Bass Effects and Amps

[gare]

I'll have to agree with Alan and Joey. Effects should be used to augment your sound and be almost transparent. Many times people use effects as their sound, which also has it's place in given tunes.  
About a year ago I saw band in  bar called Kopecky, 3 guys, extremely full sound, both the guitarist and bass player used alot of effects. (delays,chorus,reverb) The  sound was immpecable , nothing over done or overpowering.    
I've given up on stomp box effects..way to noisey.
Latey I've messed around alot with taking direct out of a 400+, into effects, power amp, cabinet(s). I really like this technique, your original sound stays 100% intact, and only a wet signal goes to the 2nd amp. Then it's a matter of adjusting volumes to taste. Of course it's not the most practical setup to drag around..but it is fun to experiment.
Gary  

[s_wood]

Every once in a while I'll do a project that calls for effects, and over the years I've accumulated a decent collection.  Here's what I've learned:
 
1.  Never run your effects on a straight line between your bass and your amp.  Most effects don't have a true bypass, so they are in your circuit and killing your tone even when they are off.  Invest in a good A/B box with an effects loop.  That way, when you don't need the stomp box it's out of the circuit.
 
2.  The big digital multi-effect units suck.
 
3.  Your Alembic will ALWAYS sound better without effects.
 
4.  A good chorus box can be cool, and an good envelope filter (like a Mu-Tron or a Meatball) can be tasty, but see Rule Number 1.
 
5.  A touch of stomp box distortion can be cool...I love my Fulltone Bassdrive, which I call my SVT-in-a-box.  It has a true bypass, so you can ignore Rule 1. Better yet is the SWR Intersellar Overdrive, but it's pricey and you have to deal with Rule 1 again..
 
6. See Rule 1.  
 

[basscowboy]

Sorry Dave. Yes, I am looking for suggestions for a reverb unit. I just picked up the the TC Electronics M300 unit and it is interesting, with many options. Any other input would be appreciated.

[David Houck]

I looked at the website for the M300.  I really like the use of knobs instead of pushbuttons.  I think for an instrumentalist knobs are easier for making quick adjustments in a live situation.  That should be a good unit; I've read good reviews of TC Electronic gear.  I've been using an Alesis Midiverb III and it has worked well for me.  I just purchased a TC Electronic M-One XL which is supposed to arrive next Wednesday.  I'm looking forward to seeing how much of a difference it will make.  With the Midiverb, I generally run a 50% wet/dry mix.  Over time I've made small adjustments; gradually refining the effect.

[edwin]

I used to have a big ass crazy rack and pedalboard, with three different envelope filters, several distortions, wah-volume pedal and a whammy pedal. In the rack were several Lexicon items, including a Jamman. It all worked and sounded great as I used an effects loop switcher to control it all (and change the order, if I needed to). Now I use a Lexicon G2 into a Euphonic Audio iAmp500.
 
What I find interesting is how people here are talking about getting the straight sound of the bass, yet using highly colored amps like Ampeg, Hartke, etc. For a truly uncolored experience, try just straight into a power amp (my old rig was just that). The G2 when bypassed is essentially a straight wire with gain. the EA amp is very clean and when set flat (which I do) is also pretty much straight gain. It's very different than an amp that puts its own color on everything.
 
That said, that color can be pretty freakin' awesome if it's the right color!
 
Edwin

[matthew90046]

I don?t think that there is any wrong way to process or amplify your instrument.  The variety of posts proves that.  I think it?s great that people aim for different sounds.  What is the point if everyone sounds the same.  Your tone is an extension of your personality and playing style.
 
I play an Alembic Distillate.  I run it through an Alembic F-1X pre amp, a SoundTech power amp and a Bag End 4X10 cab.  My setting are flat besides the deep switch on the F-1X.  My stomps consist of a MXR octave, a Fulltone Bass Drive and a Dunlop bass wha. Although I rarely use them.  It works for me and compliments how I play.
 
On the discussion of reverb.  There are many units out there as we all know.  One option I would like to coin in on is a good spring reverb.  Spring reverbs have a unique quality that you can not get from digital units.  I?ve used my vintage Fender Reverb guitar amp with my Distillate in recording situations and loved the sound of the springs.  If I were to add reverb, an idea that had crossed my mind more that once, it?s the way I?d go.

[adriaan]

Matthew,
 
Spring reverb can be very nice, provided of course there's little or no contact noise.
 
Then imagine what adding a studio-quality plate reverb would do for your sound ... er, you may need to choose a bigger form of transportation to accommodate that in your rig LOL. Not sure if plate reverbs are a common commodity on the used market these days.

[dgcarbu]

It's all about experimenting and personal taste.  I run straight to my rig and eq'd flat on the amp.

[dannobasso]

Perhaps we can all say that whatever the song or gig calls for, we are ready to deliver. I'm a bit nostalgic for the days when I played with 2 deltalabs for flange and chorus and only my custom 6's. Couple that with Taurus 2's and later Roland pk5 + korg and roland brains! Now I use my custom Excel 5's, dry with F1X and SF2. The bass is set with all knobs up with both pups on. Dial it in for the venue, Set it and drive the band like a maniac. But at home I love a liite chorus and delay via digitech bass pedal. If enough folks buy my album I'll get that S2 bass and get lost in knobland! See you on the Warped tour this summer.
Danno