Cuzzie

So..... I have had a B7K and a VMT and also have a Darkglass amp which of course has the VMT and b3k circuit. I never really gelled with the VMT either pedal or on the amp. I Didn't find it 'vintage' I found it a little muddy and underwhelming, don't get me wrong it was a quality build, but I did it find it very vintage. The B7K could do a good clean tone as well as modern clunky fizz. Ultimately the b3k engine on the amp, which is the same as the pedal actually gives you not just a modern overdrive, but also I think more of a vintage in its sound. Best thing is a b3k is relatively cheap and can be gotten second hand. Now everyone's voicing of drive is different, so I am giving you my take, but bass wise I play Sandberg's, both passive a MarloweDK and a VS4. Other pedals I use are a Two Notes LeBass, Hartke VXL pre amp, Cali76G compressor with its Germanium transistor. Bands and bassists I love are kings X (dUg Pinnick), Cactus (Tim Bogert), Glenn hughes, just to give you a picture. Out of those 2 defo b3k

I feel your pain with a dUg amp. What beggars belief is that for an amp that expensive why or why is there not universal voltage, it's a bit silly. Still theby are doing a dUg pre-amp which hopefully should hit within a year. I hear it will be definitely priced under £500, and probably even lower so we can add it's tone to what we already have

If only Bas, I'm a less than elegant 6ft. I would like to say big boned, but to be fair having played rugby, and stopped now and developed a taste for Cider living in the West Country it's now relaxed muscle waiting to pounce.... Bas buy both with a returns policy and send back the one you don't like!

Is this a band from the Shire.....?! I'm a healthy bass playing 110kg, Al, you need to get your band in training!

Fair play indeed!! Off to scour the classifieds for beat up amps in the hope of a new one!?! Well done

So...... Are any of these out in the wild yet? What are you pairing it with? General overview please...

Like this a lot. For my ears Jazz wins Rick is not me Thunderbird needs a pick to come alive P and Ray are what P and Rays are All great basses though

Ok, ok Big Al, I'll try my best. For my ears and playing, and this is with or without the Germanium transistor dialled in i compared the MXR, Darkglass and Cali side by side with my basses and amps etc varying from cab and head to small combo to original, to straight into a mixer. All of them compress and do their job although I would say the dial tweaking on the Cali is more responsive and useable, the MXR is pretty transparent so it remains sterile. The DG warms the tone slightly with that modern hint it has, not retro tube warm, and the Cali makes your bass and effects more of what they are, it pushes it through the mix better, it sounds better and I don't know why, it's not just cos I forked out loads more for it so I want it to be good, it does it. Every time I watch Usain Bolt run he is bloody quick, but that one race where he smashed the world record and it all hit into place is like the Cali every time. Bottom line, MXR, Keeley, DG, Spectracomp, FEA Opti Fet etc are awesome and you can spend what you want, but you will not be disappointed in the Cali

Used an MXR M87 and a Darkglass Super Symmetry and finally settled on the Cali76G which sprinkles fairy dust on what I play

Fusion do a double gig bag, it's pretty bombproof and you could pack it up more inside for the plane journey. Depends whether you think that is safe enough

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1498353531' post='3324060'] I read this thread and went on iPlayer to watch The Jacksons. Shockingly awful. I'm not a Jacksons afficionado, but I think what we're supposed to be buying into here is a bunch of top draw session musicians playing music for the Jackson brothers who are clearly living in the shadow of the most talented Jackson of them all. They don't appear to be able to sing together and the place where Michael sat in the harmony is vacant. The half arsed attempts at Michael's signatures moves also annoyed me. Didn't make it to the end. Should I have persevered? [/quote] Seen the Foos at MK bowl with Royal blood, and I watched their online Grain gig when they announced they would headline a couple months ago, so it's essentially the same stuff. Went to watch the Jackson's and yes it was a bit poor, but Ok for my money and i persevered, mainly because I wanted to see what the bassist was playing. They suffered soundwise, vocals were never great in the mix, they can sing OK and I thought gave a decent performance, but you are completely correct, you cannot replace the irreplaceable, like or loathe him genius and talent of Michael. A peanut butter and jam sandwich without the peanut is just a jam.

I ran the Darkglass, the Cali76G and the MXR M87 side by side at the same time. First off MXR works well, but relegated to bronze medal position and out the door it went. Long time spent with the other 2 and the DG is nice, it does colour the tone in a slightly warm fashion doing a good job. The Cali76G (G dialled in just past 12 for me) is out of this world, as people say it is transparent, but it sprinkles fairy dust on the way and comes out with some form of magic that pushes your instruments sound in just the right way, it truly is amazing. Now I haven't used the compact bass, but if they have shrunk their big 'uns into little 'uns and they run the same, you will not be disappointed at all. Reason I got a big box? I like big pedals, (my other is a LeBass) I liked the Germanium part Filled up thenpedal board to stop me during more, however I don't need more with this

Really good to hear that. Something about Trickfish made me suspect they would be good and all that I heard previously is confirmed here. Glad it works for you

It's a cool bass. If you see a VM4 (split coil neck and humbucker bridge), play it and see if you like the sound as that is the configuration of the Forty Eight pick ups, then you can be content and get to grips with the awesome shape

Oh and place the dirt before the envelope, it really drives the filter and opens up the 'quack'

That would get you there I reckon MXR is awesome, the simple b3k pedal without all the EQ stuff on its own gives a great drive sound. Judicious 2nd hand buying will lighten the load

Difficult one this, not to get the sound, but because how much do you want to spend chasing a sound for 1 song.... For me, No to fuzz. Overdrive I would agree with, envelope filter (MXR is good and simple), possible octave pedal to fill out the sound if the guitar is going all twiddly and set the compressor high to get real punchy and lose harmonics. Big question is your cost?! Or just play it real clean and full. What amp etc do you use? Can this break up any?

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1497444981' post='3318197'] That's a great post 4000. We should forget all the histrionics that go all with certain makes and models and just go with what feels right. [/quote] Agreed Same your strings, amps, cabs, pedals etc.

Yeah sorry was quickly typing whilst walking at work, sorry!

As Damny says DC5 and also Al K I have one, it's the business Another one which is good, but takes up real estate is Decibel11 Hotstone deluxe

Just seen Kings X in Bristol Immense

As Danny said, expensive is not necessarily better, for example Billy Duffy of the Cult uses real standard Biss type pedals for his live rig, no boutiques, why? If he is on the road and a pedal goes he can buy a new one and not interrupt the sound he has balanced. Tweaking in the bedroom is dangerous (!) I often tweak it so it sounds a bit wrong on its own, and not very nice with the guitar sound in mind so they can blend when I mix them