do you ever think of just selling up?

[UnDoNe]

i'm not, and i get a lot of fun from effects, but sometimes i think if i just sold everything, i would be such a better bassist. in the sense that i would learn much more theory/learn to sight read etc, as opposed to making alien noises. anyone else?

[Valerus]

What, you don't like aliens?

[funkalicious101]

You know.... you can still do all of that stuff with a couple of colourful boxes between you and your amp.

[UnDoNe]

i know that, but i just get distracted if i have effetcs there. Yes i can take them out of my chain and hide them, but i don't really want to, ya know?

[salcott]

I guess it depends on what kind of music you want to play. Does it require actual facility on the instrument or just the ability to make interesting noises?

[BigBassBob]

Two things to say:

1) If you ever feel like selling up, it may be because your tastes are changing. Sell up and buy more

2) I rarely practice with effects. Who's to say you can't practice more AND make alien noises? Always practice clean and save the effects for when you fancy having a bit of extra fun

[RickenBoogie]

I like both. And, sometimes the weird noises inspire extra creativity. But, otoh, if I sold it all, I could buy a new bass, or amp, or something. Nah.

[Ryan Mohr]

Yea I know what you mean. You can learn a lot more when its just you and you bass, but can get more creative with all the effects

[Fernando F]

What are you talking about? I never used effects against myself, they just help me to criate my own sound and I´m sure they inspire me a lot! The most important thing is the music! ALWAYS!!!

[The Lurker]

I know theory and can read, because I had to.

I make alien noises, because I want to

[Limlam]

i practice alone and with my rig as much as i can knowing both completley is two different skills for sure

[TaySte_2000]

If I say yes somewhere in the world a pedal maker drops dead

[4Mal]

disicpline... if you want to improve, then you'll find way to get it done ... if not the rim of the rut is your horizon.

[neuromancer]

I see no connection between the 2. Theory, reading ability, technique I would think would come first, although the effects are just there to add on to what you are already doing, not supplant it in any way. Granted, I see nothing wrong with the odd alien noise here and there - I just do those sparingly.

I use effects for this reason: they help enhance the sound by allowing you to get tonal qualities you wouldn't have without. I'm sure there are those who attempt to cover up their playing (or lack thereof) with effects, but it doesn't have to always be the case. I agree with the above poster who states that it's best to practice without them. I think that's a great approach.

And yes, I have thought of selling up, but then I'd be right back where I was before and I'm not one to go backwards unless there's a good reason.

[Gashaponcito]

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

If I say yes somewhere in the world a pedal maker drops dead

Let's hope it is not Mr Z Vex that would only make his pedals more expensive!

[assboglin]

Playing with pedals has improved my playing. Different pedals responds in certain ways to different paramaters of your notes that you have control over with your hands. Playing with pedals made me more conscious of what I was doing with my hands to make my notes sound the way I want them to through my pedals and without them.

[Baryonyx]

Not really, since my small collection of effects pedals has sat in the cupboard for about a year now!

[OhThePeacock]

I'm thinking if I ever feel the need to really improve myself as a bassist and work at my chops sans effects I would just hide them on myself or tell someone (that I trust!) to hold onto them for me.

[jollygiantchris]

I find that I never practice with effects and I only reach for them whenever I feel like the song or riff I'm writing could benefit from using them...However the work I am currently on is VERY fuzz/chorus laden but I didn't actually write any of the lines with effects on I just felt that the lines fit the songs better with them.

Effects are as much of a plus or a minus as you make of them.

[EricF]

If your noise toys are getting in the way of your improvement, it a matter of discipline. If you need to improve your playing skills, set aside some time dedicated to that only. Playing with effects takes practice, too - particularly if you are performing with them.