Re: [Harp-L] Boss FBM-1 Fender '59 Bassman pedal

[nonidesign@xxxxxxx]

FYI: Boss is also issuing a Fender Blackface Deluxe pedal of a similar style. I like Deluxes (played through a real 64' on Saturday night) but haven't tried the pedal version from Boss. 

-------------- Original message from Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>: -------------- 


> I bought the Boss FBM-1 '59 Fender Bassman pedal online from American 
> Musical Supply last week for the price of $149, and it arrived about an 
> hour ago. Initial testing with my Audix Fireball mic is very favorable. 
> The device includes controls for bass, middle, treble, and presence, 
> plus separate controls for gain and volume. That's pretty simple stuff, 
> and it doesn't take long to dial in a good sound, with however much 
> crunch you prefer, on whatever amp you're using for the output. 
> 
> I don't own a '59 Bassman or a Bassman reissue, so I have no way of 
> knowing whether the pedal sounds exactly like either one of them. And 
> frankly, I don't care. I like stuff that sounds good, whether or not it 
> sounds exactly like something else. This box makes a good sound. 
> 
> The device seems to have very little self-noise at this point, but I 
> want to do more testing on a variety of gear before I conclude that it's 
> suitable for recording. 
> 
> I doubt that this thing will replace a Sonny Junior, but it should be a 
> nice piece for players who want a simple, lightweight, inexpensive 
> solution that sounds good. I also don't think it will replace my 
> Digitech RP200, because it's only got one amp model, and the Digitech 
> has half a dozen usable models with distinct tones, plus three good 
> delays, decent chorus/flange/detun/etc., and a couple of killer pitch 
> shifters. In other words, the Digitech is a lot more versatile. 
> 
> However, the Digitech is not "simple"--it took me 50 hours to develop my 
> first usable set of 40 patches for it, and it's taking me about another 
> dozen hours to reconfigure the patch set for the Audix Fireball mic. (I 
> sell the patch sets for $15, which is a good deal if you want to get up 
> and running on the RP200 with a lot of good sounds fast.) That said, if 
> you're willing to put in the time, the Digitech is a great value at its 
> current price of $99 from Musicians Friend or American Musical Supply. 
> 
> If you're not willing to put in the time on a more complicated pedal, 
> you can probably get a good sound in 5 minutes with the Bassman pedal, 
> assuming you're running the output to a decent amp. Varying the gain 
> and tone controls should produce another half dozen or so good, basic 
> amped sounds that most players will be very happy with. 
> 
> The thing is a trifle pricey for one amp model, but it's cheaper than a 
> reissue Bassman amp, sounds good, and is small and light enough to carry 
> in a backpack with your harps and mic. I expect that Boss will sell a 
> lot of these things. 
> 
> regards, Richard Hunter 
> hunterharp.com 
> latest mp3s always at http://www.broadjam.com 
> 
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