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A question for effects users and non-users...

pbass6811

pbass6811

Nov 10, 2008
4,408
8,592
Indy, IN
#1
...but mostly for non-users.

What exactly is the impetus behind going into the Effects sub-forum and letting all the effects users in the Effects sub-forum know that you don't use effects?

I have absolutely no problem with anyone's decision to eschew using effects. You don't wanna use 'em, sweet, don't use 'em. But why, pray tell, do you feel the need to go into a sub-forum just to announce that you don't use anything that has to do with that sub-forum? I get the fanboys. We all have certain brands or products that we like to promote, so one might enter a thread to expound on the virtues of using Brand A's stuff, but it's still usually relevant to the original spirit of the thread. If someone asks a question about product A, B, or, C, and all you can offer is "I don't have any use for(insert effect, strings, bass, amp, accessory here). I don't use any of them.", have you really contributed anything useful to that particular thread?

I may have been guilty of this in the past(although I certainly try not to and I hope I haven't), but I will do my best not to do this anymore, if I have.

I'm really just curious...;)
 
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#2
What is the impetus behind going into the effects sub-forum and asking all the non-effect users the impetus behind letting users know that you don't use effects?

Have you really contributed anything useful to that particular forum?

In answer, sometimes people just like to debate things. It is a forum.
 
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#3
Let's see, what's the impetus behind me asking why effects non-users want to go into the effects sub forum and announce they don't use effects? Because I'd like to know why? Sound reasonable? When someone has a question about electric basses, I don't see DB guys popping in to say "I don't play electric bass, why do you?". Does that make sense?

Have I contributed to that particular forum? Well, I certainly would like to think I have. I'm a member of several effects clubs and I'd be happy to list them, if you'd like? If someone has a question, and I can provide some helpful and relevant information pertaining to their question, I gladly do so.

The debate theory might fly, occasionally. The problem with that "answer", is that a lot of times, the original post is "which one of these is better?" Or "how does this work?" or "where should I put this effect", at that particular point, the sides of the debate have already been dictated. The OP is asking for an A or B answer. Neither A nor B MIGHT be a reasonable, valid option, if it is accompanied by a C choice. Answering neither A nor B, nor C-Z because I don't use them doesn't provide the OP any useful information other than what NOT to get you for Christmas or your birthday.

Again, I'm just curious...
 
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#6
Hi.

Post count ;).


Seriously though, a very good question IMO.

Not limited to one particular (sub-) forum either.

I've thought about that several times in the past as well, but haven't reached any other conclusion than the obvious (to me anyway): those posters don't have anything better to do than to troll.

Now I'm very narrow minded about brands and gear, and pretty negative towards the most popular brands here at TB no less, but unless I feel it sheds some additional light to my post, I don't even mention that.
Usually I don't even reply.

Take the Effects forum You mentioned as an example. I don't remember visiting that sub-forum for more than dozen or so times during the time I've been a member here, and I may have replied over there perhaps once or twice.

And I do use effects every once and a while :).


Regards
Sam
 
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#7
sprag said:
I only need my fingers to write anything in any forum.
Click to expand...

Dangit, sprag! You're absolutely right! I'm not ever using this pedal to bang on my keyboard to write on this forum ever again! Fingers only from now on...lol! :D

FretNoMore said:
Maybe they feel left out when they see the lively discussion. Maybe they are insecure and seek validation for their own choices. Maybe they are trolls. Maybe they are just bored because they have used the same old bass sound their whole life. :)
Click to expand...

T-Bird said:
Hi.

Post count ;).


Seriously though, a very good question IMO.

Not limited to one particular (sub-) forum either.

I've thought about that several times in the past as well, but haven't reached any other conclusion than the obvious (to me anyway): those posters don't have anything better to do than to troll.

Now I'm very narrow minded about brands and gear, and pretty negative towards the most popular brands here at TB no less, but unless I feel it sheds some additional light to my post, I don't even mention that.
Usually I don't even reply.

Take the Effects forum You mentioned as an example. I don't remember visiting that sub-forum for more than dozen or so times during the time I've been a member here, and I may have replied over there perhaps once or twice.

And I do use effects every once and a while :).


Regards
Sam
Click to expand...

I think you guys may be onto something. I think I need another post to get to the magical 1k mark. Perhaps I'll pop over to the DB side and let them all know that I don't play DB...;)! Lmao!
 
#10
pbass6811 said:
...but mostly for non-users.

What exactly is the impetus behind going into the Effects sub-forum and letting all the effects users in the Effects sub-forum know that you don't use effects?

I have absolutely no problem with anyone's decision to eschew using effects. You don't wanna use 'em, sweet, don't use 'em. But why, pray tell, do you feel the need to go into a sub-forum just to announce that you don't use anything that has to do with that sub-forum? I get the fanboys. We all have certain brands or products that we like to promote, so one might enter a thread to expound on the virtues of using Brand A's stuff, but it's still usually relevant to the original spirit of the thread. If someone asks a question about product A, B, or, C, and all you can offer is "I don't have any use for(insert effect, strings, bass, amp, accessory here). I don't use any of them.", have you really contributed anything useful to that particular thread?

I may have been guilty of this in the past(although I certainly try not to and I hope I haven't), but I will do my best not to do this anymore, if I have.

I'm really just curious...;)
Click to expand...

The same thing happens when people discuss strings ... flats, rounds, etc ...
 
#12
HolmeBass said:
I think they are reading on the "Home" page and don't realize what sub-forum it's in, and they post their opinion on effects on a topic that interested them. So it's not as insidious as seeking out the Effects forum and trolling, at least not in most cases.
Click to expand...

I certainly agree that the intent is probably not malicious at all, but I also don't believe it's accidental either. 1st off, each thread on the home page still shows what sub-forum it's in. Secondly, some of those threads are titled "should I use-insert effect here-?" Or "where should I put this effect? ". It's pretty obvious what the thread is about.

If the thread is "Do you use effects?", all effects users and non-users should be welcome to engage in a healthy debate on virtues and pitfalls of effects. But, if the thread is "what compressor is the best for what I do?", then the answer "I don't need a compressor, it's in my hands", while being an admirable and useful skill, doesn't really address the spirit of the post.

Sweet! I made it to 1,000 posts...it only took me almost 6 years to do it! Lol!
 
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#13
I agree with the OP. It's easy enough to get the gist of a thread, particularly if it's in a certain forum. Pretending you didn't know where you were when you posted just doesn't fly.

Let's face it...there are some (not all, but some) non-effects users who just can't wait to brag about how they've played every genre known to man for 40+ years and never used an effect. "Tone is in the fingers" is often a subtle way of saying effects are just a cover-up. Okay...you have contempt for effects and those who use them - we get it already.

Unless, as the OP has suggested, it's an open-ended question like, "Do you use effects?", then non-effects users are wasting everyone's time in the EFFECTS forum.
 
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#14
Well, I often don't realize what forum a post is in. It's not that obvious.

But I will say that, as an example, posting that compressors suck in a thread about what's the best compressor, or how do you set a compressor for this sound, or style of music, is blatant trolling. I frankly don't see very much of that, but it does still happen.
 
#16
I do it when I see a beginner, or if there is a question that can be answered playing without effects. When I have an opinion that I think can add to the discussion, I do. As was said before, we are here to discuss things. If someone showed me a way I could use effects to help my tone for what I do, I would consider it.
 
#17
pbass6811 said:
...But why, pray tell, do you feel the need to go into a sub-forum just to announce that you don't use anything that has to do with that sub-forum?...I'm really just curious...;)
Click to expand...

I think there is a certain amount of ego in those who feel they don't "need" some outboard effect(s) to get "their" sound and they occasionally enjoy slagging on those "lesser players" who use effects. They are seeking validation by slagging, then checking back to see how many others agree with them.

I also think we have a rather healthy contingent of frustrated hall monitors who think if they don't like it no one else should either, so they feel duty bound to discourage anything they don't approve of. They are simply living their lives by trying to live yours for you.

Last of all we have the purists. The only stompbox they have any interest in would perfectly emulate a P bass with flats, but they already have a P bass with flats so who needs a "fake" box when you can have the real thing?

As for me using stompboxes, unless there's one that will make my babicz equipped J sound like it's got a stock L plate on it, I don't need it, and neither do you. :smug:
 
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#18
zcpDzle.gif
 
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#20
READ my post, please. Is someone asks about how to get a sound, why shouldn't all options be discussed? If I brought up a sound issue, say in amp or technique, and an outboard effect could help, it would be relevant, and welcome. Remember, some effects were created to gettones that were created WITHOUT them. I've never jumped on just to say "effects bad, fingers good".
 

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