Postretro
Inspired
i'm sure I can get something close but look at it this way. What if I told you that the fractal was a bass modeler but with some tweaking you could get close to the guitar sound you want?
I do understand your thoughts here.
I don't know why there aren't more FAS solid state bass amp models. It seems that a SS bass amp would be much easier to model than a tube amp. And, a stable of modifiable SS bass amps would open the floodgates to bass players who really need great modeling options. I think it would make FAS modeling more profitable and more widely used.
From what I can see, a SS bass amp has a better behaved PSU - no crazy sag, weak PSU caps, or weird ripple. And while, the amplification is colored and not be purely linear, there is no grid clipping and no output transformer. A SS bass amp seems like it would be much easier and simpler to model. I also think the non-linear and toneful parts of a Bass amp could be made very customizable and very easily voiced. However, I can only guess about those things.
Meanwhile, I would be interested in putting together patches of specific tweaks for you to audition. But, only if that appeals to you. I can't create the sound you want. But, I might be able to point you to parameter changes that would help you get the tone you want.
I don't want to condescend or insult your intelligence. I simply have no idea what amp parameters you may have worked with already. I am also very curious about what you hear with each of these tweaks. You clearly have great ears. Your observations would be useful to me with my limited hearing.
Rather than turn off the power amp, I would propose to make the power amp harder, more dynamic, tighter and less distorted. I think the color of the power amp is not a problem, only the distortion.
These are mods that have already been done to the Jazz 120 power amp, in your Scene 3.
"Xfmer Drive" (Amp block, Power Amp page) is already been reduced to .01 (very clean, very little color)
"Negative Feedback" (Amp block, Power Amp page) is already been increased to 10 (very clean, very stiff, very little color)
If other modifications make your amp sound too stiff, you might want to revisit the "Negative Feedback." Dropping the value of NFB down from 10, a judicious amount, will add a little color back into the top end and make the top end sound less hard and less stiff. It will also allow the highs to distort a little easier. A small amount of distortion is okay. It is just good nonlinear, tone.
On the other hand, "Xfmr Drive" will introduce more low frequency distortion as the value is increased. While, it never hurts to recheck for the best value, on occasion, my guess is that, for bass -- especially jazz bass, the lowest "Xfmr Drive" value will always be best.
I don't know what exact difference in sound between your current Jazz 120 model and the Markbass is most meaningful to you. If you can describe what you feel is lacking, more specifically, I can suggest more targeted parameter tweaks that may be more specifically useful to you.
I am also very interested in hearing how reducing "Grid Clipping" (Amp block, Power Tubes page) from 30% to 0% worked for you, as a jazz bass player. That was one of two mods in scene 4 of the patch I sent you -- along with a second mod, the reduction of "Master Bias Excursion" (Amp block, Dynamics page) from 100% to 50%.
I hope this helps.
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