guitar pedals used on bass

[korey L]

Im in the processes of choosing pedals for my pedal board and havent bought any yet. I have only been looking at bass pedals but noticed that bass pedals are much more expensive than guitar pedals, Like the boss odb-3 is 100 and the boss od-3 is about 40-50. I played my guitarists boss od-1 and it sound fine on the low notes of a bass. So now im wondering if other types of pedals meant for guitar are good for bass also. Im looking for a overdrive, chorus, octave, and delay pedals. If you know which types will sound good on bass and which ones wont, please post.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Just most recently used an (borrowed) MXR Eddie Van Halen Phaser 90 for a gig and *LOVED* it. This coming from not having used ANY effects on bass for about 10 years now in gig situations. I sung the lead vocal and played the bass part on "Fly Away" by Lenny Kravitz, and I thought that pedal would give me some of that kind of sound from the recordingin the verse section. But as you may remember, that particular part in the song didn't have serious low-end in it anyways. But it worked for me.

[Crystalman85]

If your looking for a chorus pedal that works well on guitar and bass, the danelectro chorus pedals(the fab chorus and the cool cat cc-1 chorus) would be a good choice. these pedals has smooth retro chorus sounds. plus they're affordable too.

[Plays_For_Dog]

I snagged a BBE AM-64 distortion pedal at the once-a-week Guitard daycare center sale for $20 brand new. I figured I couldn't go wrong with a cheap pedal just to see how it would do. I was pleasantly suprised at it's tone and craftsmanship. The thing is built like a bomb bunker and has a unique sound on the bass that I like. It's doesn't hold lows too well in the mix, but dinking around at home I like what I get out of it.

[Deepak]

Most pedals are sold as 'guitar' pedals but only a few of those sound terrible with bass. Distortion/fuzz tends to be finicky whereas modulation usually works out fine.

For the ODB-3 you're probably better off buying used since there are a ton floating around. I see them go for about $40-50 in great condition.

[YYZDMV46&2]

i was wondering the same thing, especially about the Digitech Whammy that Justin Chancellor uses, but they dont make the bass version anymore. could i get a guitar version?

[buddingbassit]

I find guitar chorus pedals and effects of that nature work perfectly on bass. But all the distortions i have tried just cut the bottom end off your tone. and as a bass player I found in a band situation if i didn't have a solid bottom end the whole band seemed to suffer. (it was like i was just stepping on the guitarist's feet, so to speak)
just my 2 cents and i don't have G.A.S yet so i can give opinions on a pile of pedals haha.

[Crystalman85]

Originally Posted by buddingbassit

I find guitar chorus pedals and effects of that nature work perfectly on bass. But all the distortions i have tried just cut the bottom end off your tone. and as a bass player I found in a band situation if i didn't have a solid bottom end the whole band seemed to suffer. (it was like i was just stepping on the guitarist's feet, so to speak)
just my 2 cents and i don't have G.A.S yet so i can give opinions on a pile of pedals haha.

There are some guitar distortion pedals that work well on bass, that is if they have a good low-pass filter. if low-end losses is an issue for you, you should consider purchasing a blander pedal like the boss ls-2 line selector pedal.

[colcifer]

the biggest difference between guitar and bass pedals is marketing.

[Kromwarp]

Originally Posted by colcifer

the biggest difference between guitar and bass pedals is marketing.

+1

Same with tube pedals v. non tube pedals, a single 12AX7 usually doesnt do a whole lot to enhance the tone of the pedal, its just marketing more than anything else

[SurferJoe46]

I noticed that my Cry Baby won't modify the low freqs at all and seems to work at notes somewhere above A string Bb or so.

My FX56 Flashback Fuzz works better on bass freqs that it does on guitar notes though and I find it's got a lot more 'color' to it that the MXR Bass di+ when trying to do the same thing.

The MXR is hollow sounding but does things of it's own that no other pedal I have can.

So - some work well - some work better and some are useless.

.

[Tusec]

Originally Posted by Crystalman85

There are some guitar distortion pedals that work well on bass, that is if they have a good low-pass filter. if low-end losses is an issue for you, you should consider purchasing a blander pedal like the boss ls-2 line selector pedal.

The funky orange DOD FX-52 Classic Fuzz is a great bass pedal because when you crank the tone full counterclockwise you get a big bass boost. Here's a sound clip:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music

[Crystalman85]

Originally Posted by Tusec

The funky orange DOD FX-52 Classic Fuzz is a great bass pedal because when you crank the tone full counterclockwise you get a big bass boost. Here's a sound clip:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music

Awesome sound sample you got there. sounds pretty heavy.

[Tusec]

Thanks - it does got the heavy. The trick is that the tone control doesn't just roll off high end as you go clockwise, it also boosts the bass. In fact I think it might be blending two differently voiced fuzz circuits rather than just being a tone control.

[YYZDMV46&2]

So a Digitech Guitar Whammy would work on bass, since they discontinued the bass version.

[happycat]

I have been using mt gt-10b for rhythm/lead guitar...my regular guitarist couldn't make it so I stepped up to the plate, so to speak.

My thoughts started with ... Fender Bassman amps were used by guitarist so why not start with the GT-10b Fender Bassman emulation and it sounded OK to me.

[rob_thebassman]

Originally Posted by colcifer

the biggest difference between guitar and bass pedals is marketing.

I'd say its the low end