I think it's time to face the facts

JimmyM · #1 12-07-2008, 01:26 AM

I just don't seem to be an effects guy anymore. I'm kind of bummed about it, because I do like effects. But after the "adding too many presets at once" fiasco a couple weeks ago, I've really toned it down with them. And this weekend I was only using them sporadically and it felt kind of forced when I did. Plus I'm not a big knob twiddler, and no matter how good I think I have them set, I always end up having to change something. A knob on the VT gets knocked and the volume gets wonky, or a preset sounds different at a higher volume.

Did get a couple absolutely killer sounds, though. Did "Dance to the Music" last night and I ran phaser with the VT and it sounded a lot like a Jet Phaser. That was cool. I can live without it, though. And running a B-15N, I can get power tube distortion at a low volume when I need it by just turning the volume knob past 12 o'clock, so the VT is kind of superfluous. Gonna use it for road gigs when I get stuck with a crappy rental amp, but I don't think I need it with a B-15N.

Well, I enjoyed being a pedal junkie with you guys for a little while, but I don't think it's my thing. Hope you guys let me hang out, though. I do like to use them on recordings so I'm not totally abandoning you

savinggrace · #2 12-07-2008, 01:29 AM

You'll be back...

(they all eventually do...)

Dr. Cheese · #3 12-07-2008, 01:30 AM

I am not a gigging pro like you, but I gave up a pedals a while back except for my outboard preamp.

JimmyM · #4 12-07-2008, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I am not a gigging pro like you, but I gave up a pedals a while back except for my outboard preamp.

What were you running? And what made you give them up?

Wasted Bassist · #5 12-07-2008, 01:53 AM

I'ma miss your avatar around the effects section even if I rarely read your posts.

jimmyjammer · #6 12-07-2008, 02:01 AM

I am feeling a bit the same; I remember when I'd be happy getting out there with just my Stingray and Trace Elliot, now I can't walk three feet in any direction without stubbing my toe on a pedal. They are fun and all, and help me cop certain sounds... but lately I have been thinking of the players who inspired me and most of the time they are just bass>amp.

I won't sell them but....

The BurgerMeister · #7 12-07-2008, 02:14 AM

i've definitely been taking a "less is more" approach lately. i'm not saying i'm going pedal-less anytime soon, but i did go from this:

to this:

...but that's only for my band. my other gig is just bass -> amp. bottom line for me is to use what works for whatever situation i find myself in.

The BurgerMeister · #8 12-07-2008, 02:17 AM

o, and JimmyM: you're always welcome here!

**TheMutt** · #9 12-07-2008, 02:29 AM

TBH, the effects that I do have are never needed. The most that I use is my volume pedal and maybe some chorus. I do like having all of the sounds on tap though I have been revamping my effect pedals a lot lately, and at some point will (maybe) reduce the number of pedals that I use or (more likely) bring with me (create smaller boards with effect "kits").

Also, I'm sad to see an effects forum denizen being burned out on effects. But, on the plus side, you are saving yourself so much money in the long run from the dreaded new-gotta-have-it effect pedal GAS.

JimmyM · #10 12-07-2008, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMutt

Also, I'm sad to see an effects forum denizen being burned out on effects.

I think you have me confused with Bongomania

I'm no denizen of the effects forum. I'm more of an amps guy. I have some experience with effects but mostly older ones. I do know a heck of a lot about the VT Bass pedal, though

**TheMutt** · #11 12-07-2008, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I think you have me confused with Bongomania

I'm no denizen of the effects forum. I'm more of an amps guy. I have some experience with effects but mostly older ones. I do know a heck of a lot about the VT Bass pedal, though

Meh, you post around here enough.

Also, I've been tempted to try out a VT Bass since I have a GK amp... not sure how it would sound being pushed out of two 2x12's though...

GingerConor · #12 12-07-2008, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The BurgerMeister

i've definitely been taking a "less is more" approach lately. i'm not saying i'm going pedal-less anytime soon, but i did go from this:

to this:

...but that's only for my band. my other gig is just bass -> amp. bottom line for me is to use what works for whatever situation i find myself in.

quick question, how are u finding the LTD, any low end loss? do u know where sound clips are available of it on bass?

Conor

GingerConor · #13 12-07-2008, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The BurgerMeister

i've definitely been taking a "less is more" approach lately. i'm not saying i'm going pedal-less anytime soon, but i did go from this:

oh and whats that green pedal in the top left?

Conor

joemer · #14 12-07-2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I just don't seem to be an effects guy anymore. I'm kind of bummed about it, because I do like effects. But after the "adding too many presets at once" fiasco a couple weeks ago, I've really toned it down with them. And this weekend I was only using them sporadically and it felt kind of forced when I did. Plus I'm not a big knob twiddler, and no matter how good I think I have them set, I always end up having to change something. A knob on the VT gets knocked and the volume gets wonky, or a preset sounds different at a higher volume.

Did get a couple absolutely killer sounds, though. Did "Dance to the Music" last night and I ran phaser with the VT and it sounded a lot like a Jet Phaser. That was cool. I can live without it, though. And running a B-15N, I can get power tube distortion at a low volume when I need it by just turning the volume knob past 12 o'clock, so the VT is kind of superfluous. Gonna use it for road gigs when I get stuck with a crappy rental amp, but I don't think I need it with a B-15N.

Well, I enjoyed being a pedal junkie with you guys for a little while, but I don't think it's my thing. Hope you guys let me hang out, though. I do like to use them on recordings so I'm not totally abandoning you

Jimmy,
What do you think about the VT bass pedal through the LM2? I just dumped by bass pod xt live when I bought the LM2. But now I guess I'm curious about how that pedal would sound with the LM2. I never had an SVT so it's not like I'm an officionado or anything. I know what you mean about too many effects, though. I play in 2 classic rock bands and use both a 2008 Am Std p-bass and a Marcus Miller jazz bass. Thanks for any feedback.

Kenny Allyn · #15 12-07-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I just don't seem to be an effects guy anymore. I'm kind of bummed about it, because I do like effects. But after the "adding too many presets at once" fiasco a couple weeks ago, I've really toned it down with them.

Jimmy I feel your pain ...

I've seen too many a guitar player go through this also, just more than they can actually use comfortably on stage.

And I'm the only bass player around here that even uses a pedal board, the trick for me was keeping it simple

On my WHOLE BOARD there are only 9 knobs total during any given night I may only adjust 2, the gain and output
on the Voodoo Bass.

... Dunno Jimmy maybe you don't want to scrap the whole idea, just streamline and refine.

Smallmouth_Bass · #16 12-07-2008, 08:19 AM

I'm in the same boat. I have a lot of pedals, but I only use a SansAmp PBDDI and a Korg DT-10 Tuner, which are not really effects. I have a separate board setup that I will bring out on occasion to jam with when the circumstances call for it.

GreggBummer · #17 12-07-2008, 08:28 AM

I am not a huge effects guy, but I enjoy playing with them. With my main band right now I only use a SansampBDDI and tuner.... however I do have a Zoom B1 that I am always playing around with. I use it for "one off" sounds... a little phaser for "For The Love Of Money", some chorus for a few other songs. My pedal board is unnecessarily large, but I don't mind carrying it around.

GassieBall · #18 12-07-2008, 08:38 AM

Same here, Jimmy. Went from multiple pedals to POD to scaled back pedals and even straight into the amp for a while. Now I just have a EBS Multicomp and the VT Bass into my LMII.

It's my impression that no matter what the companies say (true bypass and whatnot), there is still tone suckage with multiple pedals. Just think of how many more weak connections you're exposing you're signal chain to.

Every once in a while, I plug straight into the amp and listen to the tone and say, "geez, that sounds much better." But after a little while, I need that VT bass back on.

JOEMER, I Jimmy did an SVT/VT bass comparison with recordings a little while back.

Which is the real SVT?

kesslari · #19 12-07-2008, 11:12 AM

I can relate.
I use no pedals in my main gig - no call for them, and I love the way my bass sounds.

I use them (and love them) in my secondary performance area - live looping.
I built my first pedalboard for a looping gig, and it's a gas. And for looping, where the bass (and I) are creating virtually all of the sounds, the pedalboard is worth its weight in gold - the ability to change tones and textures, and add delays of various types, adds a lot of interest to the music.

horses for courses, even for one player like me.

Munjibunga · #20 12-07-2008, 11:20 AM

I have a ton of pedals that I never use, but I have this weird thing that I need to be ready for anything. You know, you never know when some special requirement is going to pop up. It's just weird.