"Bassists should just plug straight in..."

[bassbrad]

I'm expected and use to bring effects to all my gigs, even the C&W ones.
OTOH most of my recording sessions are song demos and i rarely use any efx, with the exception of the Submarine bass preamp, but then no one else does either.

 

[alexa.]

Does your guitarist like Tool, Muse or RATM? If he answers yes to any, tell him to STFU and GTFO.

Or Karnivool, Dub Trio, Isis, Dredg, Nine Inch Nails, Metallica, Dream Theater, Incubus, Kings of Leon, Fantômas, Mr. Bungle.....

Pwn him please.

 

[kaputsport]

I was picking the top three examples, but yea, add them as well.

 

[Pynkie]

a lot of guitarists are ego centric... and my response to when people ask me, why do you use pedals.... and my response is... because im tired of just one tone... most great bassists use pedals.... and some of them have a ridiculous amount of pedals... like Karnivool's jon stockman, or tools justin chancellor.... anyway... you should do whatever sounds best for the band... andif that means using pedals then by golly do that!

and for the record... bass pedals rule!

 

[WalterBush]

Ask him if women should stay barefoot and pregnant, or if people shouldn't fly because we don't have wings.

 

[ThudThudThud]

Thank you, brothers and sisters in arms.

I really don't use effects all the time, only where I deem it appropriate to the context of the song (i.e. faux fretless type passages get a little chorus and maybe reverb, one super-stoner type part during a guitar solo gets some dirt..). Most of the time I'll use the controls on my bass to change the texture of the bass sound dependent on the song.

I have to agree with those who say that a blanket statement is wrong - especially coming from someone who uses a ton of effects himself AND built my board for me...

I doubt that I'll ever have occasion to play the whammy bass part from 'Vicarious' or similar, so it's not like I'm going wild out there. The SansAmps + compressor + tuner do make up 'most' of what's going on a standard tone.

Shouldn't guitar players just be Telecaster into a Fender Twin?
Les Paul into a Marshall?
No. It's how we get our signature tones that make us who we are (and I'm aware most of that it from the fingers).

Ah, what the hey......THUDTHUDTHUD!

 

[alexa.]

I was picking the top three examples, but yea, add them as well.

I'm just evil and would spit out bands until he gets an urge to crawl in a cave with shame :scowl:

Also, tnx for the idea!
I HAVE to use that one when I hear that kind of thing again.
And I do. Often.

 

[skulletwhip]

I had a soundguy tell me that bass effects are useless, and then after the set apologize and ask for a cd.

 

[Blueszilla]

For the record, I don't use effects. I did own a reverb unit and a compressor, but it seemed their 'effect' was, for the most part, lost in the mix. That said, you should do whatever you think best to play bass for your band, and if that includes effects, then so be it. Maybe you might offer some sage advice to the GP about his rig, and see what he says.




Or not.

 

[Gaius46]

I have a love/hate relationship with effects. Right now I'm on a "less is more kick" and am not using any pedals - not even a tuner I'm using a small strobe tuner. Even when I use pedals I usually limit it to a compressor, distortion and eq.

End of the day the band has to be happy with the sound. If you can do that with effects go for it.

 

[sparktone]

I wouldn't touch this topic with a 10-foot 1/4-inch cable.

 

[fourstringdrums]

It's my thought that when effects are used correctly, no one should even really be aware that they're being used (unless it's for specific obvious effect). Our bass player has a full pedal board and his use of them is so subtle and so appropriate when used, that I don't realize it half the time.

 

[lunarpollen]

I don't really count things like overdrive or compression as effects per se (although at certain settings they most certainly can become effects). For most types of music I hardly ever use any effects. But for certain types (e.g., post-punk), I will gladly throw on some heavy chorus when it sounds good, or even some delay. Effects ARE like spices... Use when appropriate (and some dishes call for heavy spice)...

 

[Rockmusician]

Personally, I don't like effects on bass. But I think everyone has the right to play whatever they want to.

 

[nutdog]

I'm too lazy to use effects. I've got bass amps stashed everywhere I play. If I play out I carry as little as I can get away with.

That said, I'd tell him to shut up n play yer guitar.

 

[Bassmike62]

Are guitar players the only ones who should have pedals?

Not in my world. That said, playing effects in a band context just for effect-playing sake is not better. IMO, the effect has to fit or add to the song. I use a chorus on 99% of what we play (with varying effect levels) and other effects (octaver, wah, filter, phaser) sprinkled here and there, but I do go effectless on a few songs, 'cause it just sounds better.

 

[FunkyBassline]

effects are teh sux

 

[dlenaghan]

+1

Overboard is one thing, but atmosphere is another. If a song calls for minimal playing and maximized space, which lots of music lacks, then cut down. But sometimes it's nice to have full backdrop. It all depends.

But to just make the sweeping statement that 'bassists should just plug in', well okay, I'll just plug into my Sansamp>Pitchblack Tuner>Arion Parametric>Boss PQ-3B>Moollon Driver>AD4096 Delay>Yamaha DDS-100>Boss NF-1. I'm 'just plugged in'.

Oops, I almost forgot my EHX Hog.

But seriously... not even a tuner?
That's just asking for trouble!

 

[warwick.hoy]

You should switch your guitarist's coke for heroin when he isn't looking.

 

[My name is Mudd]

Word!