How many 'rockstar' bassists actually uses boutique pedals?

BrandonBass · #1 01-31-2011, 12:35 PM

Everytime I see a famous touring bassist's pedalboards, it seems that most of the stuff they use can be found in gc. Think chris wolstenholme(save the deep impact, but still it was a mass produced pedal back then), justin chancellor, flea etc.

MNAirHead · #2 01-31-2011, 12:41 PM

Like basses, amps, etc...

Much of this is subjective. I've had discussions with some well known folks.. thier "common" pedals are sometimes altered...

Jared Lash · #3 01-31-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Everytime I see a famous touring bassist's pedalboards, it seems that most of the stuff they use can be found in gc. Think chris wolstenholme(save the deep impact, but still it was a mass produced pedal back then), justin chancellor, flea etc.

I'd be very surprised if Wolstenholme bought his DI before it was discontinued. Not to mention the Animato he uses which is a very rare pedal and the Mammoth and Prunes & Custard are definitely booteek. Chancellor has the Bass Whammy which is rare as well as a few other non-GC pedals.

Lots of bassists use lesser known or boutique pedals. But MXR, EHX, Boss etc are the best selling brands so it shouldn't be surprising that they are found on the boards of well known bands.

I think often guys find what works for them and stick with it. Especially true for touring bands that don't have the time or inclination to seek out and try boutique pedals to see if they are worth upgrading to.

**jmattbassplaya** · #4 01-31-2011, 01:32 PM

I agree with Jared. I'll also say that if I were a touring musician I'd much prefer to try and use gear that was fairly common. That way if anything broke I could quickly and easily replace it and not miss a beat while on the road.

Swimming Bird · #5 01-31-2011, 03:02 PM

Don't forget about endorsement deals.

The Lurker · #6 01-31-2011, 03:28 PM

"Boutique" is also a matter of perception.

coreyfyfe · #7 01-31-2011, 03:35 PM

I bought my first "boutique" pedal after having a famous musician's live tone make my banana dance. So I guess take that for what it's worth.

Jumbotron · #8 01-31-2011, 04:18 PM

Another relevant question is how many rockstar bassists actually use pedalboards. Seems like I've been to a bunch of shows where pedals, boutique and non-boutique, were strewn haphazardly all over the floor (this surprised me at a Tony Levin show some years ago).

jady · #9 01-31-2011, 04:22 PM

If a pedal takes a crap on the road, a commonly available one would be easier to replace.

Just a thought.

s_mcsleazy · #10 01-31-2011, 04:29 PM

but nowadays people use switching systems so why take the cheepys on tour

its not like there pedals are being steped on if there in the rack

plangentmusic · #11 01-31-2011, 04:41 PM

I know an expert bicycle repairman who works on $20,000 racing bikes. He rides a $200 bike from Kmart.

Why?

Because at that stage they're not impressed with all the glitter and have nothing to prove. Nor do they think the dream instrument is the way to being better, or accepted. They just want something that works. Since rock stars have killer rigs, massive PA's and bass techs at their disposal, a trusty P or J or MM works just fine.

puddin tame · #12 01-31-2011, 04:45 PM

I think in terms of putting on a good show, whether you've got a boss or a boutique pedal isn't going to affect the audience's enjoyment

Jared Lash · #13 01-31-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

I know an expert bicycle repairman who works on $20,000 racing bikes. He rides a $200 bike from Kmart.

Why?

Because being a bicycle repairman doesn't pay enough to afford a $20,000 bike?

One of my good friends does repairs on high end import cars, primarily Porsches and BMWs and we give him a hard time because he drives a beat up Corrolla.

Anyway, I think part of it is that often guys don't really care. Being in a successful band doesn't necessarily make you a gear hound. The OP mentioned Flea, who I don't think really cares about gear at all. Other guys obviously do.

Also, guys who use effects as a big part of their overall sound tend to be more discerning. Especially for a guy like Justin Chancellor whose stage/touring rig IS his recording rig or a guy like John Davis for whom effects are absolutely essential to what he does.

Quote:

Originally Posted by puddin tame

I think in terms of putting on a good show, whether you've got a boss or a boutique pedal isn't going to affect the audience's enjoyment

I can understand this outlook. You could extend it to basses and amps as well. 99% of audience members aren't going to notice any but the most drastic tonal changes to a bassist's setup.

And while I know that, I know what *I* want to hear out of my rig and how I want my tone to sound and fit in the mix and that extends to effects. Whether a different fuzz pedal is even noticeable to the audience isn't part of my thought process really.

rob_thebassman · #14 01-31-2011, 05:08 PM

i might sound really stupid at the moment.. but what is a boutique pedal? like noticeable pedals or something?

Jared Lash · #15 01-31-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob_thebassman

i might sound really stupid at the moment.. but what is a boutique pedal? like noticeable pedals or something?

Generally speaking boutique in this sense means from a small, specialized shop. It generally (but not always) also implies more expensive.

The ZVex Wooly Mammoth is a good example.

rob_thebassman · #16 01-31-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

Generally speaking boutique in this sense means from a small, specialized shop. It generally (but not always) also implies more expensive.

The ZVex Wooly Mammoth is a good example.

ah i see.. like analogman, way huge, and wren and cuff

rob_thebassman · #17 01-31-2011, 05:18 PM

the bassist from weezer uses a pickle pie

BillyIVbass · #18 01-31-2011, 05:29 PM

Mostly they can buy stuff new if it breaks. Also not to sound like a tool. They are playing big rigs, so one pedal may sound thin in your practice rig will translate differently on their mondo rig.

20db pad · #19 01-31-2011, 07:07 PM

Will Lee and Tony Levin use some Analogman stuff. Don't know how "boutique" Analogman is, but the brand is not the same old stuff usually seen on pedalboards.

rr5025 · #20 01-31-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

I'd be very surprised if Wolstenholme bought his DI before it was discontinued. Not to mention the Animato he uses which is a very rare pedal and the Mammoth and Prunes & Custard are definitely booteek. Chancellor has the Bass Whammy which is rare as well as a few other non-GC pedals.

He used the Deep Impact on Origin Of Symmetry (2001) before it was discontinued.

Like has been said I'd bet they do it because it's easier to replace something if it gets messed up.