Got my first bass pedal a month ago and looking for more

waidonchasaisew · #1 04-13-2010, 02:27 AM

So, I'm a newbie to all there types of pedals and effects available to bass players at the moment.

I've been playing for 4 years now and I am playing consistent live shows with a "just for fun" high school band until I graduate. I recently got a Boss bass overdrive pedal and I love the extra punch and alternative sound it offers, but I am always on the lookout to expand my collection. Can I get any suggestions on a next pedal or two? maybe an explanation of what they do as well?

Mark Olson · #2 04-13-2010, 03:04 AM

There's lots of great stuff out there! What kind of music are you playing? For rock stuff I'd say you couldn't go wrong with maybe a suboctaver, like the Boss OC-2, which can add a synthesized note an octave below the note you play. Really thickens things up and makes it sound heavy.

A chorus is pretty standard as well, kind of adds a doubling effect as if there's more than one bass playing, and it can sound kind of cool and spacy. Boss makes a Bass Chorus which you could check out, but there's a lot of effects out there besides the Boss stuff as well, lots and lots of great stuff is coming out as the market for bass pedals grows, but you don't have to limit yourself to just bass pedals, guitar pedals can work fine for bass as well!

There are a lot of soundclips on this forum of various different effects, if you poke around here enough I'm sure you'll find some things that you'll like!

waidonchasaisew · #3 04-13-2010, 03:20 AM

wow, thanks for the information. I was actually looking at the line of Boss pedals and i remember seeing the chorus. I play modern rock/alternative (Blink 182, Green Day), but I also like to touch the classics (guns n roses, zepplin). I was a bit skeptical about using guitar pedals with my bass mainly because i think it will mess with the tone and i really dont see myself using a wah pedal anytime soon.
Anyways, thanks for the help, really appreciate it.

Mark Olson · #4 04-13-2010, 04:09 AM

If you ever do get interested in wah, there are bass wahs, lots of them.

The bassist for Guns n Roses used a chorus a lot, a good bass chorus would be great for that vibe I think, though guitar choruses work great for bass as well so try out a bunch if you can and see which you like best.

Happynoj · #5 04-13-2010, 04:22 AM

I would recommend the Boss CE-5 over the Bass Chorus. Sounds a lot nicer to me.

ourworldisgrey · #6 04-13-2010, 04:39 AM

Electro Harmonix Stereo Electric Mistress is another really good chorus. It is pretty "effected" sounding though. It also has a flanger section that makes it an even more swirly pedal. Not for everyone, but I love it.

champbassist · #7 04-13-2010, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

I would recommend the Boss CE-5 over the Bass Chorus. Sounds a lot nicer to me.

Exactly this. CEB-3 is way too cold, CE-5 is much more prominent.
Also, you might like to check out a good equalizer: I like the Boss GEB-7 quite a bit. An equalizer will give you tons of options for toneshaping.

Eric! · #8 04-13-2010, 09:54 AM

Perhaps a lighter overdrive? Sansamp, BB, Hematoma, etc?
EQ pedal?
Save for a bigger amp?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

I would recommend the Boss CE-5 over the Bass Chorus. Sounds a lot nicer to me.

I did however enjoy the CE-2B (MIJ)..

champbassist · #9 04-13-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebennetts

I did however enjoy the CE-2B (MIJ)..

From Bossarea:

Quote:

The chorus effect is only applied to the harmonics and not to the original note. This makes the bottom remain clear while it adds more breadth to the signal. The CE-2B is based on the MN3007 BBD circuit and MN3101 clock driver.

So looks like you have a point. Again, the CEB-3 had a circuit change from analog to digital in 2001. Lots of circuit changes: the bottom line, though, is that w.r.t the currently in-production pedals, CE-5>CEB-3.

Swimming Bird · #10 04-13-2010, 11:20 AM

Get a delay pedal. They're awesome and endlessly entertaining. Any of the Boss DD series would be a great first taste, though there are a gazillion delays on the market and you may want to do some research.

waidonchasaisew · #11 04-14-2010, 01:04 AM

I am actually pumping out of a pretty big set up. I got a Hartke VX410 & Ampeg B-2RE used for $400. My local guitar shop only carries Boss for bass pedals as far as i could see. The chromatic tuner and overdrive looked like the only appealing ones =P didnt understand what all the others did XD

waidonchasaisew · #12 04-14-2010, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

I would recommend the Boss CE-5 over the Bass Chorus. Sounds a lot nicer to me.

I guess I'm getting a CE-5 to ad to my collection =)

solutionbassist · #13 04-20-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

I would recommend the Boss CE-5 over the Bass Chorus. Sounds a lot nicer to me.

have a ce5 with vib mod love that thing great substitute for an envlope filter

solutionbassist · #14 04-20-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

Get a delay pedal. They're awesome and endlessly entertaining. Any of the Boss DD series would be a great first taste, though there are a gazillion delays on the market and you may want to do some research.

Bass delays?!?! any brands?!?! ive been tryin to find 1 and been unsucessful

bluestarbass · #15 04-20-2010, 06:24 PM

a bypass looper. Those boss pedals will suck your tone. Pedal tuner is a good idea. I like fuzzes alot but to each their own

crapusername · #16 04-21-2010, 07:44 AM

instead of the ce5, can i suggest you give the MXR black label chorus a go. It seems to be based around the older analog ce5, and i've found them in the uk online for around the £90 mark, which is roughly equivalent to the price of the boss.

i tried it last week, and as soon as fundage is available.........