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Tone Suckage!

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by Masterbasser71, Nov 27, 2005.

  1. Nov 27, 2005 #1
    Masterbasser71

    Masterbasser71

    Jun 28, 2003
    San Francisco, California
    First of all here is my signal chain...
    Fender P-bass w/ Active EMG or Fender Jazz (passive)>Dunlop 105Q Wah-->Digitech Bass Synth Wah-->MXR M-80 Bass D.I/Distortion-->Boss Bass Flanger BF-2B-->Arion DDM-1 Digital Delay-->Digitech Bass Multi-Chorus-->Fender Bassman 100.
    If I play straight clean through my 20' planet wave it sounds fine on both basses, but when i use my entire chain it seems like I lose sound quality and my P-bass distorts a bits on the low E if I attack it enough (though not much at all). The pedals are connected with 3 Radioshack 1' cables and 2 Fender tweed 6" patch cable and another 20' AXL cable. What are the major causes of the tone loss? Not being true-bypass? Low quality cables? That crappy Arion pedal in the mix? Help me out, guys. Also how do I fix the problem. I know looping the flanger, delay, and chorus will help with it but that would mean buying more cables and a tangly mess of cables every time i feel like using my pedalboard. Suggestions? Thanks!
     
  2. Nov 27, 2005 #2
    hvacfreak

    hvacfreak

    Feb 12, 2004
    Do you have a good tone with no pedals( yeah , you kinda said that ) ? Effects shouldn't disrupt the plan of what your trying to do , rather " enhance " it. Start with the " dry" tone you want , and add 1 effect at a time. You will find all your problems that way ( check that the delay and chorus ratios aren't " bucking " each other ).
     
  3. Nov 27, 2005 #3
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Your problem is why I quit using pedals unless I absolutely need them. Yes, your problem is more than likely caused by one or more of your pedals not being true-bypass. So you either use a Loooper or similar effects loop that takes your pedals out of the chain until you want to use them, or you suffer with the tone suckage.
     
  4. Nov 28, 2005 #4
    TaySte_2000

    TaySte_2000

    Jun 23, 2001
    Houston, TX
    Well in your setup tone loss can be caused by:

    None of your pedals being true bypass.

    Cheapish cables (Except the planet waves)

    Either trade up to different effects with true bypass and upgrade your cables at the same time or buy a loooper, personally I'd opt for the loooper.

    Cheers