GarethFlatlands

Build Your Own Clone optical compressor. [url="http://www.buildyourownclone.com/opticomp.html"]http://www.buildyourownclone.com/opticomp.html[/url]

Which make/model did you go for? I had a 'duh' moment when I gigged with mine for the first time, as in 'duh, why didn't I get one of these years ago?'. I didn't have to spend time tweaking the amp and bass settings, it just gave me a really nice even tone and I could spend more time concentrating on playing.

I really don't know why all effects don't come with a blend control.

The bass nerd in me wants to play them all and the skinflint in me shudders to think how much that collection set you back! If I had the cash to buy any bass, a single cut ACG fretless is top of the list. Of course that could change tomorrow.

I'm fairly regularly buying effects and finding I don't have a use for them on my board, for either guitar or bass. However, that doesn't stop me as I've always loved pedals for some reason. It's why I like scouring the effects for sale section on here, getting a bargain, playing around with it and moving it on to make space for the next toy. Occasionally one arrives that's a keeper! I think it depends on the kind of music you play. If you don't need effects and your bass/amp sounds good, save your money. As for certain effects sounding awful, I've never liked most filters but it's a matter of personal taste. My current bass setup is Tuner > BYOC optical compressor > DHA VT1 > Aphex Bass Xciter and the only thing I can see changing is maybe movig the DHA on as I'm mainly playing clean fretless so don't need a drive pedal. Guitar one (for info) is Volume Pedal > Fredric Effects Harmonic Percolator > Line 6 M5 > MXR Carbon Copy. Both pretty simple boards for a self confessed effects fan.

[quote name='CBbass' timestamp='1337453254' post='1660405'] For some reason this is the combo I think of when I think of a Bongo. Looks ace though! I wouldn't go for anything at all like that finish usually, but Bongos are "funky"! [/quote] See I don't usually like them but that's quite nice. Someone had a 'Ray in metallic orange as well and I think that'd be good with a black plate.

They always come across like really versatile, playable basses, but personally I agree that they look hideous. I'd still consider one if I had the cash, if only to annoy our singer who doesn't like how most of my basses look

Yeah, learn some theory (wish I'd done it at the start) and learn to play stuff you like which will keep you motivated. That's all I can offer, I love playing guitar and I'm sure it kept me sane through my teenage years.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1337098318' post='1655435'] Some questions to help you get a better recommendation: - How much are you willing to spend? - Do you want a straight DI or a preamp/DI with some EQ? - Is your bass active or passive? - Does your Boss GT-10B have an XLR out that you can just use instead? [/quote] Really need to know the answer before I can recommend any but Dave Hall Amps is usually a good place to start looking.

Warp films too. I kept recognising places when I was watching 4 Lions and Kill List.

Actually looks like they work identically. This is from the FM4 manual:- "Here’s how it works: FREQ lets you select from a range of different patterns of sequenced wah filter positions. Turn slowly to find the preset that works best for your tune. Q sets the width of the filters. SPEED, as on the original, controls the rate (time) that it takes to cycle through the filters. MODE sets the number of filter steps in the sequence. The Seek Wah lets you choose 4, 6, or 8. The Seeker allows any choice from 2 to 9 step"

[quote name='0175westwood29' timestamp='1336830673' post='1651666'] but again the with the m series you can only change how many steps and there order not the tone of each step which does make it slightly less musical ? andy [/quote] That's right, the FM4 version would be much more useful if it's more flexible than the M series version. Still seems like a 1 trick pony to me but if you like it then that seems like the best route.

[quote name='tayste_2000' timestamp='1325767199' post='1487261'] Here are some snaps of my rare Bass 200 being serviced ready for me sometime this week I suspect (waiting on a new custom faceplate Bass 200 not to be confused with the GT200 this has 4 transformers, 4 preamps tubes and 2 full channels of goodness. [/quote] I dread to think what that weighs, the transformers are a good few kilos each. Mine has 2 and is heavy enough.

I've only got Ultravisitor but you've inspired me to put it on after a few years of not really listening to that kind of music. I have to tip my hat to him, he's very talented even if it's not your kind of thing, and I believe he spent a fair amount of time in Sheffield so he gets extra points for being local.

I personally hate it, can't think of a single musical use for it but each to their own.

Line 5 M series have a filter called 'Seeker' which emulates it, although you don't have individual control over each step. You select the number of steps and then cycle through a bunch of preset patterns.

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1336516765' post='1647020'] This is always the correct answer. [/quote] I know, but I buy pedals to make noise, not stop it.

[quote name='bremen' timestamp='1336506797' post='1646697'] edit: can't believe I'm not allowed to say "fretw@nk". we all do it, on our basses or on our cocks. [/quote] My cock is a fretless.

Yeah, it would have been tons easier to work with plastic covered wire as I've got some wire strippers that make the job a breeze but obviously don't work on cloth covered stuff. I'll consider re-doing it it a cleanup doesn't sort the crackling problem out as it sounds pretty good otherwise.