neat shtuff
when your instruments are getting too clogged with junk, first try cutting stuff out and if it doesn't work, then record the instrument solo and paste back into the track..
or you could record the bass running up the chromatic scale and use a sampler to separate the notes. usually they're automatically assigned to keys, so you'll have your instrument without all of the effects and stuff clogging your sends and junk.
just remember to disable any reverb, convolver, or delay-type effects (of course sometimes you can leave them on, and you'll get a neat sound, but not the same thing)