Chicken or egg??

SteveC · #1 02-11-2009, 12:03 PM

OK, so right now I don't have effects. Obviously I don't use any. I can think of times when it might be cool to have a little chorus here, reverb there, overdrive, etc. The thing is, no one is really asking for them, and they aren't "missing" from anything I do.

Now, if I had a bunch of effects, would I use them because they are available? Which comes first? Having them to use, or thinking you need them and then buying them as necessary.

If the first thought is true, wouldn't a multi be best as you don't know what you will use or need or want to try until you do it?

Jared Lash · #2 02-11-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

If the first thought is true, wouldn't a multi be best as you don't know what you will use or need or want to try until you do it?

I'll answer this first. Yest, this is a good way to go about it. Depending on the multi, it's not a huge investment and gives you a chance to check out a lot of effects to see what you like or even whether you want to use effects at all.

The one caveat is every multi I've ever tried was good (and sometimes excellent) at certain things but not others. So you might end up thinking you don't like fuzz or flangers etc just because your multi doesn't do them well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Now, if I had a bunch of effects, would I use them because they are available? Which comes first? Having them to use, or thinking you need them and then buying them as necessary.

The short answer is it depends. I primarily buy effects because I like them and having fun playing with them. But I have bought pedals because my band was playing a cover with a very prominent effected part (octaver, filter, fuzz) so it can easily go both ways.

But effects are like anything else, you have to make sure you are serving the music. For most bands, trying to way to use effects in every song is not going to give good results. Same as the bassist that works on their slap skills and then tries to find a way to slap in every song.

nad · #3 02-11-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Which comes first? Having them to use, or thinking you need them and then buying them as necessary.

A little of both, but primarily the latter. When I'm creating a line/song and think "this would go well with a(n) __________," that means it's time to get a new pedal. Unless of course I already have whatever effect I hear in my head.

Sometimes I just think certain effects would be fun though. I didn't get a Noise Box because a line I wrote was calling for it.

Basshappi · #4 02-11-2009, 03:53 PM

Hi Steve, I aquire pedals because I have always ben facinated by them. I have 17 or 18 now. The number I have used regularly with my band over the last 3 years.....0. The band I'm in now will enable me to use a few due to some of the material we're doing (yea!!)

So, like always, it's about serving the music but effects came be mucho fun and interesting not to mention totally addicting!

Cheers!

JimmyM · #5 02-11-2009, 04:36 PM

Definitely get a multi if you're not sure. For the price of 1 pedal, you can get a Zoom B2 that actually has pretty good effects. If you like it, expand on it as you will. If not, just hang onto it for "those times."

Joe Gress · #6 02-11-2009, 04:42 PM

I suggest a good multi to start with to find what kind of effects you do and don't like. Then you can start getting dedicated stuff. ANd then you can start listening to other people play with their effects, and lust and envy. Then you can kiss your spending money goodbye.

Oh, and most important, buy used for your first pedal if you can. This will save you alot: 1) It's not nearly as expensive as to get it brand new (pedals are expensive, no matter how you put it). 2) You can usually sell it for the same price, or $10-20 cheaper than you bought it for.

A lot of people here on TB are willing to trade as well, which is a preferred method of mine.

Swift713 · #7 02-12-2009, 09:11 PM

I mostly have bought pedals based on sounds that I really liked rather than based on what a specific song calls for. I've sort of developed a voice which is usually flexible enough to get me through. Last week I was considering a getting a pedal just for a specific cover I was working on but I can't see spending the money for just one tune. Which brings me to the multi question. I started with a Zoom B2, and it can still cover those once in a while situations. It's a fine way to get hooked.

slackinatthebas · #8 02-13-2009, 10:38 AM

i've always tried to use effects to thicken up my bands overall sound, add a slightly trippy vibe, or just make the bass more in your face than normally.

i didn't go with a multi first, but right now, i kinda wish i would have. so if the option is available for you, i'd suggest it. i went with individual stomp boxes, and after throwing alot of money at my pedal board, i couldn't be happier, unless i had more options. wich i could if i had a multi.

chicken or the egg? for me, i wanted the sounds i had in mind, so i guess that would be the chicken, right?

kesslari · #9 02-13-2009, 02:51 PM

waveman · #10 02-13-2009, 03:22 PM

I have more pedals than toes and fingers and don't use any of them for Bass. But I am also in a situation where it's not called for. I am not a fan of multi's myself, except for practice and recording situations. I prefer individual FX, but if you just want to toy around with stuff to see if you might want something, the multi is good for that, but I don't like the way they sound on the big rig. I prefer individuals for live situations. As far as FX go: Delay, Chorus, Tremolo, OD, and Fuzz can all be cool to mess with.