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Whammy alternative?

#4
It depends partly on what kinds of features you covet in the Bass Whammy.

Generally, the Digitech Whammy IV is great on bass. The tone and tracking are a little different, but it does the job just fine. The main "problem" is that it lacks a few of the settings that most people buy the Bass Whammy for in the first place (such as the 5th Up / 1 Octave Up harmony). The Digitech XP-100 Whammy/Wah is another alternative which does have the features of the Bass Whammy, but doesn't track as well as the dedicated Whammy pedals do.

The Boss PS-3 Pitch Shifter/Delay is a discontinued pedal that, with an expression pedal, can perform any of the pitch-shift functions of any Whammy pedal, plus more. However, it has a very unusual tone and feel. IMO, the PS-3 is better used for its crazy modes and chorus sounds than for its expression-pedal-based pitch shifting feature. Its radically different successor, the Boss PS-5 Super Shifter, is better for harmonies but is limited on what it can do for pitch shifting.

And then there's the Eventide Pitchfactor - an expensive and crazy beast of a pedal that I'm currently checking out now: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=545490&highlight=pitchfactor
 
#5
MysticBoo said:
It depends partly on what kinds of features you covet in the Bass Whammy.

Generally, the Digitech Whammy IV is great on bass. The tone and tracking are a little different, but it does the job just fine. The main "problem" is that it lacks a few of the settings that most people buy the Bass Whammy for in the first place (such as the 5th Up / 1 Octave Up harmony). The Digitech XP-100 Whammy/Wah is another alternative which does have the features of the Bass Whammy, but doesn't track as well as the dedicated Whammy pedals do.

The Boss PS-3 Pitch Shifter/Delay is a discontinued pedal that, with an expression pedal, can perform any of the pitch-shift functions of any Whammy pedal, plus more. However, it has a very unusual tone and feel. IMO, the PS-3 is better used for its crazy modes and chorus sounds than for its expression-pedal-based pitch shifting feature. Its radically different successor, the Boss PS-5 Super Shifter, is better for harmonies but is limited on what it can do for pitch shifting.

And then there's the Eventide Pitchfactor - an expensive and crazy beast of a pedal that I'm currently checking out now: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=545490&highlight=pitchfactor
Click to expand...


What modes on the PS-3 work with an expression pedal?
 
#7
bovine mind said:
What modes on the PS-3 work with an expression pedal?
Click to expand...

Only the last one (Mode 11, IIRC). I wrote a review a long time ago about the pedal, and Chronicle wrote up his own more recent review of it.

In that mode, you can set the start pitch of the sweep with the Pitch A knob and stop pitch of the sweep with the Pitch B knob. Using the Balance knob, you can create a pure whammy effect (100% effect) or harmony effect (any other mix above 0%).
 
#8
MysticBoo said:
Only the last one (Mode 11, IIRC). I wrote a review a long time ago about the pedal, and Chronicle wrote up his own more recent review of it.

In that mode, you can set the start pitch of the sweep with the Pitch A knob and stop pitch of the sweep with the Pitch B knob. Using the Balance knob, you can create a pure whammy effect (100% effect) or harmony effect (any other mix above 0%).
Click to expand...

Thanks, fantastic review. My only complaint with pitch shifting is the harsh digital tonality involved. I too used to use a Stingray and found it difficult to warm up the scratchy, thin, cold sound. Tube amp, rolling off the highs, switching to a Ripper, and a little reverb has helped. Do you have any other suggestions?
 
#9
Beyond what you suggested, not really. As far as my old clips go: my Stingray is currently not set up at all like it was when those recordings were done. I experiment with different setups from time to time (i.e., changing action, strings, etc.), and that was during one of those experiments.

The sound of the PS-3 is on the thin side, and its digital nature is impossible to mask without mid boosting and some overdrive. I've found that the Bass Whammy is something else entirely, and I don't have the problems I had with the PS-3, tone-wise. But to be fair, I'm into the digital glitchiness, and I've been known to emphasize it with a little treble boosting. :D

Come to think of it... delay helps quite a bit too, if you're into that.
 
#10
Hmm, seems like I'm going to have to spring for a Whammy or the pitchfactor. It would cost roughly the same for me to do that rather than get the PS-3 w/ an expression pedal and a PS-5 I think. Guess the new question is, Pitchfactor or Whammy?
 
#12
RHCP250 said:
Hmm, seems like I'm going to have to spring for a Whammy or the pitchfactor. It would cost roughly the same for me to do that rather than get the PS-3 w/ an expression pedal and a PS-5 I think. Guess the new question is, Pitchfactor or Whammy?
Click to expand...

The Pitchfactor is indeed almost as expensive as most Bass whammys on eBay, but it's soooo worth it. The Whammy is nice but it's tracking on chords, lower notes, and tone[to some] is not exactly awesome. Trust me, as someone who was in your shoes, tried all the mentioned pedals, currently has a Bass Whammy and Eventide PF, the PF is so much win.
 
#20
I like alot of players went looking for a Bass Whammy only to be turned away by $500-$700 bay pricing.

I bought a used Whammy IV at a music store for $129 and got a few months use out of it before buying a Whammy II $230 buy out.

I could not believe the difference ....the II provides a better tone and tracking (for bass) than the IV does as well as having the foot switchable mode select the IV does not have . I wish had found this information before buying the whammy IV...I could have saved myself a couple bucks.

IB
 

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