Will Ampeg SCR-DI be all I need?

[Herr]

Hello talkbass,

Longtime lurker, first time poster here..
I have zero experience with effects/pedals or DI (always been a plug straight in the amp guy), but now I am trying to broaden my horizons in the world of distortion. I have been very interested in the new Ampeg SCR-DI because of the practise-option with headphones and audio-in feature, and from reading these forums a lot, having a DI seems almost a necessity. But I am especially trying to give my sound a bit of color, what I am looking for is the JJ Burnel (or Rob Wright when he's using a bit milder distortion) sound. I doesn't have to be an exact replica, but a ballpark level of crunch/breakup like these guys (I am not looking for buzzsaw Lemmy, although I really like it with him, it's not what I'm personally going for). So, now the real question: will the Ampeg be enough or am I going to need some additional Fuzz/OD pedal.

Thanks in advance

 

[willbassyeah]

Hello talkbass,

Longtime lurker, first time poster here..
I have zero experience with effects/pedals or DI (always been a plug straight in the amp guy), but now I am trying to broaden my horizons in the world of distortion. I have been very interested in the new Ampeg SCR-DI because of the practise-option with headphones and audio-in feature, and from reading these forums a lot, having a DI seems almost a necessity. But I am especially trying to give my sound a bit of color, what I am looking for is the JJ Burnel (or Rob Wright when he's using a bit milder distortion) sound. I doesn't have to be an exact replica, but a ballpark level of crunch/breakup like these guys (I am not looking for buzzsaw Lemmy, although I really like it with him, it's not what I'm personally going for). So, now the real question: will the Ampeg be enough or am I going to need some additional Fuzz/OD pedal.

Thanks in advance

Really depends whether you like the sound of the ampeg scrambler circuit.

If you think it sounds good then the scrdi is all you need but if you have the od from the scrambler then another od pedal might be needed.

 

[blindrabbit]

Hello talkbass,

Longtime lurker, first time poster here..
I have zero experience with effects/pedals or DI (always been a plug straight in the amp guy), but now I am trying to broaden my horizons in the world of distortion. I have been very interested in the new Ampeg SCR-DI because of the practise-option with headphones and audio-in feature, and from reading these forums a lot, having a DI seems almost a necessity. But I am especially trying to give my sound a bit of color, what I am looking for is the JJ Burnel (or Rob Wright when he's using a bit milder distortion) sound. I doesn't have to be an exact replica, but a ballpark level of crunch/breakup like these guys (I am not looking for buzzsaw Lemmy, although I really like it with him, it's not what I'm personally going for). So, now the real question: will the Ampeg be enough or am I going to need some additional Fuzz/OD pedal.

Thanks in advance

Welcome to TB!

I think that if you are wanting/needing the headphones out, audio in, DI, and dirt all in one pedal, then your options are going to be pretty limited (and may honestly be only the Ampeg). But, if you are willing to look at separate pedals for those things, or maybe even starting with a dirt pedal alone to work on that part of your tone first, you will have more options. For a "little bit" of colour, consider a Fairfield Barbershop, which I do believe is actually fairly available over in the EU. Good luck!

 

[40Hz]

I'm not a big dirt fan.But I recently tried the EHX Bass Soul Food and thought it provided some nice complexity if used with a light touch and a good amp. Very affordable too.

I also think the Caitlinbread SFT pedal might be worth your checking out. It goes from sane to "rad" for your sound. Worth demoing if you like that old Ampeg SVT vibe.

The SCR-DI also has those two boost switches. They won't add dirt per se. But combined with the tone stack, they'll give you a pleasing amount of that vintage Ampeg sound- assuming you like that sort of thing.

I don't care at all for the sound of the "scrambler" circuit. But I seem to be in the minority - so take my opinion with a grain of salt on that point.

 

[Herr]

Welcome to TB!

I think that if you are wanting/needing the headphones out, audio in, DI, and dirt all in one pedal, then your options are going to be pretty limited (and may honestly be only the Ampeg). But, if you are willing to look at separate pedals for those things, or maybe even starting with a dirt pedal alone to work on that part of your tone first, you will have more options. For a "little bit" of colour, consider a Fairfield Barbershop, which I do believe is actually fairly available over in the EU. Good luck!

Thanks,
I have been considering the Barbershop for a while, and then I stumbled on the Ampeg and thought: well maybe all my "needs" are covered within this single pedal. And the Barbershop is available here in Holland (as well as the Ampeg) but it's rather expensive ($190) compared to the Ampeg ($275). Do you have any hands-on experience with one (or both) of these pedals? My main frustration is when they are reviewed the reviewer usually cranks the distortion way up and I am interested in a hair of crunch, just off-clean.

 

[Herr]

I'm not a big dirt fan.But I recently tried the EHX Bass Soul Food and thought it provided some nice complexity if used with a light touch and a good amp. Very affordable too.

I also think the Caitlinbread SFT pedal might be worth your checking out. It goes from sane to "rad" for your sound. Worth demoing if you like that old Ampeg SVT vibe.

The SCR-DI also has those two boost switches. They won't add dirt per se. But combined with the tone stack, they'll give you a pleasing amount of that vintage Ampeg sound- assuming you like that sort of thing.

I don't care at all for the sound of the "scrambler" circuit. But I seem to be in the minority - so take my opinion with a grain of salt on that point.

Have you got any experience with the Ampeg? Because I find it hard to find reviews (video) where they just add a touch of scramble, they almost always crank blend and drive way up, and as I said before am looking for just the threshold of dirt.

 

[Fab Superlative]

+1 for the Ampeg SCR-DI.
Most brick & mortar, stores will let you try out the gear before you buy. If you are having to order it either online or thru a storefront, the Ampeg, to me is still the best bet. I snagged an SCR-DI, when they first hit the streets, and it's a keeper. I feel that with the reviews you are referencing, the reviewers are having big fun with the pedal. That right there illustrates the intrinsic vibe of the Ampeg. If you decide that the Ampeg, is not for you (doubtful) reselling it will be a breeze.
FWIW, I also have a Barbershop, VT bass, SFT, etc, etc... the Ampeg, is getting the most use. It's like a Swiss, Army knife and all that.

 

[Herr]

The Ampeg is probably going to be the one I will buy first (maybe I was just looking for some conformation), I don't think there has been a single bad review on it. The thing is that here in Holland (or at least where I live) it's not easy to find these things in a store, so it's most of the time "special order with no return option" or you have to order online and deal with the hassle of sending it back. Would the distortion-side of the Ampeg not be exactly what I'm looking for I can still use it as a DI and experiment with added effect-pedals.

Anyway thank you all for the response and I'll let you know how it's turned out.

 

[40Hz]

Have you got any experience with the Ampeg? Because I find it hard to find reviews (video) where they just add a touch of scramble, they almost always crank blend and drive way up, and as I said before am looking for just the threshold of dirt.

Own one. I like the preamp. Especially the ultra-low switch setting. Don't like the scrambler. But I also own and grew up playing through an Ampeg B-15N. So that's almost always the bass sound I'm looking for (except louder) no matter what amp I'm plugging into. Most younger players, however, aren't as enamoured of that old-style sound as I am.

I haven't seen any videos where the person was using a light touch with the settings on an SCR-DI so I can't point you to any. If you find any, please be sure to post the link.

(Note: I'll never offer an opinion on something, or make a recommendation about it, unless I have direct personal experience with it. )

 

[blindrabbit]

Thanks,
I have been considering the Barbershop for a while, and then I stumbled on the Ampeg and thought: well maybe all my "needs" are covered within this single pedal. And the Barbershop is available here in Holland (as well as the Ampeg) but it's rather expensive ($190) compared to the Ampeg ($275). Do you have any hands-on experience with one (or both) of these pedals? My main frustration is when they are reviewed the reviewer usually cranks the distortion way up and I am interested in a hair of crunch, just off-clean.

Yes, I have extensive experience with the Barbershop, and it is one of my favourite pedals of all time. It will NAIL the tone you are looking for, perhaps better than any other pedal out there. I'd also recommend the Hudson Broadcast (available in the UK), but it is a bit more expensive. Sounds incredible though. Anyway, Ampeg stuff has never sounded good to my ears, so I won't recommend it, but other guys do like it, so check their opinions. If you wanted something almost like the Ampeg to accomplish your goals, I'd highly recommend the Aguilar Tone Hammer - warm/fat/crunchy tone plus a DI, but no headphone or line in.

 

[40Hz]

There's also SansAmp, who pretty much wrote the book on tone-shaping bass DIs.

 

[Lebowsky]

you'd be good to go with just one pedal like the Blueberry, SFT, Barbershop, ss/bs Mini, Solidgoldfx Beta, the Ampeg.. you have tons of options. The questions is whether you really need the headphone out and the DI or not. Personally, I don't need a DI live, and I use my home amp headphone out so...