Pedal Evolution: Changing Tastes vs Being a Flake vs Joy of the New

[grygrx]

I'm the type that is always looking for something that is bigger better faster. It's my way, I understand that and I hold on and enjoy the ride. It's my hobby.

That said, I'm curious what others who are a bit toy/tool obsessed think about all of this.

For example, I've owned a horde of distortions over the last few years and there was awhile I thought I was happy with this that or the other pedal, but I always kind of kept looking. I settled on the Hematoma for awhile, then I had a Blueberry Bass OD that I thought sounded better (if too dark). I ditched the BBOD and the Hematoma now sounds to honky to my ears. Currently I find myself using the 3xfx fatman for my distortion needs.

This specific example is meant to explore a wider topic, because if you explore any of the pedal 'types' I have similar evolutions. One pedal suits me for awhile, but I continue to sift and process looking for something else.

The lone example contrary to this for me right now is chorus. Since I got a mini-analogman with Deep I've not heard another chorus that approaches it or tempts me. Even my once beloved oddity the pitch pirate moves ever closer to the chopping block.

So what is it for you...

Changing tastes
Trying something new
or just being flakey!

Discuss

[speak_onion]

I think I'm in the "trying something new" camp.

For instance, even though I absolutely love my Ashdown Bass Drive pedal (I know, I know, I'm the only one), I still bring in other od/distortion pedals to go up against it. I guess I just want to be sure? I can't explain it. And even when I think I've got my setup complete, I still feel like as soon as I get a new idea to save a little space, or add a new sound, I'm all too ready to comlpetely rearrange my board. I think that since the start of this summer, I've had a different effects setup for every show we've played.

Sometimes the constant effects schizophrenia works out nicely though. I replaced my Digitech PDS 20/20 delay with a Digitech RDS 3.6 delay, even though they have pretty much the exact same features, but it turned out to be an awesome step up. The extra delay time, and other little features of the RDS really made a big difference.

[RickenBoogie]

Even though I've sort of slowed it down, I too enjoy the frustration of never being satisfied. Especially with od/distortion/fuzz. At this point I use an EBS, MXR, EHX combination, but I'm open to something else as well.

[winston]

I'm a longtime gearhead and GAS-hound but recently I've felt the need to get my essential setup together and stop obsessing over tools. In the last year and a half I've gotten into writing music and developing my own voice, and I'd much rather spend my time working on ideas rather than endlessly twiddling knobs. That said, I also get inspired by new sounds (especially when jamming with people) so I keep tinkering with FX.

Pedalwise I get a lot of mileage out of a Digitech BassSynthWah, Boss BF-2 Flanger, and SansAmp Para Driver. I get a good selection of octave, synth, envelope, EQ, distortion and modulation FX from those three pedals, with no need for an external blender/looper.

I've been doing some dub/electronica improv stuff with DJs lately, where I'll bust out my whole pedal setup, including extra compressor, envelope, octave, fuzz, distortion, phaser, and chorus pedals plus a clean blender. They definitely provide extra options but then I start running into problems with extra noise, volume spikes/dips, signal loss, cable issues, etc., plus it's more stuff to schlep and set up.

I just got a Boss GT-6B multi-FX a few weeks ago and it lets me get 95% of the magic of all those little boxes with none of the nasty side effects. It's great to be able to control the individual volume and order of each effect, and have complex interactive changes recalled at the touch of a button. I'm still figuring out how to program it so it does what I need in live context, but it's making me think that the time has come to start selling off my unused stompboxes.

That said, I won't be getting rid of the 3 pedals mentioned above (or my Ibanez UE-303B, or Boss CE-2 Chorus/OC-2 Octave, or DOD FX-25) anytime soon. They just do what I want them to do so well.

[EricF]

I'm always on the hunt for something. It all depends on where my focus is at the moment. I tend to follow the same pattern...

- Get started with something that's "good enough".
- Sell it for something (maybe many things) "better" as my obsession builds and GAS fires burn hot.
- Once my knowledge and understanding build, I finally settle down to the "right" choice.

Basses, amps, and effects have all followed this pattern. Currently, I'm in the "better" stage (the cash-spewing stage) of buying recording gear for my home studio.

[ihateusernames]

I'd have to be a changing tastes player, or just haven't found a favorite flavor for every category yet. Currently I'm going through OD/Distortions boxes in a quest to satisfy three non-clean tones. A BARELY driven tone, a beefy moderate drive, and over the top obnoxious.

I have three sources for barely driven that satisfy me enough to end that search for good.

I just dug out an old guitar pedal today that will compete with my current go to moderate which isn't getting exactly what I want. I'm sure a Bad Monkey, OCD, and turbo Tubescreamer will join this region of tone soon enough (have played, not owned the OCD and TS9DX with great success in this range)

Over the top I've only found getting by until stuff for now, and that might be good enough since I don't have much use for over the top! Maybe I'll just get another GT2 and be done here.

Definately changing tastes, I used to despise drive on bass.

[grygrx]

Originally Posted by EricF

- Get started with something that's "good enough".
- Sell it for something (maybe many things) "better" as my obsession builds and GAS fires burn hot.
- Once my knowledge and understanding build, I finally settle down to the "right" choice.

I've definitely got this type of pattern, but like onion suggested there is a little bit of competitive edge to it... setting one pedal against another see what wins. Step three is elusive for me, maybe I'm just too much of a freak to declare an outright winner.

[EricF]

Originally Posted by grygrx

I've definitely got this type of pattern, but like onion suggested there is a little bit of competitive edge to it... setting one pedal against another see what wins. Step three is elusive for me, maybe I'm just too much of a freak to declare an outright winner.

I guess my "right" stage happens when I'm relatively satisfied with what I have, and my focus shifts to the next new thing that grabs my attention. As long as there's still a perceived "need for improvement", GAS takes over.

[markjazzbassist]

i've bought and sold a &$^#load of pedals in the last year or two. i've gotten to the point now though that i know what "sound" i'm looking for. So i've whittled down the selection and have tried what I wanted and now I'm Almost there. Not there yet, maybe I'm missing one more pedal, but I'm damn close. And pretty happy with what I got.

I know how you feel though, that's why i just try to look at the best gear, cause that way i eliminate the competition.

[bass-shy]

Even if I've had a pedal for years and it has given me great tone and service, sometimes I find myself getting burned out with it. I almost feel like I know exactly what tones I'm going to get before I even switch it on. I really look forward to exploring the depths of any piece of equipment to find the sweet spots and best settings, and once I have done that, the thrill goes away. Put me in the "flake" camp.

[syciprider]

I tend to get excessive with my toys. I guess I like the joy of the new.

[jucas]

I think I'm pretty firmly in the flakey category. Just as I think I'm in happy with where I'm at and going for a board/powersupply, something else will pop up and grab my attention. I'm pretty happy generally, but Fuzz/gain pedals and filters are especilly bad for catching my attention.

I don't know if I'd call myself ADD or OCD for these things, but once I start thinking about something it's tough to put it off and not buy it. And, of course, I enjoy getting something new to play with. Right now its a less moog-ish envelope filter (q-tron/meatwad/00funk) several gain pedals, and an octave that doesn't make me sad. the only think holding me back is the potential overdrive coming in in the near future, and having spent too much lately, so it'll probly be a while before I hit anything else up.

[bongomania]

I think of myself as a serious, professional flake.