• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

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

#122
I go right into the amp, except for rare occasions when I use either an octaver or a chorus. And in those cases, I actually prefer to patch those in and out for the individual songs! (Kind of silly of me, probably...)
 
#123
BCA (bass-cord-amp) ... well sometimes, used to be ALL the time.

When sitting in or playing with someone elses band then I'm BCA

Never one to be a total "purist" I'll use whatever it takes to make it work with
my own band ...

As others have said in a three piece band setting as I have to deal with, there
can be a lot of space to fill, so yes I use some effects, which is pretty unusual
in a blues based band I hear (no other bass player I know does this).

Anyway here is the reason for my effects vs no-effects ... I used to use an Ampeg SVT
with 4x10s then switched to GK heads (that growl thing) and 4x10s then to smaller EA
2x8 cabs. The grunt and growl gave way to a very clean sound as I made the switch to
Mark Bass and Genz Shuttle amps and my own MOjO Sonic cabs (which are pretty Hi Fi)
I still needed the grunt and growl sometimes, hence pedals to do the job.

They include OD/Fuzz, Octave down, TubeSim compression, and 4 phase roto vibe.

:) ... Still the sound of BCA is great in most settings.
 
#125
I've been a bass->cord->amp guy for a lotta years.
Still am in my bands - no call for alternate sounds in those contexts.

I've started looping, though, and am about to start looping performances.
In those contexts, electronic modification of signal is a fun game, and bass is merely one input of sound. So in that case I'm starting to use pedals, and am enjoying the game.
 
#129
Unless a tune calls for something really specific like a synth or wah, no FX for me.

I've lately started to really appreciate how much can be done with simple EQing. Even a modest amp has a lot of tonal textures (bite, smoothness, mojo, whatever) if you take the time to learn when to give and take in what freq bands for a given song, instrumentation, and venue.

I started with the FAQ in the TB forums and immediately saw a huge improvement and great variety of tones with just the EQ. Thanks to all who contributed to that!

I am playing a stock Cort "Elrick" 4 string through a GK MB150 combo with an added Bag End S15D cab. It sounds very, very good. Oh, I also use the boost knob for some tunes.

I play in a cover band doing a variety of tunes ranging from grunge to Stray Cats rockabilly to reggae/ska-like Roxanne to dirty ZZ Top to Edie Brickell(!) sounds - Nothin' but amp and EQing.

On the other hand, if one needs to change EQ a lot for every tune, one might view a pedal as quick way to get the needed sound live. I just like to keep it simple and avoid pedals except for those things I simply can't do via EQ.
 
#130
I have a few nice ebs effects - valvedrive, compressor, and iq - along with a boss phase + tuner - All very useful for my style in one band. I do find myself going straight through most of the time - I have an eden pedal and the boss tuner connect to the back of my amp which is a plus so I can always varied tones and tune. I like having effects because it's nice to have some variation if you like to improv jam or play experimental. A nice distortion is a delight for any rocker.
 
#131
Bluesy Soul said:
IME, intermittently or not al all. I've heard many wireless units inject their own snap, crackle or pop--or someone else's radio transmission--into the signal chain.

Bluesy Soul :cool:
Click to expand...

Agreed. I was just teasing Elemetal's over his (to me) red herring "effects loop = no pedals" observation. It seemed obvious to me that the point of this discussion was whether or not to *use effects*, regardless of whether they're in little boxes on the floor or in a rack going through a loop.
 
#138
I do when I play fretted bass, I use a chorus for fretless, but it's in the effects loop.

A year ago, I was using MF-102 MoogerFooger Ring Modulator, Boss BF-2 and BF-3 Flangers, Boss Bass Chorus CEB-3 and Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor. Since I've gone to my passive Jazz I no longer run any effects because of the signal loss, with active bass I had no problems.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back