Effects to change it up and/inspire?

[SteveC]

I'm not going to buy a new bass or amp but am looking to create a new spark. I don't use effects much, not sure I really need them, but is this a way to maybe break out of my old habits, tone and playing style?

[Slackerprince]

Try a Digitech Bass Synth Wah.
Plenty of weird and fun stuff in that pedal to keep you busy.
Cheap, too!


s

[MycooLeeyun]

I don't think any effects will help you break old habits or playing styles. The only way to do that would be to identify those habits and work to change them. However, as long as you are happy with your rig, go ahead and buy a pedal.

[BASSCELL]

Try envelope filters they're always fun to play with. you seem to me like a traditional player so distortion is not a good idea to start with, a nice chorus can give you a Caco vibe and try a nice reverb to spice up your soloing.

these are my personal suggestions

QTRON/EBS IQ/MUTRON 3
MXR YELLOW CHORUS
BOSS REVERB or EBS REVERB

[BASSCELL]

oh I meant Jaco vibe

[kevteop]

Delays are good for noodling, they can create some interesting arpeggios and harmonies. Maybe get a Line 6 Echo Park, it has a lot of features for the money.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by MycooLeeyun

I don't think any effects will help you break old habits or playing styles. The only way to do that would be to identify those habits and work to change them.

Maybe that wasn't quite the way to express my thought. I am generally happy (the usual GAS aside) with my bass, amp and tone. My gigs include church, a Pop/Rock cover band, a Funk/R&B/Soul cover band and a contemporary jazz quartet. I don't use any effects right now. The guitar player(s) for these bands don't use much either - compression, distortion, delay/chorus, stuff like that. The keyboard player has a Nord and uses mostly piano, clav and Hammond tones, some synth/ooh and aah vocal patches, stuff like that.

I generally find that a straight ahead tone covers these gigs just fine. I was thinking maybe a little compression, maybe a little overdrive on some of the rock covers might be nice, the funk could maybe use a filter once in a while, maybe some chorus/delay for jazz solos, stuff like that.

Not sure if it will help or hurt the overall mix and tone. Sometimes I think it's best if I stay clean and let everyone else do the fancy stuff. There's a Line 6 M9 at the store I thought might be a good place to start. Lots of stuff, tuner, small, easy to use, even a looper to mess around with.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I'm not going to buy a new bass or amp but am looking to create a new spark. I don't use effects much, not sure I really need them, but is this a way to maybe break out of my old habits, tone and playing style?

Envelope filters absoutely encourage you to try different techniques IMO.

A delay is always a fun way to get new rhythmic ideas. Find one that doubles as a looper and it can be a nice creative tool.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Slackerprince

Try a Digitech Bass Synth Wah.
Plenty of weird and fun stuff in that pedal to keep you busy.
Cheap, too!


s

+1

Also, chorus can be a useful effect for thickening up some bass parts. And you expressed interest in the possibility of an overdrive, which can also be useful.

[iri5h_punk21]

I would say a nice delay like the line6 DM4 or maybe a reverb like the Verbzilla. I use those with an ebow and it opened some doors for me

[Chrisk-K]

Source Audio BEF. If you are not inspired by its sounds, well...

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by iri5h_punk21

I would say a nice delay like the line6 DM4

You mean the DL4. The DM4 is their digital distortion pedal.

FWIW the Echo Park is the same effect as the DL4, but without the memory and in a compact stomp.

[Phatbottom]

Get a Subdecay Prometheus. Very dynamic filter and cool step mode. Quite inspiring.

[NortyFiner]

Since you don't do effects much and are looking for inspiration, my suggestion would be to acquire a multi-effects unit. That would allow you to experiment with a variety of effects and sounds without a major cash outlay. Once you find what you really like in effects, then you can make the investment switch to individual pedals, should you feel the need to do so.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by NortyFiner

Since you don't do effects much and are looking for inspiration, my suggestion would be to acquire a multi-effects unit.

This is what I was thinking if I decide to try something. There's a Line 6 M( at the store that has just about everything I would use - and more. Having a looper is kind of nice.

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

Source Audio BEF. If you are not inspired by its sounds, well...

+1