Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[kleinenenten]

Anybody ever play the Motorbass (aka "Lemmy in a box") pedal? Got an opportunity for one local. Looking for Lemmy tones, and not sure if I should get that or stick with my previous solution of a Throat Locust on almost nil gain, and mids frequency about 9:00. In the right ballpark in that it's plenty distorted and a bit fuzzy on the edges, but plenty bassy and defined at the same time. Just not sure if it's worth the money to get the Motorbass. I'd prefer his "later" tones, i.e. not the Ace of Spades, but his seemingly heavier tones of the 2000s onward.

 

[Novarocker]

Have you found this to be the case with non-tube amps? I've always assumed that it was just a tube amp thing but you know what they say about making assumptions...

I think @monsterthompson got it right IMO. Now I don't doubt it all depends on the particular amp architecture, the preamp and power amp characteristics, but in my experience I've seen and heard such happening on every type of amp. Different tube amps, class A (vox) and others, different solids state (AB, D), all with varying results. Hell, the sound of an IC opamp being pushed is a desirable sound and it's all SS based right? Love that sound, its like a roar.

Of course all of that is subjective and opinion.

I told myself I wasn't going to buy anymore pedals unless I really needed them...

What's that saying about the best laid plans of mice and men?

That's awesome! Been curious about their stuff for a bit.

I didn't record this, but I had my windows open so my neighbors could verify the results

I think the take-away is that there is more to the "boost" game than just simply the dB of boost and the EQ shape, and that the dynamics of the boost are an important consideration. If you're looking for a sweet spot in the clipping, then it matters how hard the respective frequencies in the signal are hitting the "boosted" amp relative to the dynamics of the whole signal. If you use a clean gain device with no compression, then you get a different result from a clean compressed signal. I think this probably applies to using something like a Tubescreamer for a boost. I would expect the clipping and related compression are part of why it gets used as a booster, as much as the baked in EQ profile.

It's good to hear that others experiences in these regards are similar. I've noticed that how things get pushed, compressed, EQ'd, in what manner, and where in the signal chain impact the sound in potentially vastly different ways.

How it clips, the EQ profile, etc. What settings pedals or preamp are at and how the signal hits them can change so much. Stacking can be a ton of fun and it's sweet to see the various nuances and how you can reach an amazing sound you've never heard before that ends up having a "3d" quality to the sound. It's way cool to hear how the sonic profile can change through all these steps, especially when combining various passive and active EQ tone stack and filters. How they adjust the signal is unique and each has benefits over the other.

One thing I've noticed to be wicked fun is generating various EQ spikes or extremes through stacking to achieve cocked wah and treble booster like tones. When you blend in the dry with that it's wicked cool. Also parallel or blended dirt is a ton of fun! Finding dirt pedals with a dry blend, then using that dry blend to blend in a dirt panel in parallel with that pedal creates wild textures!
Honestly the benefit and why I have so many different dirt pedals is to use them as an effect, not just a gain point. Sure I've got my base sounds, but then I have various dirt to change the flavor.

I will second that for bedroom use speaker size isn’t too big of an issue. If you are going used I would just get something that is in good shape that you like and add some pedals to get different tones that you like. I had a Vox Pathfinder bass combo that had two 5 inch speakers and it sounded totally great for jamming at the house. It is probably one of the cheapest amps that you can find.

Love those amps!

I like it, and I'm jealous of your drum sounds. What are you using for the snare rolls? A snare sample? A real snare?

Apropos of nothing, I'm catching up after spending a week in Vegas for work. Super not fond of that town, and I got exposed to covid, to boot. I probably should try to turn that into lyrics.

I feel ya, been busy as hell with work. Mostly just not getting any stretches of time to do anything but read quick bits here and there. Same goes for anything beyond familial duties at home.

 

[Novarocker]

Anybody ever play the Motorbass (aka "Lemmy in a box") pedal? Got an opportunity for one local. Looking for Lemmy tones, and not sure if I should get that or stick with my previous solution of a Throat Locust on almost nil gain, and mids frequency about 9:00. In the right ballpark in that it's plenty distorted and a bit fuzzy on the edges, but plenty bassy and defined at the same time. Just not sure if it's worth the money to get the Motorbass. I'd prefer his "later" tones, i.e. not the Ace of Spades, but his seemingly heavier tones of the 2000s onward.

Never knew that existed. I do dig his heavier tones, though there's something about that era's sound that just sticks.

 

[kleinenenten]

Never knew that existed. I do dig his heavier tones, though there's something about that era's sound that just sticks.

Motörhead is one of the few acts who I'd LOVE to have heard re-record some tracks. Usually those are hit or miss for me, with many being more miss than hit. I can only imagine the ways that they recorded some of Lemmy's old tones were not kind to the amount of distortion he used. Those techniques must have improved by leaps and bounds since! That may be why I prefer the later albums, honestly, because I know that Lemmy pretty much used the same bass/amp/settings/etc. throughout his career with little variation.

 

[cornfarmer]

I have entered Michigan

 

[Kaa]

'Sup, doom fans? Just checking in, not much to add.

 

[themarshall]

I have entered Michigan

UP? Permanently?

 

[cornfarmer]

Entered thru the UP territories, just visiting the Mackinaw area. Been camping along the way, in decent, cool out of the way spots, but we're at some kind of mega RV park puppy-mill right now with sooooo many people around me it's more like camping in a packed Walmart parking lot on the day everyone just cashed their disability checks.

Drove all the fckin' way from California in a janky RV that is falling apart, thru cold, windy, hot, windy, swampy, windy, buggy, now pretty nice weather here on Lk. Superior. Couple of days ago my family all got sick somewhere in Minnesota. Bad. Kinda been a sh1t show the whole way. I would've been fine just hanging out in Idaho or Montana tbh. We turn around and head back this weekend. 20 days total - looks easy on paper. The gas bill is going to be insane!

 

[kleinenenten]

Entered thru the UP territories, just visiting the Mackinaw area. Been camping along the way, in decent, cool out of the way spots, but we're at some kind of mega RV park puppy-mill right now with sooooo many people around me it's more like camping in a packed Walmart parking lot on the day everyone just cashed their disability checks.

Drove all the fckin' way from California in a janky RV that is falling apart, thru cold, windy, hot, windy, swampy, windy, buggy, now pretty nice weather here on Lk. Superior. Couple of days ago my family all got sick somewhere in Minnesota. Bad. Kinda been a sh1t show the whole way. I would've been fine just hanging out in Idaho or Montana tbh. We turn around and head back this weekend. 20 days total - looks easy on paper. The gas bill is going to be insane!

My wife wants to get an RV one day in the distant future and travel the country. We'll see what happens. Hopefully a better experience than what you're describing!

 

[cornfarmer]

Similar to owning a boat

$$$$$$

 

[Kaa]

Entered thru the UP territories, just visiting the Mackinaw area. Been camping along the way, in decent, cool out of the way spots, but we're at some kind of mega RV park puppy-mill right now with sooooo many people around me it's more like camping in a packed Walmart parking lot on the day everyone just cashed their disability checks.

Drove all the fckin' way from California in a janky RV that is falling apart, thru cold, windy, hot, windy, swampy, windy, buggy, now pretty nice weather here on Lk. Superior. Couple of days ago my family all got sick somewhere in Minnesota. Bad. Kinda been a sh1t show the whole way. I would've been fine just hanging out in Idaho or Montana tbh. We turn around and head back this weekend. 20 days total - looks easy on paper. The gas bill is going to be insane!

Sounds....interesting.

 

[kleinenenten]

In the last 12 hours I've bought two pedals - the OKKO Motorbass (Lemmy in a box, apparently) and I finally found a decently priced Atreides and pulled the trigger. What I'm saying is, I may have just bought Lemmy's career tones, both Motorhead AND Hawkwind, in the past few hours. Gonna be a long weekend of waiting...

 

[Nekomata]

New (for me) toy:

First impression: some good craziness in there, although this is probably the opposite of an always-on pedal.

 

[kleinenenten]

New (for me) toy:

First impression: some good craziness in there, although this is probably the opposite of an always-on pedal.

I've had one in the past. If I could find another for the right price, I'd scoop it. Some fun tones in there. I liked to make space laser noises with mine. Can't say I found it incredibly useful (hence moving it on), but it was INCREDIBLY fun.

 

[Flamingo21]

Well, I have some good news to report.

After a ssllooww legal process, the divorce became official in early May. Shortly afterwards my ex and son moved to their new home. Since then, I live alone.

Now living alone is the part I dreaded. I lived alone for some time when I was very young , and I couldn't do it. I barely kept myself alive, but wasn't able to make money or keep the house clean. Long story. So naturally I've been wondering if this time around I'd do any better.

Turns out I'm doing well. I go to bed on time, I go to work on time, I do the laundry and other chores. I cook healthy food for myself, and I regularly go for a run.

Also, I'm drinking less alcohol, I'm drinking less coffee, and I'm eating less candy. I even practice the band music more.

So to my surprise, I'm starting to feel this divorce was actually a good idea.

 

[kleinenenten]

Well, I have some good news to report.

After a ssllooww legal process, the divorce became official in early May. Shortly afterwards my ex and son moved to their new home. Since then, I live alone.

Now living alone is the part I dreaded. I lived alone for some time when I was very young , and I couldn't do it. I barely kept myself alive, but wasn't able to make money or keep the house clean. Long story. So naturally I've been wondering if this time around I'd do any better.

Turns out I'm doing well. I go to bed on time, I go to work on time, I do the laundry and other chores. I cook healthy food for myself, and I regularly go for a run.

Also, I'm drinking less alcohol, I'm drinking less coffee, and I'm eating less candy. I even practice the band music more.

So to my surprise, I'm starting to feel this divorce was actually a good idea.

Glad to hear it! That's exactly how I feel right now about my summer vacation, which officially started Friday! The past two days I biked a total of 50 miles, have been cooking and eating healthier, drinking less, and generally just enjoying life again. I actually played bass yesterday AND today, for a decent amount of time each day, too. Got to work on the section under the solo for Metallica's Four Horsemen and have it 90% correct. Basically playing the "roots" of the bass part instead of the constant fills Cliff does, but it sounds solid and much better than what I was playing... Also realized I was playing one part slightly off, so now that I've got the song down to muscle memory, I was able to correct that pretty easily. So now I've probably got the whole thing down about 98% correct, which is good in my book. Also (re)learned Maiden's The Trooper, which is a much simpler song, but still a favorite. Now, on to learning more songs! Aces High is, well, high on the list, but I feel I need to figure out some Motorhead, seeing as I've got that pedal coming soon. The question is, which one? So many classics! I'm thinking maybe Iron Fist, (We Are) The Road Crew, (Don't Need) No Religion, or maybe one of the new ones? Any suggestions?

 

[Andsvara]

Any suggestions?

Killed by Death maybe?

I survived my first gig last night, yay for me! Wasn't too much going on since there were other concerts that night. But it was fine and I did well apparently. We played 20 songs and I had to do most of the talking to the audience. They seemed to like my dry humour.

 

[Deleted member 132197]

In the last 12 hours I've bought two pedals - the OKKO Motorbass (Lemmy in a box, apparently) and I finally found a decently priced Atreides and pulled the trigger. What I'm saying is, I may have just bought Lemmy's career tones, both Motorhead AND Hawkwind, in the past few hours. Gonna be a long weekend of waiting...

I've been obsessing about both pedals at one time or another, so please report back when you''ve played with them

 

[Nekomata]

Turns out I'm doing well.

It is good to hear that. Something worth celebrating (responsibly or temporarily out of control, up to you/the situation) and cherishing, instead of taking it for granted. Good job on the 'self management'!

 

[Nekomata]

Some fun tones in there.

I also like how its 'sensitivity' can be dialed in. Plus the octaver tracking does an okay job.