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Post subject: Can't seem to figure out the Fender B-DEC
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:31 pm
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I got this amp, the B-DEC 30 Bass Amp, because as a studying bassist I thought it had a lot of cool features to assist me learning the bass guitar. Unfortunately it's really frustrating me. The very first thing I wanted to do with the amp, before I tried out any of the special features, was to get a good natural clean sound from the amp. This would be a reference point, hearing my guitar as is without any distortion, or effects. Unfortunately this I have not been able to do. All the amp sounds seem to be processed in some way when all I really want to do is get a decent basic sound with nothing more than the three EQ knobs on the amp to alter the sound. A nice clean sound. Going into the amp menu I see ways to alter the sound but I really don't want to study in depth all the different parameters, twiddling with contour and timbre, etc. just to get a natural amp sound. I mean sure down the road I can think about fine tuning and amp emulations and effects but right now I just want an unadulterated sound. I mean right off the bat a lot of the amp types have the gain turned up to 10. I'm not trying to sound like a rock star before I know how to play music.

Also it seems as though the amp configuration is tied in with the drum programs so I can't simply switch amp styles or parameters without having to save it as parameters for a rhythm. You see before i start using all the functions of the amp I just want it to test it out as a regular old amp. Right now I don't like the way the amp sounds and though the lessons and drum patterns and effects are all really useful if I can't have get a decent sound out of the amp then I don't value the add-ons as much.

So can anyone help me out here? Are there any presets or parameters I can try?

Thanks.


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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:47 am
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Location: Scottsdale, AZ
I spent a weekend beta testing the B-DEC 30 and my takeaway was that the amp is incredibly DEEP -- I truthfully felt like I was only scratching the surface after my brief test of the product. Personally I got what I felt were some killer sounds of it even during my brief tenure but beauty is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder as they say. :) That said, achieving your fundamental core sound is mission critical and I'm hoping some fellow B-DEC'ers will pipe in with their own experiences and recommendations.

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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:15 am
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I will have to agree with Brad on this one, although he has MUCH more experience with the B-DEC 30 than I do. But I can attest that I can see what you mean as I have a G-DEC and sometimes finding a simple, clean tone can seem elusive. However, I have probably only scratched the surface with mine.

One thing I personally find is that a "clean sound" is going to be different out of every single amp you play... But what do I know, I am a struggling guitarist who has been playing since I was 15 and I still don't have it mastered :lol:


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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:38 am
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I have also found that clean is subjective.


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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:56 am
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Well I've done a little more fiddling around with the settings and managed to come up up with a decent clean tone. Guess it's just a matter of learning the amp. I didn't find the documentation to be all that helpful. Kinda quickly brushed over the features. I hope the local music store here gets a visit from a Fender rep someday so I can someone to show me all the ins and outs.

Initially the amp seems to be set up to impress the kiddies with an instant "rock n roll" tone and FX. Myself I like to start at zero and dial up whatever I want. With the B-DEC you have to dial down.

BTW, are their no downloads yet for the B-DEC? When I click on the link it always takes me to the G-DEC downloads which of course do not work for the B-DEC.


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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:56 pm
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If you are looking for downloads for the B-DEC 30, please visit the B-DEC 30 "mini site"... http://www.fender.com/products/bdec30/

Here you will find all of the information you are most likely looking for. Also, a the very bottom of the "Downloads" page you will see a link that reads: "For B-DEC 30 downloads, please go here." - This link will take you to this exact same "mini site"...

Hope this helps! :wink:


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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:40 pm
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Hey thanks for the reply. It seems the downloads for the B-DEC send you in a round robin loop. The mini-site has a downloads link at the top which takes you to a list of downloads and when you click on an individual download (Windows XP for example) you then are sent to the G-DEC downloads with B-DEC listed at the bottom with a link "For B-DEC 30 downloads, please go here" which takes back to the mini-site again and so you never can download anything for the B-DEC.

Either that or I am really daff.

Also is the problems for the Uno midi converter permanent? I bought the Uno specifically to use with this amp.

Cheers.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:10 pm
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Thanks for the heads-up on the B-DEC downloads... We need to repost the B-DEC files.. they must have gotten lost in the mix when we were uploading the new website - DOH! :?


*** UPDATE ***

I am working to remedy this issue right now - stay tuned 8)


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:31 pm
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OK gang,

I've fixed all of the "Downloads"... sorry about the confusion. They were there but in the wrong directory :?

Anyway, no more running in circles to find the downloads! YAY!

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:57 am
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Never Fear...the Bass Product Specialist will soon be here.

Heath Bathgate, our resident BDEC-Boy will be onlline soon.

Heath has been bouncing around the country teaching all things BDEC, and will be more than happy to help.

Stay tuned.
Emery


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:16 pm
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The best way to find the "Clean" sound is to go to any of the Teacher Loops which start on pattern 38. These are clean and uneffected sounds. If you want to switch the amp settings by hitting the "Amp" button.


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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:21 pm
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thanks Heath!

let's do some more clinics!

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:12 pm
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Any chance of a pdf version of the B-Dec Method Book being available?
Unfortunately my amp didn't come with the method book and that was probably one of the bigger selling points. Retailer doesn't have a spare, or any other amps to rob one out of. Although robbing from another amp would just leave the next guy in the same situation.

Thanks,
Bob


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:20 pm
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xl1200r wrote:
Any chance of a pdf version of the B-Dec Method Book being available?
Unfortunately my amp didn't come with the method book and that was probably one of the bigger selling points. Retailer doesn't have a spare, or any other amps to rob one out of. Although robbing from another amp would just leave the next guy in the same situation.

Thanks,
Bob


Bob
email me at hbathgate@fender.com and give me your info and I will see what I can do for you.

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Fender Musical Instruments Corp.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:37 pm
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Can't wait for Heath to show., I got a bunch of questions.

Some general problems I have with the amp is that for example the EQ knobs are tied in with the digital program of the amp so whenever I turn something up or down I get the flashing save light which is rather annoying. If I have my mid knob at 4 o'clock then why would I need to "save" it.

I dislike how a lot of things are turn on and high from get go. Most of the amp settings have the gain cranked right up. Too I find that the drum program and play along bass is too loud and I always got to dial it down.

Rock sounds are easy to find but I play a lot of soul/funk without effects and that is where I like to spend most of my time tonally, which has been a challenge to get to. On a side not I wish the amp was separate entirely from the rhythm programs. I'm looking at having to program a amp sound for every single rhythm.

Too I dislike how there is no reset option when I do tempo creep or autokey. If I stop it midway and want to start over I have to leave the rhythm preset entirely.


I'd also like to know if there is gonna be more rhythms available for download on the B-DEC.


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