Salt on your Bass?

I was sat in row ZZ to the left on the 4th tier, stage left, I'm guessing I'll have seen some of your heads from up there!! Great show, but the sound from where I was was really muddy and boomy - the kick drum seemed to be the most prevalent sound down low - the bass was indistinguishable most of the time to my ear. I dont feel like the arena's PA'd properly or something. How was the sound form those of you who werent touching the roof? In the rare moments where I caught a whiff of a balanced sound, it was great. I thought they absolutely rocked, and loved the set!

Wasnt the 'superstore' thing effectively what Sound Control aimed at/provided before going into receivership??

Just scored free tickets from a guy at work that has managed to squeeze himself into a box!! Never seen Rush, and been into them for only about 5 years or so, but really, really excited about tomorrow night!! I'm hoping the O2 will be a better sound than some of the above venues....I find it hit or miss there, even though most rave about it...

V2s already landed. They have it at effectpowersupply.com. (im not affiliated). Already got mine on my board but havent payed wiyh the defeat really. [quote name='Musicman20' post='1233210' date='May 16 2011, 04:08 PM']Very strange. Does it have anything to do with the lack of speakons? I know Genz are very hot on the use of Speakons... Bit of a shame. Tech 21 make amazing pedals/pre amps....all they need is to make a micro 500W and perhaps even a 900W version and they will absolutely fly off the shelves. Or, as per the Talkbass thread, the very slim rack-pre VT for those wanting to use a poweramp. Im still waiting for Version 2 of the VT Bass to hit the UK.[/quote]

So fender have revived the sunn label??

More for Paul, top man, sold my shuttle to him. Nice bloke, good to deal with great comms, I cant really add to anythign else thats been said! Safe pair of hands!

Well I ended up pulling the trigger on the PS-6 without trying it out, and chucked it on my board last night for rehearsal. I've only really used it as an octave up so far, and a little detune, and need to spend some time with it/get an expression pedal for the S-bend and pitshifter. However, my initial thoughts on the harmony setting is that it tracks really well - down to a low B (although gets a little wobbly, its not noticeable with a drummer and guitar going). It does sound very digital, but the harmony/octave can be blended, which is great in controlling the level required. This is my first boss pedal, and I'm getting used to the layout and multi functionality of each knob, setting dependent. It does exactly what I hoped it would, and with fuzz or distortion, it just adds even more girth to what I'm playing, and I find it works well on a couple of covers where the g****t takes the solo, and there should also be the rhythm (we're a 3 piece). I'm looking forward to getting to grips more with the other settings, but this looks to be a keeper for me, and isnt going to leave my board now. I'll post again once I've had a proper go at the S-Bend and pitchshifter. Very happy with the purchase though. Edit: typos

Wow, this has got me thinking! Kinda 2 at the same time by the time I learnt all the parts! Goo Goo Dolls - Long Way Down Blink 182 - Small Things

Also, Richard at effectpowersupplies.com was really helpful in letting me A/B the aguilar. Second time I've used them for a purchase, and a top guy to deal with.

Well, I’ve A/B’d these two at rehearsal. Not sure how useful my comments are to the world of effects, or literary genius, but I’ll give it a whirl in a very straight forward pro’s and cons list (Disclaimer: this is to my ear only!!): Aguilar Agro [b]Pros[/b] • Built like a tank • Looks stunning • Loads of sounds in the box - Overdrive/distortion is smooth to gritty and harsh • Easy to use – 4 knobs! • Doesn’t seem to cut lows – you can dial to keep the lows in, you can also dial so they drop out • Runs at 9v [b]Cons[/b] • Not all sounds in the pedal are useable, particularly in a band and cutting through • Gritty and harsh overdrive/distortion not to my palette – sounds a little thin and buzzy at times • Doesn’t appear to be particularly friendly to mount on a pedal board • Heavy pedal (but then its built to last) • Price Tech 21 XXL [b]Pros[/b] • Overdrive/distortion is smooth to gritty and harsh – thick and heavy • Loads of sounds in the box – all of which I think are useable. • No loss of low end • Easy to use – 4 knobs! • Its purple! • Easily mountable to a pedal board • Runs at 9v [b]Cons[/b] • Footswitch isn’t a ‘clicker’ – i feel i have to make sure i give it a good stomp. [b]Overall:[/b] Sound Quality: For me, the XXL takes it hands down. It has all the heavy distortion you could want before going to fuzz, sounds brutal when asked, and to my ear retains the low end better than the aguilar. Ease of use: Both extremely easy to use – 4 knobs. Because of the ease of dialling a useable tone, even if I think the XXL takes this one again. Construction/Durability: Aguilar wins hands down. Its heavier, but it’s so well built and oozes quality. Tech 21 is well built, but comparing the two side by side, the aquilar takes it and will survive the nuclear bomb. Price: XXL is cheaper. I think the extra buck goes on the build of the aguilar rather than what the tone is worth. [b]The Result:[/b] I’m keeping the XXL and sending the aguilar back. I prefer the tone and sounds in the Tech 21 box – the distortion feels thicker and heavier. I bought both new, and the aquilar was £50 more expensive, and I struggle to see how it commands the price, although the built quality is exceptional. I don’t mean to knock aguilar in this at all, it is a good pedal (same as the DB750??) I just can’t justify it against the Tech21. I guess it just comes down to me being able to dial in ‘the sound in my head’ easily with the XXL.

I wouldnt say the bowtorch was distoerion. It can do it reasonably well, but id say its predominantly a fuzz, and a synthy kinda fuzz. At that. You can coax some muse esque type tones out of it. Versatile, has a clean blend, but powered at 18v.

Unfortunately on this occassion I had to have the initial delivery to my card address, hence my subsequent frustration with not being able to send it to work. I dont think ive ever received a text from dpd. Ah well

The convenience of buying online or mail order is that you dont have to go to a shop and buy said item. It saves me a lot of time and aggrevation in most cases, using other courier companies. With others I can change my delivery address if I receive a calling card. Also, ive paid for the postage. I am therefore the client. Its my pedal as the funds have left my account. The shop as I see it gave instructed the company on my behalf, yet I am in a position with dpd that I am unable to do nything abouy it! Im not knocking any other company, just dpd in this instance as its always with them. [quote name='voxpop' post='1214052' date='Apr 28 2011, 06:39 PM']I work for a mail order company and get this from my customers all the time. Why order a product from a mail order company if you are at work all day????? And won't pay the extra for a Saturday delivery?? It baffles me everyday.[/quote]

Incoming rant! Bought a new pedal online. Brilliant!! Cant wait to get it! Shop advises the peda is next day delivery. It arrives but noones home so I get a calling card. Its dpd! Aaaaaahhhhh! I hate this organisation!! I cant speak to anyone to assist me its automated phones and a tick box website. I cant change delivery address as the receiver They only deliver 9-5 monday to friday - thats when I work!! Saturday delivery costs an additional 12 quid!! Bank holidays are a no go. Did I say they ony deliver when im at work!!!! Why would anyone use these. I hate faceless organisations. I hate paying for a Service that I have no control over!! I just want my freakin pedal and its in a warehouse somewhere I cant get to!!!!! Hows that gonna help my gas!!!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!! :@ Clling the shop tomorrow to see if theyll help. Past experience indicates its gonna be a pain in the arsr. This is the third time with this company!!! I just want my bass gear!!

This always seems to be the most common feedback amongst basssists using distortion or fuzz. I'm surprised that blend isnt more common, or 'the norm'. As it is, it seems not having a blend is. I've come close many times to moving my blowtorch on, but I really love it - part of that reason I think is the blend control which makes it useable and very live friendly. Yeah, the Aguilar is pricey, so I think it'll be a contributing factor. How does an active influence the low end loss? Does it drive the pedal harder or something, causing it to clip more quickly? Reason for asking is I play actives and dont understand

Thanks chaps. Im hoping the xxl will be arriving today. The aguilr will by middle of next week. Im kinda covered on fuzz, or have enough for my needs and what I use in my bands. So its more the overdrive and distortion side that im after I think. looking forward to a/bing them. Its hard work finding time to get to shops and then ones that stock everything you want to try. Maybe its just me though.

Hi guys, I'll be getting hold of these two pedals in the next 5 days or so. In advance of actually receiving them, I wondered if anyone had done an A/B or had experience with both? I played the XXL a while back and really liked it. I went more fuzz at the time and have been so since. I'm after a nasty, heavy distortion, that retains low end of course. I'm not up for the Ashdown based on its size, and these are the two I've punted for at present. I'll no doubt feedback my personal findings, but wanted to throw it out there before I got hold of 'em. I know there's loads of distortion/overdrive/fuzz threads, I'm specifically looking for experiences with both of these. Cheers

Yeah, fair point about the angling in a tight environment. Grammar pad was probably to wrong suggestion, I meant just something to elevate the front end - i guess a brick would do the job! With a stand solution, will that result in any loss of bass reinforcemnt/poor coupling? Band eq'ing is a good idea, although I' still struggling with my guitarist, but when he clears out of my frequency area, its amazing what difference it makes.

You could of course just angle the cabs upwards as well, with a grammar pad or something equally innovative, at the front end of the cab so its not just blasting your ankles. Only conundrum this then deals is where to put the head, or fixing it to the cab. I like barefaced. Also +1 to the bergs, GKs, TC and Aguilar in the light weight department.