Bassisists! Using EQ Pedals or "Bass" Pedals

[CBA]

Helllllllooooooooooo THERE.

GUYS. I'm now playing bass in my hot band Starling Electric ("Clouded Staircase" out nationally on Bar/None Records), and am wondering about a few simple things for using a bass with pedals.

I play a sweet USA Fender P-Bass (all stock besides the pickguard), and am interested in different things I might need to do for a live overdrive and fuzz bass sound. I'm currently just using a few of my basic guitar pedals in my bass setup... Timmy for overdrive, BYOC Large Beaver Triangle for fuzz, and that's it. I don't really want anything beyond that, but I was wondering if maybe like a simple Boss Bass EQ pedal might be helpful. Any of yous guys use those? One of my musical heroes, Greg Edwards of Failure and Autolux, used one in his setup during his Failure days. I believe he used a Maestro MFZ for light bass overdrive, a Rat for bass distortion, and a Big Muff for thicker bass fuzz, and then rounded it out with a Boss Bass EQ pedal, all run through his Ground Control switcher.

I use the Timmy as an "always on" sort of overdrive to give it a punch, and then kick in the Triangle when I want thicker stuff, but that's only like 10% of the time, maybe less. I have a two-loop Loopmaster that I thought about using with the Boss EQ so it would be in a loop with the two other pedals, but maybe that's not necessary... just don't know if I'd want the EQ on without the overdrive and fuzz or not.

I think a Big Muff is a given for easy fuzz bass, but what do you kids like for overdrive, or like an always on slight overdrive for a live bass sound? I'm working with a Pedaltrain Mini here so I want to keep it minimal.

THANKS!

C

[Mudfuzz]

OD has always been a tuff one for me and I know exactly what you mean. I have gone though a few different thing like using EQ and blending loopers but in the end I was always unhappy. What I use is a Mellowtone Electric Apple for all my light dirt needs, but that will not really help you intill Eric starts actually making them... What I use before and for other stuff though I'll list... The DE KP is a great OD for bass and has a really nice compression to it's attack, no low loss but is will add a little highs. The DE Dark Boost is actually very similar in sound and feel but is DARK sounding. The Mellowtone Hi5 is great too and very colorless... I am running out of time and will add more later....

[theavondon]

Singing Tree is a good one too! I loved it hard. I've lately been using boost pedals for light to not so light dirt. My DC/CC is the bee's knees.

[Grrface]

I'm partial to my BaddyOneShoe Honeycomb OD. Thickens nicely, and I love its overdriven sound.

[mauerkraut]

The Fulltone Bass Drive really covers the bases for me there. It has enough options but is simple enough not too make you get too lost in it. It has a pretty natural sounding break up and compression to it. And compcut mode will give a straight uncompressed boost if you wish to drive the amp. It found a lot of success in using compressors (Boss CS-2, which is my fave and Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone) for drive as well, turn the volume to max and adjust the compression to taste to get the most natural and desirable sound. It lets the amp do the talking, but gives you more control over the range and dynamics than a boost would.

[Achtane]

Arc Flash for everything. Just get three Arc Flashes.

[metalmariachi]

I don’t actually use overdrive that much, at least not set to overdrive.
I run my amp just shy of clipping then boost the input for the lighter side, and go to full on fuzz or distortion for the heavier.

When I do use a pedal as an overdrive, I usually like to set the gain on the low end to keep it smooth or add just a touch of texture.

Usually my overdrive is after my fuzz, and is used more to boost the fuzz up several notches.

My favorite is the Owen Gremlin, because of the Switchable notch and band pass filters.

I like the KP, and love the Dark Boost especially for adding low end after other fuzzes.

The Arc Flash is great for pure none colored boost, and can rip at just a flip of the switch.

MM

[Derelict78]

Yeah I got to put a vote in for the KP and Dark boost I REALY miss my KP. I am using a modded OD-1 for overdrive with lots o highs and a compressor pushing my dark boost for a "growling" OD with TONS of bass.
KP->DB=
DB->KP=
I should build a dual pedal of these where I can switch witch one is first.
Oh and I have not ever used an Eq pedal. My m13 has them but I dont see the need.

[CBA]

Sweet recommendations, dudes! Thanks.

I hadn't thought of the Arc Flash for a bass pedal... that sounds pretty cool. I bet it would be super good for bass with the new Frequency knob as well. Hmmmmm.

The KP and DB are both intriguing suggestions as well. Does the KP have significant bass to it without much fuckery? I wonder if the Fuzzhugger DB would be a nice snag.

Ideally, I would have my bass amp to like juuuuuuust starting to do a bit of clipping, and then just use the Big Muff for full fuzz... not sure if my amp would really be all that great for natural clipping. That's why I was wondering about just like a basic "always on" sort of overdrive/boost/push.

The Timmy works surprisingly well, as it has three modes for clipping, and then a treble and bass cut... I actually cut the bass knob very slightly, and then turn down the treble a bit. It's just not quite a bass overdrive.

Thanks again! I'mma have a look at all of your suggestions.

C

[Achtane]

I do like the Dark Boost but it is REALLY bassy. Not an always-on pedal for me (sometimes it sucks a little too much "detail" out), but it's great after trebly things. That's not even a word, I don't think.

I traded for a Ruiner and just did the super easy switchable Ruiner/DB mod which adds a ton of versatility to the pedal.

[sonidero]

Anyone had any experience with the EHX Mole.?. I always wanna get one cause they're stupid cheap and it just adds bass... Should I go ask at TB.?. Oh wait I only have an ILF account... Anyway, Mole thoughts.?.

[Astricii]

Black out Mantra is a great overdrive for that dirty over driven SVT classic sort of sound. that's what I use.

for FUZZ I use a 3xfx Fatman V2 though I'd recommend using a V1 that way you can switch off the gate. I just like playing with the self Oscillation. I use a russian big muff at the end of my chain for feedback and such never really use it while playing.

[Jero]

Anyone had any experience with the EHX Mole.?. I always wanna get one cause they're stupid cheap and it just adds bass... Should I go ask at TB.?. Oh wait I only have an ILF account... Anyway, Mole thoughts.?.

One of my first builds was a hogsfoot/mole into a fuzzrite. Pretty cool, the mole, but I can't comment too much on it. It didn't gel with the rig at the time so it wasn't around long. Been wanting to try one again. From what I remember with mine, was that all the bass it added diminished the other frequencies to where it was almost like dub bass, useful for certain things I guess. Would probably help if there was a volume control and you could mix the bass.

Christian, I use the Behemoth II for bass OD (great with guitar too). Might be a bit pricey for your needs, but I keep it on almost always. Makes everything you put into it sound better too.

[sutarappa]

Mudfuzz mentioned the Mellowtone Hi Five. This is a cool box, and sounds like it could suit your goals. It does clean boost, but can also add a touch of its own grit. It's also easy on yon pocketbook and way easy used.

I dig the FuzzHugger Arc Flash for sure. Very unique drive character and options. The Devi pedals have a cool flavor. I used a Dark Boost as an overdrive; I loved the texture, but was always messing with the tones in my rig to work with its mild "synthiness."

On a more traditional note, I enjoy the overdrives from Tech 21 like the VT Bass. With the three band eq and character knob, there is an amazing amount of on board control. I run one in front of a FuzzHugger Great Wall v2.

Regarding EQ pedals in combination with drives, I like an overdrive or fuzz effect to provide all the effect i need with a single box and stomp. I think there are plenty of great drives out there that can accomplish this without additional blenders, loopers, switchers, eq, etc.

[Mudfuzz]

Anyone had any experience with the EHX Mole.?. I always wanna get one cause they're stupid cheap and it just adds bass... Should I go ask at TB.?. Oh wait I only have an ILF account... Anyway, Mole thoughts.?.

I have a Hogs foot which is the same thing. They are a BASS boost in that it is the only thing that will make a dark boost sound thin NO HIGHS just bass lots of bass! You can run any dirt pedal into it and it will make it bassy In short mud-in-a-box.

I agree on the Arc Flash.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9FQkfjYnSY[/youtube]
I used the KP as my main OD for a while my only issue was I wanted a tone knob so I could get more old school types of sounds, I have dual with a KP > DB which gets close to this but there is no middle ground with it.
here is a demo of that pedal I did a long time ago http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=8686391 I really need to do demos of the two sides by them selves

I also Like the HAO Rust Boost, similar in clipping to the Hi 5 and the KP.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zy1INFvElQ[/youtube]
Also as theavondon said the Singing Tree is just cool.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWjdHKJXWts[/youtube]

Everything as always is a J with flats.