The only pedal that i feel is neccessary is my boss chorus. i have had a flanger, wah, synth, and distortion and i find them all to be a waste. we are bassists, i have learned to appreciate the tone of my p-bass with a nice ampeg b-100r. anyone else find that a chorus is all you need if anything????we arent lead guitarists-why use them. i understand that this depends on the genre of music but still.....

Having one pedal makes you equally as guilty. Oh and thanks for sharing your limitations with us.

Your findings truly are gospel! Let us all go out today, sell our overdrives and buy a chorus, for it is the word of poster jmcdan3.

While it may or may not be your intent, coming info an effects forum and starting a "bassists don't need effects" thread is asking for trouble... as moderator I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread, so let's keep it civil.

Overuse of effects is certainly bad, on the other hand saying bassists don't need effects is needlessly limiting your options.

Even just playing in a covers band, I use octave, overdrive, distortion, chorus and flange to reproduce original bass sounds on recordings. Those players certainly found a usage of effects that fit / enhanced the song.

If all you need to do the songs you play is your p bass and an ampeg, that's great. But that doesn't mean that's what we should all use, does it? I don't get to tell you you should use an overdrive pedal, so why should you get to tell me that I shouldn't use one?

chorus lol

Your findings truly are gospel! Let us all go out today, sell our overdrives and buy a chorus, for it is the word of poster jmcdan3.

I got dibs on your stuff.

Who said you decide what everyone should be using?

We all follow our Saviour Spanky Pants. He will be resurrected in the second coming. Mystic Boo is his messiah.

Good thing the NFL never allowed the forward pass... that just wouldn't be real football. :rollno:

If you understand that it depends on the genre, then why even ask?

There are those who argue that effects shouldn't even be on guitar. Think about the parents of those kids who were exposed to the first songs with overdriven guitar... many of them were purists who thought guitar should remain clean - or in some cases, acoustic!

And IMO, what works for you (chorus, P-bass, Ampeg B-100R) doesn't work for everyone. Honestly, there's little I like about Ampeg beyond their SVT-CL. But again, that's me.

Just because rock was initially defined by a P-bass played fingerstyle through an Ampeg rig doesn't mean that's all there is to bass. Funk could NOT exist without changing the techniques of bass playing, and for many bands, effects were necessary to further develop the genre. Punk couldn't exist without the pick. A lot of modern bands - VERY popular ones, in fact - use effects on bass: Tool, Muse, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers... just to name a select few.

So... if you can't comprehend it, that's fine. If you think effects are just for lead guitarists, that's fine. You're entitled to your opinion. But for those of us who have heard the expansive range of music that requires us to go beyond the stereotypical role and gear limitations of the bassist... it's a completely different story.

Just to warn you... you're probably going to get flamed pretty badly over the next few hours. Don't take it too harshly - you're in the Effects forum, after all. :p

We all follow our Saviour Spanky Pants. He will be resurrected in the second coming. Mystic Boo is his messiah.

Where do I even begin with addressing that?

Sigged. :D

Just because rock was initially defined by a P-bass played fingerstyle through an Ampeg rig doesn't mean that's all there is to bass. Funk could NOT exist without changing the techniques of bass playing, and for many bands, effects were necessary to further develop the genre. Punk couldn't exist without the pick. A lot of modern bands - VERY popular ones, in fact - use effects on bass: Tool, Muse, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers... just to name a select few.



Mystic Boo Chapter 12 Verse 5.

Hey! We are bassists. Not lead guitarists. How can you argue with that?!

IMHO, If you use 30 pedals and make beautiful music isn't that better than using none and making crap? My point being what does it matter how many or how few pedals you use as long as you own your sound.

I'd love to jump on the arrogance and cluelessness of the original poster proclaiming he has found the secret of good bass tone (no effects at all.....except for the one I use), but everyone seems to have beaten me to the punch.

interesting question. some other questions to ponder:

why shouldn't we care?
why the heck do you care what other bassists are doing?

I don't use a single effect. I've had a number of them in the past, but never found them to be much use to me. If you guys want to use them, it's no skin off my back. I also am not a fan of p-basses or ampeg gear. But please continue to use them if it makes you happy. Who am I to tell you what gear to use? Why should I care? If you sound good using the gear you have, that is what matters. If you sound bad, it does't matter what gear you are using to get there. You still sound bad.

I guess "real" bassists are only permitted to have a pre-determined tone, or risk having their bass card revoked.

[QUOTE=jmcdan3;4889567]The only pedal that i feel is neccessary is my boss chorus. i have had a flanger, wah, synth, and distortion and i find them all to be a waste. we are bassists, i have learned to appreciate the tone of my p-bass with a nice ampeg b-100r. anyone else find that a chorus is all you need if anything????we arent lead guitarists-why use them. i understand that this depends on the genre of music but still.....[/QUOTE

Because everyone doesn't like what you like. Ask Doug Wimbish about using pedals with bass...

I use more effects than both of my guitarists. I'm not using them to be a "lead bass player" but more to add a little spice to certain sections in our songs.

Also, your dream rig is not mine!

I play clean, no effects, 95% of the time, but every once and I while I see no problem with busting out the wah and the flanger and etc. etc. and goin' nuts. Where's the fun in being a musician if you never wanna branch out a little and experiment with your music?

me no like bass with chorus. :(

The only time I think effects are bad is when you rely on them. I've seen kids (especially Tool followers) who play horribly when playing clean. Effects are a great "spice" to add to your recipe, and saying bassists should never need them is just plain narrow minded.

Well, I play in a cover band. I need distortion on Motohead's Ace of Spades, distortion and wah on the into to Metallica's For Whom the Bell Tolls, wah on Sabbath's Into the Void and chorus on Alice Cooper's Into the Void. Should I not play those classics with effects?? It is funny you say all we need is chorus, as I use that effect the least!!!!

I believe you answered your own question when you said "i understand that this depends on the genre of music".

The only time I think effects are bad is when you rely on them. I've seen kids (especially Tool followers) who play horribly when playing clean. Effects are a great "spice" to add to your recipe, and saying bassists should never need them is just plain narrow minded.

I agree with this comment. A guitarist friend of mine told me a story of when he was young and taking a few lessons. His teacher essentially told him to put his pedals in his closet and when he learned to play he could take them out. Well ... the only pedals that he uses are Wah and distortion. The key is that what effects you use or don't use is a purposeful without hiding behind lack of skill.

Every musician really should use his/her full pallette of sounds/flavors/etc. in what they bring to the table. This may include effects or it may include jumping on your bass and yelling and spitting if it fits with the music. I say bring it all on.

Hell if you want to take effects away, I saw take away those damn D and G strings too. We're bass players not lead guitarists.

I cant say Im a pedal freak for the plain reason that I dont have enough of them, and I have 5!:D
I do believe you should learn your technique as good as possible before complementing with effects cause sometimes your fingers can do a better trick than any effect in the box, but man, cutting my chorus/vibrato/delay/wah/drive/compressor and whatever else I eventually buy to complement those is blasphemy!I wouldnt be where I am sonically without these!
tho I do respect a clean bass tone (as long as its not fender thru ampeg clean bass tone) more often than not!:D

Somebody stop this man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSiACMzEKRM)!

And this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgrOD4PZzuY)!

Somebody stop this man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSiACMzEKRM)!

And this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgrOD4PZzuY)!

That made my day...on both counts! :cool:

im not even gonna chime in, but.. what ever happened to spankypants?

I am kind of a effect freak. But 85% play clean except for a Sansamp running. I'm into electronics quite a bit & have a lot of fun modding & building vintage effects. Pedals ( Depending on what you buy ) are relatively inexpensive. Like to start collecting hard to get, discontinued effects. Sort of like collecting a bit of history about the past.

chorus lol

+1 LMAO!

I agree with this comment. A guitarist friend of mine told me a story of when he was young and taking a few lessons. His teacher essentially told him to put his pedals in his closet and when he learned to play he could take them out. Well ... the only pedals that he uses are Wah and distortion. The key is that what effects you use or don't use is a purposeful without hiding behind lack of skill.
.


I think that learning to play without effects even if you know that you eventually want to get into using them isn't necessarily a good idea. It sort of assumes that the way to use effects is to just play normally and then turn on the effect on top of it, and I don't agree with that. I think if you're using effects, then your playing style should suit that sound. There should be like a symbiosis or something between your playing style and your tone.

Within the first month of picking up a bass I knew I wanted to use distortion (I think Godflesh's Christbait Rising was the first song I ever learned, and I broke out my DS-1 to do it), and learning with distortion helped tailor my playing style to the sound I wanted. I don't think I ever would have started to learn slap if I didn't discover that slapping through distortion sounds like the best thing ever to me.

I see your point, but the idea I wanted to get across was that when you use effects it's a conscious decision based on an end result and not an attempt to cover poor playing. I'm a fan of filters as well and they are very dependent on playing style, but yea ... I still think only chorus is limiting. Especially a BOSS chorus.

When man bought Chorus, he decided chorus was good, he decided then to be fruitful and provide overdrive and flanger to the world. Then it was decided it was good. Then he decided to create the guitarist to complement his style, and it was decided he had made a mistake, but it was too late because the guitarist had already stolen the spotlight.

Bassenesis 1:1

The only time I think effects are bad is when you rely on them. I've seen kids (especially Tool followers) who play horribly when playing clean.

:hiding: well not really anymore but i do know exactly what you mean.

--WHY THE HECK DO BASSISTS CARE ABOUT PEDALS???----WHY THE HECK DO BASSISTS CARE THAT OTHER BASSISTS CARE ABOUT PEDALS???-- :D

When man bought Chorus, he decided chorus was good, he decided then to be fruitful and provide overdrive and flanger to the world. Then it was decided it was good. Then he decided to create the guitarist to complement his style, and it was decided he had made a mistake, but it was too late because the guitarist had already stolen the spotlight.

Bassenesis 1:1

:p

When man bought Chorus, he decided chorus was good, he decided then to be fruitful and provide overdrive and flanger to the world. Then it was decided it was good. Then he decided to create the guitarist to complement his style, and it was decided he had made a mistake, but it was too late because the guitarist had already stolen the spotlight.

Bassenesis 1:1

Hahaha, pure genius. I predict a new religion coming from this thread.

I think that learning to play without effects even if you know that you eventually want to get into using them isn't necessarily a good idea. It sort of assumes that the way to use effects is to just play normally and then turn on the effect on top of it, and I don't agree with that. I think if you're using effects, then your playing style should suit that sound. There should be like a symbiosis or something between your playing style and your tone.

I definitely agree with that to a certain extent. At my last job (teaching high school) I had an older colleague who hated all of the "advancements" in the classroom. Grading programs, voicemail accounts, PowerPoint, using the internet, she didn't even like having her paycheck direct deposited.

For her, these weren't tools to help her performance, they were an added level of complexity that interfered with how she had learned to do her job.

I think it's the same way with effects as guys who learned to play bass without them try briefly to incorporate them and struggle, deciding that they are unnecessary.

I say only to a certain extent because an old dog (or a young dog with an old dog mentality) can learn new tricks if they so choose.

And again, just like your choice of bass, it all depends on the context of the music and what best serves the songs. But for me, there are a lot of songs I would never have written except that I was playing with my pedalboard and got inspired.

I don't think I ever would have started to learn slap if I didn't discover that slapping through distortion sounds like the best thing ever to me.

You, me and Billy Gould (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TE1Wq4wXNs). . .

(I wish I could find a better quality version of that song on YouTube) Patton sounds like an early version of System of a Down on that vid.

OP needs to relax.

and as the adage goes: "Don't knock it until you try it."

I have 9 pedals on my board, including a chorus. It is the least used pedal on my board. Goes to show you, different strokes for different folks.

SPANKY.......we summon you...to make justice on this THREAD.

Why limit your range? Music is an expression, if theres something out there that lets you express certain things a little better then why not?

Can I keep my tuner? Maybe my noise gate as well? Oh ****! What about my DI box that distorts a little bit?

Are those okay? Otherwise i'm going to have a bass sound that's thin and noisy and...probably out of tune.

I think anything to change your sound for the better and gives you more options is a good thing, so effects get a thumbs up from me. You may as well ask why guitarists care about pedals it's exactly the same, people just like them then again some people don't.

I used to use a flanger early on, and then for a few years I used an MXR Phaser pedal, for a bit of effect in a couple of songs, but live, after awhile, I felt it was unneccesary, and I could actually come up with more interesting sounds using my hands, fingernails, even the occassional lighter. So I see your point... to a point.

But pedals are fun at home when you are by yourself - or if they are used to add to the sound of your music. We all play different music. A little slap back delay...

SPANKY.......we summon you...to make justice on this THREAD.

lol, if Spanky comes, this thread will explode :ninja:

Most times that I've tried to use a pedal, by the time I get it set up & stomped, the moment of it's usefullness has slipped by. They just seem to require too much attention to be any fun. I have more fun just playing...my P-Bass into my Ampeg Fliptop!
But if I could ever find an effect to give a good fretless sound....
Good Luck To You!

For a guy with 13-17 pedals on his board at any given time, I'll TRY to be nice :hmm: I did suck at using pedals once, but now i'm just decent. Developing a good ear for effects usage can be hard, and using pedals can be even more troublesome, but I still do it, cos I have a sound in my head that I wanna get, thats impossible without say a Fuzz, Filter or Flanger. Thats 3 F's for you Mr.OP. Surely you need to catch up on what your peers are doing some time, even if you still don't find effects useful for bass...?

I play 6 nights a week at clubs. I use my 13 pedal setup on 2 of the nights only. The other 4 nights, I go bass -> amp. Same band. Its all about the repertoire. I've had bands that required me to use effects, and others sans-efx. However my role remains the same, cos I'm still the only bass player in the band!

I love effects. I enjoy trying out different combinations to develop new sounds. Some of the combinations turn out to be crap, but many of them seem to be cool and useful to me.

BTW: I see nothing wrong with playing lead bass guitar. Apparently, neither does Billy Sheehan. ;) :bassist: :D

Looks like I missed all the excitement on here again... But I'm gonna chime in anyways! :D I will agree that effects are not for everyone, but trying to ridicule those of us who do find them useful seems to be just out of fear. I do not know why you seem so bent on forcing your own personal preferences on others, but it's really not a way to make a name for yourself. Especially making these kind of comments on the effects forum! You did know that you were asking a loaded question right? I'm fairly sure that all of us regular posters to this forum are pretty satisfied with the effects that we own (if not dissatisfied with the effects that we do not own....... yet...). But I will say that I am happy that you have found the tone that you were looking for. (It's not particurlarly mine though. I've found like a few others that I do not like Ampeg other than their SVT-CL, and the Boss Chorus sounds too thin and high pitched.)

boss tu-2 for that "being in tune effect" love it...

Having one pedal makes you equally as guilty. Oh and thanks for sharing your limitations with us.

Well said.

I think the funniest thing is the OP has gotten onto his high horse and said, "I DONT NEED EFFECTS, NEITHER DO YOU!" and then in small print "i own a boss chorus"

So, choruses are ok, cos they really aren't effects, right? I don't get it.

I personally use effects as a crutch to hide my extreme lack of talent and musical understanding.

why do you ask?

Many times when people ask a question, they are really making a statement. What a trollish topic.

Why do I use pedals? The same reason a guitarist does: to get different and interesting sounds. I'm not a conventional bassist, mind you. I play solo and write and perform songs on bass; and it allows me to do thing I couldn't do on guitar.

However many or few effects you like to use is up to your own taste, but I don't see the need to get all harsh on people who don't have the same style.


we arent lead guitarists-why use them.


Way to think inside the box, dude.

lets just assume it's a troll post.



...

so what effect has everyone been gassing for lately :D ??? I've been really itching to get my hands on a proper overdrive unit. The one i have now, might be more aimed towards guitar (as, I purchased it when I was first starting out).

And IMO, what works for you (chorus, P-bass, Ampeg B-100R) doesn't work for everyone. Honestly, there's little I like about Ampeg beyond their SVT-CL. But again, that's me.


I agree with you here... and I don't like the SVT-CL either.

My vintage B-15N was nice... the rest of the Ampeg stuff is OK if you don't like the tone of your bass...

I like my Mesa 400+ much better, and my Trace Elliott better still.

Getting back to the topic. I used to use a LOT of effects back in the 70's and 80's...

Now I find I rarely use effects, except some over drive from my BlueTube pedal, and maybe my EH Bass Microsynth.

Original Poster hasn't responded to the responses given in this thread...

TROLL??

Original Poster hasn't responded to the responses given in this thread...

TROLL??
He hasn't logged on since making his original post. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt for now.

hm.. while I too think that some people here are a bit overkill in their armada of effects, they are awsome and more often than not necessary to good tone.

I recently purchased my first ever pedal: an Ibanez DE7 echo/delay, and my bass never ever ever (ever) ever sounded as good as it does with the pedal.

:spit::spit::spit:


thats all i have to say

I think that he is joking...Tring to get a rise out of us.

so what effect has everyone been gassing for lately :D ??? I've been really itching to get my hands on a proper overdrive unit. The one i have now, might be more aimed towards guitar (as, I purchased it when I was first starting out).

Totally GASing for a new chorus pedal, maybe the new Stereo Electric Mistress, a different overdrive, Rat or a Tech21 XXL:B or something like that, and still GASing for a Bass Micro Synth. :D


I like my Mesa 400+ much better, and my Trace Elliott better still.

I'm totally GASing for a Mesa amp... tried one out at a GC a while back and fell in love with it.... If only they'd come down more in price... :bawl:

lol hilarious thread.

Different sounds demand different situations dude, its that simple. This is almost as bad as the "real bassists should only use fingers" mentality... If you restrict your entire sound because of the "norm" your just making yourself a limited player.

Hows this for a new mentality:

"Real bass players shouldnt be afraid to use whatever they want to get the tone they need"

I have over 50 bass effects pedals. :D They are all included in my Line6 Gearbox Gold Edition. I think it will be a very long time before I try out all the possible combinations. ;) I like having a large palette of tonal choices.

Right now, I'm also gassing for some sort of floor-pod, mostly for my own personal use, for recording sample song.

The only pedal that i feel is neccessary is my boss chorus.

There is a necessary pedal? :eek:

:p

Half the guys in this forum who have kickass pedalboards (that are ever changing :eek: ) don't even use it for their bands.

Hm, I am wanting a boss DD-6. I just kinda got into effects. I used processors till this time, but I just didn't dig the sound. Then I found the beauty of single effects. Anybody else feel the same?

I was big on multi-effects, for PEDAL BOARD purposes, but I began buying more legitamate effects, and now, I'm very pleased with the results. My most recent acquisition was a boss LS2....and for only 48 dollars! I love my local mom-n-pop store.

I was big on multi-effects, for PEDAL BOARD purposes, but I began buying more legitamate effects, and now, I'm very pleased with the results. My most recent acquisition was a boss LS2....and for only 48 dollars! I love my local mom-n-pop store.

I just bought one too. The best pedal I have ever bought. I use it so much, whether it is running two basses, two pickups in my upright, etc.

I just bought one too. The best pedal I have ever bought. I use it so much, whether it is running two basses, two pickups in my upright, etc.

I'm waiting to bring my LS2 to the practice space, as, my pedalboard is not at home with me right now. But the possibilities for blending loops, has opened me up to so many options. However, I'm still trying to stay true to my original intention, which is, to blend a wet and dry signal.

As a bass player, I usually play a bass part, but not always necessarily a bass guitar part or even a typical bass guitar-like part. Playing a wide variety of styles, I need to cover synth bass lines, organ pedal sounds, double my part in octaves, or need a certain depth or unique change in texture or tone. That's when my octave pedal comes in really handy.

The chorus pedal I use isn't merely for soloing, but also very useful for creating rich ensemble textures in ballads, more classically oriented music like show music, or simply covering bass parts on recordings that used chorusing.

Totally GASing for a new chorus pedal, maybe the new Stereo Electric Mistress, a different overdrive, Rat or a Tech21 XXL:B or something like that, and still GASing for a Bass Micro Synth. :D

Totally gassing for a Boss Chorus lol!

:hiding:

so what effect has everyone been gassing for lately :D ??? I've been really itching to get my hands on a proper overdrive unit. The one i have now, might be more aimed towards guitar (as, I purchased it when I was first starting out).

Overdrive is on my list as well, quite likely the Fulltone Mosfet Bassdrive. Micro POG is still high on the list as well...

WHY THE HECK DO BASSISTS CARE ABOUT PEDALS???

BECAUSE WE WANT TO!!!

The only pedal that i feel is neccessary is my boss chorus.

Personally I can't find a use for a chorus. They are a bit subtle for me.

we are bassists, i have learned to appreciate the tone of my p-bass with a nice ampeg b-100r.

I don't like P basses, and I don't like Ampegs. Maybe that works the same way as you not liking distortion, synths etc

we arent lead guitarists-why use them.

Are rhythm guitarists allowed to use effects? Please try to remember when considering this that overdrive and distortion are effects.

i understand that this depends on the genre of music but still.....

Why bother asking the question if you already know the answer?



To be honest I'm not sure that you will find that many people who don't like effects hanging about the the 'Effects' section of the site. Maybe I am wrong, but...

SOMEone's gonna have trouble playing "For whom the bell tolls":p

The only pedal that i feel is neccessary is my boss chorus. i have had a flanger, wah, synth, and distortion and i find them all to be a waste. we are bassists, i have learned to appreciate the tone of my p-bass with a nice ampeg b-100r. anyone else find that a chorus is all you need if anything????we arent lead guitarists-why use them. i understand that this depends on the genre of music but still.....
I use effects because I like to use them, the musicians I play also like the way I use them and if you wanna try and stop me go ahead but be sure your health insurance is paid up because they (not me) will kick your ass. B

i have learned to appreciate the tone of my p-bass with a nice ampeg b-100r.

Well if you have to learn to appreciate the tone of your bass, you aren't getting a good tone! Most likely the fault of that crappy amp. ;)

I love all the sound of bass... Not just one tone.

anyone else find that a chorus is all you need if anything????

Jeeze, chorus is sooo 1980's. I actually like an MXR Phase-90 better for bass... or a good flanger. ;)

we arent lead guitarists-why use them.

We are bass guitarists... and who says only lead guitarists use effects?
They make bass effects, right? And I solo as much as most guitarists, so I guess that makes me a lead bass guitarist! :eek:

i understand that this depends on the genre of music but still.....

Do you really? I don't think you do... :rollno:

Effects on bass? Yeah, genre specific.. Listen to Anthony Jackson, Jaco, Jeff Berlin, Chris Squire, Bootsy, Jack Bruce, Tony Levin, dUg Pinnick... I could go on. :D

I thought this thread would just die off, but since it hasn't, I'll jump on as well. To the OP, are you serious? If so, just play your P bass through your combo amp and be happy with the tone you have, obviously, many of us would disagree with your feelings. Personally, my effects board, and ten delicious effects pedals, open up new worlds of sound to me, and inspire fresh creativity. That's all I'm saying.

I read this entire thread and was laughing so hard!

Seriously it's tomato, tomaughto.

If you like playing a cookie cutter bass (I own a P-Bass too) through a cookie cutter amp (my stack ia Ampeg also)....GREAT!

I (amung loads of other players) feel differently. We like effects and the sounds that they can create.

Who cares what a "traditional bassist" and his/her role SHOULD BE?

I'm going to play whatever I feel like...it's MY MUSIC!

I'm so sorry that you feel limited to pounding out root notes on a plain vanilla tone...that will never be me...LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE BOX!

I really don't think this thread added anything to the effects forum.

Closed.

I really don't think this thread added anything to the effects forum.

Closed.
I was giving the OP a chance to come back and hopefully realize how narrow minded he was in his original post. But, given it's been two days since he lobbed the grenade without showing up since, I agree it's time to close.