chorus, distortion, and compressor?

jpowell · #1 10-09-2008, 09:28 AM

Hello,
New to effects. Are the above 3 the "best" if 3 is the limit? Playing R&R, R&B, Blues, Pop. I have a tuner. I've looked at past threads. Simple answers are appreciated. Thanks in advance!

JFace · #2 10-09-2008, 09:35 AM

It's a good selection. The best is up to your personal tastes, but you can certainly do a lot with that.

James Hart · #3 10-09-2008, 09:37 AM

if just 3... I would go with an Overdrive rather than a straight up Distortion. I love compressors so yeah, there would be one in my 'only 3' list. I have a chorus, but truthfully it's the first to go if I need to downsize. I much prefer phasers for bass.

SC Bassboy · #4 10-09-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

if just 3... I would go with an Overdrive rather than a straight up Distortion.

+1!!! Distortion is cool if you have a bunch of pedals and want something to add "flair" every now and then, but overdrive is really what you want. The difference is subtle but important. A good compressor is a great choice, I recommend you go with the EBS MultiComp. And don't forget a tuner pedal!!! A lot of guys use rack mount tuners but I can't justify turning around and staring at my amp to check my tuning. Plus, with a tuner pedal you can check your tuning during songs when you come to a rest. Maybe it isn't that big of a deal to some guys, but I play so hard (or am simply so OCD) that I have to tune pretty much every song.

If I could only use three pedals: Boss TU-2, EBS MultiComp, Boss ODB-3 (or similar). But I will be honest, I can't live with just 3 pedals!

bongomania · #5 10-09-2008, 09:48 AM

Depends on the style of music you play. That is the only real answer, TBH. Some players don't need or want compression. Some players have no use for chorus. Some players like the lightest of overdrive for a little bite, others like heavy crunch and grind. Some like phasers for their funk tone, others prefer filters.

For more details, check out past threads entitled "if you could only have three effects", "what are your top three effects", "If you could only have five effects", etc. etc. Those threads pop up with some regularity.

jpowell · #6 10-09-2008, 12:03 PM

Yes,
I believe I was thinking overdrive rather than distortion.

jpowell · #7 10-09-2008, 12:16 PM

Hello,
I was looking into 3 possible pedals on an earlier post. I was seeking opinions on the three "best" options. I see the above might serve that purpose at a decent price. Then again, as a newer bass player I don't want to be distracted by too many bells and whistles. Any opinions? I play R&R, R&B, Blues, and Pop. Thanks!

James Hart · #8 10-09-2008, 12:26 PM

1.) why limit to just 3?
2.) play, play and play some more... then buy what you need / like / want.
3.) NO pedal is ever really needed... but they are fun to use

A cheap multi FX pedal might be a good start... learn what FX make what noises and go from there. As a new player, keep in mind that it's REAL easy to go over board with cool noises... don't let it take away from the song / groove.

LowBSix · #9 10-09-2008, 12:28 PM

Carl Martin all the way...

SC Bassboy · #10 10-09-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

1.) As a new player, keep in mind that it's REAL easy to go over board with cool noises... don't let it take away from the song / groove.

Again... +1

SC Bassboy · #11 10-09-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpowell

Hello,
I was looking into 3 possible pedals on an earlier post. I was seeking opinions on the three "best" options. I see the above might serve that purpose at a decent price. Then again, as a newer bass player I don't want to be distracted by too many bells and whistles. Any opinions? I play R&R, R&B, Blues, and Pop. Thanks!

Boss makes awesome pedals in regards to sound and price point. You will get varying opinions of course, but I have several Boss pedals that have been with me for about 10 years and have survived around 1,500 shows in every dirty, beer-drenched fraternity house in the Southeast. They do their job and do it well.

kaputsport · #12 10-09-2008, 01:42 PM

I would use the following.

Synth, preferably a Deep Impact/Korg G5 kinda multipreset animal, or the new chunk systems Octivous... You may only need on on that account.

Filter, like a Mutron, or Moog, or even a DOD FX25? i think that is the one. A ;little more funk for the R&B and Pop.

Compressor for tracking issues and to fatten up the bottom.

Honestly, just buy the Chunk Systems Octivous and you are good, maybe a compressor with it. 96 presets, fuzz/filters/synth/octaver and a bunch of combos too...

kb9wyz · #13 10-09-2008, 01:53 PM

Totally not a fan of OD or distortion. I think that they just get muddy with the guitars when you add a bunch of drive. Personal opinion, of course.

I think chorus and comp are a must have. For a third I can only say that I would like to get an octave pedal to add some subtle body.

**bassman314** · #14 10-09-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaputsport

I would use the following.

Synth, preferably a Deep Impact/Korg G5 kinda multipreset animal, or the new chunk systems Octivous... You may only need on on that account.

Filter, like a Mutron, or Moog, or even a DOD FX25? i think that is the one. A ;little more funk for the R&B and Pop.

Compressor for tracking issues and to fatten up the bottom.

Honestly, just buy the Chunk Systems Octivous and you are good, maybe a compressor with it. 96 presets, fuzz/filters/synth/octaver and a bunch of combos too...

+1 on this.

For R&B and Pop, you probably won't use too much distortion or Overdrive on bass. OTH, you may need the use of some sort of filter to funkify the tone every now and again.

I use Chorus all the time, so I'm biased on CHorus, too