Aphex 1402 Bass Xciter

its ok...can vary room to room...but with four knobs to twist how challenging can it get...?

i use it with an swr..basic black with its aural enhancer set to 2 o;clock..hiss is its problem....but it does give the sound an edge depends on how finicky you are; about tone...i personally dont buy into the hype about these units......

so far so good.....poor construction tho.

notyet thankfully.....

funk..soul..r&b groove...thats where its at...isnt it? been around a while...dont feel id buy it again if sold!!!!!over all a tadge gimmicky for moir....still try it out you may enjoy.

very easy to adjust sound

it makes a small amp sound big and a big amp sound huge. i have never been fond of add on bass effects but this box broadens the bass notes you can realy notive the difference when you turn it off.

here is where it falls flat. the on off button cuts out at times

when it works its great i thought i had a bad one but it seems that the deffective switch is a common problem

Easy two pairs of knobs one pair deals with your bass frequencies and enhances these fundamentals producing enhanced sub frequencies You select what frequency below which you want the enhancer to act upon. You then have a level knob to control the mix of these bass frequencies The Treble knob allows you to select the frequency above which you want excited and as with the bass you have a level knob to set the mix of this effect Nice red LED shows when on or off Instructions say use active passive switch depending on what bass you have but I have found that this cuts the signal too much I have an 18volt schack 5 string and after several gigs I now use the pedal in the passive position it does not overload as stated and I am running my bass and preamp and better levels

Amazing just as the reviews had stated you will not want to turn it off It gives you so much warmth and spread of your fundamental tone Rich and warm with the exciter adding the sparkle to your harmonics. This enables me to back off bass on my bass and amp. I have set it up now to act on the lower bass frequencies approx 80 Hz down at 2 and with the bass mix volume at 7 The high frequency I use between 7 ??? 8 and with the volume level at 7 These settings work best for me on Chart pop covers and RnB etc. The only time I switch it off is if the room or stage is too bloomy

No issues yet. I read up on this first and planned my pedal board with it in mind so have power supply and permanently fitted jacks so not to get problems with the board mounted jacks mentioned in these reviews. Cluttered connection points and construction methods are disappointing on such a good pedal I have made allowances so not to have trouble but would not chance using it off my pedal board so have dropped the score here

Excellent pedal does what it says it will do. no gigging bass player should be without one. I have had some issues getting my gain settings right after adding this pedal and initially used the active button as instructed so not to overload it but this took far too much out and found I was turning my bass up and then over cooking my compressor and running out of steam. After several Gigs I have now gone back to the passive setting. Great pedal makes your other pedals come alive. My rig is now Schack 5 string 18volt into Boss Octave into EBS comp into Boss Flanger into Boss Chorus into Bass Exciter into Mark Bass LMK.

It's pretty easy to use - two knobs for low end, two knobs for high end. It's worth reading the manual, but you can get a good sound just by listening and tweaking the knobs. You can 'set & forget' but if you have to use someone else's amp, you might want to tweak it a bit more. As the manual says "What settings are great for one rig or instrument might not be perfect for another"<br>
Bad points- The buttons are tiny (It's a Bass pedal - we have fat fingers! We need BIG buttons!) and crowded along the back with the (crappy plastic) jack sockets, which means you can accidentally push one when plugging your leads in. The active/passive button seems useless (I use an active Bass and I set it to passive). You have to take the backplate off to change the battery <br>
Good points- Phantom power is always welcome, and it will apparently run off any mains adapter that will fit, from 5-12v, tip negative or positive. This is a BRILLIANT idea.

It sounds GOOD! Hard to explain exactly what it does... kind of makes your sound 'bigger'. You don't realise you need one until you get one, then you'll wonder how you lived without it!<br> I use a StingRay and a shed load of other pedals, and the Xciter sounds great with some of them, and not-so-great with others. It's fantastic with a Big Muff pi - it puts back the low end that the muff takes away (cos it's a 'treble' guitar pedal)<br>
The DI has got a lovely smooth tone (Even sound engineers like it) which I mainly use for Jazz/Big band and pop stuff, where my Tech 21 Sansamp sounds a bit too Rock<br>
I could probably experiment with the settings more, but it's set to 'Phat Bass' and I don't like fiddling with my pedals mid-gig.

This is where it loses LOTS of marks... basically, it's really badly designed and built. Really badly. The footswitch is rubbish and soldered direct to the pcb, the jack sockets are plastic and the pcb is held in place by the jack sockets and footswitch (!) When I got it, it worked fine for about 6 months, then stopped working. You'd click the footswitch and it would go silent. So I had it repaired, and it worked again for about 3 months, then the same thing happened. So I took it to a friend of mine who's an electronics whizz and loves fixing things. He fitted a better quality switch and wired it to the pcb (rather than directly soldered) and glued a small block of wood inside to keep the pcb in place. Now it works perfectly.<br>
Aphex should hang their heads in shame for housing such a great sounding effect in such an awfully designed pedal.

I emailed them a few times when it broke, and they were ok. At least they replied, which is more than can be said for some manufacturers.

It sounds ace, but the construction is a joke.
I don't know if the problems I had with it are typical - I'll be charitable and say maybe mine came from a bad batch...
I mainly use it to beef up the Bass end, which it does admirably, but I don't have it on all the time - it doesn't sound great with the sansamp, and sometimes I just want the raw clank of my StingRay!
A couple of people on here complain about the graphics - Why do you care what a pedal looks like?! No-one's gonna see it! :)
The name sounds a bit rude, which is always good, especially when you're aurally xciting your big muff pi...<br>
Overall, it's great when it works.

This effect, or really two effects, is a very simple of doing a complex thing. I used to fiddle around with my eq and my amp settings, now I keep my eq pretty flat and use the effect to dial up my sound.

Sound quality is great but it can be too much. You need to find the sweet spot for both the big bottom and the aural exciter (I suspect both deliberate double entendres) You can get hiss and you can get mud, even farting. But when it's right it's sublime.
I use an eden Nemesis (great amp BTW) into a 15in bin with a horn ( I like old school). I use either fender p or an active ibanez sr500.

Bombproof

I play all kinds of music but mostly stuff written before 83. It is a great match. I have been playing for 30 years.

There is a learning curve with the Bass Xciter. People who read the in-depth manual will get more out of it. Some reviewers aren't happy with it at all. I'm guessing these folks didn't read the manual and don't understand what it does or how it works. This device is really two separate processors in one pedal. One processor is the propriatary "Aural Exciter" circuit which adds natural sounding harmonics to the highs to yield brighter, crisper tones and enhance both attack and sustain. Think heighth here. The separate propriatary "Big Bottom" circuit works in a similar fashion to add low harmonics. Think depth. Together they make the sound bigger without really making it louder. However each process is separate. Set properly to match your bass and amp the Aphex unit can give your practice amp gig rig tone at a lower volume. When used with your big gig rig it will leave other bassists wondering how the heck you get those tones. One thing I've noticed is that it makes a passive bass sound active and an active bass sound more textured. If you don't know how to use it, it becomes an expensive paperweight.

Gripes: The input, 2 outputs, AC adapter input and switches for "Ground Lift," "Active/Passive" and "Wet/Dry" for the XLR direct output are all on the back. The back is so crowded it is possible to accidentially push the tiny latching push button for "Active/Passive" when changing guitar cables even if you don't mean to push the button. I always visually check the buttons when I'm finished messing around on the back of the pedal. The input and output guitar level jacks also are the "soldered directly to the circuit board" type, but in two years I've had no problem with them. I'm real careful not to jam plugs in or jerk them out. On mine, the input jack does not stop the battery from draining when the instrument cable is removed, but this is not a problem as I use AC power exclusively. Everyone complains about having to remove four screws to change the battery. No problem for me as I use AC. I wish Aphex had put the jacks on the sides and used real metal jacks with retaining nut rings. I'd give it a much higher rating if they had. No design change is likely to be forthcoming. The entire Aphex pedal line all has the same crowded back layout with the low-rent jacks and if they change one pedal they'll have to change them all and a major redesign on a newer product they sell so few of is probably not in the cards anytime soon. I'll take the bad with the good here. This thing will hiss if the "High Blend" is cranked wide open to "10" but I never turn it past about "7" anyway. The hiss seems to start on mine at about "8.5" or thereabouts. The on/off footswitch does make big noise when you cut it on, but I leave it on all the time anyway. The graphics are sort of juvenile. They are professional, colorful and artistic but juvenile none the less.

Some more good points. If the AC adapter plug fits the jack on the Xciter it will run it. It will also run on phantom power from a mixer. Good features.

"OH MY GOD! IT'S FULL OF STARS!" Without any doubt this is the best bass effect pedal I've ever used. I can get Duck or Jamerson or Bootsy or Kaye tones. I NEVER turn it off. I do have a favorite bass (a 53 P-bass), but I do play my other basses (Fender 04 USA Jazz, Ibanez 06 SRX700, Fender 76 P-bass, etc) and use lots of different amps too...but the one thing I always use, no matter which bass or which amp I'm using, is the Aphex Bass Xciter. I also use an Aphex Punch Factory compressor pedal. While the compressor isn't always turned on the Xciter is most definitely always on. The Xciter and the Punch Factory are a great combination for smooth sounding live performance bass lines. Direct into a mixer the pedal sounds great. My current set up is a Whirlwind Optical A/B switch to the Aphex Bass Xciter, then to the Aphex Punch Factory and then to the Amp input.

I've worked in commercial broadcasting and recording studios since since 1968. For the past 20 years or so the rack versions of this pedal have been a studio staple. This pedal is the rack version crunched up into a pedal.

I can not live without this.

I've used mine for almost two years. Other than the battery power not being turned off when the input plug is removed it works 100%. It probably came that way but I didn't know about it until after the warranty had expired. It isn't an issue as I use power from my powered pedalboard almost exclusively. Eventually I think the instrument input and output jacks with work loose from the circuit board and need a "touch up" by a tech. I'm real careful and don't jerk it around.

Aphex is a leader in professional audio enchancement and processing. Their rack stuff is in the best studios. They have put together a great line of guitar/bass pedals incorporating their unique technology developed initially for the recording industry. Their customer support is historically very responsive. Their products are good quality items. That is why I don't understand the flimsy instrument in/out jacks as it probably saved them about $5.

I play mostly classic rock, R&B oldies(Stax, Motown), some disco, a little funk and a unique genre called "Carolina Beach Music" which is about the same as the "Northern Soul" genre. This pedal delivers more useful tones, more attack and longer sustain than a bass plugged straight into the amp. Combined with the Aphex compressor I can sound exactly like the key bassists from the 60's and 70's sounded on their records and then switch to some 80's funk. Twist the exciter "High Blend" to about "7" with the "Hi Tune" set to "0" and I get a great slap tone. Versatility in a small package. If there is a better bass pedal I've never heard it. When this Bass Xciter breaks, gets lost or is stolen I will have one overnighted to me. I am totally and completely addicted to this thing. It is the one unchangeable thing in my rig. I change amps, basses, cables, turn the compressor on or off but this thing is always there.

Easy to use - just four knobs and a few buttons. Pain in the neck changing a battery. Take four screws out of the base to find it - don't expect a quick change during a gig.

Used with a Precision and Ampeg SVT-3 Pro, plus Ampeg 4 x 10 and 1 x 15 for rock and a few fuctions (weddings, parties). I bought it for two reasons - for a bass boost when required and as a DI box for those very tiny gigs when I play through the PA. However, when playing loud, its very hard to hear any change to the sound at all. Any difference is too subtle to notice. I can just about hear a variation when the rig is set up at home. Again, when using it as a DI, I can't vary my tone.

Worst thing about it is the great 'whumf' noise it generates through the amp when switching it on and off.

Sometimes its noisy, and buzzes continuously, and when you push the footswitch it produces a huge thump noise which loosens a few fillings in the front row. Believe me this is not just a little click.

Haven't tried them. Perhaps I should have when I first got it. Perhaps I would have got my money back.

Bought it about two years ago - it got very good ratings in the press. Used it a couple of times when I first got it, but not since. Now gathering dust.
Do not buy this over the internet or by mail order, like I did. Find a shop that has one and try it out. I doubt you will buy it after hearing it.
Also it has the words "Big Bottom" printed on it - the other band members found this hilarious.

Very good at getting THE sound. The manual is just perfect. It works as you think it might straight out of the box.
I have the Big Bottoms in my studio and this is exactly what I wanted to use live.

4 & 5 string Miruzzi basses, 1979 Fender Jazz, ancient Ibanez Jazz copy. All with Bartolini pickups. Oh, and a real, honest-to-goodness 70's (all bow down) Minimoog!
Yep, has noise, as do all fx, what do you expect? Just don't crank the treble! I can't hear it when it's set right. If you want a lot of treble, get the Big Bottoms... or new strings!
Going into GK 1001RB with SWR 8x8 cab.
I can get the sound of my fave sounding players: Nathan East, Byron Miller, Marcus Miller, George Duke... generally, the good R&B jazz soul players.

I'm finding it's now part of my "sound". No question
Not well made, got el-cheapo input/output jacks and footswitch. Just crap that gets tossed out for more of the same crap componentry under warranty. Sign of the times. Used some proprietary pot cleaning drops and it fixed up the problems, which will return in time. Why do these manufacturers foist this crap on us?
If it breaks down I'll fix the thing myself. It's faults are in the hardware, not the circuitry.
Or, if it doesn't work, get another.
You don't change the settings once it's up and running, just dial up or down the bass and/or treble, otherwise, it's always in line and on.

I called the distributor who sold it to me with the warranty issue and they never called back. I have been playing bass for 30 yrs, I'm by no means unknown around here, so f*ck em. I don't mind pissing IN the tent, if you catch my drift.
It's faults are in the hardware, not the circuitry.
No support = no love = no endorsement of customer support.

Playing 30 yrs: Latin, Smooth Jazz, Brazilian, R&B, Rap, Hip Hop, Classical, C&W.
OK, it were stolen or lost, I would you buy it again.
Leaves the Behringer Sub Harmionic thingy for dead. No contest.
Wish it were a single rack unit, not a pedal. Who the hell turns it off?
I use it live and in the studio. I don't lug the Big Bottoms around.
It adds all that missing info on any bass instrument.
If you over-set the sound and compressor or limiter it afterwards, before your amp, it sounds even better, especially live.
I'm surprised how it even works with a tiny practice amp.

This is a very straightforward pedal to use "out of the box" - just plug it in and you'll have a very usable sound in no time at all. The manual is pretty good, gives you useful advice, but i personally would have preferred an explanation categorised by style - e.g. for reggae try this setting, for rock try this... but generally can't fault anything. Just 4 dials, 2 control the bass side, 2 control the treble.

I haven't used this with any active basses. I am using the Xciter with my custom Fender Jazz, which is passive and has ancient Dimarzio pickups.

My chain is: Boss CS1 Compressor pedal > EH Tube Zipper > EH Bass Microsynth > Aphex Bass Xciter > Trace Elliot 300W head + 1x15 Mesa Boogie cab. I would get the matching Aphex Punch Factory compressor, but I find the Boss compressor superb and so can't justify the Punch Factory.

My Xciter pedal is completely silent, even when used with a cheapo power supply. Sound quality is superb.

Everyone in my band has commented on my sound being really big, clear and punchy. Since buying this pedal, I have much more presence but without sounding "too loud".

Seems reliable enough, made of metal, only 4 knobs, should be fine. I wouldn't bother with a backup.

The Xciter is now a permanent fixture on my pedal board and I'm surprised it took me so long to discover this pedal given that it's been out a few years now. I reckon it makes my cabinet sound much bigger than a 1x15 (possibly more like a 1x15 with a 2x10)

I have been playing bass in bands for 14 years and have never encountered anything quite like this pedal before, and I now depend on it as much as my amp itself. If it went missing I would definitely buy another straight away. Actually I tell a lie, I had (still have) something similar - a Boss FA-1 - but I don't think the sound or flexibilty is as good as the Aphex.

Oh, one thing i think is REALLY stupid about this pedal is that to change the battery you have to remove FOUR screws on the bottom! What the crap is all that about?!?! Aphex employees must all be non-musician techno-geeks who do not understand that musicians (... like myself...) occassionally forget to check batteries before gigs and may need to replace batteries QUICKLY! As a result of this indescribably stupid decision by Aphex I use a power supply instead. At least they have designed the Xciter to work perfectly with any power adaptor. Still annoying though because it's more stuff for me to carry to rehearsals/gigs. Grrrr. Because of this I have given 9/10 overall, otherwise it would have got 10.

Anyway, I always set the EQ on my Trace Elliot flat and use the Xciter to provide all the bass / treble (I play rock but my basslines are very reggae influenced so that should tell you something that i am able to achieve so much bass presence with an amp set flat, especially since the bass i'm using is passive and has a relatively low output too). I am now playing with a lot of extra headroom and can go a lot louder than I would have ever gone before. I simply do not need to push my amp as hard since getting this pedal.

I seem to come up with really dub-by basslines more easily these days since i can really feel and hear the bass in a sort of more "musical" way, if that makes sense.

In my opinion this pedal is one of the best kept bass playing secrets (there must be others but I haven't found 'em yet!). The Xciter on it's own is impressive, but combined with a good compressor it is even more so. If your setup is anywhere close to mine I definitely recommend that you check out this pedal.

Easy and intuitive to use. Manual is available at the aphex website. It is v.easy to get a nice sound, just remember not to push the knobs further than 50% right.

I play a Fender Am. Std. Jazzbass, through several amps - SWR Studio 220, Hartke 3500 (with TP410 cab), Warwick CCL combo. The Aphex works especially well with the Hartke, as it adds smooth and deep bottom, and somehow 'enhances' the highs, making the sound full and pleasant. In case of SWR and Warwick the difference in sound when using the effect is noticeable, but not impressive.
the best thing about the effect for me is, that with it it's much easier to be heard in a band, even if playing on low volume. When playing in an average-size club, I usually had to use about 50% of Hartke's power (on single 4x10 cab) to loud enough. With the 1402 it's ca. 25%, and the sound has less noise and more clarity.
It also sounds ok as a dibox - I played several gigs without a bass amp, plugging my bass into the 1402, and from the aphex directly to the mixing table. Each time the sound was very nice, with nice loads of bass.
Now the bas things - under some circumstances (for example bad acoustic conditions) it tends to create too much lows - then it's better to turn the pedal off.
Generally for me it was a good buy, I use it on most rehearsals and nearly every gig. Also I've recorded several studio tracks with it - works ok.

It doesn't need a backup, because if it breaks down you just switch it off and play without it. However I'm not satisfied with the reliability. Sometimes just after turning on the unit there is no sound - u have to turn it off and on again (sometimes still doesn't work, so - repeat). It sucks because on a gig u can use the switch only between songs, and each time u have to check if it works or not. Maybe it's just a fault of my 1402, but I don't like it. Also there could be a better battery condition LED. For now if the battery is old, you just hear a slight distortion, and the LED is still very bright. If you there's not much bass in the monitors on the stage (perhaps because there are 20 other musicians present) it might happen that you don't realize that there's a problem with the battery, but the audience does...

The online manual is ok. Besides, haven't contacted them so far.

I think this stompbox comes handy in every music style. It just slightly improves the sound of the bass. If I lost the aphex, I'd get a new one immediately. It does sound good.

Well; there is passive/ active switch, source/ dry switch if you decide to use this as a DI box but basicly there is only four knobs. Two for 'big bottom' and two for 'aural exciter' so it can't be very difficult. All you need is a little time to find the settings that work best. I recuced 'bass' on my amp(Ampeg V4BH) and used the 'big bottom' part of the pedal to create more smooth low end; sounds very nice. On rehearsals I usually 'over-use' the aural exciter part a bit so I can cut through the mix. Playing bass in metal band can be either frustrating because guitars play so big part or very exciting if you can find the right equipment and(this is for some other fellows here) learn to use them.

I give it a ten because we are talking about a pedal here. For a pedal this sounds very good. Not impossible idea to use this in studio too. I only had an idea of how this could sound before I purchased it so I bought it kinda blind folded. However the idea I had became more than true.

I had a bad experience on one show where I used it as a DI box; there was very nasty ground hum that didn't go away whatever I did so I used it before the 'house DI box' and had no more problems. I don't know if this problem was caused by the pedal or was the xlr cable the right type; hence number nine.

I have never contacted them so I don't know.

I've been playing guitar and bass now for 18 years and for my music style(I play bass in a band called To/Die/For which is gothic metal) this is a good match. I'm planning to build a pedalboard and I will most definately purchase Aphex' Punch Factory pedal in first place.

One thing to improve this pedal would be to move the inputs/ outputs on sides instead of 'front'.

It seems that the bypass only works on the 1/4 inch unbalanced out.

The unit seems to do a similar thing to preamp units with EQ (Sadowsky, etc.), but the overall effect is a little different. It looks good on my frequency analyzer and sounds good to my ears. I tried the unit through a Telefunken v-72 and a Distressor and then through an el-cheapo Behringer pre with conversion and it held up well. A great piece of gear for the buck. Amps matter very little in my world.

Don't know.

I play major sessions and live gigs in Nashville, Tn.

This product is very easy to use. You have two sets of controls. The Low Blend and Tone control and the High Blend and tone control. I useually set them in the center and then go from there.

I have an 2003 American Fender P-Bass running through the Ampeg Portabass 250 Head. This is a very clean sounding head that with no effects and give a clean 250 watts of representation of you instrument. The cabinet that this is running through is the Ampeg Portabass 210 (2 Ten inch speakers, 400 Watts at 4 OHMS). I love my setup due to the light weigtedness of it. The reason I sought out the Aphex Bass Aural Exciter is that the bass I purchased has more of a softer classic sound and the Ampeg sound pushes for of the mids rather than the highs and the lows of most of today's Bass Amp manufacturors such as GK or Fender. I wanted not only the warmth of the Ampeg, but I wanted to clarity and articulation from the other style of amplifier. Let me tell you, this Aural Exciter has totally changed my view of my rig. I now have the meatiness of everything that Ampeg has to offer along with the total articulation and big sound of the manufacturors that push more of the Highs and Lows. It is really the best of both worlds. Not to mention that the Ampeg Portabass Series is the lightest bass equipment that you can buy for the power. This does not color the tone of the guitare, it just brings what is there out completely and makes the sound clearer and more articulate. I am actually amazed. It has brought the exact sound I was looking for.

I think this is made well. It appears to be made of metal . It kind of has a gimmicky paintjob, but the blue it pretty cool. I have only had it for a short period of time. You have to take the screws off of the back to get a battery in there, so I strongly recomment getting an adapter. I do not believe that years of screws and unscrewing would be good for the unit.

I have not had to deal with them yet...

I play Funk, Groove, Soul, Blues, Rock, Grunge, Metal. I have been playing Drums, Guitar, and bass for about 15 years. I have a full recording studio using a Roland 24 Bit Recorder as the Central point. I really needed some help in beefing up my tone on my bass rig. If you have an Ampeg Portabass or another "Mid Heavy" Ampeg technology, then this is definitely worth looking at. This is the exact thing that I was looking for. I cannot say enough about the power it has added to my sound. I now really like my rig. I liked it before, but now I love it. Considering my 400 Watt cabinet only weighs 32 pounds and my head weighs 14 pounds, I have no problem hauling my gear. I have a back issue the resricts me from buying larger gear. Now that I have added the Aural Exciter to my setup, I have everything that Ampeg's true instrument representation has to offer as well as the "Active" sound of some of the more complex Amps. If you have passive Pickups on a standard P-Bass, this is something to consider. I would definietly replace it if it were lost or stolen. I believe it is now going to me my main sound.

Very easy to use.It comes with a very good Manual which explains everything.But you will need time to find your ideal sound as every Bass I used with it had to have a different setting.To find the sweetspot as they say.

It adds a bit of hiss as to be expected from a floor pedal.Nothing to be worried about playing live.It has a button at the side which you depress if you have an active or passive Bass.I have it on passive all the time even with an active Bass because it cuts the signal too much when you bypass the pedal.This might not be a problem with a high output Bass.

I have it two months.No problems.

I use a Warwick Thumb Bass and an EBS Drome Combo.I find it enhances the Combo like adding another speaker.Makes everything sound bigger and more transparent.Until I find something better I would buy it again if it was lost or stolen.

If a 60 cycle hum is a good sound, it's easy. If the unaltered sound of your bass is what you mean, that's easy, too. Tha's basically what this unit did for me, other than frustrate to the point of returning it.

My Ibanez Gary Willis Five and my Yamaha Nathan East performed equally as well, actually somewhat better without it.

You can depend on this particular unit to sound like a 60 cycle hum.

I read the manual, couldn't get it to do what had been touted, and took it back for a refund. Didn't feel like getting the runaraound over something like this.

I play blues, jazz, country, rock. Been playing forty years. This was not a good item. Disappointment.

4 knobs, 2 for bass and 2 for higher registers. Ya' play with each set of 2 to get the sound quality you want. There is really nothing to figure out. The instructions are vaque on this. But it's pretty common sense. You've got to use your ears and remember to not add too much effect or you'll ruin the sound.

I have 4 basses, 3 are active and one a passive P bass. The passive P gets most improvement in sound. The active basses are much more tricky to set up with the unit. One bass in particular, with 2 Seymore Dunkin PUs has a loss of sound quality with the use of this unit. My main bass, an Alembic Epic 4 string, once dialed in with the unit, gets a much fuller, ballsy sound at the low end and a clear ringing sound up high. If a little off, however, the sound turns to mush. Sometimes it's better to not use the unit at all, depending on the venue.

So far so good

never had toi call

I purchased the unit because I had difficulty cutting through the mix with 2 loud guitars and 2 keyboards. I was looking for something that would help in this regard. This, along with the addition of an Eden 1 x 15 cab did seem to help.
I don't know if I would replace it if it were lost. But I do like the idea of SOMETHING that adds sparkle to the sound. I might also try a Punch Factory, also put out by Aphex.

Easy to get a good sound, but have the salesguy tell you what the knobs do, or read the instructions.

I play this through a modified MIM jazz into a GK 400 RB. I never really liked the sound of my amp. (I got it in a trade) It was clear but sterile. With this little box its a lot warmer and my jazz has a lot of thump and bottom end. if you turn the lo effects up all the way it gets muddy, but still very deep and bassy. It doesnt boost your signal like a SansAmp bass driver, and makes clean or dirty sounds. and It still sounds like my bass, just bigger and more full.

it seems pretty solid

NA

I use this all the time. I dont hate anything about it. it has an XLR out that can send a wet or dry signal. it does what I want it to.

4 knobs and pick your impedance. If you have ears than this really shouldn't be tough.

The sound quality ranges from good to great ... experiment with placement and your normal tone controls. If you tweek up the aural enhancer to high you will get some noise (duh). What can you say, this thing is designed to do a couple of things, and it does.

My bypass switch sometimes does not engage properly. I don't like the lack of an external power switch, I don't like the fact that you have to take the bottom off in order change the battery, and I don't like the 1/4" jacks being soldered directly to the PC board (any stress could damage the board). All that said, it's aluminum, and (other than the jacks) seems quite durable.

I had a couple of email conversations with their tech support concerning impedance matching the unit to my effects loop (I didn't think that an effects loop should need to run with the unit in passive mode). They discussed the problem, but we never reached any resolution.

This is one of those effects that defy description, if you hear one, you will probably want one, but I cannot begin to describe who or why anyone SHOULD use it other than to sound better, but then again isn't that exactly what you are looking for?

Pretty easy, once you understand that the "Lo Tune" and Hi Tune" are in fact low and high pass filters.

That what these boxes are for: sound quality. I use it all the time now. It has a privilege path in my chain. Everytimes, it brings out a beautiful low end on systems I've play with. This was my alternative to the Aphex 204 rackmount unit. I dont know if it's close but I'm satisfied.

But there is a problem: my G&L (with EMG pickup and circuit) does not allow me to use the Bass Xciter in passive mode where it should be. In this mode there is a noticeable overdrive (more like distortion) when playing normally. I have to switch to active mode and suffer a big reduction in sound level (I have to crank the amp to compensate and deal with the added noise). The only way I have been able to use it with the normal gain was in the effect loop of my amp (Eden) or in the insert channel of a mixer board. For that reason I give it a 5.

Steady for a couple of month.

I have had a respond from Aphex about the distortion in passive mode problem. There was no valid answer other than the usual "check your battery". I would have gladly accepted something like "there is a design problem with the input level section of the 1402 but we will fix it the next generation..." but I guess I'm just dreaming of honest talk.

I will keep the 1402. It gives a beatiful sound and adds that little something I was looking for (great for slap too). I'll have to live with the fact that I know there is a problem with it, but since I have found a way to overcome the distortion problem I guess I'll be Ok...