Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[JohnArnson]

In my experience just about every Muff basesd fuzz result in a huge undefined wall of mud used for bass.

Whereas Super Fuzz style fuzzes like the ultra cheap Behringer SF300 retain a lot of definition and is relatively well articulated even at really high gain.

 

[lizardking837]

And I cannot lie.

But seriously, as someone pointed out the clones seem to be more popular than the OG models. I am guilty as well. I had a black Russian for a while, but every used it. I tried using a Supercollider, a Pickle Pie B, and a Hail Satan Deluxe and just never cared for where I ended up in the mix. I have a Grey Stache collecting dust in my closet now.
My personal take is that unless you want to be just guitar support, or replacing a guitar, you need a blend of some kind. Otherwise you vanish in the mix. Maybe that is what some people want.
I liked the Supercollider and Grey Stache the most. I also like the Team Awesome Fuzz Machine. Different clipping circuit than a Muff, but the blend is phenomenal.

I really find that the blend is all about how the circuit is made. Some fuzzes don’t need one, but others, based on the same circuit, do! Follow your ears, as always.

I'll be sure to check those out, but I'm really leaning toward the BBM that I tried for a few reasons, 1) it's sitting in a case down the street from my apt. 2) its used and taking up a spot in my local GCs case and 3) if I get sick of it I can flip it without losing any money.

Edit: Forgot to add, I like versatility (especially on the cheap) for blending with the 'dry/boost' switch and bi-amping with the 'dry out'

 

[Kriegs]

Would the Radial Direct Drive do the same thing?

No, the Direct Drive is an GUITAR amp sim and DI.

It's used like this:

or this:

VERY different than what the original ask was in that it doesn't bring the signal from your head to the board at all.

 

[socialleper]

No, the Direct Drive is an GUITAR amp sim and DI.

It's used like this:

or this:

VERY different than what the original ask was in that it doesn't bring the signal from your head to the board at all.

Got it. Thanks.

 

[promdates]

If you have these, they have their own DIs

Sometimes you have to be careful with these, as you can get this weird hum that you can't get rid of even with a ground loop switch. I've only experienced it at one venue we've played at, but we tried for almost an hour to get rid of it and couldn't.

 

[JBuckley]

Greetings! I've been listening to stoner/doom for a while and finally have the opportunity to play some and I'm super excited about it. This band tunes to C-standard with a drop A# on the low string, so rather than try to set up one of my 4 strings to handle that, I picked up a Sterling by MusicMan StingRay5 which is giving me the sound I need. I'm considering putting some flats on it, so I'm open to suggestions though leaning toward the Rotosound 77.

I also have an electric upright which I'd love to eventually incorporate into the sound because it would be pretty unique to the genre and the idea of getting some sick fuzzed and phased out bowed sounds in the mix particularly excites me.

As far as a rig, I'm using an Ampeg PF350 head and have Peavy118BW and SWR 210 cabs. Considering using them together, or just the 118. The 118 is 4ohm and the 210 is 8. The head will handle 4ohm and up, so the 6ohm load doesn't concern me as much as the idea of running two cabs with different resistance levels. Would that be an issue?

As far as pedals, it's kind of minimal. EHX Bigmuff Pi, EHX Small Stone, and a Sansamp (the programmable one with 3 settings).

 

[kleinenenten]

In my experience just about every Muff basesd fuzz result in a huge undefined wall of mud used for bass.

Whereas Super Fuzz style fuzzes like the ultra cheap Behringer SF300 retain a lot of definition and is relatively well articulated even at really high gain.

Which have you tried? I have certainly disappeared in a mix with a Muff, but I don’t know that I’d say it was a wall of mud. I find the hi control on my Pharaoh Supreme is rather important to articulation.

 

[JohnArnson]

Which have you tried? I have certainly disappeared in a mix with a Muff, but I don’t know that I’d say it was a wall of mud. I find the hi control on my Pharaoh Supreme is rather important to articulation.

I might have exaggerated a bit, but for my taste you definitely loose way too much definition with these type of fuzzes, compared to something like the Super Fuzz.

I do like the Muffs that has a bit more high frequency definition and a more grindy quality like the Opamp or Triangle Muff a bit better though.

 

[bassboysam]

Got it. Thanks.

i've tried speaker level DIs in the past. the ones with speaker sims are really voiced more for guitar and did not sound good at all. although at first i thought it sounded great but when going back and forth between DI and mic it was night and day.

there are some bass specific speaker level DIs but again they don't sound natural. you could check out the Countryman DI as it offers a speaker DI that's pretty flat but it requires a lot of EQ to get it to sound realistic. honestly the SansAmp or ToneHammer DI are easier and sound better in my opinion.

 

[rutrho]

Greetings! I've been listening to stoner/doom for a while and finally have the opportunity to play some and I'm super excited about it. This band tunes to C-standard with a drop A# on the low string, so rather than try to set up one of my 4 strings to handle that, I picked up a Sterling by MusicMan StingRay5 which is giving me the sound I need. I'm considering putting some flats on it, so I'm open to suggestions though leaning toward the Rotosound 77.

I also have an electric upright which I'd love to eventually incorporate into the sound because it would be pretty unique to the genre and the idea of getting some sick fuzzed and phased out bowed sounds in the mix particularly excites me.

As far as a rig, I'm using an Ampeg PF350 head and have Peavy118BW and SWR 210 cabs. Considering using them together, or just the 118. The 118 is 4ohm and the 210 is 8. The head will handle 4ohm and up, so the 6ohm load doesn't concern me as much as the idea of running two cabs with different resistance levels. Would that be an issue?

As far as pedals, it's kind of minimal. EHX Bigmuff Pi, EHX Small Stone, and a Sansamp (the programmable one with 3 settings).

Welcome! I'm kinda curious who you're playing with, lol. An electric upright sounds like it'd be awesome in that musical context.

 

[kleinenenten]

Speaking of DIs & cabsim, MF’s Deal of the Day was recently a Digitech CabDryVR. Heard good things, though haven’t heard much overall. Can do two signals at once, I believe. I like the old DOD Cab Emulator. Nothing fancy, but a couple decent options and sounds pretty good. A little tough to find, but they pop up now and then. I use them for both guitar and bass with no complaints. A smaller, lower price point is the Mooer cab sim. Maybe it was Rowin? One of the mini ones. I have the purple one. It added a slight bit of noise, but for headphone practice without sounding like garbage, it was good enough for $30 or whatnot.

 

[lucas303]

Greetings! I've been listening to stoner/doom for a while and finally have the opportunity to play some and I'm super excited about it. This band tunes to C-standard with a drop A# on the low string, so rather than try to set up one of my 4 strings to handle that, I picked up a Sterling by MusicMan StingRay5 which is giving me the sound I need. I'm considering putting some flats on it, so I'm open to suggestions though leaning toward the Rotosound 77.

I also have an electric upright which I'd love to eventually incorporate into the sound because it would be pretty unique to the genre and the idea of getting some sick fuzzed and phased out bowed sounds in the mix particularly excites me.

As far as a rig, I'm using an Ampeg PF350 head and have Peavy118BW and SWR 210 cabs. Considering using them together, or just the 118. The 118 is 4ohm and the 210 is 8. The head will handle 4ohm and up, so the 6ohm load doesn't concern me as much as the idea of running two cabs with different resistance levels. Would that be an issue?

As far as pedals, it's kind of minimal. EHX Bigmuff Pi, EHX Small Stone, and a Sansamp (the programmable one with 3 settings).

It's not really stoner/doom, but you might want to check out Grayceon if you haven't already: IV, by GRAYCEON

They're a trio with Jackie Perez Gratz on cello. She's also played with Om, which is definitely more stoner/doom territory. I mention this because she's using a bowed instrument that's not too far from an upright, and maybe that will give you some inspiration.

She's played with a bunch of other bands/projects, and some of them may be more stoner/doom-ish but the only ones I've listened to much are Grayceon and Om.

 

[JBuckley]

Welcome! I'm kinda curious who you're playing with, lol. An electric upright sounds like it'd be awesome in that musical context.

It's too early to say! if it all works out, I'll definitely let you know. And I see you're local, too. You ever play up my way?

 

[rutrho]

It's not really stoner/doom, but you might want to check out Grayceon if you haven't already: IV, by GRAYCEON

They're a trio with Jackie Perez Gratz on cello. She's also played with Om, which is definitely more stoner/doom territory. I mention this because she's using a bowed instrument that's not too far from an upright, and maybe that will give you some inspiration.

She's played with a bunch of other bands/projects, and some of them may be more stoner/doom-ish but the only ones I've listened to much are Grayceon and Om.

Jackie is amazing btw. She's a hell of a musician, a totally badass and she just exudes passion for music.

It's too early to say! if it all works out, I'll definitely let you know. And I see you're local, too. You ever play up my way?

Not much up that way, I've played with a few people at OMC but it's a hell of a hike for me. I suspect whenever I can land a (or form) a stable project we'll end up up there... I do end up in the East Bay from time to time and I'm always up to geek out around gear and music

 

[JBuckley]

It's not really stoner/doom, but you might want to check out Grayceon if you haven't already: IV, by GRAYCEON

Thanks for this! I'm a big old prog nerd, so this is way up my alley. I really like trios with different instrumentation. I had wanted to put together a trio with a drummer, an organist/analog synth player, and me on EUB, but I didn't try hard enough to find people on the same page for it.

 

[br1qbat]

In my experience just about every Muff basesd fuzz result in a huge undefined wall of mud used for bass.

Whereas Super Fuzz style fuzzes like the ultra cheap Behringer SF300 retain a lot of definition and is relatively well articulated even at really high gain.

I agree. Muffs work but only with a trebley clean signal. I dont like them when the clean signal is bassier. Superfuzz is king imo

 

[JBuckley]

Not much up that way, I've played with a few people at OMC but it's a hell of a hike for me. I suspect whenever I can land a (or form) a stable project we'll end up up there... I do end up in the East Bay from time to time and I'm always up to geek out around gear and music

OMC is a 5 minute drive from my office, so the fact that they practice there and right after my work hours was a definite plus for me. I'm always super busy, but please hit me up if you're up this way and/or there's something cool I should check out. I probably won't be able to go, but I like hearing about stuff.

 

[kleinenenten]

I agree. Muffs work but only with a trebley clean signal. I dont like them when the clean signal is bassier. Superfuzz is king imo

Perhaps that’s a rule of thumb, but I use flats! I have found that I often will use the gain knobs on dirt pedals to compensate for lack of highs in my strings. For instance, my Pharaoh Supreme has the fuzz relatively low, but the pre at like 3:00 and the high about 1:30ish.

 

[hardtop]

you could check out the Countryman DI as it offers a speaker DI that's pretty flat but it requires a lot of EQ to get it to sound realistic. honestly the SansAmp or ToneHammer DI are easier and sound better in my opinion.

I use the Countryman and I think it sounds better than going DI before the amp. Gives the PA signal a little amp character in my opinion.

 

[bassboysam]

I use the Countryman and I think it sounds better than going DI before the amp. Gives the PA signal a little amp character in my opinion.

better than a clean DI or a DI with amp/cab sim?