Essentials?

[Journey55]

Okay, so I currently have these;
-OLP MM4 (the 5-string one) with Seymour Duncan
-Acoustic B100
I'm getting this from my mom for Christmas;
-EHX Bass Big Muff Pi

Now my dad wants to know what he should get me but I can't really think of anything else, I was thinking some sort of pedal but idk effects that well....any suggestions (he's not made of money so I'd put a cap of like $80-$90)

I play basically everything but mostly with my friend's youth group and my other friend's metal band (like August Burns Red stuff) but I also play some jazz and I do like RHCP every once in a while

[IMdanwhoRU]

Do you have a pedal tuner? If not, I'd definitely get one, definitely very useful. Korg Pitchblack or Boss TU-3 are great for about $80-$90.

The Bass Big Muff Pi has great "solo" tone but can sometimes get lost in a band setting. You may want to get a compression pedal or overdrive to accompany that one.

[loopmantra]

goddamn,throw that big muff(not that it's not any good,it is),and buy sansamp bddi,or mxr m80 or sthng similar...that way you'll have di+ box(and you'll ALWAYS need one,trust me,either in studio or on stage) AND distortion at the same price,plus both of these boxes are wicked and versatile-even eq comes in handy..
and i have to agree with IMdanwhoRU,tuner and compressor are also a must-have..
here's my settup>
woodguerilla fretless
markbass compressore
korg dt10 tuner
morley pba2 dual bass wah
ehx octave multiplexer
mxr phase90
little angel chorus clone
boss rv5
custom parametric eq/boost
mxr m80 di+
ampeg b100r

[Journey55]

They can each only spend around $80 and don't like pooling their money is the problem, otherwise the sansamp would be awesome

[0175westwood29]

if you like rhcp i'd get a cheap boss odb-3! dont beleieve the haters it all depends on your playing and rig! if you spend time with it you can get it sounding awesome!

and as has been said above either a tu-2 or 3 tuner!

andy

[winterburn69]

Tuner pedal, MXR Phase 90, a Morley Wah or a flanger.

[Foamy]

How about a gig box or bag?

Toolbox, appropriately sized. Or a Tool Bag (HD, Harbor Freight)
!!! OUTLET CHECKER !!!!! <-- Always use these. Best $2 ever.
Power strip with lighted switch
A good (even inexpensive) DI box - See the Behringer for example
Duct tape
A good $10 LED flashlight
A box of commonly used batteries
Small multi tool
Backup set of strings
Extra cable
Anything else you can think of

On, and one of these:
Behringer CT100
$20, and it will completely eliminate any worries of bad cables. Impress your friends too, and don't let them blame their cables. Seriously, at a gig, you'll want one of these.

[Journey55]

So no bass big muff pi? And what does a di box do? I'm new to this whole pedal thing...

[Foamy]

Hey, if you want the sound you hear out of the Pi (check it out on YouTube), go for it!
A DI box is a Direct Inject box. Needed for plugging your bass into a PA should you be in that situation. If you need one, you cannot do without it.
My thoughts on my original post were to not spend a lot of money. And to get a gig bag or box started that you'd have with you forever.
It's things like that that will be very helpful and save you from buying them only AFTER you figured out you need them.

Cable Tester - How many times have you or your buddies heard scratchy noise and blamed a cable? Use a tester and figure it out for sure.

Power Strip - Easy to see why you should always have one with you.

Outlet Tester - Man, if you EVER play plugged in, you should check the outlets.

Tape, Flashlight, Batteries - Easy.

DI Box - If you ever show up at a gig and they want you to go to their PA, then you MUST have one of these.

My point.....the above are things that all add up. So if money is limited, then different folks can get you different bits and pieces, an your bag of essentials will be complete in no time.

I think that pretty much anything in my list is truly more "essential" than an effect pedal. But again, you know how these forums go. Everyone has an opinion.

[Journey55]

I have everything but the cable tester that you listed though that sounds handy, I think I'll buy it out of my own pocket, however my amp have an external speaker jack, could I just hitch that to the PA of needed?

[DeltaPhoenix]

get a multi like a Zoom (in your price i think)

[loopmantra]

Originally Posted by Journey55

I have everything but the cable tester that you listed though that sounds handy, I think I'll buy it out of my own pocket, however my amp have an external speaker jack, could I just hitch that to the PA of needed?

yes if and ONLY if it's a balanced output.otherwise-di box

[alec]

In my experience (Australia) I've never needed a DI box -the venue always supplies them.

That said, the Sansamp stuff is great. A para driver or VT bass (for example) will give you heaps of tonal options.

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by alec

In my experience (Australia) I've never needed a DI box -the venue always supplies them.

That said, the Sansamp stuff is great. A para driver or VT bass (for example) will give you heaps of tonal options.

OP states cost is an issue, so that's why I didn't recommend VT. But yeah, that one ROCKS!
Here, DI boxes are pretty much on-hand as well. However, they are also often pocked by the previous band and sometimes in questionable shape. And if you're getting paid to play, ya gotta play. And if ya need a DI box, nothing else will do.
But I agree with ya on the virtues of the Para and the VT.

[Journey55]

WEll I'm not really playing anywhere that my B100 can't handle so I don't think I'd use the DI Box too much so I was thinking these;
DigiTech XBS Bass Squeeze Compressor Pedal and more Bass Effects Pedals at GuitarCenter.com.

Electro-Harmonix XO Bass Big Muff PI Distortion Effects Pedal and more Bass Effects Pedals at GuitarCenter.com.

Any suggestions otherwise (different brands/pedals)? I'm just throwing these out there, I'm a little fuzzy on what the compressor does but I'd like to add some grit to my tone and have some room for soloing (Big Muff)

[alec]

Originally Posted by Foamy

OP states cost is an issue, so that's why I didn't recommend VT.

In my head I was thinking "get one secondhand" but as a present, s/h isn't as classy as new. Much better value though.

Journey, personally I wouldn't worry about a compressor. See Compressor Reviews for an overload on what they do. Typically when they're working best, you don't notice them.
The muff will be a lot more fun. A multiFX would be an even better option, if you get one that has some good distortion sounds in it. Cost might get in the way though.

[caeman]

A used MXR M-108 EQ pedal. It compliments any and all present and future pedals you may own.

[JimmyM]

You need some sort of overdrive, but that Bass Big Muff is pretty intense. I might look for something a little less intense as well. A lot of good suggestions already...I'd throw the Hartke Bass Attack pedal in there as well. Got a nice DI, has an overdrive circuit that's pretty cool, $100...a little heavy but built very solid. I'd also consider getting a multi-effect unit as well. Zoom makes a killer little one called the B2 for $100. Then you can try out a lot of different effects, figure out what you like and don't like, etc.

[bassassinscreed]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Zoom makes a killer little one called the B2 for $100. Then you can try out a lot of different effects, figure out what you like and don't like, etc.

+1

GREAT pedal! Santa brought me one about 6 years ago! It was my first venture into pedal land, and yeah, it'll give you a good idea of lots of different effects. It's even got a pretty good ODB-3 sound built in (I think someone suggested that already). ALSO, it has a tuner (essential), a D.I., and an awesome USB audio interface.

Sidenote: If you're going for Dustin Davidson's sound on his August Burns Red records, the Muff isn't really what you should be looking at. His tone is more of a subtle, gritty overdrive, rather than the full on muffness. I'd suggest the VT Bass but as stated this is above your (parents) budget. But if you dig the muff (that's gross...sorry), grab one!

[newbold]

Since it's crunch time and you're looking for pedals, I'd have to say to get a tuner pedal with a power supply option. When you get more pedals you'll have a supply to daisy chain DC power

though...a gig toolbag is a great way to go. I'd be into either as a gift to myself at your stage.

You may get more mileage from a compressor and a planet waves strobe pick tuner though. Those strobe tuners are great and cheap and you'll get more slap mileage out of a compressor with your little amp.