Noob to effects - need some advice

[Evil Undead]

I'm thinking about stepping into the world of effects but don't know what to buy. I am happy to buy used as I can't afford to spend masses at the moment. Not looking for a multi-effect as I generally find I don't like how they sound.

I'm thinking to start me off I'd like an auto wah, an overdrive and a chorus. Perhaps an octave as well but we'll see. So please suggest pedals you think I might enjoy.

Any advice would be great.

[JuanBass0012]

Auto wah: Guyatone BR-2 or MXR Bass Envelope Filter
Overdrive: Boss ODB 3 or ProCo Turbo RAT
Chorus: Boss CE-5
Octave: Bass Octave Deluxe or Whammy 4
Flanger: Boss BF-2
Delay: Boss DD-3
Tremolo: Boss TR-2
Good luck. All these pedals I own.

[Plays_For_Dog]

Boss is an excellent place to start. They're relatively cheap, absolutely everywhere used and most sound decent enough.

MXR would be another good company for you to start with since they offer true by-pass switching and all of the same as above.

[UncleFluffy]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I'm thinking about stepping into the world of effects but don't know what to buy. I am happy to buy used as I can't afford to spend masses at the moment. Not looking for a multi-effect as I generally find I don't like how they sound.

I'm thinking to start me off I'd like an auto wah, an overdrive and a chorus. Perhaps an octave as well but we'll see. So please suggest pedals you think I might enjoy.

Any advice would be great.

It might be worth starting with a multi so you've got everything covered "good enough". Then you can expand as cash flow permits.

[Swift713]

A Zoom B3 would cost less than 3 singal pedals and would give you lots of quality effects to choose from. I find the envelope filters, chorus, delay, and yes even the fuzz and some of the overdrive are just as good as most individual pedals.

[JuanBass0012]

Boss ME50 is what I started with. Wahs, octaves, filters, Overdrives/distortion/ fuzz and modulations are all in it. Although there quite expensive

[NoxNoctus]

Originally Posted by Swift713

A Zoom B3 would cost less than 3 singal pedals and would give you lots of quality effects to choose from. I find the envelope filters, chorus, delay, and yes even the fuzz and some of the overdrive are just as good as most individual pedals.

+1

I always suggest getting a Multi Effects like a Zoom B3 when starting into erffects. You cover most of the bases and get to learn how pedals interact with each other. I started with a multi, learned what I wanted, sold it off and started built a board. Now I've got a B3 on my board too for some of the lesser-used effects I dont want to fork out the cash or pedalboard space for. Not to mention its got a DI output, Headphone jack for practice, tuner, USB interface, basic drum machine, looper...great tool to have regardless of experience.

[tracer03]

Auto-wah: Digitech Bass Synth Wah.
Chorus: Boss CEB-3/CE-5
Overdrive: Joyo Ultimate Drive (basically an OCD Clone that has some great flexibility, and inexpensive as heck).

These can usually be found on Craig's List, here in the classifieds or used at local stores for very reasonable prices. And the bonus is that - if you keep them in good shape, you can usually sell them off for close to what you paid when you want to upgrade.

It's what I did, and I started with a Boss CEB-3, a Boss ODB-3 and a Dunlop Crybaby bass. Now...

[HunterBurgan4Me]

I'd suggest not buying pedals secondhand. Some guys fiddle with the trimpots or try modding it and if they don't like what happens they sell it secondhand. Just be wary.


I'd try an EHX wah/envelope filter a Boss chorus and with the distortion it really depends whether your looking for a distortion, fuzz or an overdrive.

[Swift713]

I've had great luck buying on TB classifieds.

[DiabolusInMusic]

Originally Posted by HunterBurgan4Me

I'd suggest not buying pedals secondhand. Some guys fiddle with the trimpots or try modding it and if they don't like what happens they sell it secondhand. Just be wary.


I'd try an EHX wah/envelope filter a Boss chorus and with the distortion it really depends whether your looking for a distortion, fuzz or an overdrive.

I buy almost all of my pedals secondhand. The amount of guys that even open these things let alone the amount that actually mod them, chances are slim you get one that has been modded. It is a possibility but not likely and not worth spending potentially hundreds to thousands of extra dollars. If I bought all my Boss pedals new I would have spent easily 3 times what I did.

[capncal]

my suggestion is to look through your local craigslist or equivalent and find the best pedal you can find for the best price.

i found a russian big muff pi for 20 bones at a local music store just by asking the clerk if he had used pedals. some dude in line said hey, i got a big muff i'll sell ya!

on craigslist i've found a sansamp bass drive DI, which i use at most gigs to go FOH, and a Fulltone Bass Driver which is out of production and freaking awesome! a boost and a dirt on the same pedal!

if yer just wanting to start tinkering around, just look at what's the best deal available and you may just end up with a steal and something you'll fall in love with.

[JuanBass0012]

Or Amazon!

[cheapbasslovin]

Originally Posted by HunterBurgan4Me

I'd suggest not buying pedals secondhand. Some guys fiddle with the trimpots or try modding it and if they don't like what happens they sell it secondhand. Just be wary.


I'd try an EHX wah/envelope filter a Boss chorus and with the distortion it really depends whether your looking for a distortion, fuzz or an overdrive.

Sometimes those things make a pedal great.

:cough: bassballs :cough:

[bassburner]

I started out with the Danelectro FAB pedals when I needed to build up quickly. I still prefer the overdrive over others that I've tried. They're uber-cheap and have held up well although I don't use the flange or delay any more.

However, don't skimp on synth or octave pedals. That's were lack of quality can really stand out because of the tracking.