Stompboxes v. Rumble Studio 40

[Eric R Shelton]

Hey, all. I'm coming back to bass after a long time of not playing any instruments. I've got a Squier PJ that I enjoy more than I expected, but playing through my Vox Pathfinder Bass 10 it always sounds pretty much the same. The tonal limitations have me wanting to branch out radically: like synth and more ethereal sounds. So I'm primarily looking for chorus, synth and maybe delay with octavers and fuzz on my secondary list.

But pedals add up fast and I have this crazy notion that the horn in the Rumble Studio 40 will add to my tonal options. But are the effects in it decent? Or would I better off with an EHX Canyon, Bass Clone, and Boss SY-1? Will those overcome my current boring amp?

Thanks for any input/guidance!

 

[bassbrad]

@Eric R Shelton I would suggest downloading the app and evaluating the effects functionality to see if that is worth $170 to you over a comparable Rumble 40, the tweeter really won't help that much except as a MP3 music player. For that money you could buy a multi-effect that may offer better or more flexibility.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

I don't have specific experience with the vox or the fender, but my experience with 10w amps and the Rumble stuff tells me that the Rumble will sound way better for bedroom stuff in the short term. The effects will probably just whet your appetite for more and/or simpler to access effects, but they'll be a start you don't have now.

Long story short, your amp needs an upgrade and I'd start there, even if you don't get one with on-board effects.

 

[Eric R Shelton]

@Eric R Shelton I would suggest downloading the app and evaluating the effects functionality to see if that is worth $170 to you over a comparable Rumble 40, the tweeter really won't help that much except as a MP3 music player. For that money you could buy a multi-effect that may offer better or more flexibility.

Thanks for idea of downloading the app! Unfortunately it doesn't seem to work without an amp to connect to- the very first thing the app wants is to sign into your account and the second thing is Bluetooth connecting to an amp... and it won't move past there. I've looked at some multi effects pedals and while you can get a lot of stuff for a lot less money, my fear is that they'll sound considerably worse and I might be better off getting individual pedals.

I don't have specific experience with the vox or the fender, but my experience with 10w amps and the Rumble stuff tells me that the Rumble will sound way better for bedroom stuff in the short term. The effects will probably just whet your appetite for more and/or simpler to access effects, but they'll be a start you don't have now.

Long story short, your amp needs an upgrade and I'd start there, even if you don't get one with on-board effects.

Yeah... I'm thinking you might be right. Short lived thread, I guess, but BassBuzz videos on YouTube pretty much convinced me to get the Rumble 40 (non-Studio) and get away from this little 10w job. The cash savings from the Studio will pay for one nice pedal or two cheap ones and the effects will be quicker/easier to access. Thanks for pointing that out!

 

[bassbrad]

@Eric R Shelton you might consider a mix of individual efx and a multi for what they do best. Singles for drives, octaver synth, filters and a multi for other efx. Zoom MS60B or MS70cdr pack 100+ efx in a single pedal you can use 4-6 at a time.

 

[furym]

Good sounding, budget friendly multi-fx units: Zoom MS60b, Zoom B3n, Boss GT-1b. I have (had) all 3 and still use the Boss. Next tier up you get into HX Stomp and the like. If you buy used, you will easily resell a Stomp, the others not so much. Will individual pedals sound better? That's a loaded question that is constantly debated. I personally prefer the tones I can get from individual pedals but I can get a useable tone from my digital multi-fx units that works just fine for live. Those who love the Stomp will say it's as good or better depending on the circumstances. Multi-fx units are a great way to get close and figure out what you are ultimately looking for or a budget friendly way to try different types of effects without going all in.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Modern multi fx have lots of good sounds available, but are going to be models of popular effects (with generally few being bass-specific ones). I personally enjoy the individual quirks of analog pedals (and hate the menu diving inherent to multi fx), but there are plenty of upsides to something like an HX Stomp (bang for the buck being an obvious one). Plus, it is an excellent way to mess about and see what you actually like for a (comparably) meager price.

 

[droo46]

Another vote for a Zoom multieffect. Huge number of effects and it sounds good enough to gig with if you're ever inclined to.