Review of the Electro Harmonix Bass Balls and Bass Balls Nano Dynamic Filters

14 Oct 2008

"...the kind of effect any bass player might use once in a set to maybe showcase a bass solo or really groove into a funky bass line."

Features of the Bass Balls

Construction - The Bass Balls Dynamic Filter is a standard folded sheet metal construction typical of Electro-Harmonix pedals. It's very strong and should put up with everything you can throw at it in the course of normal use. The Nano version is housed in an even thicker metal box and looks virtually indestructable.

Ins and Outs - One standard jack in and one standard jack out.

Power - One 9v battery or the optional ac adaptor (not included - 9v 100ma positive tip).

Controls - The Bass Balls is basically a twin dynamic filter and the range of sweep is set by the both the attack of the instrument and by the setting of the Sensitivity knob. A level of fuzz distortion is added by turning on the two-way Distortion slider. Both units are knocked on and off with a standard medium duty footswitch.

Sound of the Bass Balls

The only way I can describe the Bass Balls sound is to liken it to those voice-box effects where the sound comes up a tube to be modified in the player's mouth (remember Peter Frampton?). The result is a kind of talking wah. This is instantly fun, but you need to practise to make it sound its best. Because all of the control isn't on the unit, instead you can partially control the sensitivity of the effect by the way you actually play the instrument. With practise you can avoid the frog-like noises that come with careless playing and elevate this effect to a sublime funky talking kick-ass bass sound.     

Overall Impressions of the Bass Balls

If you play any funk or disco style music in your set you need to get one of these, it's pure Disco Tex, man!  I can also see ambient and prog rock musicians taking a real shine to it. But I guess it's the kind of effect any bass player might use once in a set to maybe showcase a bass solo or really groove into a funky bass line. Hell, just buy one, I'm sure you'll use it for something!

Reviewed by The Man in the Jar