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Yamaha NE-1... Anyone?

#3
The NE-1 is only sort of parametric--it only scoops mids, and it only scoops in three specific ways. So if you're tight on money, just use the EQ on your bass or your amp to scoop the mids a bit. If you get some money together, try a different EQ pedal that has a bypass switch.
 
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#4
Bought one on the TB classified to see if it lived up to the hype. It had some good tones, but nothing that tweaking with my onboard eq couldn't come close to. I used to use my loop pedal to turn it on/off, so that part was alright.

After a couple of months, I ended up selling it. It's okay, but nothing spectacular.
 
#7
It's just a semi-parametric mid control, however, when judiciously implemented, it will enable you to play exactly like Nathan East.

Seriously, it's a decent piece of kit if you're looking for variations on the mid-scooped jazz tone. I like what it does for my Yamaha Gumby P5-II tone-wise. It wouldn't be too useful for a loud rock gig or the like. You need the mids to sit in the mix.
 
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#8
I know Max at SFX has made a version of it (I think its on his website) that basically fixes the couple of issues with the pedal:

1. It has no "on/off" switch;

2. Its only got about 1 or 2 good settings and most of its range sounds like ass.

That said, at its good setting, it does sound great and its a tidy piece of kit. I have one that I keep meaning to put up for sale, but they are pretty cheap and it wouldn't be worth the postage from the UK to the US to try it out anyway.
 
#9
It doesn't have an on/off switch, but it does have a flat setting. I think you'd be hard-pressed to tell much difference between flat and completely bypassed. As for battery life, it lasts forever. I got mine 5 years ago, and have used it alot. Haven't changed the battery yet.

Yes, it is a simple box, but what it does it does very well IMO.
 
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#10
At the time it was introduced or shortly after, there were at least two half-rack multi-band parametric EQs around that were capable of cuts and boosts, and I think maybe with shelving available on the outer bands if desired. And I don't think they cost but maybe $20 or $30 more - though I am rather foggy on all this, my impression then was that the Yamaha unit wouldn't be the route I'd travel.

I don't know what's available these days because I always buy preamps that have flexible EQ already, but surely things haven't gone too badly backwards.
 
#11
Yeah, I was a little skeptical about it. It kind of seemed like a way for Nathan East and Yamaha to try and bring in some extra loot. But I was hopeful, his tone on "She's Gone" from Clapton's One More Car, One More Rider is amazing, and a tone I'd love to have.

I'll probably give it a shot next time I'm in a store, just to check it out.

Thanks guys
 
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#12
I had one and agree with people here that said it is a cut-only parametric EQ that gives you what you can get with a little onbard bass/amp eqing.

Used it to tame a muddy amp I had. The onboard EQ in that amp (a little Orange Crush 35b) didn't cut the lowmids and I wanted a clear sound out of that amp. I had the NE-1 set to cut low mids, in the shallow setting.

Bummer is that there's no on/off switch and no 9v power in. Batteries lasted a long time, but I'd have liked it more if I could rely in a power supply. There are mods to install true bypass switching, as well the 9v power in.
 
#13
I just scored one of these in mint condition at Music Go Round, complete with box and manual fior $50. Sweet pedal. Really let's you dial in that Ampeg "ultra lo" sound found on a 70's B-15 & SVT (which is actually a mid cut around 600). Incidentally, this is the same as the "ultra mid" setting found on the B-100R. When used correctly, it sounds really nice. Using it on my Ampeg Baby Bass cleaned up some of the mid range honkiness in the diaphram pickup, and also allowed me to boost the signal to a useable level. Only bad thing I can say is that it would have been nice to have a bypass switch, but other than that it's a great pedal.
 
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#14
One Bad Monkey said:
Bought one on the TB classified to see if it lived up to the hype. It had some good tones, but nothing that tweaking with my onboard eq couldn't come close to. I used to use my loop pedal to turn it on/off, so that part was alright.

After a couple of months, I ended up selling it. It's okay, but nothing spectacular.
Click to expand...

Felt the same way (that's why I sold it to him :) )
 
#18
I made great experiences with it during rehearsals, while playing in various rooms with acoustic problems. It's also a good tool for recordings, also with guitar.

However, live I tried it once or twice and during soundcheck the FOH guy never was satisfied with my tone up to the point where I simply took it out of my signalchain. Then I heard a big "aaaah, now we're talking" and that was it for the NE-1 in my live-setting.

But it's a thing I won't give away.
 
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#19
aledeville said:
I made great experiences with it during rehearsals, while playing in various rooms with acoustic problems. It's also a good tool for recordings, also with guitar.

However, live I tried it once or twice and during soundcheck the FOH guy never was satisfied with my tone up to the point where I simply took it out of my signalchain. Then I heard a big "aaaah, now we're talking" and that was it for the NE-1 in my live-setting.

But it's a thing I won't give away.
Click to expand...

Thank you I am going to give it a try and if I don't like it - I will sell it here, not a big pedal fan, although I have accumulated a few since joining here!
 

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