why do I need effects?

[gruda]

i use a bratpack from gk and i seems to suit me well, i only have 1 pedal and its a tuner, same thing with power condtioners, i always get laughed at for having just an amp. am i wrong?

[Derk_Falsco]

Nope, plenty of people go effect-less. I like to see bassists play basses, not pedals.

[NortyFiner]

Not wrong at all. If you're happy with your straight-in sound and don't need to tweak it a specific way for a certain style of music (example: funk players get looked at funny if they don't have an envelope filter) then just take your bass, tuner and amp, and rock on with your bad self.

[GerManson]

they help you create stages withing songs.

sometimes you want to be above the guitars, sometimes is good to be along the kick drum with heavy lows, in other occasions a long long sustain is needed. etc.

is good to have them around as tools.

[jmattbassplaya]

I`m only just getting into effects myself. It`s not because I need them for my current band, it`s more just so I can begin to explore new areas of music that are otherwise out of my reach.

[chuck3]

I've always played almost entirely without effects. Recently my regular band lost a member and became a guitar-bass-drums-vocals. This requires me to fill a huge amount of space when the guitarist solos. So I am putting together a pedal board, but am starting with a wet/dry blender because I don't like having the whole bass sound affected (and I don't think the rest of the band likes it either). I'd like to leave some regular bass sound with the effects on top.

But as you can see, I'd have no problem if you played without effects altogether as that's what I've been used to.

[Bassmike62]

Originally Posted by gruda

i use a bratpack from gk and i seems to suit me well, i only have 1 pedal and its a tuner, same thing with power condtioners, i always get laughed at for having just an amp. am i wrong?

Not wrong at all, using effects or not does not make you a better or worse bass player.

[gruda]

Originally Posted by GerManson

they help you create stages withing songs.

sometimes you want to be above the guitars, sometimes is good to be along the kick drum with heavy lows, in other occasions a long long sustain is needed. etc.

is good to have them around as tools.

what is heavy lows, i like lows and want more!

[kesslari]

You don't *need* effects.
You may find that you enjoy certain effects, and/or that they are suited to certain songs.
Either way is cool

[NortyFiner]

Originally Posted by gruda

what is heavy lows, i like lows and want more!

Then an octaver or chorus might be right up your alley, or a BBE Sonic Stomp maximizer, for added boost and depth. See, effects have their uses!

[ItsMichaelYeah]

It's all on you. Most people on the effect board like pedals. Do I need 90+ pedals? No. Now do I want a pedal because I think I could use it in a part and make it stand out? Hell yes I do.

Your guy playing the music. So just do what's right by you.

[gruda]

Originally Posted by NortyFiner

Then an octaver or chorus might be right up your alley, or a BBE Sonic Stomp maximizer, for added boost and depth. See, effects have their uses!

i wish i could try one b4 i buy 1

[JimmyM]

Don't worry about it for now. If you don't know why you need an effect, then you don't need it. Cliff Williams never uses effects, and he's the coolest bass player on earth.

[gruda]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Don't worry about it for now. If you don't know why you need an effect, then you don't need it. Cliff Williams never uses effects, and he's the coolest bass player on earth.

no i am! i have a goatee

[a_magg]

As everyone else has said, its not necessary to have effects. My two suggestions if you do decide to get into effects are simple:

1.) Get yourself really, really comfortable with your technique before getting any effects. Being able to sound good playing stuff without effects is a crucial component I think a lot of new players miss out on (and they subsequently try to hide themselves behind them).
2.) Research any of them. I spend so much time looking into stuff, its a wonder I have any form of social life (which is still arguable )

Of course YMMV. If your happy without effects, keep it up- you'll save a ton of money if you do!

[infamusblkdeath]

you don't.buying them is your choice,if you feel you don't need them,don't buy them!.i?? i need diversity to my sound,so i'm going to wind up with a huge pedal board by the time i'm in my early 20's...

[newbold]

The less time you worry about getting laughed at the better.

I play my bass through effects and use them to shape my signal as a part of tone instead of having them as something separate...and to be honest, I think that unless they sound seamless they're a huge waste of time and energy.

My OD/Distortion...I like to use more like a fattening preamp. My phaser...I like to make my tone fit in smaller spaces and to open up around other instruments. My Octave...to sound synthy. My envelope follower...I like to play as much as my bass.

But for the most part, they're all just different tones that I use to get character from my rig.

Everybody laughing at you just wishes they could do what you do and try to bring you down a notch cause they ain't got nothin' else.

You're certainly not wrong. If you want to get into effects you COULD research your ass off...or talk to your bass player friends enough and either get together and have a play date or borrow gear if you have people that are willing to lend/trade.

I'd trade my pedalboard for a month for a vintage p-bass. I bet I'm not alone.

[GerManson]

because pedalboards look so cool.

[pdubya]

heavy lows you say?
i highly recommend the aphex aural exciter pedal : so deep!

www.myspace.com/dubthemagicdragon

[7XL]

No, you do not need effects.