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Anybody else feel a bit overwhelmed?
- Thread starter ClaytonCroft
- Start date
I watch a lot of YT...it's getting to be just too damn much?
maybe watch less YT?
maybe watch less YT?
The secret: you need almost none of it
I mean, one does need some equipment of course; the basics, and then perhaps some gear to solve whatever problems/issues may arise, but then the rest should just be pursued if you have the time and money and are curious. The main reason you’re curious is because you’re spending too much time checking out gear stuff online. I can understand (we all can, lol). Time to step away. Just don’t click and… it all disappears.
I hate to say step away from Talk Bass, but when here, just skip the gear forums. Then later, if you wish, dip in occasionally once you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Man, probably most of us have gotten sucked into the gear rabbit hole to varying extents at varying times. Eventually you’ll realize (at least for a while, perhaps periodically) that it’s largely a distraction. Good luck!
I mean, one does need some equipment of course; the basics, and then perhaps some gear to solve whatever problems/issues may arise, but then the rest should just be pursued if you have the time and money and are curious. The main reason you’re curious is because you’re spending too much time checking out gear stuff online. I can understand (we all can, lol). Time to step away. Just don’t click and… it all disappears.
I hate to say step away from Talk Bass, but when here, just skip the gear forums. Then later, if you wish, dip in occasionally once you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Man, probably most of us have gotten sucked into the gear rabbit hole to varying extents at varying times. Eventually you’ll realize (at least for a while, perhaps periodically) that it’s largely a distraction. Good luck!
My first two pedals I got was back in the 70s, both MXR. A 117 Flanger and an Mustard colored Envelope Filter. A few years later I added a Phase 100. This was all during my Funk/Psychedelic era 
When Behringer came out with their run of inexpensive pedals at $20. I bought a box load of them, including their BDI21 Bass Driver. Kept using the BDI21 as the rest were fine, I just tired of the pedalboard concept altogether.
A few years back I got a Zoom B1on when they came out. I was so amused with it I also got the B1xon, the one with the wah pedal to go with. Enjoy them both.
After that I had thought about getting deeper into the digital multi-FX thing, like the HX stuff. But really I don't use pedals out on a gig unless I’m doing a Funk or Psychedelic thing.
So I pull out the old MXR pedals, I still have them and they work or the Zooms for those rare times.
It is mostly Bass > Cord > Amp, with hopefully a little bit of imagination in there, most of the time
When Behringer came out with their run of inexpensive pedals at $20. I bought a box load of them, including their BDI21 Bass Driver. Kept using the BDI21 as the rest were fine, I just tired of the pedalboard concept altogether.
A few years back I got a Zoom B1on when they came out. I was so amused with it I also got the B1xon, the one with the wah pedal to go with. Enjoy them both.
After that I had thought about getting deeper into the digital multi-FX thing, like the HX stuff. But really I don't use pedals out on a gig unless I’m doing a Funk or Psychedelic thing.
So I pull out the old MXR pedals, I still have them and they work or the Zooms for those rare times.
It is mostly Bass > Cord > Amp, with hopefully a little bit of imagination in there, most of the time
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I recently put together a basic pedalboard because I wanted to give myself some options. Although it was fun diving into it at first I became overwhelmed pretty quickly. I knew what kinds of effects I wanted and what they do (I have some experience as a sound guy, so this was nothing new to me), but there are just so many options!
How many drive/distortion/fuzz/dirt pedals are there? A gazillion at least! And although I recognize there are differences, it is sheer impossible to compare them all and decide that this one is the right one. More like: Oh, I like the character of this one, but this other one does keep the low frequencies way better, and this third one here sounds amazing but I need to hook it up to a computer to dial it in, and wouldn't it be great to have the jacks up top like in this pedal here... and if you actually can make a decision, you have to do the same again for compression. And octave. And tuner. And...
I feel you!
This is the Tinder problem when looking for something online: The feeling that there might be something better just a click away, so you either don't get anything or, if you do get something, you're always doubting yourself if you made the right choice. And just like with Tinder, there is a solution for the pedal problem as well: put away the phone (computer, whatever) and go to a local store. They may not have everything, but you can try out their selection first hand and chances are you'll find something that fits you.
How many drive/distortion/fuzz/dirt pedals are there? A gazillion at least! And although I recognize there are differences, it is sheer impossible to compare them all and decide that this one is the right one. More like: Oh, I like the character of this one, but this other one does keep the low frequencies way better, and this third one here sounds amazing but I need to hook it up to a computer to dial it in, and wouldn't it be great to have the jacks up top like in this pedal here... and if you actually can make a decision, you have to do the same again for compression. And octave. And tuner. And...
I feel you!
This is the Tinder problem when looking for something online: The feeling that there might be something better just a click away, so you either don't get anything or, if you do get something, you're always doubting yourself if you made the right choice. And just like with Tinder, there is a solution for the pedal problem as well: put away the phone (computer, whatever) and go to a local store. They may not have everything, but you can try out their selection first hand and chances are you'll find something that fits you.
- Feb 16, 2008
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i lost count of how many pedals i currently have (problably close to 1000) but i only take 2 to my gigs and they are bypassed 90% of the time (with the exception of my peterson tuner).
If your sound works, it works.
We should all focus on our playing more than anything else. If you can play, an old P-Bass and whatever amp you like is fine. There's no need for a fleet of gear.
We should all focus on our playing more than anything else. If you can play, an old P-Bass and whatever amp you like is fine. There's no need for a fleet of gear.
Different strokes for different folks, you know? What works for you might not work for someone else, and vice versa. IMO the trick is to find out what makes you happy playing bass. For some people it's effects, for others it's amps, for some it's tort (although that's one I'll never understand ;-) ).
Effects can be fun tho! I played for decades using no effects at all; I had owned a few multi effects pedals, but never quite jived with them. A few years ago, tho, I started checking out a few envelope envelope filters here and there, and pretty soon I was looking for synth pedals for my new band, etc. Until I was quite often buying and selling, trying a bunch of different types of effects to see which one(s) I dug.
And I had a really good time doing it. Not saying you will, but I guess what I am saying is that you be you, whatever puts the funk in your groove
Effects can be fun tho! I played for decades using no effects at all; I had owned a few multi effects pedals, but never quite jived with them. A few years ago, tho, I started checking out a few envelope envelope filters here and there, and pretty soon I was looking for synth pedals for my new band, etc. Until I was quite often buying and selling, trying a bunch of different types of effects to see which one(s) I dug.
And I had a really good time doing it. Not saying you will, but I guess what I am saying is that you be you, whatever puts the funk in your groove
I totally feel where you're coming from. There is so many new options (basses, amps, pedals, ect...), but I've always loved the sound of a DI'ed bass. So for my next gig I will be playing my Ibanez GSR100EX ($200 new bass) and my SE DM3 DI. I will have a monitor in from of me. That's it!
I'm pretty old school and never have bothered with much besides a tuner. I'm a musician, not a gear head. I just need to be able to hear the notes I'm playing.
If you like fiddling with gear, have fun, but I'd rather focus on music than knobs.
If you like fiddling with gear, have fun, but I'd rather focus on music than knobs.
You are a living breathing spending unit.
If you fail at this simple task, the world and its narcissistic rulers and its flying monkey enabling minions have no use for you.
Welcome to the best of all possible worlds.
It's a beautiful world we live in
A sweet romantic place
Beautiful people everywhere
The way they show they care
Makes me want to say...
If you fail at this simple task, the world and its narcissistic rulers and its flying monkey enabling minions have no use for you.
Welcome to the best of all possible worlds.
It's a beautiful world we live in
A sweet romantic place
Beautiful people everywhere
The way they show they care
Makes me want to say...
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I buy pedals to fill needs and solve problems. I got a distortion to make sounds from songs I like. I got an OC-5 to make synth noises. I got a high-pass filter to avoid rattling things so much that I couldn't hear myself. lol
I think folks who feel overwhelmed should just wait for needs and problems to pop up. Until then, they should just practice a new tune, or some arpeggios.
I think folks who feel overwhelmed should just wait for needs and problems to pop up. Until then, they should just practice a new tune, or some arpeggios.
GSR100EX is a cracker of a cheap as chips bass. Doesn't come any simpler than that..
Nope. I like reading about new gear and discussing it with others. But thats just me.
Other posters in this thread offered you empathy with your feelings. That's kind of them.
Let me offer you another approach. You have indicated in your original post that you might not properly understand the very pedals you are using.
There is a distinction to be made. One does not need to know every new device on the market. But, IMHO, one should understand his/her own gear in order to be able to use it properly.
I feel that reading about new gear and how it works helps me to better understand and use my existing gear. It also helps me to make informed decisions when buying gear.
If you don't enjoy reading about new gear, you don't have to...and you definitely don't have to buy new gear. But everybody should, IMHO, at least read manuals to the gear he/she is using and seek clarification in case anything is not clear to him/her.
Good luck!
Don't let the toys get in your way. If you have a good instrument and a good amp everything else is OPTIONAL. You really don't need anything else. I don't use anything but I've got good instruments and good amps. It sounds cliche but the sound really is in your hands. Unless you REQUIRE some radical effect, don't be suckered into some pedalboard from hell. It's just more to carry and more to break. Put your efforts into practicing so you develop dynamic control. No devices required! Exceptions: if you're a slapper a compressor can help control dynamics, but it's not necessary if you have good control. Many here like High Pass Filters (HPFs) which can temper your low end in an uncooperative room, but it's not necessary. I think you get my point.
That said, if you feel better with a conglomeration of electronics that really help get "your sound", have at it.
This Saturday I'll be playing a passive Jazz Bass through either an Aguilar or Mesa head into a MarkBass cabinet.
That's it! No pedals, no effects.
As usual, YMMV. Good luck
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Take at least half the time you're spending on line going down the gear rabbit hole and use it to learn new technique & songs. Find musicians to play with, go to open jams and learn how to dial in an appropriate live sound by experimenting in real, live situations;
Your choices in what to buy next & how to use it will then become much more clear.
Your choices in what to buy next & how to use it will then become much more clear.
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