Nowadays many bass players use at least two basses when performing on stage.  While this helps to provide a wider tonal variety, there can be certain technical challenges that need to be overcome when switching basses.  Volumes need to be adjusted, amp settings may have to be tweaked, plus if you’ll want to mute your signal before you make the switch.  This can be a bit cumbersome during a busy set, not to mention tiring if you switch frequently.  Fortunately, Radial Engineering has come up with a solution in the Radial Tonebone Bassbone.

The Bassbone Bass Control Center is a two channel preamp that lets you easily toggle between two basses, providing volume control and EQ for each channel.  With two channels you can preset the volume and tone of each bass independently, eliminating the need to adjust your amp when changing instruments.  Channel 1 provides a three position Contour switch with preset EQ curves; Flat, Shape 1 (a fat bassy tone), and Shape 2 (a scooped tone for slapping).  Channel 2 is equipped with a powerful 3-band EQ (High, Mid & Low) allowing you to customize your sound.  Once dialed in, changing basses is achieved by toggling between channels on the footswitch.

Other features include a built in power booster and switchable effects loop.  An assignable, second footswitch, adds either the boost, the effects loop or both, allowing you to insert an effect and increase your gain for soloing.  A separate, always on, tuner out helps keep you in tune.  The Bassbone also acts as a high quality direct box with a balanced XLR output allowing you to send your sound directly to the mixer.

When employing only one bass, the Bassbone allows you to EQ each channel differently and toggle between them for added flexibility.  In use, the Bassbone is the ultimate bass signal manager, allowing you to switch seamlessly between two basses, adding effects to each as desired.  I have used mine quite a bit to switch between my active 5-String and my passive P-Bass.  When switching over I always maintain a nice, even volume, with no need to go back to my amp.

The Radial Bassbone is an indispensable tool if you use more than one bass on stage.  It’s a great DI for stage or studio, giving you a little added control over the tone you send.  One thing to note is that this is an A/C only unit as that it requires a more powerful 15v power supply.  It is hard to go wrong with this unit when you consider that it is essentially an A/B switch, DI, Boost, and EQ all in one rugged pedal.

Features:

Channel 1:  Contour switches= Flat, Shape 1 (SVT), Shape 2 (Slap) – Preset EQ Curves

Channel 2:  3-Band EQ, High, Mid, Low.

Separate volume controls for each cannel

XLR balance out with ground lift

Boost

Tuner out – always on

FX Loop – 1/4” TRS insert

2 input jacks, channel 1 & 2

1 Output – 1/4” to bass amp

Footswitch for  boost/FX loop

Footswitch for input toggle, ch 1, ch 2

Boost assign, select boost, effects loop or both

Boost volume control

 www.radialeng.com

Stanton Lawrence([email protected])