General Pedal Question

[grass132456]

Do most bassists in general use effect pedal or just go clean. If so what kind are commonly used?

[jwr]

Serious?

[HolmeBass]

I don't know how much hard data there is to answer your question. Keeping it to electric bassists (porkchop / slab players) my impression is, from this forum, bassists I know, and from Bass Player magazine, is that most bassists just go clean. Most *pro* level bassists in the top gigs use some effects, especially in rock, and many have pretty big pedal boards. It can also depend on the gig. But even in 'jazz fusion' many bassists use some effects- Tal has her octaver, so does Pino, Anthony Jackson has his flanger (actually uses a plugin through a DAW now instead of a pedal), even Vic might drop some envelope filter on his own gigs, although w/ the Flecktones it seems he just goes clean. And how many use compression? Probably many more use subtle compression, although I don't really consider that an effect any more than EQ is an effect.

[Waterpilot]

53.975% of bass players probably use effects so I'd say probably.

[bassbrad]

Makes no matter to me what most bass players do since I make my own decisions most usually contrary to "the most". I do think a growing number of bassists are using effects even if it's just a tuner pedal and compressor or a multi.