Survival effect gear

NickInMesa · #1 02-14-2009, 08:31 PM

Say I don't like too many effect pedals, and just like a bit of chorus, a bit of delay, a bit of grawl, want to be able to tune, and play mostly heavy and hair metal, what would be the minimum amount of pedals you would advise?

Thanks!!!

Oreomeister365 · #2 02-14-2009, 08:33 PM

about 15

WyrdoBass · #3 02-14-2009, 08:33 PM

Prolly 3 or 4...

Personally I would go for chorus, fuzz/od, and tuner

NickInMesa · #4 02-14-2009, 08:34 PM

Oh and then what pedals would you suggest?

Sorry, lack of sleep.

IPS · #5 02-14-2009, 10:44 PM

if you want a bit of chorus...get a chorus that you like...a bit of delay...delay....get where this is going?
You dont need effects to play bass or any instrument, if you have to ask theese type of questions you dont need effects yet. Pretty much the general advice is go to a local store, and try out effects to see whcih ones youd like to get the soudn you want, or get a multi unit to get a taste of what you like (inherent problem- multis have strength and weakness, some have good chorus and horrid fuzz ect) also, search the forums and check out the wiki for effects clips, and check out bassfuzz.com for a bunch of fuzz reviews and a few dirt and filter reviews.

Vic Winters · #6 02-14-2009, 11:54 PM

Technically 1 if you go with a multi like a Zoom B2.

For separate:

Tune - Korg Pitchblack
Delay - Digidelay - Interesting fact: If you don't need a really tweakable chorus, this pedal has a mode called "Mod Delay" that adds a chorus to the delay. If you cut the repeats and time it's just chorus.
Growl: Define growl.
Chorus: Subtle or wet?

NickInMesa · #7 02-15-2009, 07:15 PM

Chorus: subtle
Growl: possibility to make the sound richer, fatter.

I know I will be flamed for this, but I don't understand why some bassists have so many pedals. Either they have a fetish for effect pedals, or they need a lot of effect to sound cool, or what they think is cool.

I have a Korg Pandora and I only use the least complex effects on that thing, and yes, it does sound pretty cool, at least when I play guitar on this thing, about 80% of the effects are usable. For the bass effects, it's the opposite.

A bit of delay, a bit of chorus, a bit of gain, I'm just happy with that.

So thanks for the help!

IPS · #8 02-15-2009, 07:51 PM

It really depends on the bassist/style. On this forum alot of people either have a use for everything or just love effects and playing around with them (usually a mix).That, and GAS is a nasty evil creature. To each his own really, some love effects, others will only play bass > amp and others enjoy a few subtle effects.

Swift713 · #9 02-16-2009, 09:42 AM

The absolute minimum for me is 0. I've never been able to play with any less than that.

I find my tuner/mute very helpful and I use a compressor most of the time that I'm not using overdrive or fuzz, I find it especially helpful the louder my amp is.

Vic Winters · #10 02-16-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

Chorus: subtle
Growl: possibility to make the sound richer, fatter.

I know I will be flamed for this, but I don't understand why some bassists have so many pedals. Either they have a fetish for effect pedals, or they need a lot of effect to sound cool, or what they think is cool.

I have a Korg Pandora and I only use the least complex effects on that thing, and yes, it does sound pretty cool, at least when I play guitar on this thing, about 80% of the effects are usable. For the bass effects, it's the opposite.

A bit of delay, a bit of chorus, a bit of gain, I'm just happy with that.

So thanks for the help!

Check out the DigiDelay, it does the subtle chorus in mod delay mode and obviously a bunch of different delays. As long as you don't need the 2 effects separate in the same song, you should get by just fine.

As for the large number of effects question. Mostly because I can, but also because I'm in 2 different cover bands that cover bands like Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Rage, Audioslave, Muse, RHCP, Incubus, G&R, Tool and many others. Both bands are 4 piece. Singer, guitar, drums, and me. So not only am I trying to emulate effect driven bass, I'm also trying to fill the void of a rhythm/layered guitar a majority of the time. Could I get by with less? Probably. But I like having a large tonal arsenal.

Just to give you an idea.

Bass>X2>Korg Pitchblack>Bass Big Muff>B.Blender/Looper Send>XP-100>BSW>PD7>105Q>PH-3>DL-8>B.Blender/Looper Return>M-80>Opto Stomp>Amp

With a VT Bass on the way.