HELP! I don't know if I can justify buying effects!

[doomdude]

Right here's the conundrum:

Ever since I've been playing bass, I've been saving and spending all significant amounts of money on gear.

I've been wanting to get some effects for about a year now, and have researched and saved and I have £600, and a plan of what I want to get.

But as of late, I don't feel HUGELY into bass like I have been before, my band aren't really up to much after our month break, and I'm not sure they'd be of huge benefit to the band.

BUT I WANT MOAR TOANZ SO BADLY D;

I also have to consider expensive driving lessons which are expensive. They're quite expensive. I'll never learn to drive!

But I want these effects. What do I do?

[DeltaPhoenix]

Buy some Fuzz damnit! Then an octave, a filter, some modulation... Just have someone take you out to a field so you can practice driving, then try country roads.

[sprag]

You've come to the right place my son. Buy buy buy. buy second hand gear locally then you can easily justify spending the money cos you'll actually be saving money. without buying you will save nothing and end up broke.

[kevteop]

If you're doing bands, then having a car or at the very least a driving license will be essential. I would learn to drive first if that's the choice you've got, pedals can come later.

Originally Posted by DeltaPhoenix

Buy some Fuzz damnit! Then an octave, a filter, some modulation... Just have someone take you out to a field so you can practice driving, then try country roads.

He's British. We have a driving test here that it's possible (indeed, easy) to fail. Typically driving students spend upwards of £500 on tuition and examination costs, and most don't pass the test on their first attempt. Most of the people I know took three attempts to pass.

I lived in the USA for three years so I also know what the standard of driving is like over there.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 unlike the US, English drivers are required to actually know how to drive before given license to do so. If only it were true here as well. OP- yes, pass the test first, worry about toys later.

[alec]

Get a multiFX. This will let you try out heaps of different sounds in between driving lessons, then you'll know what you like when the time comes to lay down some cash on specialty items.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by kevteop

If you're doing bands, then having a car or at the very least a driving license will be essential. I would learn to drive first if that's the choice you've got, pedals can come later.

"legally blind guy who will never drive hangs head in sadness, but smiles when he sees all the effects down there because of it"

[behndy]

*pokes Bryan in the eyes, grabs pedalboard and runs away*

*pulls something trying to sprint with 172 lbs of rackmount ANGER*

OOF.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by behndy

*pokes Bryan in the eyes, grabs pedalboard and runs away*

*pulls something trying to sprint with 172 lbs of rackmount ANGER*

OOF.

Actually laughed out loud at that

[behndy]

*rubs sore back*

oh yeah. all fun and ****ing games for YOU. i'm WRECKED now.

stoopid heavy effects setup.

[delta7fred]

In the UK having a driving license is almost as important as your own gear.

The number of ads I have seen. "Bass player (or whatever) wanted. Must have own transport."

Unless you live in London then things might be different.

IMO, IME. YMMV of course but if I had to rely on public transport or bandmates then I would never gig.

[DeathFromBelow]

Arseninic.

[grygrx]

Don't feed trolls.

[bass12]

It seems that one of my earlier posts (regarding only needing a tuner) upset a few people. Honestly, the comment was made mostly in jest (I guess I should have added a smiley face or something). More than anything I wanted the OP to feel okay about the idea of not having pedals. I wasn't trolling intentionally and am sorry if my post sounded more mean-spirited than was intended.

[behndy]

naw, i over-reacted. i'm sure i just missed the light-hearted intent. sorry back atcha. there just IS a history of people oddly getting off on coming into the sub-forum set aside for effects and saying offensive stuff about how if you don't plug straight into an amp you're not playing bass blah blah blah.

i'm a touchy little prepubescent grrL at heart.

and you're right. if you don't feel you want or need effects, then you don't want or need effects. so many different styles of music, so many different ways to aproach making music.

[MSUsousaphone]

I honestly don't know how people can get on here to talk about just basses and amps. Seems like that conversation would dry up in a day or two. Effects is an ever expanding World of fun. So much versatility. The sub forums is where it's at. We're like the cool kids on campus.

[ksandvik]

Zoom B3.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by behndy

naw, i over-reacted. i'm sure i just missed the light-hearted intent. sorry back atcha. there just IS a history of people oddly getting off on coming into the sub-forum set aside for effects and saying offensive stuff about how if you don't plug straight into an amp you're not playing bass blah blah blah.

I understand fully. As one who occasionally likes to engage my 3Leaf or UFO fuzz I can safely state that I'm not anti-effects-for-bass! Thanks for the conciliatory reply - it's appreciated.

[BritPicker]

I'd say just get a couple of Behringer FX if you simply MUST have something. Treat them nice (put them on a board) and you'll be fine. Or just try to borrow some.

Then, learn to drive!! After it's over you can buy all the FX you want as a reward to self.
In the UK you have to be dedicated to learn I know...

Effects are great but much of the time, you don't really really have to have them. Being a good player is way more important!

[behndy]

Originally Posted by bass12

I understand fully. As one who occasionally likes to engage my 3Leaf or UFO fuzz I can safely state that I'm not anti-effects-for-bass! Thanks for the conciliatory reply - it's appreciated.

hugs and ****.