https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 04:02:42 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-75663 Thu, 11 Nov 2004 19:49:23 +0000
They both were right; it was the use of the word "distortion." Right now I'm tending to think more in line with the sound guy. Distortion is 'fuzz' but not only fuzz.

Even adding chorus is altering the tone and that would be technically 'distorting' the orginal tone. Same with flange or wah or overdrive. I'm not so sure about echo though, since it's a repeating of the original signal.

But anyhow, I'm thinking that when I use my fingers to pluck bass notes and it's near the bridge, there's a certain array of fundamental and harmonics, but with certain harmonics louder (an altered mix of the overall set of sounds). When I keep playing and slide my picking hand closer to the neck, other harmonics are emphasized. I guess on an oscilloscope you could see the difference in shapes of each tone.

But that would be coloration? I think so, but it would be coloration during the process of sound production rather than after-the-fact like with an effect box.

Same thing if I use a flatpick instead of fingers. Way different sound, but it's at the moment of tone production and not after.

I guess I'm answering my own question here.

It would be the same with the different sounds available with round-wounds or flat-wounds, Even pickups.

But when you go down the line to the amp, there is where after-the-fact tone coloration first comes in. (Well, if you don't want to add tone and volume drop due to bad or cheap cables!). The amp is always your first effect, which is an interesting thing to ponder for a moment.

...

Okay, pondering's over. :)

The other point of view would be that, at least for electric instruments, the amp is a *part* of the total instrument, just like the pickups or strings or whatever else contributes to the original sound. A complete unit which includes the handheld device (the guitar or bass), and the base (not bass) unit. Like with Hendrix playing not just the guitar, but the amp as well.

Then whatever else was added could be called after-the-fact, though that would tend to include now, the recording equipment or PA and how they distort or color the sound before people hear it.

"Wow, the Monterrey mix is so much better than the Woodstock!" That's coloration/distortion isn't it?

I think I'll 'ponder' a little more, lol

:)]]> Bass Players Discussion DemoEtc https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-75663 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-75114 Sat, 06 Nov 2004 20:57:32 +0000
Occasionally I'll set my Zoom BFX708 on "fretless" mode for songs that just don't sound right played on a fretted bass ("Moondance", anyone?)]]> Bass Players Discussion jmb-d https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-75114 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74874 Thu, 04 Nov 2004 23:20:33 +0000
but a bass version of the ebow... now that would be special...]]> Bass Players Discussion English one https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74874 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74747 Wed, 03 Nov 2004 23:23:00 +0000
Anyhow...whew, it was a cool idea and it, I guess, was borrowed from the Medieval Hurdy Gurdy. Or was it Renaissance? Anyway, you crank the thingie and it makes leatherized wheels spin and rub the strings. Probably be able to do it with an electric eraser, which the archtects used to use.

And...your hand won't melt :)]]> Bass Players Discussion DemoEtc https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74747 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74718 Wed, 03 Nov 2004 20:14:26 +0000
Scroll down on these links:

Gizmotron 1

Gizmotron 2]]> Bass Players Discussion gnease https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74718 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74717 Wed, 03 Nov 2004 20:08:35 +0000
-Laz]]> Bass Players Discussion Dan Lasley https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74717 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74715 Wed, 03 Nov 2004 19:44:57 +0000
I guess Ebow figures a bass version will probably have to be so big and powerful it would demagnetize your wrist muscles or something and you'd wind up with that Harry Potter flopping boneless forearm.

It's good they look out for us, but still.... :?]]> Bass Players Discussion DemoEtc https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74715 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74655 Wed, 03 Nov 2004 07:10:32 +0000 Bass Players Discussion paul donnelly https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74655 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74627 Wed, 03 Nov 2004 02:31:38 +0000 Bass Players Discussion DemoEtc https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74627 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74448 Mon, 01 Nov 2004 20:42:07 +0000
Even now though, if a piece seems to require something other than the electric bass, then I'll do it for the sake of the music - like a Casio keyboard's synth bass sounds or just a traditional orchestral bowed bass sort of thing. Whatever the bottom end needs, I'll put that in.

The Fish (Yes, Squire) is amazing though - the live version. Wah bass. Incredible.]]> Bass Players Discussion DemoEtc https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/bass-efects/#post-74448