DE RIGUEUR PEDALS FOR BASSISTS

guitardefector · #1 01-16-2012, 06:53 PM

Hello TB community,
In addition to perhaps a compressor, what other pedals are a "must have" for any pro or amateur bassist. I know this is very subjective, but I hear so many amazing tones and nuances on recordings and always ask myself this question, "what does so-and-so studio or band bassist have in his arsenal besides a plain old bass and amp." Of course, I realize that recording engineers work magic in their own right so I guess pedals don't do "everything". All responses greatly appreciated.

rratajski · #2 01-16-2012, 06:54 PM

Tuner.

What kind of music? What's your setup?

Josh Pelican · #3 01-16-2012, 07:05 PM

Can't go wrong with a nice preamp (Xotic or Rusty Box), boost (clean or dirty), or fuzz pedal. This is, of course, purely my opinion.

Smurf-o-Deth · #4 01-16-2012, 07:09 PM

Dirt is my friend. It wants to be your friend, too.

MSUsousaphone · #5 01-16-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rratajski

What kind of music? What's your setup?

It all depends on this.

scottfeldstein · #6 01-16-2012, 07:40 PM

Yeah, it does depend a lot on what kind of music you're playing, where you're playing, with whom you're playing, etc.

Still...

I'll tell you what's in my own brain right now.

a) tuner

b) envelope filter and octaver, AND/OR

c) synth pedal (Digitech Bass Synth Wah or better)

d) compressor

e) overdrive/fuzz possibly with a built in DI such as SansAmp BDDI or Aguilar Tone Hammer

I'm not big on choruses, flangers or delays of any kind. That's just me. You get a, b, c, d and e? As far as I'm concerned you're ready to get just about any kind of sound that's worth getting.

Totally idiosyncratic, I know. But there it is.

Bassmike62 · #7 01-16-2012, 08:00 PM

I don't know about the "de rigueur" thing, but I'd go with tuner and compressor. Preamps could also help define YOUR sound, I guess. I use a SansAmp PBDDI, but there are lots of others (MXR, Aguilar, to name a few). After that, would guess the music you play will dictate effects you choose to add.

And that's all I gots to say'bout dat.

malumilitari · #8 01-16-2012, 11:57 PM

A supermassive dirt est de rigueur with my band. I'd feel naked without my Wooly Mammoth-clone on a rehearsal...
But then again, it depends on your style, and your band's.

scottfeldstein · #9 01-17-2012, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmike62

I don't know about the "de rigueur" thing, but I'd go with tuner and compressor. Preamps could also help define YOUR sound, I guess. I use a SansAmp PBDDI, but there are lots of others (MXR, Aguilar, to name a few). After that, would guess the music you play will dictate effects you choose to add.

I pretty much agree with this.

Except.

Between classic funk, newer electronic and the synth bass found in much of pop music... you really might want some EF, octaver or synth effects. I myself already have the EF. I'm going to try pairing it with an octaver to see how synthy I can get when called upon.

refuge4 · #10 01-17-2012, 06:29 AM

I never leave home without a tuner, compressor, and preamp. Those three things are essentials, imo. Nobody likes to listen to out of tune instruments, especially bass. A preamp can make you sound funky or metal or country, or anything in between, if you know how to use it. +1 to a preamp with optional dirt. I've also found myself using pre amps with d.I. capabilities for scenarios where going to the house is a must. And compression anything from managing volume to fattening up your sound. Everything else is just icing on the cake for me.

**grygrx** · #11 01-17-2012, 01:46 PM

tuners are not effects

DBCrocky · #12 01-17-2012, 01:51 PM

All pro and amateur bass players should have at least one pedal.

refuge4 · #13 01-17-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grygrx

tuners are not effects

Op said "pedals" just pointing that out.

**grygrx** · #14 01-17-2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by refuge4

Op said "pedals" just pointing that out.

rawr!

refuge4 · #15 01-17-2012, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grygrx

rawr!

Not even. Didn't mean that harshly, purely a statement of fact.

Bassmike62 · #16 01-17-2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

I'm going to try pairing it with an octaver to see how synthy I can get when called upon.

You might get a good kick out of the BSW, then

cchorney · #17 01-18-2012, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBCrocky

All pro and amateur bass players should have at least one pedal.

Why?

In answer to OP's question, I run just my BDDI Deluxe when I am feeling like having little on the floor. When I want more, I add

an analog delay used sparingly it helps give an upright bass feel to some of our 50's songs

a volume pedal to keep my volume consistent with my guitarist

an AB box to help with quick instrument changes

That's it. I tune with one of those little Planet Waves Headstock Tuners (works really well). And really, I can get my sound without any pedals if I want to - it's just quicker and easier with the BDDI.

**ronaldpdbrandt** · #18 01-18-2012, 06:53 AM

I always run a VT Bass and a Frantone Lo-Tone Classic Fuzz, and then occasionally I'll use a Boss RC-20 Loop Station for jam-times. The only one I cannot do without is the VT Bass.

rratajski · #19 01-18-2012, 06:53 AM

Can everyone please stop replying... The OP hasn't even written back yet...

caeman · #20 01-18-2012, 06:54 AM

In my opinion, the only EFFECT pedal -- a Tuner is not an effect -- a bassist really needs is an EQ pedal. Everything else is purely optional. With a good EQ like the MXR M108 or Whirlwind Bass10, you can boost and cut your whole signal, specific frequency ranges, etc. For folks that plug straight into the amp, their preamp section has an EQ and most do. Bump the mids to cut through the mix, dump the mids to vibrate some booty.

Every other effect pedal you add is just icing on the EQ cake.

It starts and ends with the EQ pedal.