Essential Pedal

jmeid · #1 12-26-2007, 10:49 PM

OK, before I get started I've searched for the past hour and could not quite find what I was looking for.

I'm looking for a pedal (obviously). At first I was looking to the BBE Sonic Stomp. But after reading some on TB I'm not sure I want one (due to signifigance in signal).

What do you think is an essential pedal in a rig?

I personally play a Peavey Grind 6'er into a LMII w/ an Avatar 210 and GK 115.

I am a meat and potatoes player and prefer clean, defined sound. For some reason I feel called to buy a pedal

Tell me what you got!

irvinz · #2 12-26-2007, 10:56 PM

so what significance in signal have you concluded it has?
the sonic stomp works for some and not for others.

most essential pedal? tuner!

jmeid · #3 12-26-2007, 11:00 PM

For the Sonic Stomp I guess it would be lack of signifigance in signal. I do not really need to cut through the mix in my band, and when I have to I change my playing style.

AND

I have a tuner pedal... hah I'm sorry. I didn't consider that an effect pedal.

irvinz · #4 12-26-2007, 11:06 PM

so if u have no need to cut through the mix. what are you planning to acheive? there isn't really any essential effect pedals out there. imho.

a compressor would be good. (but it aint really an effect)

bongomania · #5 12-26-2007, 11:11 PM

OK, now honestly I think you already know this, but GAS has a hold of you.

There is no pedal that is "essential".

UNLESS you have a specific tonal desire that clean bass just can't deliver! Is there any tonal quality that you really wish you had, that your bass into a good amp cannot deliver? If yes, and if you can describe it, then we can help you find a pedal.

If you say "I want good clean sound" I'll smack you.

No, just kidding, but I will sneak up behind you and put a black burlap sack over your head and... er... no, that's not what I meant either.

Give us something to work with here.

jmeid · #6 12-26-2007, 11:18 PM

Ok yeah I'm sorry, I was kinda vauge.

I play in a metal band (not screaming death metal... like good metal (HAH, just kidding)). My bass tone is Tool esque. It has that same kind of vibe about it.

I've thought of a chorus or kinda synthy pedal, but I'm not quite sure of how I could utilize it in a band setting.

I don't need to clean up my tone.. maybe define it.

Think the tone at the begining of The Pot by Tool.

Connor · #7 12-26-2007, 11:37 PM

here you go, this is some (excuse me) loser that follows tool around the country watching their bassist play so he can learn the lines and post them online.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=TOOLbassplayer

watch some of his videos. i think he has one where he explains his pedal board. (he has all of the same equipment (bass, amp, effects))

PS. tool ain't metal, they progressive.

jmeid · #8 12-26-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connor

watch some of his videos. i think he has one where he explains his pedal board. (he has all of the same equipment (bass, amp, effects))

PS. tool ain't metal, they progressive.

I saw one when he talked about a compressor, but I will look at those videos in more detail... Thanks!

Yes Tool is progressive, and I play in a Metal(ish) band... But my tone (or the tone I'm trying to enhance to be more Tool esque) is similar to Justin Chancellor's

superfunk47 · #9 12-27-2007, 12:03 AM

id go chorus if you like justin chancellor, or a pitch shifter (if you have the money, a Bass Whammy would be spot on

).

markjazzbassist · #10 12-27-2007, 01:24 AM

tuner and envelope filter are essential. must have on any board the ability to tune and the ability to make wet space noises.

Jared Lash · #11 12-27-2007, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connor

here you go, this is some (excuse me) loser that follows tool around the country watching their bassist play so he can learn the lines and post them online.

That was uncalled for. Yeah, he loves Tool, but he doesn't follow them around the country. The guy has a day job. And in his free time he learns and posts vids of Tool songs so other fans can learn them. If you aren't a Tool fan or his videos don't help you (as I'm sure they've helped a lot of other bassists), then just move on, but there's no need to insult him.

Not to mention, Brad isn't exactly a stranger. He posts here (as WalBassPlayer I believe) on Talkbass.

bassgod0dmw · #12 12-27-2007, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

That was uncalled for.

Big +1!!!

To answer the OP, I don't think there is an essential pedal. If you're a meat & potatoes kind of guy, and like things simple...adding a pedal might not be for you unless you are just wanting something a little different. I think any tone (including the "defined" tone you talk about) start with a bass and an amp. If you can;t get what you want out of your basic rig, then I think it might be time to re-evaluate your rig, wants, and needs.

A big part of Justins sound are his Wal basses, and his rig...as well as his style. Sometimes people forget that. Adding a pedal won't give you his tone.

jmeid · #13 12-27-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

A big part of Justins sound are his Wal basses, and his rig...as well as his style. Sometimes people forget that. Adding a pedal won't give you his tone.

Yeah I've been thinking about that. My GAS is starting to ware off. I'm going to play around with the settings on my amp and I think I might buy a EBS Multi Comp if I cannot get the desired results...

THANKS!

bassgod0dmw · #14 12-27-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmeid

I think I might buy a EBS Multi Comp if I cannot get the desired results...

That's not really going to change much about your tone. They are pretty transparent pedals. I think comps can add a little something extra, but it's certainly not drastic by any means. Especially a mild pedal comp like that...

Valerus · #15 12-27-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

envelope filter are essential.

Hmm, I'll look into one of those.

EricF · #16 12-27-2007, 02:21 PM

As usual, bongo nailed it. No pedal is ESSENTIAL. Furthermore, what sound is important for your music may be very different than for mine or anyone elses.

One thing to consider is buying a small multi-fx pedal and experiment with it until you figure out the KIND of effects that sound good to you. Keep in mind that the quality of the effects may not be excellent, but it will help narrow your search. One you've figured out what type of effect(s) work for your music, then you can start the hunt for a more specific sound within that type of effect (for example, not all distortions are created equal, and many of us have spent a lot of time finding the one that is right for us).

All that said, many bass players jump into the effects arena with an OD/distortion/fuzz pedal.

OhThePeacock · #17 12-27-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

tuner and envelope filter are essential. must have on any board the ability to tune and the ability to make wet space noises.

And the ability to make wet...well, I wont go there

diechris · #18 12-27-2007, 02:29 PM

if you are very "meat and potatoes" type player.. i would say... a good compressor and a tuner. a compressor is always nice to have and a tuner can act as a mute and ..well it can tune?

with that said.. i should have invested money in those two things FIRST on my board instead of everything else.. haha

fishtx · #19 12-27-2007, 04:19 PM

I've read through this thread and I guess I really don't understand what you are after.

It sounds to me like you are set for what you want to sound like. If you are just "GAS'ing" as Bongo mentioned above, to just try out some different effects...then welcome to the club! I have a house full of different pedals and rack stuff, because I like to noodle around with different sounds and tones, etc...but when I go to a gig, I rarely take anything more than a tuner, a pre/DI, and sometimes a Compressor and a Chorus.

If you like Tool, my suggestion would be to listen to the sound Justin C. has on a particular tune you really dig, identify what effect is producing that sound, and buy one (used on the TB classifieds or ebay or somewhere if you want to go cheap)...Play with it for a while and decide if you want to keep it or not. If it's not your thing, sell it and try something else.

The talkbass classifieds have been a great place for me to pick up different pedals and try them out. I have kept some that I fell in love with, and sold others that really weren't my thing. And 99% of the folks that list on TB are great guys to do business with (IME).

knumbskull · #20 12-27-2007, 04:50 PM

what about a nice preamp? - add some grind to your tone, and beef up the EQ wherever tickles you...both of which are fine things for metal, 'good' metal or otherwise

...

i've had nothing but good experiences with the Tech 21 BDDI. and people do say nice things about the Sadowsky preamp in stomper format, tho i've not had the pleasure of trying it myself. a couple of searches here will furnish you with plenty of info about each.