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Who runs Bass -> Cable -> Amp ... no effects?

#61
When using my B-15 or B-25, it's just bass --> cable --> amp.

When I'm using my Bergantino IP112, it's bass --> cable --> Linden EQ --> TrueVoice Pre --> Bergantino. The Linden + TV = B-15 or B-25 head essentially.
 
#62
I started off doing no effects. I eventually got a tuner for those necessary occasions, and had it modded to true bypass to keep the "pure" tone of my bass. However, playing in a modern rock band with one guitarist while many of our contemporaries use 2 or 3 to make the same types of sounds made me realize I needed something more to kind of thicken up the sound while the guitarist was doing solos and such. To that end, I started with an overdrive pedal, and from there, its been a lot of fun trying things out, adding in new pedals and such. I'm at the point now where we can't play a show without me having the effects board because it's become an essential part of our music (I do a lot of looping/layering). It really depends on your gigging situation I guess.
 
#65
I spent all of last year playing around with tone sucking effects.

I finally realized that I was trying to find the SVT tube tone that I used to have before switching to solid state amps. I had Sansamps, Sonic Mazimizers, EQ, you name it.

Now..... Bass (Stingray, Precision or Sadowsky) ---> Ampeg SVT-CL. Done.

You know the amazing thing? I get more complements about my tone now that I ever did with all of the effects.

DISCLAIMER: I will USE A MXR Auto-Q for a couple of funky tunes (rare because I always forget to bring it to gigs!) from time to time if I am in the mood.
 
#66
I'm a Bass/Cable/Amp guy myself. I do have a "Tuner out" on my amp to a Planet Waves Tuner on the floor. I also have a Mute/EQ on/off footswitch for my amp. I do have an effects loop if I choose to.

I Run a '95 USA P-Bass or a Ibby SR535 5'er into a Peavey Pro-500 head and Pro-410 cab. Planet Waves cables all the way around.


I have tried a TON of effects, but just aren't for me or my band. I have a few pedals around, but don't use em. Will one day!
 
#67
No effects for me either. I guess any grit or grind I need I've been able to get from my amps. I like to have a clean,tight bottom end and like to keep things simple. Why spend all the money on good amp/speaker tone just to mess it up with a $50 distortion pedal? My guitar players have enough effects for the band plus the effects on the vocals,somebody besides the drummer has to cut through the noise and give the band a groove and direction.

Peavey Millennium 5 plus>Bayou cable>GK 1001RB-II>Dr Bass 310 neo

I'm not against effects, I've just never took the time to use them or thought they would work for the music I play. I used to have a Trace Elliot dual compressor pedal and have had a Sans Amp BDDI but have figured out how to get my tone without them.
 
#68
I have tried to like/use/need them, but every time I try them outside of my house, they sound crappy. I play in a 4 piece cover band and the guitar an dkeyboard guy have plenty of effects so I have always kept my signal "clean" and left th efancy stuff for them.

I have been thinking about adding effects, but maybe this thread will keep me from doing so. I really don't need them for most of the cover stuff, and my other gigs are straight forward jazz. I do play in a on again off again funky jam band where I could maybe use them, but...

Maybe simple is better.
 
#71
My setup:

P bass -> Monster cable (hey, it was on sale!) -> SansAmp RBI -> 1-foot 1/4" instrument cable -> Crown CE1000 -> 3-foot, 12 gauge Speakon cable -> Schroeder 1212 cabinet

I used to use a Zoom digital effects box, but I decided it took away too much and added too little to my sound. I very rarely (like twice a year) use a Boss Bass Chorus box. And then every time I use it I ask myself "Why am I putting that in my signal chain?" I tune before each set by plugging my bass into a tuner. Then I put the tuner away until the next set break.

I play mostly blues and classic rock, and good old naked P bass sounds the best for these genres, IMHO.
 
#78
No effects pedals.
My basses (all 5's with active elex) plug directly into my Trace Elliott V-Type pre -> DBX266XL 2-channel rack compressor -> Stewart PA1000 -> Carvin 2X10"w/HF horn + Carvin 1X18".

So the DBX compressor could be considered an "effect" but it has bypass selectors. I generally use it with light compression settings and it cleans up the sound nicely, and gives it a nice tight snap.

Love the tone. I don't even put a tuner in the line (my basses all stay in tune even through long sets).
 
#79
My Spector Rebop goes directly to amp.
If i need a different tone i just change the pre settings on the bass, or on the amp, or both, depending the sound i want.

With my old bass -which i plan to make piccolo in a few days- i use the zoom B2 to give it more "life" since it's not that good sounding nor versatile :)
 

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