Evenin' All. Fancy advising me...

[Tet]

So...

I'm getting involved in a 3-piece art-rock band.
But I also play in a more standard rock band.

What I need, then, is a distortion which will allow me to work with a Strat or Les Paul through a Fender amp (using my Stingray through an Ashdown MAG half-stack), and stand out in both situations. The more standard band has 2 guitarists, switching between tones quite a lot.
I need to get my distortion parts HEARD!

Have used an ODB-3 for a little while, but it didn't really stand out for me. Similarly, the Big Muff option is a little too broken up. I want a harsh distortion tone, with clarity & definition to it.

Any advice would be welcome!

Tet.

[blind pilot]

At the moment i am using a way huge swollen pickle, and I can get lots of cunchy tones from that bad boy!

[thisnameistaken]

TBH it's hard to get your distorted bass sound heard if the guitarists are also using distortion, unless you're much louder than they are or all three of you have pursued fuzz tones that let eachother be heard (which would be difficult enough even if you're actively trying to do it).

It would be better to use distortion when they're not using it, if you want to be heard.

[Tet]

[quote name='blind pilot' post='1034138' date='Nov 23 2010, 05:39 PM']At the moment i am using a way huge swollen pickle, and I can get lots of cunchy tones from that bad boy![/quote]

Yeah? Not heard of it being used by bassists before... Hmm.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='1034140' date='Nov 23 2010, 05:40 PM']TBH it's hard to get your distorted bass sound heard if the guitarists are also using distortion, unless you're much louder than they are or all three of you have pursued fuzz tones that let eachother be heard (which would be difficult enough even if you're actively trying to do it).

It would be better to use distortion when they're not using it, if you want to be heard.[/quote]

Try telling that to two trigger-happy guitarists It's not a major concern though.

[GarethFlatlands]

I've found my Rat cuts through really well on guitar, better than any other pedal I've tried. I've not tried it on bass but Finbar is nabbing mine for a jam next time he's in the practice room so maybe he can enlighten you after that.

[Tet]

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' post='1034191' date='Nov 23 2010, 06:31 PM']I've found my Rat cuts through really well on guitar, better than any other pedal I've tried. I've not tried it on bass but Finbar is nabbing mine for a jam next time he's in the practice room so maybe he can enlighten you after that.[/quote]

Hmm, nice one man, I was wondering about using a Rat, but again, not heard of any bassist using one, don't know anyone who's got one that would be willing to lend it out either! Could you (or he) let me know how it goes?

[harvey1-8]

[quote name='Tet' post='1034159' date='Nov 23 2010, 05:56 PM']Yeah? Not heard of it being used by bassists before... Hmm.[/quote]

The bassist from Russian Circles uses a Swollen Pickle

EDIT: He's also got an old big box proco Rat on there.




[quote name='Tet' post='1034204' date='Nov 23 2010, 06:41 PM']Hmm, nice one man, I was wondering about using a Rat, but again, not heard of any bassist using one, don't know anyone who's got one that would be willing to lend it out either! Could you (or he) let me know how it goes?[/quote]

I think bobbass4k on here uses a Rat, he'd be able to give you more info.

Edited November 23, 2010 by harvey1-8

[Tet]

[quote name='harvey1-8' post='1034210' date='Nov 23 2010, 06:49 PM']The bassist from Russian Circles uses a Swollen Pickle

EDIT: He's also got an old big box proco Rat on there.






I think bobbass4k on here uses a Rat, he'd be able to give you more info.[/quote]

Russian Circles - Damn' near perfect. =D
Cheers man.

[harvey1-8]

[quote name='Tet' post='1034236' date='Nov 23 2010, 07:09 PM']Russian Circles - Damn' near perfect. =D
Cheers man.[/quote]

justin Meldal-Johnsen also uses a Swollen Pickle, probably worth checking out some of his output. Here's a picture of his board which he has up on [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/justinmj/"]his flickr account[/url].

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Have you thought about changing your amp,or getting a multi effect unit?

[Tet]

[quote name='harvey1-8' post='1034262' date='Nov 23 2010, 07:22 PM']justin Meldal-Johnsen also uses a Swollen Pickle, probably worth checking out some of his output. Here's a picture of his board which he has up on [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/justinmj/"]his flickr account[/url].

[/quote]

Amazing! Thank you, that's great info there.


[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' post='1034280' date='Nov 23 2010, 07:39 PM']Have you thought about changing your amp,or getting a multi effect unit?[/quote]

I love the tone of my amp, and I'm not a fan of the multi-fx units, they never seem to sound as pure as a dedicated pedal.


I'm not going for too over-complicated. Just a quality distortion, but thanks to you all, I've got some ideas now. =]

[DanOwens]

I've found that to maintain the overall texture of the band, blend is really necessary. I love high-gain distortion but I can't use it without blending/bi-amping.

Dan

[BTS_Spacebass]

Yeah a clean blend always helps. That or the mxr blowtorch, got one about two weeks ago, not used in a band setup yet but its clearly quality

T

[GarethFlatlands]

First Glassjaw album has Rat all over the bass according to Finbars research. Caleb Schofield of Cave In uses one too, along with a Fulltone Fulldrive, another possibility for bass and guitar.

[Tet]

That MXR M80 D+ is looking like a winner. Plenty of room to get your perfect sound. Although, I'm also a BIG fan of the Fultone Mosfet Overdrive.

[BTS_Spacebass]

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' post='1034436' date='Nov 23 2010, 08:59 PM']Caleb Schofield of Cave In uses one too, along with a Fulltone Fulldrive, another possibility for bass and guitar.[/quote]

Man that guys tone is sick

[ThomBassmonkey]

Bass distortion doesn't have to be heard over guitars, I use distortion on my head to fatten up the sound for choruses and guitar solos (one guitar band), there's no blend either, just pure fat distortion.

I have been looking for a good bass distortion pedal for about 9 years before I got this head though and never found a good one. The Fender one seems ok and I was looking for a Blowtorch to try out though.

[cliffyspliff]

[quote name='BTS_Spacebass' post='1034409' date='Nov 23 2010, 08:46 PM']Yeah a clean blend always helps. That or the mxr blowtorch, got one about two weeks ago, not used in a band setup yet but its clearly quality

T[/quote]
yeah i use a Blowtorch with my band,it pretty much nails Motorheads ace of spades sound and also does a good job of covering Muse type tones on the other extreme. Really versatile pedal.

[GarethFlatlands]

[quote name='BTS_Spacebass' post='1034469' date='Nov 23 2010, 09:25 PM']Man that guys tone is sick[/quote]

Yeah, his sound on 'Christmas' is the bass tone I'd love to get but don't have the cash or patience chasing.

[paul_5]

+1 on the bass blowtorch. I wasn't overly keen when I first got it (but it was dirt cheap, so I couldn't really leave it in the shop, could I?) but I'm really warming to it; It seems to cover a lot of bases (and basses too) really well. 3 band EQ and a blend knob, you'll struggle to get a bad sound out of it.

[deej]

I wouldnt recommend the Blowtorch if you want distortion. Its a great electric sounding fuzz but I dont think thats what you're after. From what you're saying, id put my money on the earlier suggestion of the MXR M-80 DI. Its a harsh, slightly clunky distortion that works well in the mix, plus the blend and all the other features it has makes it a very useful pedal.

I used to have a Turbo Rat too. I found it better for a low gain gritty kinda sound, but it really needs a mod or to be put in a blend if you want to keep any low end.

[umph]

[quote name='Tet' post='1034204' date='Nov 23 2010, 06:41 PM']Hmm, nice one man, I was wondering about using a Rat, but again, not heard of any bassist using one, don't know anyone who's got one that would be willing to lend it out either! Could you (or he) let me know how it goes?[/quote]

Rat would be my first instict aswell, check out pelican, there bassist uses a rat on the heavier bits. Make sure you get an older one though, the new ones sound a bit pants

[BTS_Spacebass]

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' post='1035631' date='Nov 24 2010, 09:27 PM']Yeah, his sound on 'Christmas' is the bass tone I'd love to get but don't have the cash or patience chasing.[/quote]


I fully know what you mean man. 'tis better to receive could be my fav bass tone ever.

back on topic abit I know afew people with various rats and my have to get involved on this

T

[GarethFlatlands]

[quote name='umph' post='1035715' date='Nov 24 2010, 10:39 PM']Rat would be my first instict aswell, check out pelican, there bassist uses a rat on the heavier bits. Make sure you get an older one though, the new ones sound a bit pants[/quote]

I modded mine and put the classic Rat LM309 chip in. It sounds way better than the one it came with.

[Tet]

[quote name='deej' post='1035698' date='Nov 24 2010, 10:25 PM']I wouldnt recommend the Blowtorch if you want distortion. Its a great electric sounding fuzz but I dont think thats what you're after. From what you're saying, id put my money on the earlier suggestion of the MXR M-80 DI. Its a harsh, slightly clunky distortion that works well in the mix, plus the blend and all the other features it has makes it a very useful pedal.

I used to have a Turbo Rat too. I found it better for a low gain gritty kinda sound, but it really needs a mod or to be put in a blend if you want to keep any low end.[/quote]

+1

You hit the nail on the head! For the OP, anyway. It's not really Fuzz I'm after...