does anyone know how to add a rough edge to my bass sound

[FUZZZZzzzz]

Guys!

When I record my bass into my beloved Tascam 488 I like to distort the input a little. I really like the broken speakersound on bass. I am aware of the mid-fi demotapefuzz. i build one and like it on guitar, but does anyone know of a good pedal for bass that just gives that small edge of overdrive?

[Kipper4]

Not for bass, but the MP Sweet Honey or a Hermida zen drive maybe?

[bool]

I'll suggest a mod of the electra circuit. It's simple and can be efficient.

1) Replace the input capacitor with a R-C combo: 0.47uF in series with 6k8 resistor.
2) Replace the 47k resistor with a 6k8 resistor.
3) You can experiment with replacing the 680 Ohm resistor with a 1k pot (with a 22uF cap a-la fuzz face to act as a gain control)
4) Replace the output capacitor with a 1uF cap (either electrolitic or film).
5) Replace diodes with LEDs and add another 1k pot in series with the diodes to act as a "soft clip" control (can be a larger value, but imho not as useful)
6) Experiment with adding a capacitor across the LEDs to act as a lowpass filter - I'd start with a 4n7 and go up to 10nF. Additionally you can add a 47pF across Base and Collector of the transistor to tame the hiss

The benefit of such a simple circuit is that it will usually have lower noise compared to more complicated circuits. Good luck.

[FUZZZZzzzz]

thanks for the tips.. isnt it easier to try and mod a simple preamp?

[FUZZZZzzzz]

will try this.. thanks!

I'll suggest a mod of the electra circuit. It's simple and can be efficient.

1) Replace the input capacitor with a R-C combo: 0.47uF in series with 6k8 resistor.
2) Replace the 47k resistor with a 6k8 resistor.
3) You can experiment with replacing the 680 Ohm resistor with a 1k pot (with a 22uF cap a-la fuzz face to act as a gain control)
4) Replace the output capacitor with a 1uF cap (either electrolitic or film).
5) Replace diodes with LEDs and add another 1k pot in series with the diodes to act as a "soft clip" control (can be a larger value, but imho not as useful)
6) Experiment with adding a capacitor across the LEDs to act as a lowpass filter - I'd start with a 4n7 and go up to 10nF. Additionally you can add a 47pF across Base and Collector of the transistor to tame the hiss

The benefit of such a simple circuit is that it will usually have lower noise compared to more complicated circuits. Good luck.

[anotherjim]

CMOS (4049U/4069U) based circuits seem to work well with bass. Softer clipping automatically it seems, much like tape.

But also, the lower input impedance found on tape deck inputs seems in my experience to suit passive bass pickups for recording - kills a lot of fretting noise for free (so long as you're not a slap & pop player and want all that top end trash). What are the Tascam ins? 50k?

[FUZZZZzzzz]

the tascam is due to repair.. the controlplate is a bit wonky and needs replacement. Funny things is they still offfer all the spare parts new. I'm gonna take some notes on the preamp when I open this baby up. maybe they will give me a schematic when i ask for it.

[anotherjim]

Found this...
http://slugbug.sound-club.org/information/Tascam%20488%20Mk1%20Service%20Manual%20%28PNG%29/

Specs on this...
http://slugbug.sound-club.org/information/Tascam%20488%20Mk1%20Service%20Manual%20%28PNG%29/488SM_p002.png

Schematic on this...
http://slugbug.sound-club.org/information/Tascam%20488%20Mk1%20Service%20Manual%20%28PNG%29/488SM_p060_SCH_INPUT_SYNC_SW.png

Mic/Line inputs are 50k
Line inputs are 20k.
Which did you use?

I'm sure someone has made an effect (maybe not in 9v  stompbox form) of the Tascam preamp, but I'm damned if I can find it!

[digi2t]

My first choice, would be the Bohm Trick Verzerrer. Here's the vero;



Trick Verzerrer sound clip. Excuse my bass playing, just noodling with a kids bass. I made the pedal for him.

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=11560147&q=hi

Then there's the Schumann Lion, though I haven't tried it myself. I've heard good things about it from bass players on the net. Here's a vero for that;

[LakeFX]

I love my Fairfield Barbershop clone for exactly the use you describe. I used the vero layout from tagboard and it was a fairly easy build.

[FUZZZZzzzz]

you guys are amazing! glad I'm not the only one with the taste of broken speaker bass sound

THANK YOU!

[FUZZZZzzzz]

thanks for this.. I've used the mic/line input. The company mid-fi made the demotape fuzz based on a tascam 4track preamp
http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.nl/2014/02/mid-fi-electronics-demo-tape-fuzz.html

its pretty cool on guitar.

Found this...
http://slugbug.sound-club.org/information/Tascam%20488%20Mk1%20Service%20Manual%20%28PNG%29/

Specs on this...
http://slugbug.sound-club.org/information/Tascam%20488%20Mk1%20Service%20Manual%20%28PNG%29/488SM_p002.png

Schematic on this...
http://slugbug.sound-club.org/information/Tascam%20488%20Mk1%20Service%20Manual%20%28PNG%29/488SM_p060_SCH_INPUT_SYNC_SW.png

Mic/Line inputs are 50k
Line inputs are 20k.
Which did you use?

I'm sure someone has made an effect (maybe not in 9v  stompbox form) of the Tascam preamp, but I'm damned if I can find it!