Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[Novarocker]

That's pretty baller @Blaargh, takes me back to my Diablo 2 days hahaha.

I actually bought an overdrive recently thinking that I would use it as an alternative but it didnt give me the level of dirt I need. I may have to wander out of my comfort zone and tweak my eq a bit. Its possible I run my mids a bit too high. Just like me, a bit too high

Have you thought about a boost or under drive to add clarity? The EQD Bows has a "treble" mode that can bring some extra clarity for those sections you need it for. Just add it on top of you fuzz. A good example (though on guitar) is here:
An underdrive is basically an overdrive, but with gain reduced below unity gain to clear things up a bit for your amp. I've never used one for a bass, but I've seen the idea used for guitar and it's surprisingly effective.

For another wide ranging boost, check below.

I have been thinking about picking up a DOD 410 for this reason. The selectable buffer and tone control seem like useful tools as well.

DOD BiFET Boost 410

I'd second this. Great sounding on bass and you can regularly find em for $50 new or used.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

That's pretty baller @Blaargh, takes me back to my Diablo 2 days hahaha.



Have you thought about a boost or under drive to add clarity? The EQD Bows has a "treble" mode that can bring some extra clarity for those sections you need it for. Just add it on top of you fuzz. A good example (though on guitar) is here:
An underdrive is basically an overdrive, but with gain reduced below unity gain to clear things up a bit for your amp. I've never used one for a bass, but I've seen the idea used for guitar and it's surprisingly effective.

For another wide ranging boost, check below.



I'd second this. Great sounding on bass and you can regularly find em for $50 new or used.

Good to know, never heard of this one yet. Thanks.

 

[deathness]

As a follow up to my boost question, I did a very un-Deathness-like thing and bought two boosts to A/B from either end of the prestige spectrum: MXR Micro Amp and ZVex Super Hard On. I thought it would be interesting to compare a workhorse/budget pedal against a boutique. (Not to settle any sort of budget vs boutique thing, just because both pedals have their adherents and I wondered how noticeable a different there would be for a relatively simple circuit, simple function pedal.) There's definitely more gain on tap with the ZVex. On the flip side, the MXR allows you to go under unity gain if you should need to attenuate your signal as opposed to boost whereas the ZVex sounded like it was at unity at its lowest setting. Both pedals add a bit of high end at unity and through its range increasing the gain. Not anything crazy, but it's there. The ZVex seems to be a bit more shimmery? (Eff, why did I start a review, I'm terrible with review adjectives/adverbs.) But neither adds much. It's almost like the ZVex has a bit more of mic preamp quality to it. As I increased the gain, the ZVex seemed to fatten up the low end, too. The MXR was felt a bit flatter across the spectrum (once taking into the initial very slight increase in the top end) as I rolled up the gain.

In the end, I like the ZVex more for my application but I think the MXR does the job just fine: especially at the end of signal chain bringing volume back up. Personally the greater amount of gain on the ZVex is useful for me to get more overdrive out of my Sunn Sorado at low volumes, also its slight preamp quality is nice going into my reverb pedal creating some nice halo-like overtones. I'm not sure the ZVex is worth 2-3 times as much as the MXR, hand-painted or not. I found both used for good deals relative to their sticker prices so hanging onto the ZVex and flipping the MXR won't make me lose any sleep over the state of my bank account.

I would like to try the DOD Bifet boost a couple of you mentioned because it sounds like it has some personality like the ZVex, but I'm no rush at the moment. If someone picks one up, I'd read your thoughts on it.

 

[kleinenenten]

As a follow up to my boost question, I did a very un-Deathness-like thing and bought two boosts to A/B from either end of the prestige spectrum: MXR Micro Amp and ZVex Super Hard On. I thought it would be interesting to compare a workhorse/budget pedal against a boutique. (Not to settle any sort of budget vs boutique thing, just because both pedals have their adherents and I wondered how noticeable a different there would be for a relatively simple circuit, simple function pedal.) There's definitely more gain on tap with the ZVex. On the flip side, the MXR allows you to go under unity gain if you should need to attenuate your signal as opposed to boost whereas the ZVex sounded like it was at unity at its lowest setting. Both pedals add a bit of high end at unity and through its range increasing the gain. Not anything crazy, but it's there. The ZVex seems to be a bit more shimmery? (Eff, why did I start a review, I'm terrible with review adjectives/adverbs.) But neither adds much. It's almost like the ZVex has a bit more of mic preamp quality to it. As I increased the gain, the ZVex seemed to fatten up the low end, too. The MXR was felt a bit flatter across the spectrum (once taking into the initial very slight increase in the top end) as I rolled up the gain.

In the end, I like the ZVex more for my application but I think the MXR does the job just fine: especially at the end of signal chain bringing volume back up. Personally the greater amount of gain on the ZVex is useful for me to get more overdrive out of my Sunn Sorado at low volumes, also its slight preamp quality is nice going into my reverb pedal creating some nice halo-like overtones. I'm not sure the ZVex is worth 2-3 times as much as the MXR, hand-painted or not. I found both used for good deals relative to their sticker prices so hanging onto the ZVex and flipping the MXR won't make me lose any sleep over the state of my bank account.

I would like to try the DOD Bifet boost a couple of you mentioned because it sounds like it has some personality like the ZVex, but I'm no rush at the moment. If someone picks one up, I'd read your thoughts on it.

I use the BiFET as a solo boost on guitar. Love it to add a bit of highs, and can do the opposite. Also, can attenuate or accentuate. Never tried on bass, but think it's probably just as good.

 

[TSmith92]

I have a custom Verellen Meatsmoke Hybrid coming in around 6 or so weeks, any recommendations on a good Cabinet pairing? I was thinking about a Dually, but then I saw Bergantinos 412/610 and Barefaced.

 

[Korladis]

I have a custom Verellen Meatsmoke Hybrid coming in around 6 or so weeks, any recommendations on a good Cabinet pairing? I was thinking about a Dually, but then I saw Bergantinos 412/610 and Barefaced.

I'd rather have the Dually, personally.

 

[bassboysam]

I have a custom Verellen Meatsmoke Hybrid coming in around 6 or so weeks, any recommendations on a good Cabinet pairing? I was thinking about a Dually, but then I saw Bergantinos 412/610 and Barefaced.

the NV cabs are incredible and well suited for tube amps with their sealed design. the 610 is a little mid scooped the 412 is a little mid forward.

 

[arbitrary]

the NV cabs are incredible and well suited for tube amps with their sealed design. the 610 is a little mid scooped the 412 is a little mid forward.

I run an nv610 & an NV 2x15 together with my tube heads and its amazing.

 

[Bad bassist]

A couple of days ago I got the master of the upcoming debut album of my band and surprisingly our guitar player made a funny video for one song.
It's called "Despising what you see", I recorded my part with a Rickenbacker 4003 straight in DI and looped in a Sansamp BassDriver. The fun fact is I never played bass guitar before for more than an hour so I had almost no idea what I was doing.
I also sing so it took some practice to get it both done on gigs.

Feel free to listen and maybe share or comment, hopefully you'll like it. Maybe you won't.
It's some kind of stoner, definitely not doom...way too fast



Cheers

 

[CL400Peavey]

I have a custom Verellen Meatsmoke Hybrid coming in around 6 or so weeks, any recommendations on a good Cabinet pairing? I was thinking about a Dually, but then I saw Bergantinos 412/610 and Barefaced.

Ultimately what tone are you looking for? All of those cabs sound different.

I'd rather have the Dually, personally.

Personally this would be my choice.

the NV cabs are incredible and well suited for tube amps with their sealed design. the 610 is a little mid scooped the 412 is a little mid forward.

Both of these cabs have their perks. I think only the 610 is currently in production?

 

[TSmith92]

Ultimately what tone are you looking for? All of those cabs sound different.

Solid low end and a good midrange punch with mild/rolled off treble. I usually turn off tweeters. Mainly I was looking at the Dually and a Barefaced Super twin for size/weight, but the Bergantino 412 looks really neat (might have to buy used since they seem to hop production runs.) It's hard to find good audio samples or videos of most of these cabs, making it hard to compare them.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Solid low end and a good midrange punch with mild/rolled off treble. I usually turn off tweeters. Mainly I was looking at the Dually and a Barefaced Super twin for size/weight, but the Bergantino 412 looks really neat (might have to buy used since they seem to hop production runs.) It's hard to find good audio samples or videos of most of these cabs, making it hard to compare them.

If you are looking for a sealed option an older NV cab might be what you're looking for. The new NV cabs are all equipped with tweeters.


The Dually would be my first choice. I will also say that the tweeter implementation on my DuallyT is amazing, and is defeatable.

 

[TSmith92]

If you are looking for a sealed option an older NV cab might be what you're looking for. The new NV cabs are all equipped with tweeters.


The Dually would be my first choice. I will also say that the tweeter implementation on my DuallyT is amazing, and is defeatable.

Which drivers would you reccomend? the 3015 or Faitals, I know the tweeter version is only the faitals though. Does anyone have the frequency response of the dually or is it just 35hz/40hz-4khz like the driver information is on eminence/faital? I'm not an expert on how cab size affects these things.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Which drivers would you reccomend? the 3015 or Faitals, I know the tweeter version is only the faitals though. Does anyone have the frequency response of the dually or is it just 35hz/40hz-4khz like the driver information is on eminence/faital? I'm not an expert on how cab size affects these things.

Personally I like the Faitals. They are a little smoother through the mids, the 3015's are a little more aggressive sounding. Meaning the 3015's have a little more upper mid presence, which can be a desirable trait depending on your amp/pre amp and the rest of your signal chain. The 15PR400's extend higher. The dust cover seems to add this upper content in a pretty harmonic way. In terms of their frequency response, they will be authoritative for anything down to a low A or B (standard 5 string) tuning. If you're going much lower than that, you may be happier with a different cab.

 

[TSmith92]

Personally I like the Faitals. They are a little smoother through the mids, the 3015's are a little more aggressive sounding. Meaning the 3015's have a little more upper mid presence, which can be a desirable trait depending on your amp/pre amp and the rest of your signal chain. The 15PR400's extend higher. The dust cover seems to add this upper content in a pretty harmonic way. In terms of their frequency response, they will be authoritative for anything down to a low A or B (standard 5 string) tuning. If you're going much lower than that, you may be happier with a different cab.

Sounds like I'd prefer the eminence then, I use C standard so it seems like I'll go with the dually.

 

[cornfarmer]

I upgraded the drivers in an old Peavey 2x15 cab to Faital 15PR400's, and they are for sure smooth and sound kickass, I've been using drop C tuning........but it's all subjective/personal, you can't really go wrong with either.

 

[Korladis]

A couple of days ago I got the master of the upcoming debut album of my band and surprisingly our guitar player made a funny video for one song.
It's called "Despising what you see", I recorded my part with a Rickenbacker 4003 straight in DI and looped in a Sansamp BassDriver. The fun fact is I never played bass guitar before for more than an hour so I had almost no idea what I was doing.
I also sing so it took some practice to get it both done on gigs.

Feel free to listen and maybe share or comment, hopefully you'll like it. Maybe you won't.
It's some kind of stoner, definitely not doom...way too fast



Cheers

Pretty good sounding. I think the bass could use a bit more overdrive, but am digging the riffs and singing. Sorta doom meets grunge thing going on.

Which drivers would you reccomend? the 3015 or Faitals, I know the tweeter version is only the faitals though. Does anyone have the frequency response of the dually or is it just 35hz/40hz-4khz like the driver information is on eminence/faital? I'm not an expert on how cab size affects these things.

I have the Faitals in my Sunn 2000S. They're very, very good drivers. They handle low B no problem. While the 2000S is a different cab design than the Dually, I doubt they are voiced all that differently.

I didn't get the 3015s because my tone is pretty midrange (especially upper midrange) heavy already, playing a Rickenbacker through a Mesa D-180. I was worried about the tone being too harsh or peaky, so I liked the more broad, smooth midrange bump of the Faitals.

 

[cornfarmer]

I am picking up my Sunn Beta Bass head finally today, after being told it would be 2-3 weeks turnaround. I dropped that thing off on July 8th.

 

[Korladis]

 

[Maureen M]

I am picking up my Sunn Beta Bass head finally today, after being told it would be 2-3 weeks turnaround. I dropped that thing off on July 8th.

Ouch!
I have a feeling I'll have a similar turnaround when I bring my svt cl in for service. I don't even want to keep it - just need to fix it so I can sell it.