My board is full of drive pedals....what's next?

[JoshuaTSP]

4 of 8 are drive pedals on my board.....

I need something else to change it up.

At most, I need 2 or 3 drive pedals......OD, distortion and fuzz.

I'm thinking a filter could be fun.......
Most sound really synthetic to me....which I understand is the point of most of them....but I'd like something a little more organic......maybe I'd prefer an autowah instead?

Flanger doesn't really appeal to me......maybe a chorus?

[SoonerMatt]

What about reverb or delay? I lurve my Echobox.

[JoshuaTSP]

Ooo...I do have a delay! Ibanez DE7.....I don't use it much though.

[WinstonNilesRum]

Chorus? Its a cool effect on its own but after some dirt it really adds an extra dimension.

[babebambi]

octive

[Rion]

i use compressor and fuzz, little more controlled and warm

[SoonerMatt]

So... what IS your chain, anyway?

[JoshuaTSP]

It's going to change soon.....got two fuzzes coming in....:facepalm:

Right now it's:

Boss tuner>EBS Multicomp>Line Selector
(in the loops of the LS is, Guttermouth fuzz, modded RAT, EQD HOOF, EQD White Light, and Ibby DE7.)

[MuthaFunk]

If you looking for a very organic filter I use the old tried and true Mutron III. I have a reissue by HAZ and it's sweet. I also have a MXR BEF and a DOD. By comparison to them the Mutron is very smooth and organic. It can sound synthy with a fuzz ahead of it but on it's own it's bubbletastic.

[henryjurstin13]

Emma Discumbobulator also a great addition that is very smooth/organic. But, currently the MXR BEF is the king on my board!

[JoshuaTSP]

I noticed a lot of the envelope filter demos are slap?

I'm primarily a pick player.....that a problem?

[henryjurstin13]

HELL NO!!!! I don't slap at all, and I still thoroughly enjoy the da'funk! In fact, the pick will prolly make it easier for you to dial your filters in to your sound through attack consistency. I play with fingers/picks both -- all depending on the mood/song. Filter & the right dirt can yield some very synthy tones. Personally -- I'd turn on the filter, POG, & Phaser to get some crazy power chords!!

What type of bass/amp are you playing?

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by henryjurstin13

HELL NO!!!! I don't slap at all, and I still thoroughly enjoy the da'funk! In fact, the pick will prolly make it easier for you to dial your filters in to your sound through attack consistency. I play with fingers/picks both -- all depending on the mood/song. Filter & the right dirt can yield some very synthy tones. Personally -- I'd turn on the filter, POG, & Phaser to get some crazy power chords!!

What type of bass/amp are you playing?

Amp, I'm either going through an Ashdown ABM500, or Yamaha PB-1/crown XTi2000 into either a SWR 6x10 or SWR 2x15.

basses vary....Ric 4003, Peavey foundation 5, Kawai FIIB, Wick Vette 5, Memphis P clone.

[henryjurstin13]

I'd guess finding a group of pedals that react the same whilst switching from passive to active basses, will likely be the hardest part.

Other options that would totally be fun & different:
Octave - Micro POG would give you up/down/dry (currently I'm lookin to try the Bass Octave Deluxe by MXR)
MXR Bass Envelope Filter has separate dry/wet knobs to mix in the effect -- so, that might help eliminate the "synthetic"
I personally LOVE my EVH Phase 90 -- and have used it with the knob at minimum for a cool/coloured bass boost.

[JoshuaTSP]

There much difference between the MXR M120 and M82?

[scottfeldstein]

I never could quite get my head around using a delay. Even a chorus or a flanger leave me wondering what on earth I'd do with it. The only thing I think I'd really enjoy is a good envelope filter. I've had my eye on that MXR M82 for a while now. As soon as I can get it past the minister of finance, perhaps.

[Vlad5]

I vote checking out a delay pedal:

MXR carbon copy is good one, but there are many out there to choose from. If I could only have one non-eq/overdrive/distortion/fuzz effect from my board, it would be the delay. Outstanding for practicing timing and attack/release/sustain, well, playing in general. Plus, with a tad of modulation (built into the carbon copy and Malekko Ekko), you can have a bit of a reverb/chorus effect added to it (see below). Delay can sound good alone, or with other effects, since it goes at the very end of your effects chain.

I also agree with the chorus suggestion. It REALLY opens up (when setup after) any overdrive/distortion/fuzz effect. Makes it sound, epic. But for this purpose, its an additive effect, so maybe get an inexpensive one to play with first. Chorus alone, with a clean bass signal, is not to my taste though.

I have yet to play with a filter effect on my board, but have messed with some popular brands clean, and have been left unimpressed. Still, there are a few booteeek versions toping my wish list. And like I said, I haven't hooked on up to my board yet to see what it does with my other effects.

Of course, as you can see, we all have had various luck with various effects, so who knows what might work for your tastes. But, testing effects is fun! I have taken my board down to one of the local music stores and spend some time farting around with options. Small shops usually have more patience for that sort of thing, while the 'big box' music stores may not appreciate it so much. I'm even lucky enough to have a place close by that lets me take home effects to try before I buy. I've only bought one effect from them so far, but tried like 6 of em. Small shops are awesome!

Good luck!

[caeman]

Definitely add a filter to the board. I don't slap or use a pick, but with my finger style playing, I was able to have some fun with da envelope.

+1 to a delay pedal that has modulation. You get delay AND something that mimic chorus, vibrato and other weirdness.

[topo morto]

I reckon a wah-wah pedal is much more fun than an autowah.