With my P/ La Bella low T flats: Sushi Box Underground Accelerator.
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Flatwound player looking for natural, low gain grit/bloom.... Blackberry?
- Thread starter thedovewarlord
- Start date
I've had great results with the p-bass+flats with both the Jad Freer Capo and the DCX. Both are awesome and can provide beautiful low gain saturation/grit.
Capo wins by far in versatility with 3 great sounding drives to choose from/blend and it's a full feature preamp with extensive EQ and connectivity options, so it can replace a lot of other pedals.
DCX wins in terms of how responsive the drive is to playing nuance and has its own vibe, but it's "just" a drive pedal with minimal (albeit very effective) EQ
Capo wins by far in versatility with 3 great sounding drives to choose from/blend and it's a full feature preamp with extensive EQ and connectivity options, so it can replace a lot of other pedals.
DCX wins in terms of how responsive the drive is to playing nuance and has its own vibe, but it's "just" a drive pedal with minimal (albeit very effective) EQ
Xotic BB and Wren and Cuff Phat Phuk B have served this purpose for me when using flats. Really like the new PPB with external bias, helps dial in just the right amount of breakup when using different instruments.
Fairfield Barbershop works great for me for this, both with flats and rounds. When I need to kick it up into much dirtier grit I turn on my Southampton 5th Gear earlier in the chain. They work very well together! Heck, all my effects pedals sound great feeding through my always-on Barbershop.
+1 on the Barbershop. Great always-on option that cleans up with the volume pot and doesn’t color sound.
I am also very much enjoying my Sushibox Bassdude.
Another option that’s really nice with a P bass with flats is a Hudson Broadcast, pushed just up to transformer saturation. It’s just got its own thing going on.
Right now I’m running my P (an AmPro II with a Relentless pickup) with TI flats into the Sushibox, then a LAB compressor, into the Broadcast (the 24V version), then into a 29 Pedals OAMP, and it’s probably the best tone I’ve gotten in my life.
For kicks I also stuck a little Broughton LPF right before the compressor and it’s the perfect dub sound.
I am also very much enjoying my Sushibox Bassdude.
Another option that’s really nice with a P bass with flats is a Hudson Broadcast, pushed just up to transformer saturation. It’s just got its own thing going on.
Right now I’m running my P (an AmPro II with a Relentless pickup) with TI flats into the Sushibox, then a LAB compressor, into the Broadcast (the 24V version), then into a 29 Pedals OAMP, and it’s probably the best tone I’ve gotten in my life.
For kicks I also stuck a little Broughton LPF right before the compressor and it’s the perfect dub sound.
Tackleberry Class A JFET preamp by weehbo guitar effects is one I’d particularly recommend for OP based on my use for similar reasons.
Money and the miles are all that matters and your mileage may vary but if anything here is perhaps one more option or something to look into.
Money and the miles are all that matters and your mileage may vary but if anything here is perhaps one more option or something to look into.
SolidgoldFX Beta, OG version. Breakup very similar to cranking a ‘60s fliptop past its limit. No idea if the later versions sound the same, though.
I like the og blueberry but don't have one. Broughton Azure drive is what I'm using for my similar situation. Not easy to find, but easier than a blueberry. Transparent overdrive is a personal choice that means different things to different people. How they act with different cabs can vary greatly at gig volumes.
I only play flats, and the best drive pedals that worked for me are the Damnation MBD-1, and the TC Electronic Spark 4 knob version. And the TC Spark is the only one I kept! It's seriously amazing and underrated
Flats player also, I went through a bunch of pedals (including many mentioned as well as a handful of Sushi Box pedals) before landing happily on what I now use - Genzler 4 on the floor. What is particularly effective for me is the hpf and lpf on the drive side - I can set the drive to the amount that I prefer, then use the hpf to filter it out on the low notes (I hate it when a drive pedal makes the E string sound fuzzy/farty). I’ve found that it even works well with upright bass. I’ve been using it for about 3 months now and multiple gigs, and very happy. Search is over.
An earlier post mentioned the Genzler Magellan Pre/DI — this does not have the amp’s distortion channel. I love mine, and it plays very well with distortion pedals of all stripes. The foot-switchable EQ filters are great for bringing out different aspects of the distortion coming into it.
I play TI flats, and use the 24V Hudson Broadcast, which effectively provides 3 channels — clean to dirty boost, overdrive, and fuzz, more or less. It’s not quite typical of any of these, quite unique. It’s always on for me as either a slightly dirty boost or low-gain OD, with the 3rd channel available for mayhem. The 3-way switch is very satisfying to use. I have another OD and fuzz later in the chain to stack when required for many different flavours.
I now also have a Barbershop Modèle B on the way (always on, obviously); the intention is to stack this into the Broadcast for yet another twist. I do enjoy me some (generally low-gain) dirt.
I play TI flats, and use the 24V Hudson Broadcast, which effectively provides 3 channels — clean to dirty boost, overdrive, and fuzz, more or less. It’s not quite typical of any of these, quite unique. It’s always on for me as either a slightly dirty boost or low-gain OD, with the 3rd channel available for mayhem. The 3-way switch is very satisfying to use. I have another OD and fuzz later in the chain to stack when required for many different flavours.
I now also have a Barbershop Modèle B on the way (always on, obviously); the intention is to stack this into the Broadcast for yet another twist. I do enjoy me some (generally low-gain) dirt.
I play a PJ with TI jazz flats and use the Genzler Crash Box 4 as an always-on for light grit. The Genzler 4 on the Floor is another great option.
I use a compressor into a tone hammer pedal with the AGS on for this
Pork loin sounds great with fender flats for low gain grit
JPTR jive. I’m a little busy at the moment, but if you search, you will find me posting comments and threads about how great the jive is, and is particularly the only ‘bit of hair’ that has really delivered for me. It’s also uniquely good for fingerstyle and/or flatwounds
I tried a couple blueberry variants and my favorite was the One Control Blackberry. I don't like the tilt EQ on the original as it's too limiting.
Another vote for the DCX.
I use it for exactly what you’re describing. Haven’t turned it off since I got it.
I would argue that it’s the most natural sounding EQ and drive suggested on this thread. Adds a vibe but always sounds like your bass.
I use it for exactly what you’re describing. Haven’t turned it off since I got it.
I would argue that it’s the most natural sounding EQ and drive suggested on this thread. Adds a vibe but always sounds like your bass.
I exclusively play with flats, mostly passive P style basses, tho also others. Here are some I dig a lot, * marks those I no longer have.
Analog Alien Bass Station
Pork Loin / Pork & Pickle
Xotic BB
Wren & Cuff PPB w. bias
SSBS Mini*
Sushi Box Slampegg*
Sushi Box Underground/Particle Accelerator
Broughton Fliptop
ROG Ginger
Out of these, I use the Analog Alien, Xotic, and W&C the most.
Analog Alien Bass Station
Pork Loin / Pork & Pickle
Xotic BB
Wren & Cuff PPB w. bias
SSBS Mini*
Sushi Box Slampegg*
Sushi Box Underground/Particle Accelerator
Broughton Fliptop
ROG Ginger
Out of these, I use the Analog Alien, Xotic, and W&C the most.