Underhyped/underappreciated effects

[RestlessBoom]

I know that on this forum things can get severely overhyped, but I’m interested in finding some “special-sauce” items that no one is talking about enough. Let’s promote some small builders or weird settings on something commonly found. I’ll start with this:

The Weehbo Tackleberry Preamp. It’s the perfect tonemaker for punk rock bass- pushes the mids beautifully without losing any essential lows. Can be used as an awesome OD, but I think it works best as an always-on tone shaper.

 

[GMC]

Source Audio lunar. Once I had discovered this "little" blue box of modulation...it kicked my long term Strymon Mobius off my board. It carries most of the functionality, way better EQ and mixer options and to be honest it sounds a lot more analogue and less digital. All in a far smaller foot print, easier to power and cheaper to purchase package.

 

[arvegrinden]

I'm kind of surprised there isn't more love for the Collaboration Devices compressor. I really like it as a tone enhancer, and at low drive settings the saturation side is totally useful as well. A pretty simple compressor with limited controls, but that's how I like it.

 

[Lammchop93]

TC Spark. I think it gets a lot of love here on TB, but dont hear about it much other places.

It is one of the best low-gain drives I have heard for the money. My only complaint about it is the way the footswitch feels.

 

[FunkHead]

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[davelowell2]

I'm kind of surprised there isn't more love for the Collaboration Devices compressor. I really like it as a tone enhancer, and at low drive settings the saturation side is totally useful as well. A pretty simple compressor with limited controls, but that's how I like it.

I really liked it while it was around for me but I also had a compressor problem, owning 8 or 9 at the time, lol. Nice comp.

 

[HelpImaRock]

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It's a really interesting pedal that doesn't quite operate the way people think it will. It's probably the best analog bass distortion pedal I've used. These days I prefer the Carcosa fuzz, but the Boneshaker sticks around.

 

[FunkHead]

It's a really interesting pedal that doesn't quite operate the way people think it will. It's probably the best analog bass distortion pedal I've used. These days I prefer the Carcosa fuzz, but the Boneshaker sticks around.

I'll definitely have to check out the Carcosa.

 

[Killing Floor]

Thissun

I keep buying flangers because I just think something with a freaking knob will be better. But they’re not.
And bonus fat if it’s on but not engaged there’s fantastic old world warble.

 

[Alexander Silva]

The following three pedals surprised me in a good way

The discontinued Hartke VXL is a great preamp-DI box it comes with a saturation and an enchancer circuit for a small bit of grind or sparkle or warmth depending on how it is set up, it also sports a blend knob, 2 band eq and a mid scoop switch (which I never use, if I was more of a slapper I could have dug that though)
Built like a tank. Got it for 50 euro, exceeded my expectations

Ashdown Dual band Bass Compressor: Another tank, very musical analog dualband comp if you know how to set it up

Valeton Bass Strip: Dirt Cheap preamp Di for those gigs that could involve spillage on your stuff. Very Usable analog solution including Comp,chorus,octaver, envelope filter eq and tuner.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I'll definitely have to check out the Carcosa.

I run the Carcosa as if it were a standard distortion with more fuzz flavoring. On bass, keep the toggle down.

 

[JimmyM]

Believe it or not, my two entries come from our good friends at Ampeg:

Modern Scrambler standalone—-It’s not a pedal for everyone because by itself it can come off a little cold, plus I didn’t think it was implemented as well as it could have been in the BA amps and SCR DI. But the standalone fixes the issues I had in the amps and DI, and I totally dig its edgy vibe. Didn’t hurt that it legit pulled off sounding like a cranked SVT, albeit with the usual caveats that it has no tubes so it’s not quite the same. Beats frying tubes and ears, though.

OptoComp: For me, I like it best when it’s just barely on enough to warm the low end up and make it sound bigger without going full mud. Other settings get a little squishy but that setting I had sounds awesome. Wish I could remember it but I haven’t been fond of comps for the most part, and I no longer have it. Still, if I ever decide to try it again, it’s on the short list for sure.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Again - FDECK HPF, EHX LPB-1. OK, that's 3 (or 4) posts I've "plugged" these in! Any more and I'll be guilty of overhyping!

The Bar Band Bassman

 

[Ziltoid]

CCP pedals are by far the most underappreciated and underproduced pedals.

 

[djmay]

The kits at musikding.de. Website in English as well as German and they ship everywhere. I had not soldered in 30 years and was able to build 2 kits.
1. Vong Filterung, which is a HPF and LPF with selectable frequencies.
2. PedalPCB Pro-Filter, which is a variable state filter (LPF, HPF and BPF) with selectable frequency and resonance controls.

All the components are included, plus you can order a pre-drilled enclosure and control knobs.

I am no electronics expert. If I can do it, anyone can.

I built these kits as an alternative to my Alembic SF-2. The two kits together are an acceptable alternative for those that cannot find a SF-2.

 

[Obese Chess]

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It's a really interesting pedal that doesn't quite operate the way people think it will. It's probably the best analog bass distortion pedal I've used. These days I prefer the Carcosa fuzz, but the Boneshaker sticks around.

Could someone fill me in?

 

[elpancho]

HPF/LPF, just got me Broughton as well.

 

[DuluthDank]

The problem is that I'm such a talkbass trend follower, those are the only pedals I buy.

 

[Parzival]

The problem is that I'm such a talkbass trend follower, those are the only pedals I buy.

The FOMO is strong.

 

[HelpImaRock]

Could someone fill me in?

Take a DOD Supra Distortion and modify it with an active EQ inserted between the gain stages, and focus the frequency response on bass and baritone guitars. The depth is an HPF. The gain gets noisy around 3 o'clock on the dial, but it's a great distortion/boost.