Effects Bay

Early on in my guitar youth, I always had a chip on my shoulder about Stevie. Not sure why, because I never really listened to him, etc.  I was young and had a narrow opinion of music and styles. When I began to actually ‘study’ guitar a little bit and wanted to improve myself and learn, that is when my eyes and ears opened. I began to respect quality of play regardless of styles or genre of music. I started to *hear* tone and marvel at effortless play, that was truly inspirational. Stevie Ray Vaughan definitely captures that, but the point that blew me away was watching an episode of Austin City Limits with some old live footage. I was absolutely blown away by how he played. His aggression with the guitar, but how clean it was sounding. How effortless it appeared for him to lay down some serious licks. At that point… I said… “I get it now.. yeah, I get it”. He was amazing guitarist on multiple levels.

I was excited to see a pedal board of Stevie Ray Vaughan the other day. His set up is very basic, tube screamer, vox wah and a couple of Fender amps. The tone definitely goes beyond the Strat and the gear. His hands and gnarly thick strings help. But you need the soul. Over the years his pedal board changed in configuration, and I’ll include the description that talks about the set up. The full article and other shots of gear can be found here at Premiere Guitar.

Ibanez Tube Screamer: Stevie upgraded as new versions came out – TS-808, TS-9, TS-10 Classic. A fan reports that the chip in Stevie’s pedals was probably the RC4558 chip for clean boost.

Wah-wah: Vox wahs from the ’60s. Occasionally connected two together.

The usual setup in the later years was Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-10, Vox wah, vintage Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face, and Tycobrache Octavia. For a brief time he used a Univibe. Roger Mayer Octavias were used prior to the Tycobraches. Cesar Diaz installed matching germanium transistors in the Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face body to increase transistor life.

Loop Selector – Stevie had several MXR loop selectors in the early ’80s, one of which is in the author’s collection.

The splitter box which later replaced the loop selectors was one input and six outputs to the amps. No preamp, but resistors to cut down the noise. With the Vibratone he used a Variac AC power regulator.

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Today’s pedal line is from Ted Harms. If you have a pedal line (doesn’t have to be in a board) for your rig, please email me a photo, bio, description of pedals and routing to pedallineeffectsbaycom. Every Friday I’ll showcase a pedal line submission. Make sure you include any links to your band or music page.

I’m a double bassist and lead the VOC Silent Film Harmonic, an ensemble that accompanies silent films with improvised soundtracks; I also just make noise for my own enjoyment. Penny the dog provides inspiration.

The pedals on the floor are powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus and,in signal order:

Digitech Digidelay – left on the short loop setting. I’ll run it, turn the other effects on/off while having the DL4 on. When the DL4 is full, then I’ll cycle through the DL4′s half-speed/double-speed/reverse settings to provide extra ambiance.

Electro-Harmonix Big Bass Muff – nothing like it to add some fur; can get wooly when I’m really leaning on my bow.

Boss OC-3 Super Octave – in the poly setting, and especially with the Muff, can make a nice wide sound bass of doom.

Marshall VT-1 Vibratrem – left on trem setting with the depth control maxed and the speed about halfway. With the Muff and Super Octave, gives a great pulse. A trick is to loop it with the speed & depth on one setting, then change those settings to get some arrhythmic pulses

DOD FX90 Delay – all controls dimed. Can’t leave it on for too long otherwise it overloads but a nice atmospheric swell as it ramps up.

TC Electronics Nova Reverb – set on plate for a big sound. Gives a great effect when I hit my bass. Might be replaced as I’m having my Alesis Nanoverb rehoused in a floor pedal.

Line 6 DL4 – left on loop setting.

The effects on the table, handy for live knob-twiddling and powered by a Godlyke Power-All are, in signal order:

DOD DFX9 Delay – commonly used in the short loop setting and then subsequent pedals turned on/off, much like the Digitech on the floor.

Red Panda Labs bitcrusher – a wonderful bit of freaky goodness dropped in a Line 6 Tonecore pedal. Many, many sweet spots on this pedal.

DAED-modded Boss SD-1 & DAED-modded DS-1: no modding to original circuits. Modding by the freaks at Disagreeable Audio Experience Designs introduces mega-heavy fuzz, mini-theremin, high-pass filter, etc.through the swithces. The SD-1 has a power-choke for extra square-wave/bit-starved wonder.

WMD Geiger Counter Civilian Issue – love scrolling through the effects (in low-fi mode, of course) while the DFX-9 loops.

Boss PS-2 Digital Delay/Pitch-Shifter – glitchy goodness when running through the mode knob. Using the octave down, when it’s already getting a low signal, makes it glitch nicely.

Subdecay Noisebox – should’ve have been called Rice Krispy as it adds lovely snaps, crackles, and pops!

Alesis Ineko – a very handy and tweakable multi-fx unit.

Line 6 DL4 – as the floor unit, left on looping mode.

Each effect chain runs through a volume pedal, to take the whole chain up and down, and then through a Wounded Paw Ultra Blender switcher.

ted harms

storiesseenandheard.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/tedharms
www.myspace.com/vocsilentfilmharmonic

Summer’s ready when you are. Kim Deal

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CONTEST IS CLOSED

So it’s still the holidays… and hells yeah, I’m still in the giving mood. How about another give away?? Well, I just happen to have the Loud Button WTF pedal sitting here.. itching to find a happy home!

The WTF is a “WTF” type of pedal. Crazy in a box? Awesome in a box? SciFi in a box? Nasty in a box? Yes, all of the above. This one will allow your creativity to dictate the direction of this pedal. We did a demo of Loud Button WTF a little while back, be sure to check that out for video and high quality MP3 – “Loud Button Electronics – WTF Demo“.

I want to shout out a special “thank you” to Shawn of Loud Button Electronics for sponsoring this give away. Be sure to check out Loud Button Electronic’s website – He is building some great stuff out of Minnesota (I heard a rumor that he’s moving to Austin, TX). Also, be sure to like their Facebook page for all the Loud Button happenings!

Okay, how do you win this little guy? Read below:

I’m going to select one random entry on January 12th. I will email that random entry asking for the answer to the question listed below. They will have 24 hours to respond with the answer. If the 24 hours passes and I don’t hear from that finalist, I will select a new random entry and repeat the process until I receive confirmation from the winner.  This is open to everyone. Yes, that means international! Also, one entry per person.  Please read that last sentence again… “one” “entry” “per” “person”.

The submission form will be open until January 12th (Thursday) 12PM MST.

On top of that, I’m going to sweeten the deal. If you ‘LIKE’ EffectsBay on Facebook and you’re selected as the winner, I’ll throw in a extra prize – PRIZE 1 OR PRIZE 2 OR PRIZE 3. If you’re the winner (and like EffectsBay), you get to pick one of the bonus prizes.

So, it’s pretty much a no-brainer to like Effectsbay on Facebook! Just click ‘like’ below or visit the EffectsBay Facebook page here.

So the question is…. “What was the best gift you’ve ever received on Christmas? Doesn’t have to be gear.”

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The Seymour Duncan SFX-06 Paranormal Bass EQ Direct Box is currently out of production, but there is a great deal going on at Amazon for this pedal. This pedal lists for $199, and is usually available for $139, but is currently on sale for only $49.99 at Amazon! At the time of this posting there were only four in stock, so if you’re thinking about picking this up, you’ll need to jump on it.

Here is the official description of the Seymour Duncan SFX-06 Paranormal Bass EQ Direct Box:

While passive DIs proved to be quite useful for recording bass or sending bass to a console for live performance, people began to notice a decrease in overall response and punch. That’s when active DI’s came to the rescue. But how many are tailored to the response of a bass guitar? The Seymour Duncan SFX-06 Paranormal Bass EQ DI is, featuring a three-band active EQ that’s optimized for bass along with a contour switch for slapping styles.

Seymour Duncan SFX-06 Paranormal Bass EQ DI, First Take:
Active DI with three-band EQ optimized for bass
Dedicated contour switch for slapping styles
Solid construction, balanced XLR out and ground lift

DI with active three-band EQ

The three-band EQ allows you to dial in your tone in any room, sculpting your lows, mids, and highs quickly and easily. So, along with performing the normal functions of a DI, you get the benefit of adding an active EQ to your bass without having to make any modifications to your instrument. The EQ provides ±12dB boost and cut for each band, which have center frequencies at 30Hz for deep lows, 650Hz to contour the mids, and 5.2kHz for presence, clarity and attack.

Proprietary Slap Contour switch for happy slapping

The SFX-6 also features Seymour Duncan’s proprietary Slap Contour switch, which applies an additional preset EQ curve. As the name implies, this is a dedicated switch for slapping styles, but it also adds an extra dimension to fingerstyle or pick playing. Slap Contour gives you a 6dB boost at 80Hz to bring out the bottom and cuts 6dB at 650Hz to reduce the mud that can occur in the low mids. The result is a solid low end and more room for attack. By using it with the 3-band EQ, you can bring out more attack information if needed, as well as extra bottom below 80Hz.
Solid construction and hum elimination

Built like a tank with a 16-guage steel chassis and powered by either a single 9V battery or a regulated DC power supply, the SFX-06 features a balanced XLR output with ground lift to eliminate electromagnetic interference and AC-hum. Between that and its active electronics you can drive longer cable runs to a feed a front-of-house mixing board or a recording console without noise or signal loss.

Again the Seymour Duncan SFX-06 Paranormal Bass EQ Direct Box is on sale for only $49.99!

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A while back I put together a poll about the best delay under $200, and I wanted to do another one for today. This poll is for the best wah on the market today. The wah pedal is a very personal tool, and people are very particular of the wah sounds they’re going for. Some like the funk snap, others like a very dark sweep, while others like a very bright wah sweep. Going beyond the tone, everyone has a preference of how it feels below them. What the sweep range is, how to activate the effect and how the foot feels on the pedal itself. Lots of factors.. and lots of wahs out there. So let’s start the poll. If you know of a wah that is available today, but is not on the list, please contact me or comment below. Also, love to hear your own personal feelings about the wah you chose below in the comments as well.

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It’s been a while since I asked a Community Question! After Christmas, I thought it would be an easy question to see what everyone scored for musical gear. This is the season of hopefully getting something great from someone, or buying yourself a nice gift. As for me, I didn’t get anything exciting… A MXR 6 Band EQ pedal is all. I needed it for switching between baritone/bass vi style guitars and my regular guitars. I figured this would be cheaper than having two amps for now. Sad part, I haven’t had time to test the effectiveness yet.

Here are the answers everyone gave on Facebook and Twitter. If you would like to contribute, please comment below!

Ben Brandt PRS Bernie Marsden SE, Blackstar 112 cab and a Blackstar HT-DistX distortion pedal.
Keith Wilson Mod tone analog delay
Tim Warner I got a POG2 ! yay!
Michael Chaucer Stettes Got a 13ft. Monster Rock cable. I know people say they’re overhyped, and maybe so, but I already have one and it’s never given me issues, it looks good, and it coils well.
Nick Coccimiglio A Joe Bonamassa signature series Dunlop wah! Fresh off the presses, can’t even get ‘em in the stores yet. Sweet!
Pam DiFelice Schaff Rocktron Black Cat Moan Wah Pedal
Chris Gilman I got a mug with pictures of guitars on it.
Corey Blackburn Spider capo!
Blake RoboPuddin Corder I got a toolkit for working on my guitar, a Golden Age Pre-73 preamp for recording, and money for buying more gear!
Alex Beach A zvex instant lo-fi junky!
Daniel Wesolowski IRig
Jeffrey Bailey I got a lexicon omega. Now I can do some recording.
Steven Bourgaize New cymbal
Jeff Swan GC gift card
Steve Reese Snark and a GC GC
Andrew Clock wall hangers for my guitars – protection from a one-year-old
Scott Heger Strymon Timeline!
John Danchisko EHX Freeze
Travis Broughton Zvex lofi loop junky !
John Phillips A Boss PS-5 Pitch Shifter.
Ryan Rukavina A parrot that sings Paranoid and headbangs.
James Thomas Nothing at all.
Keith Cordell Epiphone Mandobird.
Randall Brown Wee Wah!
Gerard Burick My mom sent me the MXR Bass Envelope Filter!
Brian Kelly Fender amp!
Ben Schwartz MXR Bas Compressor and Tech 21 VT Bas
Gato Pardo del Monte Pedal Power 2

whyteyj @effectsbay tanglewood 6 string acoustic
jomarbassman @effectsbay got a Pedaltrain Jr and a PreSonus Audiobox!
rictorblackbus @effectsbay bought myself a Fender Classic player jazzmaster

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I just came across a nice deal on the MXR MC401 Line Driver at Amazon. This is the Custom Audio Electronics (CAE) version. Quality build on the enclosure and the circuit is tight, as you would expect from CAE! The MXR MC401 Line Driver lists for $169.74, and is usually available for $99, but is currently on sale for $70.11 at Amazon! That’s $30 off regular price! This pedal is also available with FREE super saver shipping. At the time of this post, there were only 5 in stock. Usually when the stock number gets down to 1 or 2, the price will jump back up, so if you’re looking for a line driver.. this is a great opportunity to get one at a great price.

Here is the official description of the MXR MC401 Line Driver:

MXR and Custom Audio Electronics founder Bob Bradshaw – two names that have shaped the tones of the world’s greatest guitarists – join forces to bring you a dynamic new line of pedals. The Boost/Overdrive and Boost pedals are the first offerings in the series produced by MXR, featuring the unique sonic stamp of legendary designer Bob Bradshaw. Since 1980, CAE’s innovative pedal designs were made in limited quantities only for his select clientele. When it was time to bring these pedals to the masses, there was only one name he could trust to deliver the same quality and standards that his customers demand – MXR. Available only from Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc., the world’s leader in analog pedal technology. MC-401 Boost/Line Driver The MC-401 is simple in design but superbly effective in solving a variety of mis-matched line level and signal conditioning problems that can occur when combining effects. The MC-401′s circuit design has been used for years by CAE in the world’s best guitarist’s rigs to remedy these problems and rejuvenate the sparkle, punch and brilliance that can be lost. It can also be used as an ultra-clean boost for solos or to drive effects for more dynamics and sensitivity.

Again, the MXR MC401 (CAE) Line Driver is on sale for only $70.11 at Amazon!

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This morning while nursing my Christmas hang over (related to prime rib and 20+ too many cookies) I thought I would explore the world of overdrives. A few days ago, I posted “Guitar World Staff Picks: Paul Riario’s Top 10 Effect Pedals of 2011” and the Keeley Luna Overdrive was on that list. I wanted to take a closer look.

Robert Keeley has been known for his great pedal modifications… as well as his 4 knob compressor, so I would expect the quality of this overdrive to be high.

Here is the official description of the Keeley Luna Overdrive:

The Keeley Overdrive is about as versatile and transparent of an OD pedal as you’ll find and all in a compact box! Utilizing components not found in many other pedals on the market, the Keeley Overdrive allows you to get classic and familiar OD tones, but with nearly unmatched transparency. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. Thanks for looking and ROCK ON!

I found this video by GuitarWorld:

If you’re liking the sound of this overdrive, the Keeley Luna Overdrive is available for $229 at Amazon.com

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A while back.. , maybe two years ago? I was in a little Judas Priest tribute project. A friend of mine grew up with Judas Priest’s British Steel album, and he wanted to put a project together where the band played that entire album front to back. As for me, I wasn’t the greatest JP fan, but definitely had a phase in high school. I definitely appreciate the concept of ‘project’ vs. ‘tribute band’. The difference is that it’s a limited run. Minimal shows (less than 5) and that’s it.. you move on. You don’t end up as a perpetual tribute band. I definitely could relate since I did a Joy Division one years ago where we played only one show.. and that was it. These projects are an absolute blast and really enjoy it when an opportunity presents itself.

Today I came across a rig rundown of Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest. Richie, in 2011 took over for KK Downing after he announced his retirement. If anyone knows the reason for the retirement.. let me know. Quite curious.

The following video is by EMGBackstage where Richie’s guitar tech breaks down the goods. I set the starting point to be at the pedals, but there are some sweet guitars at the beginning that are worth a watch:

Here is the breakdown of pedals:

Boss CH-1 Super Chorus
MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Boss OD-3 Overdrive
Electro-Harmonix Micro POG
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor

Voodoo Lab Ground Control
Crybaby GCB-95 Wah
Dunlop Rotovibe

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Today’s pedal line is from Cooper. If you have a pedal line (doesn’t have to be in a board) for your rig, please email me a photo, bio, description of pedals and routing to pedallineeffectsbaycom. Every Friday I’ll showcase a pedal line submission. Make sure you include any links to your band or music page.

Hello,

Here’s my submission for Pedal Line Friday!  It’s a bass board!  I’m just a regular bass playing, gear junkie who started a small bass blog this year to talk gear and help train the other bass players at church.

It’s a bradycases.com true bypass board with 12 bypass loops.  It has 2 bass inputs, 1 ouput, and a power outlet on the top right.  It’s wired with Lava cables solderless cable (about 60 feet of it!).

Here’s the chain: starting with a Radial ToneBone Bassbone: a preamp that I always keep on and it has 2 inputs that I can EQ differently.  It’s perfect for playing a regular bass and my electric upright on the same night.  Then into the MarkBass Compressore: a great, tube compressor that I also always keep on.  The tonebone plus the compressor gives me a really warm, big bass tone. Then into the JHS Bass Bomb Boost – great boost pedal that runs at 18v – tons of headroom. Then into the T1M Blend pedal that blends the wet/dry signal with the  Zvex Fuzz Factory and/or Pro Co Rat Distortion.  That blend helps you get a great fuzz and distortion sound without losing the low end of the signal.  I usually blend in about 30% of the dry sound with those pedals.  Then into Xotic X-Blender with the “Groucho” distortion (a modded Boss odb-3 that has no internal Boss parts anymore).  Same as the other blend, but this one’s on steroids.  It has a boost and an EQ to use while blending the wet/dry signal.  Then into  Crowther Prunes & Custard – nothing to say, but a great and weird pedal!.  Then into the  Line6 M5 – I bought this as the last pedal I’ll “need” to buy.  It has a ton of reverbs, delay, distortions, etc.  Then into the Boss Loop Station RC-3 – with this pedal I will trigger pre-recorded loops.  You can build loops in garageband, etc and save it from your computer to the pedal and trigger it live.  I can play a bassline over the loop – it’s awesome!  Then into Mid-Fi Clari(not) Envelope Vibrato Fuzz – the craziest, fuzz, tape delay envelope filter on the planet – just crazy sounds from this pedal.  Into a Ernie Ball Volume Pedal w/T1M buffer mod – I highly suggest getting the buffer mod (9v) installed if you use this pedal.  It made a huge difference on the signal strength and tone.  Into the  TC Electronic PolyTune – I love this new tuner, you just strum the strings together and it tells you which strings are out of tune.  Into the Electro-Harmonix Micro POG – gives you an octave up and down – I use it to get an awesome organ sounding tone.  Into the Electro-Harmonix Stereo Memory Man – a very versatile delay with tap tempo into another delay – Guyatone MD3 delay, I love this pedal for the “feedback” feature.  into the final pedal, the Plutoneium Chi-Wah-Wah.  This is the smallest wah-wah on the market, and it’s made just for bass.  It’s also “clickless”, so the wah is activated when you put pressure on the pedal.

Here’s a video link to the chain of the board:
http://goo.gl/kIWbk

Here’s a quick demo of some of the sounds:
http://goo.gl/PPyT9

Thanks!
Cooper
www.coopsbassblog.com

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