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Way Huge Swollen Pickle Price Drop?

CPplaysBASS

CPplaysBASS

Mar 17, 2007
1,021
1,780
Ontario
theradiosonics.com
#1
I was going to happily buy the Swollen Pickle regardless since I've been over the moon with my Pork Loin for over a year (and have given up on my Bass Big Muff Pi).

I was surprised to see it only cost $124.99 online on most US sites, and even more surprised to see it for $119 at a major Canadian store (Steve's Music).

I always shop at Long & McQuade though since it's close to home and they have a very generous "return it before 30 days no questions asked" policy (have used it often).

Anyway, brand-spanking new Way Huge Swollen Pickle for $99!! Not a sale or anything. Mk II version.

Anyone else noticing if Way Huge is dropping prices significantly?
 
#4
bass_snake said:
Hey Clarence! :) where did you see it for $99?

Richie
Click to expand...


Any Long & McQuade .... they don't list it on their website, but it's in their store's system as the regular price they are selling it at, so all locations coast to coast will be the same price.

Gave it a quick run through tonight. Definitely a keeper, much richer complex tone than the Bass Big Muff Pi. HIghly preferred.

To be honest, my very first impression was that it may be a bit too much ... the thing really roars. But then again, my problem with the Muff was it often disappeared in a band mix. I can't imagine having that problem with the Swollen Pickle (will find out on a gig this weekend).

The more I played it and got my ears calibrated to it (I'm just soooo used to the tone of the Muff), the more I got excited by it.
 
#5
I love my SP but it pisses me off sometimes with the finicky volume control where it can get way too loud or too quiet. Usually too loud, especially if I accidentaly move the knob with my foot while reaching for the delay pedal above it. I might have to fix my board by tilting it a bit or train switching my pedals on/off without messing up.
 
#6
Yeah ... I use a passive Fender Jazz and unity gain is achieved with the Loudness control just a hair above "off"! lol But in a band mix, perhaps I'll need some of that headroom.

Liking it a lot though ... the white noise is noticeably higher compared to the Bass Big Muff Pi, but I guess that's the trade off for "jumbo fuzz" and a more dynamic tone. I feel confident enough about it to semi-permanently stick some velcro on the back of it :)
 
#9
CPplaysBASS said:
Any Long & McQuade .... they don't list it on their website, but it's in their store's system as the regular price they are selling it at, so all locations coast to coast will be the same price.

Gave it a quick run through tonight. Definitely a keeper, much richer complex tone than the Bass Big Muff Pi. HIghly preferred.

To be honest, my very first impression was that it may be a bit too much ... the thing really roars. But then again, my problem with the Muff was it often disappeared in a band mix. I can't imagine having that problem with the Swollen Pickle (will find out on a gig this weekend).

The more I played it and got my ears calibrated to it (I'm just soooo used to the tone of the Muff), the more I got excited by it.
Click to expand...

Got the pickle yesterday and having trouble getting used to it... playing with the settings abit.. i dont mind the BBM at all.. infact that with the vt bass on to actually sounds wicked. not sure what to do about the Pickle... might see if i can trade for a Pork Loin. Thoughts? Is it possible its to much for my 100W amp to handle?

(have asked this question elsewhere without an answer yet, sorry ha)
 
#10
G3Mitch said:
Got the pickle yesterday and having trouble getting used to it... playing with the settings abit.. i dont mind the BBM at all.. infact that with the vt bass on to actually sounds wicked. not sure what to do about the Pickle... might see if i can trade for a Pork Loin. Thoughts? Is it possible its to much for my 100W amp to handle?

(have asked this question elsewhere without an answer yet, sorry ha)
Click to expand...

It's taking me some getting used to as well. I liked the tone of the BBM alot until I played live and I would disappear in the mix. I've now done four shows with the Swollen Pickle ... I'm really really trying to like it but I'm still disappearing in the mix live (cover band ... "Crawl" Kings of Leon, "Starlight" Muse, "Little Sister" QOTSA, "Bounce" Danko Jones).

I think I might have figured it out halfway through the final song I used it on this past Saturday ... I was playing my Fender Jazz and I usually have the tone knob three-quarters turned favouring the treble. My volume knobs were already on full, so I cranked the treble and I was cutting through then, but can't really recall what the overall tone was like ... nothing like spending an entire song playing with knobs.

I haven't given up on it just yet, but I am having to work with it a lot more to find the magic spot than I thought I would. Next band rehearsal will be decision day!

Pork Loin btw is a completely different beast ... built for mild overdrive. Can get fuzzy, but not what it does best. Mine is on all the time ... fave pedal of all time, which is why I thought the Swollen Pickle was going to be heaven (again, it still might be ...)

As for the Swollen Pickle overpowering a 100W amp ... the pedal definitely has an insane amount of volume that is extremely sensitive ... from OK volume to stupid loud by moving the knob a hair. But the volume is adjustable so you just set it accordingly. I use mine practicing into a headphone amp no problem.
 
#11
CPplaysBASS said:
It's taking me some getting used to as well. I liked the tone of the BBM alot until I played live and I would disappear in the mix. I've now done four shows with the Swollen Pickle ... I'm really really trying to like it but I'm still disappearing in the mix live (cover band ... "Crawl" Kings of Leon, "Starlight" Muse, "Little Sister" QOTSA, "Bounce" Danko Jones).

I think I might have figured it out halfway through the final song I used it on this past Saturday ... I was playing my Fender Jazz and I usually have the tone knob three-quarters turned favouring the treble. My volume knobs were already on full, so I cranked the treble and I was cutting through then, but can't really recall what the overall tone was like ... nothing like spending an entire song playing with knobs.

I haven't given up on it just yet, but I am having to work with it a lot more to find the magic spot than I thought I would. Next band rehearsal will be decision day!

Pork Loin btw is a completely different beast ... built for mild overdrive. Can get fuzzy, but not what it does best. Mine is on all the time ... fave pedal of all time, which is why I thought the Swollen Pickle was going to be heaven (again, it still might be ...)

As for the Swollen Pickle overpowering a 100W amp ... the pedal definitely has an insane amount of volume that is extremely sensitive ... from OK volume to stupid loud by moving the knob a hair. But the volume is adjustable so you just set it accordingly. I use mine practicing into a headphone amp no problem.
Click to expand...

thats with the pickle going into VT bass aswell, its not clear enough almost to fuzzy(never thought id say that). Havent really found the scoop/crunch knobs to useful.. they are sitting at 0 atm, if i tweak them it breaks up/fuzz cuts in and out quite bad. i suppose this is all down to taste aswell. I really really wana like it to..! but its not looking good.

Whats your experience with BBM into Pork Loin?
I like the sound of a mild overdrive, but i dont want to trade it and get this same sorta boomy low end im getting with the swollen pickle.
 
#12
Try the Pork Loin in front of the BBM. Pork Loin is not boomy regardless, but the EQ Curve function on the Pork Loin adds a nice mid-range boost to the BBM.

Like I said before, I always have my Pork Loin on so I would have it on the same time as the BBM. The Swollen Pickle, I find, is a monster all on its own, so I switch the Pork Loin off before engaging the Pickle.

Search reviews on the Pork Loin ... most use it for the same reason I do. Adds some tube character to a solid state amp. Mild grit.
 
#14
Lebowsky said:
I bought one new for 89$ on an ebay shop a few weeks ago as well.

there are some good settings suggestions here btw: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f36/swolen-pickle-suggested-settings-673171/
Click to expand...

Many thanks ... I'm usually adequate at using the search function, but managed to miss that link. Thank to Vegas532, BlastJV and ChJohnSt as well for posting their personal settings! I tried them all, and ended up closest to BlastJV and did some recording ... will post some clips soon.

Edit: Clips posted here ... http://youtu.be/dRoxVrvCbU8
 

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