• 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.

Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

#45,961
I have a question for everyone about swapping basses.

My usual basic band setup is Ibanez ATK300 into fuzz into Ashdown abm500. I occasionally use my stingray as it has a very similar tone to the Ibanez.
I also have a precision and I’m in the process of getting a Ricky copy.

My question is does anyone swap between very different basses for use with a band? If so do you eq out some of the difference? Or maybe just embrace it?
 
#45,962
simon88wilson said:
I have a question for everyone about swapping basses.

My usual basic band setup is Ibanez ATK300 into fuzz into Ashdown abm500. I occasionally use my stingray as it has a very similar tone to the Ibanez.
I also have a precision and I’m in the process of getting a Ricky copy.

My question is does anyone swap between very different basses for use with a band? If so do you eq out some of the difference? Or maybe just embrace it?
Click to expand...

Would depend on the mix for me. Is it thick and full or is there a lot of space?

I don't switch basses much if ever during a set, but I do switch tonal signatures via pickups and eq at times. When I do, I normally fully embrace and desire the different voices for effect. Helps set an overall tone for a song or section.

Granted I'm in a 3 piece and duo, which gives me lots of room to work with. For me it's a lot like using a wah with lots of dirt. It sticks out as being something different.
 
#45,963
simon88wilson said:
I have a question for everyone about swapping basses.

My usual basic band setup is Ibanez ATK300 into fuzz into Ashdown abm500. I occasionally use my stingray as it has a very similar tone to the Ibanez.
I also have a precision and I’m in the process of getting a Ricky copy.

My question is does anyone swap between very different basses for use with a band? If so do you eq out some of the difference? Or maybe just embrace it?
Click to expand...

we're so loud that it doesn't matter. it always sounds the same in the mix. for me it's about aesthetics and feel of the neck and what i feel like playing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Novarocker
#45,964
simon88wilson said:
My question is does anyone swap between very different basses for use with a band? If so do you eq out some of the difference? Or maybe just embrace it?
Click to expand...

I have 3 basses that have very specific sounds for specific songs. My main is my G&L L-2500, my secondaries are my Schecter 004 and, for one song, I use my old BC Rich Revenge (until I get my new 5 string PJ). Those are three very different sounding basses! When I switch from one to another mid-set, it's for the express purpose of changing the tone/ voice/ sound of the bass. Why would you want to EQ the difference out? What was that point of switching instruments if you want to remove the differences? BTW, I'm genuinely asking for clarification to your question, not trolling/ arguing :thumbsup:

Now, if you are doing it for strictly re-tuning, aesthetics or just showmanship/ showing off your collection, then yes, you could need to engineer a quick setting change solution. In that case, I'd recommend finding a robust effect rack/ pedal solution that allows for as many presets as you have basses :)
 
#45,965
Kriegs said:
I have 3 basses that have very specific sounds for specific songs. My main is my G&L L-2500, my secondaries are my Schecter 004 and, for one song, I use my old BC Rich Revenge (until I get my new 5 string PJ). Those are three very different sounding basses! When I switch from one to another mid-set, it's for the express purpose of changing the tone/ voice/ sound of the bass. Why would you want to EQ the difference out? What was that point of switching instruments if you want to remove the differences? BTW, I'm genuinely asking for clarification to your question, not trolling/ arguing :thumbsup:

Now, if you are doing it for strictly re-tuning, aesthetics or just showmanship/ showing off your collection, then yes, you could need to engineer a quick setting change solution. In that case, I'd recommend finding a robust effect rack/ pedal solution that allows for as many presets as you have basses :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I may need to clarify. I’m mainly talking about taking different basses to different gigs.

I love the sound of my atk300 and it fits in well with the sound of the band but I don’t want to take it to every gig, it would be nice to use other basses. I’m basically worried if I bring a precison to the next gig the band won’t sound “right”
 
#45,966
simon88wilson said:
Thanks for the reply. I may need to clarify. I’m mainly talking about taking different basses to different gigs.

I love the sound of my atk300 and it fits in well with the sound of the band but I don’t want to take it to every gig, it would be nice to use other basses. I’m basically worried if I bring a precison to the next gig the band won’t sound “right”
Click to expand...
Practice with your band with the other basses that you want to gig with. Dial in each ones' sound in practice. You may actually find that, as much as you like 'Bass X', it jsut doesn't work in your band's mix, i.e. it can't cut through the mix or all it does is dominate the mix, etc.
Once you've found the right settings for each bass, set up a cheat sheet or some system by which you can quickly change your signal chain's settings to match the newly swapped in bass :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Novarocker and simon88wilson
#45,969
More pedal banter - has anybody owned/used a 3Leaf Doom/You're Doom ? I'm kind of intrigued by how it can get synthy or octave-y depending on playing dynamics etc. The fuzz reminds me of the square wave on my EHX Micro Bass Synth, but I never use that thing and I've owned one of the originals forever - the gating on it sucks.
 
#45,970
cornfarmer said:
More pedal banter - has anybody owned/used a 3Leaf Doom/You're Doom ? I'm kind of intrigued by how it can get synthy or octave-y depending on playing dynamics etc. The fuzz reminds me of the square wave on my EHX Micro Bass Synth, but I never use that thing and I've owned one of the originals forever - the gating on it sucks.
Click to expand...

I just sold one that I had for about a year. It's an awesome pedal, and it's super unique for the synthy, octave-up fuzz tones. The combo of gating and touch-responsiveness makes it super dynamic, as the name indicates. The reason I sold it is that I was primarily using it for 'synth stacking' - i.e. octave > fuzz > filter. The Doom excels in that context, but I didn't find it beefy enough as a fuzz on its own. The 2-way switch on the face let's you go from mid-present to scooped sounding, and the clean-blend helps you retain some solid fundamental and articulation. Unfortunately, it's still sounds less heavy, beefy, and warm in comparison to a lot of other bass fuzz pedals. Again, it's meant to excel at synth sounds, which it does. I just have more uses for a fat sounding bass fuzz, so I couldn't justify keeping it for those limited uses...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Novarocker and cornfarmer
#45,975
simon88wilson said:
I have a question for everyone about swapping basses.

My usual basic band setup is Ibanez ATK300 into fuzz into Ashdown abm500. I occasionally use my stingray as it has a very similar tone to the Ibanez.
I also have a precision and I’m in the process of getting a Ricky copy.

My question is does anyone swap between very different basses for use with a band? If so do you eq out some of the difference? Or maybe just embrace it?
Click to expand...

I would start with the question, why don't you want to take the ATK to every gig?
Now, I would suggest to try the other basses at band rehersal first; take both the "usual" one and than another one so you can make a direct comparison; you may find the other bass more fitting for some songs, or even just not right. After trying your other basses, in case you like them on the context but still want to tame the differences, I would get something like a VT Bass Deluxe, which is programmable, and have a channel set for each bass.
Of course this is sensed if you really plan on doing some swithing. If it's about taking another bass some time around, I would simply pick a small EQ pedal like the MXR 6 band and set it up at rehersal.

As for me, I play the same P bass with my post-stoner band, even if, after trying a Peavey T40 and a Gibson EB14, my rig is so voiced that differences are not really pronounced... My COG Knightfall66 and ABM500 do most of the trick, and I keep the P as the main bass because of it's comfort and the more pronounced high end which helps me in C standard not getting too muffled.
In my alt-rock band (standard tuning) I can easily go both with a P, Bronco, or with my G&L El Toro, since, even having very different tones, both are still great sounding basses, playing originals I can just chose the tone I prefer from time to time. That is a context in which, for example, the Gibson and Peavey didn't really cut it.
 
#45,977
simon88wilson said:
I have a question for everyone about swapping basses.

My usual basic band setup is Ibanez ATK300 into fuzz into Ashdown abm500. I occasionally use my stingray as it has a very similar tone to the Ibanez.
I also have a precision and I’m in the process of getting a Ricky copy.

My question is does anyone swap between very different basses for use with a band? If so do you eq out some of the difference? Or maybe just embrace it?
Click to expand...
I don't bring multiple basses to our shows. But I have my T-bird set up to sound more like my Rickenbackers.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back