Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[lucas303]

What's up team? Long time no see.

What's everyone currently GASing for?

Bass-wise, nothing actually. I got an Ibanez BTB865SC months ago when I happened by a shop and fell in love with it immediately, and my other basses have just gathered dust since then (and I'm working on selling some of them). I haven't even been looking at other basses. About a month ago I got the Two Notes Opus and am liking it a lot. Currently running the Thick Air pedal into the JHS Packrat into the Opus.

Hopefully doing a solo doombient thing soon.

 

[Novarocker]

I gotta say I'm torn on which fuzz is my favorite. Maybe that's why I'm such a fan of the dungeon master. Muff was the first fuzz I had, but I like super fuzz more, just they need a clean blend for in a mix. Or at least for me. I'm also a huge tone bender fan, and at least the fuzz face I have has this voicing in the mids that just cuts into a mix (red side of the EQD spires).

The fullness, wall of sound that is a muff is so good. I like that super fuzzes can cop that to a degree, but then can get nasty, synthy, and a little spitty when going up the board and getting the octave to cut through. My biggest difficulty with both muffs and SF's are the semi need for a blend to fit in a mix. At least for me, they can be super picky as to what mix they fit into without a blend. I play with tons of mids and hi mids too.

Anyway, probably why I like Matt's muff, sf, hm-2 mash-up pedal. Muff breakup, hm tone stack, and sf octave. Fits so well into what I want to do. Then to top it off and have a pedal with a parallel Blower Box that I can set to have the gain and clarity to really jump out in a mix. Man I love that thing!

 

[Kaa]

Man, I got a whole lotta nothin". I gots to be the most boring person on this thread.

 

[scabpicker]

As far as fuzz goes, I'm really a slave to the Super-Fuzz if left to my own devices. However, it's a bit much for a lot of situations.

So, the fuzz I'm using with my current band is the DBA Fuzz War. It's supposed to be based off of a really tweaked out Muff circuit, but that's probably kind of misleading to know. It does do some Muff-ish tones, but due to its tone/filter circuit, it's not really a Muff. It does its own thing. It really does kind of live up to its name. There's a lot of gain and a very wide range of tones available from it's limited number of knobs.

On top of that, it can drive the front end of an amp *really* hard. This is one of the fuzzes that you simply don't have to worry about volume drop when you engage it. I have it set for a pretty heavy Muff-ish level of gain and have the tone knob pretty dialed back. Unity with those settings is about 10-11 o'clock on the output knob. I don't hit my amp hard, so I keep it about there. One of my guitarists uses a Fuzz War as well, and he slams the input of his amp with it. It's a crazy pedal, and writing about it makes me want a second one for home.

So, what's that I hear you ask? Where can "I, a common person" find an excruciatingly detailed demonstration of all the different knob combination settings of this magnificent pedal that you love? Well, my friend, you're in luck. There's this dude, who's gone too far in examining all of them without turning the output above 9 o'clock, and comes away thinking it's not so great for bass. I dunno, I disagree. I can get all kinds of bad sounds with my NYC 2000s era Big Muff (it's best sound is all three knobs maxed out). I don't really know of a bad sound I can get with the Fuzz War, even its inappropriate sounds are usually good to my ear. Either way, he's certainly giving you the sound of the pedal itself, and he works through it thoroughly.

 

[Deleted member 132197]

Man, I got a whole lotta nothin". I gots to be the most boring person on this thread.

All lies! I'm sure I can out-bore you.

I realised I'm losing two hobbies for the foreseeable future.

Last week a two year DnD campaign ended and the DM kinda doesn't wanna DM anymore. So we're on a break.

And both my bandmates are expecting their second kid in march. So the band will also be on a break until they feel ready to leave the house again. They think it will be quite soon, but I have no faith.

 

[Kaa]

All lies! I'm sure I can out-bore you.

I realised I'm losing two hobbies for the foreseeable future.

Last week a two year DnD campaign ended and the DM kinda doesn't wanna DM anymore. So we're on a break.

And both my bandmates are expecting their second kid in march. So the band will also be on a break until they feel ready to leave the house again. They think it will be quite soon, but I have no faith.

That sucks. But, what can you do?

 

[br1qbat]

I just threw my superfuzz on my board just for poopies and giggles. I still adore superfuzz, but my FoxxTone Machine cline/variant is still my go to. But if I rock my pbass instead of a EB-0L, I'd probably still be a muff guy.

 

[Novarocker]

I just threw my superfuzz on my board just for poopies and giggles. I still adore superfuzz, but my FoxxTone Machine cline/variant is still my go to. But if I rock my pbass instead of a EB-0L, I'd probably still be a muff guy.

Yeah those EB's push so much lows. I need to try a foxxtone bad.

 

[Matt-J2]

OK, dumb(or maybe Dead horse) question time: Strings edition! I tried searching but I think I'm looking for something too vague.

Given the downtuning involved and what appears to be mainly 4 strings in use by the bands I've looked at so far, how do you all go about it?

Use a 5 string?
5 String, downtuned to the sub-basement?
4 String, downtuned, 'normal' string gauges?
4 String, downtuned, thicker strings?
4 string, downtuned, using the bottom 4 of a 5 string set?
4 string, downtuned to the sub-basement with bridge cables for strings?


I ask because I have a 5 string(Spector Legend 5 Classic) and a 4(Ibanez GSR200B). I've been using the 5 to learn Funeralopolis, but I have issues trying to fret up at the 12th fret. My wrist doesn't like to quite bend that way and my fingers aren't long enough to get there without a little strain. The more upright/classical I have the neck, the easier. Also a bit easier on the Ibanez as I don't have to reach quite as far.

 

[bassboysam]

OK, dumb(or maybe Dead horse) question time: Strings edition! I tried searching but I think I'm looking for something too vague.

Given the downtuning involved and what appears to be mainly 4 strings in use by the bands I've looked at so far, how do you all go about it?

Use a 5 string?
5 String, downtuned to the sub-basement?
4 String, downtuned, 'normal' string gauges?
4 String, downtuned, thicker strings?
4 string, downtuned, using the bottom 4 of a 5 string set?
4 string, downtuned to the sub-basement with bridge cables for strings?


I ask because I have a 5 string(Spector Legend 5 Classic) and a 4(Ibanez GSR200B). I've been using the 5 to learn Funeralopolis, but I have issues trying to fret up at the 12th fret. My wrist doesn't like to quite bend that way and my fingers aren't long enough to get there without a little strain. The more upright/classical I have the neck, the easier. Also a bit easier on the Ibanez as I don't have to reach quite as far.

C# standard and dropped B on 4 string with heavier gauges. Usually used 110-50 or 115-50. for downtuned stuff i wanted a bit of a floppy string sound so i never bothered with 5 string sets.

 

[nayisthereason]

OK, dumb(or maybe Dead horse) question time: Strings edition! I tried searching but I think I'm looking for something too vague.

Given the downtuning involved and what appears to be mainly 4 strings in use by the bands I've looked at so far, how do you all go about it?

Use a 5 string?
5 String, downtuned to the sub-basement?
4 String, downtuned, 'normal' string gauges?
4 String, downtuned, thicker strings?
4 string, downtuned, using the bottom 4 of a 5 string set?
4 string, downtuned to the sub-basement with bridge cables for strings?


I ask because I have a 5 string(Spector Legend 5 Classic) and a 4(Ibanez GSR200B). I've been using the 5 to learn Funeralopolis, but I have issues trying to fret up at the 12th fret. My wrist doesn't like to quite bend that way and my fingers aren't long enough to get there without a little strain. The more upright/classical I have the neck, the easier. Also a bit easier on the Ibanez as I don't have to reach quite as far.

I do Drop A or B standard on my T40 and jazz bass using rotosound or ernie ball 65-130. so basically a 5 string set without the extra high string.

 

[br1qbat]

Yeah those EB's push so much lows. I need to try a foxxtone bad.

The tone machine is comparable to the superfuzz but the octave is much more pronounced. It balances out the natural tone of the EB. I find it too harsh with the pbass for my liking, unless I were to rock flats on the pbass and dial back on the tone knob.

 

[kleinenenten]

All lies! I'm sure I can out-bore you.

I realised I'm losing two hobbies for the foreseeable future.

Last week a two year DnD campaign ended and the DM kinda doesn't wanna DM anymore. So we're on a break.

And both my bandmates are expecting their second kid in march. So the band will also be on a break until they feel ready to leave the house again. They think it will be quite soon, but I have no faith.

Good luck! I have similar conundrums with friends/bandmates who are also having children and can no longer reliably make it to game nights. Dang kids... My kiddo hangs with us until bed time, so there's that I guess?

 

[lucas303]

OK, dumb(or maybe Dead horse) question time: Strings edition! I tried searching but I think I'm looking for something too vague.

Given the downtuning involved and what appears to be mainly 4 strings in use by the bands I've looked at so far, how do you all go about it?

Use a 5 string?
5 String, downtuned to the sub-basement?
4 String, downtuned, 'normal' string gauges?
4 String, downtuned, thicker strings?
4 string, downtuned, using the bottom 4 of a 5 string set?
4 string, downtuned to the sub-basement with bridge cables for strings?


I ask because I have a 5 string(Spector Legend 5 Classic) and a 4(Ibanez GSR200B). I've been using the 5 to learn Funeralopolis, but I have issues trying to fret up at the 12th fret. My wrist doesn't like to quite bend that way and my fingers aren't long enough to get there without a little strain. The more upright/classical I have the neck, the easier. Also a bit easier on the Ibanez as I don't have to reach quite as far.

Controversial opinion: tritone tuning. My main bass is a five string in tritone tuning. But also (a) I'm not in a band, (b) I have no prospects of being in a band, and (c) I suck at bass.

I will say that having spent some time trying out strings up to .170, really thick strings aren't much fun.

 

[Novarocker]

Controversial opinion: tritone tuning. My main bass is a five string in tritone tuning. But also (a) I'm not in a band, (b) I have no prospects of being in a band, and (c) I suck at bass.

I will say that having spent some time trying out strings up to .170, really thick strings aren't much fun.

Thanks cool, gotta be fun to experiment with. And 0.170 I did not know of such. That's gotta be like a tow cable eh?

I'll chip in, I did drop C the most and just used a 110. Dug the slightly floppy sound and feel, allowed tons of string bends. Normally now I'm in Eb standard down to D standard w/ the same 45-105/110 sets.

@br1qbat , good to know. I've been spending more time with my bass that has a neck pup. I've also been wanting to try the Hornet from Greer. Can't remember if it's a foxxtone or ace tone clone. I dig the momentary octave option.

 

[bobomatic]

C Standard, Elixir 45-135, high string tossed. My Rick sounds and plays like rotting garbage without some tension on the neck… I’ve played gigs with a 105 C and it worked but it’s way better with moar steel.

 

[Batsquatch]

Had to go with the SB300. That dirty channel was just what I’ve been looking for. This things about to make some noise at practice in a couple hours. Auto bias scares me a bit but so far the lights are green and sounds huge.

 

[Novarocker]

View attachment 5339838
Had to go with the SB300. That dirty channel was just what I’ve been looking for. This things about to make some noise at practice in a couple hours. Auto bias scares me a bit but so far the lights are green and sounds huge.

Sick, love the 100 and I've heard the 300 is that much better.

And that reminds me, for anyone who hasn't checked it out, look up JPTR Fx Titan 250...there's a YouTube clip of it with bass along with some killer guitar. Damn I want one bad, and it's only 26kg.

 

[scabpicker]

Auto bias scares me a bit but so far the lights are green and sounds huge.

I've had mine for a few years, and it will drop out a single pair of power tubes if it can't bias them. I've run my at 200W for quite some time just because simply I'm too lazy to swap out tubes again. It works fine in that mode, and there's not a ton of difference volume wise between 300 and 200 watts.

Really, I see the auto bias circuit as one bit of extra complexity that actually buys me something. If a tube goes out of spec, the amp will stop using it and presumably keep it from damaging other components. Plus, the remaining sets of tubes keep working and keeps the amp in business.

 

[Batsquatch]

I've had mine for a few years, and it will drop out a single pair of power tubes if it can't bias them. I've run my at 200W for quite some time just because simply I'm too lazy to swap out tubes again. It works fine in that mode, and there's not a ton of difference volume wise between 300 and 200 watts.

Really, I see the auto bias circuit as one bit of extra complexity that actually buys me something. If a tube goes out of spec, the amp will stop using it and presumably keep it from damaging other components. Plus, the remaining sets of tubes keep working and keeps the amp in business.

What kinda pedals you putting in front of that 2nd channel? MBD has been my main drive the last two years but it’s a bit much for this.