Do I need a pedal?

nipperooney · #1 02-07-2008, 03:15 PM

Hi

I've got a Stanley Clarke Alembic, an Ibanez Electro-Acoustic and a newly acquired Yamaha TRB1005F 5 string fretless. I run it all through an Ashdown Rig (1X15 and 2X10) with an Ashdown ABM EvoII 300 head.

Do I need a pedal/effects board? Having looked through this forum, many of you guys seem to own a lot of stuff and are still gassing for more but I have nowt but my amp. My band are a wedding pop/rock covers band, so I don't need distortion etc, but would I benefit from something or would I be wasting my money?

I'm sure this question's been asked many times, so apologies for the repetition.

niftydog · #2 02-07-2008, 03:18 PM

If you're not even sure what type of effect you might want, then you don't need any effects. If you needed one, you'd know ALL about it.

On the other hand, perhaps you should go and try out a compressor or two - you might be surprised how much of a difference it makes to your sound.

bongomania · #3 02-07-2008, 03:19 PM

+1 to all that.

WJGreer · #4 02-07-2008, 03:22 PM

^ +1. Effects are a drag - they are a slippery slope. They cost a lot, they weigh you down coming and going, and they never seem to do what you think they should in a live situation. But once you start with them, it's hard to stop. If you aren't specifically jazzing for some effect, be thankful and move on to the next thought.

Might I observe that you appear to have made a very significant investment in instruments for a guy who has never set a toe in the sea of effects choices. Not wrong, but interesting.

nipperooney · #5 02-07-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WJGreer

Might I observe that you appear to have made a very significant investment in instruments for a guy who has never set a toe in the sea of effects choices. Not wrong, but interesting.

Just coming through the far side of my post 40 mid life crisis and it was this or a Ferarri!

irvinz · #6 02-07-2008, 03:26 PM

+1 to that.

OhThePeacock · #7 02-07-2008, 03:34 PM

Well I don't know how necessary it would be but if you're completely satisfied with your current sound then maybe try out a chorus pedal or two...chorus makes me think of a wedding band for some reason. Other than that maybe a compressor or a bass exciter to make your sound even better.

Also if you guys do any funk at all I'd definately say an envelope filter would make those songs much more fun.

ksandvik · #8 02-07-2008, 03:36 PM

Billy Sheehan in the Bass Player clinic video had a funny sketch about a typical L.A. bassist on a rock show contest with far too many pedals...

--Kent

RickenBoogie · #9 02-07-2008, 06:42 PM

If you're enjoying what you have, stick with it. Stay away from the money pit which is fx gas. I've spent over 3 grand on these little boxes, over the last 2 years, and still on the search for whatever it is I'm looking for. It starts off innocently enough, a compressor here, a chourus there, then next thing you know, you need a bigger board, or worse, a second or third board. Then you get into filters, they're the worst, cause there's so many, and they all sound different, and you have to have as many as you can, don't do it, there's no return, and no end. Save yourself, run, never look at the fx forum again.....

wazzel · #10 02-07-2008, 07:44 PM

Need them, no. Can they make your sound "better" if used properly, yes.

BigBassBob · #11 02-07-2008, 09:01 PM

I'd say get a decent pedal or rack tuner if you don't already have one and possibly look at the use of a compressor. If you don't feel the need for something, then you probably don't

Oreomeister365 · #12 02-07-2008, 09:17 PM

No.

You need 10.

Trust me on this.

Swift713 · #13 02-07-2008, 10:26 PM

Time is the thing that keeps you from having every effect you need at once.

JanusZarate · #14 02-08-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

Time is the thing that keeps you from having every effect you need at once.

I always thought it was money.

Anyhow... back to the OP...

I pretty much agree with niftydog. But if you really want to check out a few pedals, try looking into envelope filters for some funky tones, or maybe a chorus pedal for some nice ambiance. Compressors can be useful (studios find them essential for recording purposes), but before you delve into those, definitely read up on what they do, and take some time to research what will work best for you, or if it's even worth having one.

Everything else might be too "out there" for your tastes.

K2000 · #15 02-08-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nipperooney

Do I need a pedal/effects board? Having looked through this forum, many of you guys seem to own a lot of stuff and are still gassing for more but I have nowt but my amp.

Those guys are probably playing music that is different than what you are doing. If your music doesn't call for using effects, then more power to you. Obviously it's possible to get a great sound without them.

Swift713 · #16 02-08-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

I always thought it was money.

Time is money, or was that Mime is money?

JanusZarate · #17 02-08-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

Time is money, or was that Mime is money?

[rapping]I got my mime on my money, my money on my mime[/rapping]

...

bongomania · #18 02-08-2008, 10:45 AM

Damn, I left my money on my mime. He's probably blown it all on wine coolers by now.

dancehallclasher · #19 02-08-2008, 11:41 AM

Other than a tuner pedal, no, there are no essentials. I recommend not looking into it. You'll become obsessed like the rest of us.

JanusZarate · #20 02-08-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancehallclasher

Other than a tuner pedal, no, there are no essentials. I recommend not looking into it. You'll become obsessed like the rest of us.

We're not obsessed. We're not addicted. We can quit whenever we want!

Now, where are my tremolo pills? I'm getting the "shakes" again from withdrawls.