Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig v2 wishlist

[gotly]

I've been gigging the Bass Fly Rig since 2017. It's awesome and I don't have another pedal. I play pretty straightforward rock/punk/ska and don't have super advanced needs these days. I used to play a huge pedalboard with some experimental stuff but just don't do that kind of music anymore.

Here's my wishlist after using this thing for probably 1,000 hours in gigs, rehearsal and home practice. I've run it through old tube heads (Ampeg SVT, Mesa Boogie 400+) modern class D (Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0, Aguilar Tone Hammer (not sure wattage)) and everything in between. I use a provided backline more than my own gear. I play passive P and J basses, mostly a short scale Mike Lull P430.

Perfect - don't change it

• Tuner
• Sansamp preamp tone shaping
• Boost - Haven't found a use for this since I don't do much soloing but I get that it's nice to push through during a bass solo. Works as advertised.
  
• Chorus - even with one knob for adjustment I like all of the sounds I get out of the chorus section.

Almost there, just modify it

• Compression - it's not subtle AT ALL. It works for the majority of what I need but if I ever need any dynamics I can't seem to scale it back enough to not slam the tone into a wall with every touch. I play with a VERY light touch finger style -or- aggressively with a pick so the compressor is on most of the time for me. Comp sits at about 9:00 and I can't tell a difference between 9:00 and max and less than 9:00 turns it all the way off. To my ears, the compression knob does nothing. The Tone knob on the compression circuit is wild - it can shape the tone in very pleasing and interesting ways. A surprise for sure.

Totally rethink this part

• The OctaFilter section has almost zero usable live or recording tones for me. The fuzz is harsh and only seems to work for stuff like a mediocre expression of songs like Beastie Boys Sabotage or Uprising by Muse. These were songs I covered in a previous band and played live AND the Bass Fly Rig's manual even had specific presets for these songs and they still were just... disappointing. I'd replace this entire section with a single good effect. Fuzz or Octave or Phaser or Reverb or a synth section. It's trying to do too much and as a result does nothing well.

Add this

• Aux in and I'd never have to practice with a computer again.
• If I'm asking for ponies, a 9v battery. It absolutely wouldn't fit in the current size. Maybe ignore me here

I've been browsing a lot of pedals recently (Covid boredom) and nothing I've found hits the same boxes as the Fly Rig. Good stuff out there but it misses a tuner or I'll miss having chorus and start to build a pedalboard. It's alllllmost there. If they made a v2 I'd be throwing $300 at Tech 21 so fast. Even a signature pedal that was more of a classic tone and less overdriven/clanky focused like the dUg or Steve Harris signature would pique my curiosity.

 

[bpmben]

Good points - I've been using mine with a Boss OC-5 instead of using the built in Octave effect. They've recently improved the reliability of the power supply too with a braided cable.

 

[gotly]

Good points - I've been using mine with a Boss OC-5 instead of using the built in Octave effect. They've recently improved the reliability of the power supply too with a braided cable.

Reliability of the included power supply? It's in a box somewhere - I use my trusty 1Spot since the cable is 10 feet.

 

[Jebberz]

For me, to have a switcheable effect loop (after the sens-amp section) would be ideal, as there is some effects I prefer to use post pre-amp

 

[Leonid Nidis]

Just give me a blend for the dirt and a more subtle compressor.
The effects section is a matter of taste you cant please everyone.

 

[BrentSimons]

Hi there,
Lets tag this so @tech21nyc can see it!

I would love a blend for the Sansamp portion and an aux in so I can practice! It just makes sense; Fly Rig right?
Oh and a speaker sim on/off switch for the 1/4 out. That would be neat!

Stay healthy all,
Brent

 

[Slater]

FX Loop and Aux In would be great.

 

[gotly]

Oh and a speaker sim on/off switch for the 1/4 out

Oh my goodness this would be amazing as well. The cab sim on the PSA 2.0 is great.

Have you guys heard the PSA 2.0 on YouTube? Just dreamy.

 

[Skybone]

How about a Headphone Out while you're at it?

 

[BLDavis]

Ok gotly I'll chime in since we're on a Tech21 wish list theme.
An expanded ParaDriver with an adjustable HPF, and a tuner, and a Boost/Comp. Run by 2x 9V batts, 18v supply or phantom.
B.

 

[JTT422]

It seems like the Bass Fly rig was discontinued recently, does this mean we might actually see a v2 in the near future?

 

[gotly]

How about a Headphone Out while you're at it?

It has a headphone out right now!
You can plug headphones into the existing output jack and there is a little headphone button to change the output from line to headphone out. I regularly use it for practice on the go and also forget to turn it off and completely overload whatever amp preamp I'm plugging into that day

It seems like the Bass Fly rig was discontinued recently, does this mean we might actually see a v2 in the near future?

I hope so! Where do you see it was discontinued?

 

[JTT422]

It has a headphone out right now!
You can plug headphones into the existing output jack and there is a little headphone button to change the output from line to headphone out. I regularly use it for practice on the go and also forget to turn it off and completely overload whatever amp preamp I'm plugging into that day



I hope so! Where do you see it was discontinued?

I was considering buying one here recently and I noticed that it is no longer available new at many major music retailers, so I assumed it’s discontinued, but I could be wrong here’s a screenshot from Sweetwater

 

[gotly]

I was considering buying one here recently and I noticed that it is no longer available new at many major music retailers, so I assumed it’s discontinued, but I could be wrong here’s a screenshot from Sweetwater

Oh wow, here's hoping for v2. It was definitely available for sale when I made this post. They clearly read my suggestions and turned around a sequel in a few weeks right? That's definitely how production schedules work You're welcome everyone.

 

[SgtHulka]

also, please add 2 channels, also a 50 watt amp like the Quilter Bass Block

 

[bigtone23]

I agree with the OP. I love my Bass FlyRig and it does a great job.
I use the boost function mostly when I use two basses with disparate outputs or when I switch one bass into single coil mode and the volume drops a little.
The compressor could use a touch up and the octafilter could use a rethink, too. I would be happier with just octave or fuzz as well.
The addition of an effects loop right after the Sansamp and an aux in would be really nice!
If a V2 comes out, I can most certainly be on board. I was looking at the Steve Harris, but want some of the other goodies, like chorus and compression, as I use those more than switchable gain levels.

 

[mattattack187]

My BFR does everything I need it to do but here's what I would like to see in a V2:

Headphone & AUX
Switchable Sansamp section: Switch between the VT Bass Circuit and BDDI circuit.
A standalone distortion channel

 

[Mo'Phat]

V2 showed up Sweetwater catalog - but isn't online anywhere yet.

 

[Slater]

V2 showed up Sweetwater catalog

The addition of the FX loop might just be enough for me to give one a shot.

 

[gotly]

Dumb question - assuming the fly rig is my only pedal why would I care about the FX loop?

Also, removing the tone knob on the compressor is a weird choice. I was able to do some cool stuff with that knob.