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Who else gets hated on for using distortions?

#21
When my current band started last year I made it known that I was searching for a constant bass crunch and at times a moog-like fuzz bass sound. (Along the way I had to upgrade every speaker I use to handle the vibration of low freq distortion) The guitarist had just changed from using 3 echoplex multitrack loopers, a zvex distortion and Digitech space station (way over $1000 of effects) to a Fender tele direct into a vintage 1968 Marshall and Just his fingers!--his first Marshall, btw, so he's happy. As long as I don't use a chorus, he loves my sound. He didn't care for the Noise Box's filter, but neither did I.
 
#22
I just play whatever, whenever. I've been known to use sounds that aren't normally associated with a type of music. I have on occasion popped out the heavy fuzz in country, or the envalope filter on rock. The folks I play with don't mind as long as its musical.

Why does the community in general look at it from the perspective of certain effects are ok and others not ok in certain styles. I guess I'm not a fan of boxes; if an octaver, an overdrive and a flanger improve the song I use them, regardless of genre.
 
#23
Nobody has expressed any hatred toward me for using distortion; though I only use mild overdrive so it's not so crunchy. One guitarist in my band and I frequently tease the other guitarist about his distortion, though. He stomps on the box with such passion and it sounds so crumby. He seems to be content with a horrible sounding distortion box. It really gets me down at times because his bad sound paired with the other guitarist's mediocre sound makes the mix sound chaotic and gross. That's another reason I avoid full-on distortion in favor of thick and clean tone (and mild overdrive on certain songs).
 
#24
different tools for different craftmanship... luckily i've always been able to jam with musicians who are open minded and never have the problem of straying ego. i've proven to my fellow musicians that i can craft my bass playing and effects to suit the art of a song as a whole. they have proven to me the same of their instruments. it's about headspace and communication and understanding the scope of the artistic goal.

if i ended up jamming with someone who had a strong negative opinion on my use of distortion or fuzz - just the presence of it, 1) i likely wouldn't be jamming with them for long and 2) i'd add another distortion to the board with each practice. :bassist:
 
#25
Well--To my taste most guitarist use way too much distortion (and other effects) when playing live. I would bet there is a tendancy for bass players that use distortion to do so as well. I think many times this is to cover up sloppy lead guitar playing :rollno:. Warming up the tone a bit is fine but if it is over done in a live setting you basically can get a wall of sound that isn't very musical. You can definately end up covering up the vocals and making it difficult to tell the difference between notes and pitches. Hearing what note you are playing can difficult enough with bass played live already. Of course if you are into metal or hardcore rock maybe that is OK. Those gigs mainly turn into sausage fests so I would stay away from that on principle.:D
 
#28
Smurf-o-Deth said:
I have a hard-on for using distortion, is that close enough?

Maybe I'll start the "distortion makes me chub club."
Click to expand...


If you do, can I get a number?

I have my Tech 21 Tri A.C. always on, my "clean tone" is pretty gainy but when I play fingerstyle it gets pretty smoothed out. When I grab a pick though and switch to my "distortion" channel for our bands more aggressive rock songs, my and my guitarists tone blend into this sonic monster and we both love it. I also love how this "guitar" pedal tightens and thickens up my low end.

My band actually got mad at me when I returned a Way Huge Pork Loin (bought it with money I didn't really have), they loved that pedal as much as I did. My bandmates I think the Tech 21 is better, that purple pedal had major bawls.
 
#32
Personally, I think if you are pushing someone out of their comfort zone, than you are succeeding as an artist. I use "gentle overdrive" on just about every song my band plays and flat out distortion on a few. I don't use fuzz, but would if the situation arose where I thought it would work well. I'm lucky to have a band that doesn't try to infringe on my sound or my contribution to every song. My guitar player actually got nervous when, before a gig, I said I might strip down and leave pedals behind. He said "it's part of our sound", and basically I allow him to explore playing he couldn't if I was just playing low root notes through an undistorted rig. So my rambling point is, who is to say that your distortion level is too much? You are the only one that can answer that. If they don't like it, they can adjust or leave. Just my $0.02
 
#33
Maybe try "overdrive" instead of "distortion". There is a huge difference. Could be that you are really after an overdriven tone anyhow. Who knows? YOU may like it better!
VT Bass, Sansamp Bass Driver, or the Behringer BDI-21 would be great choices to try.
 
#34
Jared Lash said:
I generally go with the rule that when the guitar is distorted or fuzzed out, the bass shouldn't be and vice versa. But of course that's just a guideline and can be broken any time it sounds good.............if it adds positively to the song it's the right effect and if it hurts the song it's the wrong one.
Click to expand...
+1, good common sense advice.

Try it with and without, go with what sounds best for that song.
 
#36
I use the natural drive of my bass head to give me the slight growl I need. No complaints. Most bands I have played in needed a growl/clean type sound anyways, so I never had a need to use a bass distortion pedal of any sort. Personally, I would use a pedal if the music called for it, and I would use it tastefully. My view of playing in a band is a group of fellas who blend all their instruments together to get the band sound the band desires, which involves team work. Using a pedal to override the guitarist or the rest of the band has other priorities in the band, and can work against the bass player. I have seen bass players spend thousands of dollars on pedals just to out-do the guitar player, only to get kicked out of the band. If the band is cool with your sound, and if the sound is complimentative to the band's idea of their sound, then all is fine. If not, it will create pissing matches in your band down the road.
 

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