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Trying to get warmer

A

abstrax

Mar 13, 2012
43
0
Austin, TX
#1
1st post here. Im in the process of building a pedalboard for my very modest bass rig (Ampeg SVT 200T 4X10, Ibanez EDB600) that will transition well to an upcoming upgrade (5 string Skyline, David Eden D410XST4, Eden WT550 - my friends second rig that he will be selling me soon)

My issue now is the relatively dead nature of the 'luthite' body bass and the solid state amp combine for a pretty thin sound that I have to severely augment with the bass' and amplifier's EQ controls leaving me with a decent but NOT versatile tone coming from the amp and DI.

My idea is to purchase a preamp/DI pedal and a compressor pedal to run before my effects (currently a Blueberry, OC-2, CE-5 and DD-7). I have used a MultiComp in the past (different rig) but Bongo's reviews and a GC comparison of the M87 and Compressore have me leaning towards the MB. I have played a Tech 21 BSDR and was impressed, but Im also interested in the M80, Bassbone, Eden WTDI, or just an EQ with my Radial PRODI.

Does anyone have any reccomendations on the above, or anything I left out? Also, is my train of thought here completely bonkers, or might I be on the right track?
 
#7
i think you're definitely on the right track. personally, i'd for for a preamp/di first and then offset that with some compression, i really don't like the idea of having a compressor shape my tone in any way.

i'd have a look at some of the more popular preamps like the aguilar tone hammer, mxr m80 and the tech 21 svt pedals before getting compression. i still run my compressor before the preamp, but it's the preamp that gives my bass it's warmth (or aggressiveness in the case of my b7k)

to me a compressor should be something that is felt and not heard when playing, it is subtle like the soft summer wind blowing across a dryad's nipple. yes i was just playing quest for glory i, so i am all about dryads right now.
 
#8
How long until the rig upgrade? If it's close, my advice would be to hold off until then. You're about to spend money to effect your current sound that you're about to change.

I say this with experience because last month I bought a pretty expensive tube pedal to warm up my SS amp....and then bought a power amp with 16 tubes in it the following week. Kinda pointless.
 
#9
valentine1 said:
i think you're definitely on the right track. personally, i'd for for a preamp/di first and then offset that with some compression, i really don't like the idea of having a compressor shape my tone in any way.

i'd have a look at some of the more popular preamps like the aguilar tone hammer, mxr m80 and the tech 21 svt pedals before getting compression. i still run my compressor before the preamp, but it's the preamp that gives my bass it's warmth (or aggressiveness in the case of my b7k)

to me a compressor should be something that is felt and not heard when playing, it is subtle like the soft summer wind blowing across a dryad's nipple. yes i was just playing quest for glory i, so i am all about dryads right now.
Click to expand...

+1

Which is why I'd recommend MXR M87 Bass Compressor with a nice "warm" preamp. It's a great transparent compressor that seems to balance the frequencies a bit, has a great LED display and is in a small package. I'm really happy with mine. I let my VT shape the tone. Of course, there are tons of great preamps to chose from.
 
#10
MSUsousaphone said:
How long until the rig upgrade? If it's close, my advice would be to hold off until then. You're about to spend money to effect your current sound that you're about to change.

I say this with experience because last month I bought a pretty expensive tube pedal to warm up my SS amp....and then bought a power amp with 16 tubes in it the following week. Kinda pointless.
Click to expand...

Its going to be a few months before I get the Eden rig as he is using the head until he pays off his Titan, and I'll be on the verge of adolescent depression induced self mutilation if I have to play too many more gigs with my rig sounding as it does right now. Thats why I was hoping to find some gems in both categories that wil also be useful to me in the future.
 
#11
I understand, man. I totally got into the Swell pedals ($350) back when I had the Eden rig I'm selling right down there. They sound amazing. I have a B-TOD that gave my solid state setup and vintage tube/OD sound. Love it. It's got a little too much gain for my taste so I ordered a Swell B-Drive. A week later I bought a Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 Power Amp. 16 tubes in that mofo. I'm still waiting to get the B-Drive in to see how useful it is with the new rig. With the SS amp it was a necessity. Great pedal. But with this....we'll see.

If you're looking for a tube pedal, that's the one I went with. My original plan when I bought the B-Drive was to get a WT-550, too. It's a but pricey but the sound is worth it.
 
#12
I think that using a comp/pre/od to warm up your tone now will still be useful when you get the Eden. The Eden tone is great, but I wouldnt call it warm.

I may have gone overboard, I have the PC-2A and a Swell B-Drive running into an Eden WT-500, the two pedals each do a great job warming up the Eden.
 
#13
UPDATE

Thank you guys so much fore the feedback! Talk about a warm welcome!

I ended up purchasing a Sansamp BDDI today after comparisons with the M80 and Tonehammer, and Im lovin it so far, exactly what I needed to get the warmth out of my Ibanez, and It nearly makes my SVT 200T sound like a PROPER Tube SVT.

Im still on the hunt for a comp though, I will make sure to try the PC-2A before I purchase anything, thanks to y'alls advice. @MSUsousaphone - I will definitely try out the swell pedals as soon as I can get my hands on one after your glowing review. Thanks all, \m/
 
#15
Rather than putting make-up on your tone, why not try different strings? The can do wonders to change a tone. Also have you considered changing the pickups. Some pickups cost the fraction of the price of a pedal. Also obvious; perhaps upgrading the bass? If all this is covered, yes the Markbass is terrific, I own one. It will make your tone warmer. The MXR compressor is amazing but it's transparent, it won't warm up your tone.

Hope this helps. Just trying to provide a broader prospective than just try this or that pedal.
 
#18
alec said:
abstrax, your BDDI will give you a certain amount of compression, especially if you are leaning on the drive.
The Eden has a compressor but it gets a bad rap.
Click to expand...

I noticed that at the gig tonight. I think Im going to leave the drive knob at 10-12:00, I had pretty good results there, I definitely (on a loud stage) was able to hear a significant difference in the body of my clean tone from my amp. A friend also verified that the DI signal in the hosue was clear as a bell and much fuller and crisper than before.

@ Laurent - Im happy enough with the BDDI that Im probably going to bank the $200-300 I would spend on a compressor for a Skyline or a Stingray. Im pretty picky about studio compression, and Id really like to introduce some high quality (possibly tube) compression to my live sound, but I think you're right in suggesting I dump the old plastic POS before getting too invested in my tone toys ;)
 

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