Help the effect newb

[ScottG]

Hey guys. I'll try to make this quick. Been playing 20 years without any effects and I've gotten the bug big time. The more I research on TB and other sites, the more confused I feel. Whre is the best place for me to start? I kind of have my heart set on an EHX Little Big Muff for my first box (heard a LOT of good things about it). Next I was thinking chorus (EHX small clone or clone theory, I'm torn). Totally confused about compressors and envelope filters. I'm in a rock/blues trio and I'm not sure if I need either. Am I on the right track here ar should I start my collection with something other than fuzz? Any advise is greatly appreciated.

[OhThePeacock]

Well if you play any slap and would like to controll volume peaks then get a compressor...if you wanna spice up the sound of your slaps get a filter too. If you get em put filter before compressor since the filter works dynamically.

[bongomania]

TBH, it's all about trying different things out and seeing what you like. FX are about variety, and variety is something to be sampled like a buffet.

[Tomass]

You could possibly try getting a Multi FX pedal, the Zoom B2.1Ua are sweet. And then work your way from, that way you get to sample different effects, see how they sound, if they work in your band or not and it will ultimately save you a lot of trouble later. Altough the compressor on that thing is poor.

[ScottG]

Don't really slap. That's why I don't really think I need a comp or envelope filter. But on the other hand, I'm not exactly sure what a comp is really all about. I've been playing around with pedals at my local store and swiping my guitarists pedals at practice when I can. That's what had lead me to start with the Little Big Muff. I like the whole fuzz/distortion sound.

[ScottG]

I've thought about getting the Digitech multi-effects box, but I've read so much about how multi-effects suck and singles are the way to go. It scared me away from it.

[Zappstorius]

Fuzz/OD/Dist is a good place to start...but it's the hardest thing to find. Peoples taste are vastly different. Chorus is a "safe" effect IMO. Flanger maybe? Phaser? Wah? What have you demoed?

[ScottG]

My store has the Digitech bass chorus, bass driver, and bass squeeze. Also tried a marshall bluesbreaker, boss bass chorus, and various disrtortion/overdrives that were not made for bass. I guess my only hangup about the EHX is that none of my local stores carry them. Everything I know about them is from this site and musician's friend.

[waffle puzzle]

I disagree that multi-fx suck. The two I've owned and used are the Boss GT-6B---awesome versatility, but a bit pricey to start. I also have used the Digitech BP-200, which has about 5 presets I really love and a few more that are ok, and/or programmable....it's a cheap way to dabble in fx......

As far as individual pedals go, you're not going to use a wide variety of wild sounds in a rock/blues trio setting, but it can be fun to experiment.

I suggest look up (in the effects forum) the threads on "post your pedalboard" and "effects addicts" for some comments and ideas.

[ScottG]

Thanks

[Swimming Bird]

To answer your original question -- I think you are on the right track. Fuzzes are fun to play with and will probably prove useful in your band setup. Same for chorus. They'll both thicken up the sound of your trio which sometimes small bands really need.

Compression isn't so much an effect as a way of life. I always leave mine on -- it evens out the little volume peaks and drops in your playing to make you sound better and more consistent and adds sustain. Pretty much when you try out a compressor, just expect to sound 'better'.

[ScottG]

Thanks a lot guys. The sound I have in my head is a kinda retro, 70's type thing. Nothing too wild. Tht's why I was thinking fuzz and chorus to start out with. I might move on to a compressor after that, swimming bird's post convinced me.