitarist: "I get great tone by plugging my Fender Jazz Bass into the MultiComp, then a DI box, and then out to the PA." I like Bongo's reviews and explanatory articles but his stuff doesn't have to be the only stuff referenced here.
 
#49
blindrabbit said:
This "review" was clearly written by a guitarist, and the results don't necessarily jive with what prevailing opinions are out there in the bass world. Bongo's site is a more appropriate resource.

Compressor Reviews
Click to expand...
Thanks...yep I already use A Diamond and generally like the tone, however it does not add any "edge" or "woolyness" like I hear about the TH.
 
  • Like
Reactions: blindrabbit
#50
cchorney said:
From the article that you say was clearly written by a guitarist: "I get great tone by plugging my Fender Jazz Bass into the MultiComp, then a DI box, and then out to the PA." I like Bongo's reviews and explanatory articles but his stuff doesn't have to be the only stuff referenced here.
Click to expand...

I have no doubt the guy *used* a bass when he tested them out. I have a guitarist friend who plays bass 50% of the time in a current project he is in, but he would be the first to say that he's not a bassist, but rather a guitarist who is doubling on bass. This friend is exactly who came to mind when I read this article - this is a guy who is a guitarist and doubles on bass. Maybe I'm wrong, but for someone to say that the Keeley is the standard bearer for compressors and ignore the low end rolloff that they have (not to mention the fact they have a bass specific version out)...yeah, man, that guy is a guitarist. :) Even when looking at the mainstream market, I can't imagine someone ignoring the MXR as being the most likely choice for the majority of people who shop at big box stores.
 
#51
FirewalZ said:
Thanks...yep I already use A Diamond and generally like the tone, however it does not add any "edge" or "woolyness" like I hear about the TH.
Click to expand...

Definitely not. I have a Diamond and a TH amp, and have owned the TH pedal, and these are two totally different things we are talking about here. A compressor will NOT get you the tone you are looking for from something like the TH pedal (or amp head). A compressor (like the Diamond) will sound good and impart its own tonal signature, no doubt. There are also "dirty compressors" that you can try out, like the Fairfield Accountant or the Bogner Harlow, or the Durham Sex Drive, or the VFE White Horse, but again none of those (IMO) are going to sound like a Tone Hammer, nor are they necessarily going to sound tube-like.
 
#52
blindrabbit said:
I have no doubt the guy *used* a bass when he tested them out. I have a guitarist friend who plays bass 50% of the time in a current project he is in, but he would be the first to say that he's not a bassist, but rather a guitarist who is doubling on bass. This friend is exactly who came to mind when I read this article - this is a guy who is a guitarist and doubles on bass. Maybe I'm wrong, but for someone to say that the Keeley is the standard bearer for compressors and ignore the low end rolloff that they have (not to mention the fact they have a bass specific version out)...yeah, man, that guy is a guitarist. :) Even when looking at the mainstream market, I can't imagine someone ignoring the MXR as being the most likely choice for the majority of people who shop at big box stores.
Click to expand...
Full disclosure, I never heard of the guy before I found his page, which I did by googling my compressor. But I hate to see other bass players disparaged as "guitar players who sometimes play bass" based on a difference of opinion of preferred gear. This is from his bio page. Please note the very bassist style bass part to a jazz piece, in mp3 link format, at the bottom of the page. Electric Bass Guitar or Upright Bass? | George Righter
 
  • Like
Reactions: blindrabbit
#53
cchorney said:
Full disclosure, I never heard of the guy before I found his page, which I did by googling my compressor. But I hate to see other bass players disparaged as "guitar players who sometimes play bass" based on a difference of opinion of preferred gear. This is from his bio page. Please note the very bassist style bass part to a jazz piece, in mp3 link format, at the bottom of the page. Electric Bass Guitar or Upright Bass? | George Righter
Click to expand...

Fair enough, I stand corrected. I'll still maintain my opinion that I disagree with his opinion :laugh:.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cchorney
#54
I love my Tone Hammer. Though even used they can be a little pricey. What I like is you can dial in a great tone for the FOH and then use your amp's EQ to get what you need on stage. It's sooper dooper easy to get a great tone that cuts through.

I also just got an Azure Drive. Badass. Bad, freakin' ASS!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: blindrabbit
#55
Turn Em Loose said:
I love my Tone Hammer. Though even used they can be a little pricey. What I like is you can dial in a great tone for the FOH and then use your amp's EQ to get what you need on stage. It's sooper doper easy to get a great tone that cuts through.

I also just got an Azure Drive. Badass. Bad, freakin' ASS!
Click to expand...

That's got to be a killer combination, the Azure and the TH. Lucky!
 
#56
old-fashioned said:
Same boat... I'm very much interested in the Dave Hall stuff.
Click to expand...

Me too...and I ordered one.

6CE85C54-1DA6-4D23-B4D0-5DC92FF28C0E_zpsmnxcxyqv.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: old-fashioned
#58
I've tried what feels like ALL tube emulators in the world and not a single one did the trick for me. If you like your GK then really the best way to go is the Fusion 550 by GK or if you don't want to lug that kind of weight around, their MB Fusion series. They sound fantastic and they are very reliable.

If it has to be a pedal, may I recommend the Carl Martin BassDrive. It's a 12AX7 tube Preamp/Overdrive pedal that I have and love a lot.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back