Best 5 Pedals Under $120

[Adamixoye]

Lots of great info guys, keep it coming. I have no problem buying used from the TB classifieds, so I guess no need to limit to just new. (I will edit OP).

My goal here is to build a small(ish) useful pedal board for live use on the cheap. Working covers band doing classic and modern rock. I get no complaints about my tone but I know I could benefit from punching in some mild OD/grit and/or modulation on certain songs. My amp is pretty clean so IMO it should take FX well.

Thanks for the advise so far all.

Like I said earlier, if you go to the $150 new range there is a lot of stuff that you can probably get in the $120 range used or on sale. Things like the Source Audio One Series or all of the new Digitech/DOD stuff (Dirty Robot, Polara, Obscura, etc.) would be good choices here.

 

[BadExample]

Yah, get hooked on something cheaper easier to put down, xanax, cigarettes, etc...

 

[40Hz]

I'm not big on effects so I don't have five to recommend.

However, the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is a pretty remarkable and versatile overdrive. And for $85 average street it's a lot of useful and good sounding tone shaping for small money.

 

[Beavisplaysbass]

1. Go used
2. Crybaby 105q
3. TC electronic ditto

 

[ukedealer]

EHX Freeze. Hands down. One of the most innovative pedals, inspiring pedals.

Got one of these coming any day now with any luck, seriously cannot WAIT to use it in conjunction with a Digitech Bass Whammy

 

[moshspeggeti]

I don't really have 5, I can tell you my top 3 however:

1. Zoom MS-60B (Great Multi-effect pedal, tons of different effects for right around $100 New!)
2. Digitech Bass Whammy (These are kind of expensive new, however used they only run about $100-120 Used, very unique sounding pedal)
3. Boss BF3 Flanger (Classic Flange Sound, only $50-60 Used)

I highly recommend used when buying anything gear-related, but especially with pedals... they are usually always significantly cheaper used.

 

[troy mcclure]

I can vouch for the Zoom MS 60B being the most versatile pedal you will buy for under $120.
FDeck HPF
If I stretch to 129, I would add an Idiot Blower Box
I am done, really need nothing else but maybe a cheap DI to go behind the Zoom since it does not have an XLR.

 

[40Hz]

EHX Freeze. Hands down. One of the most innovative pedals, inspiring pedals.

Agree. Pretty cool pedal once you mod it with a momentary contact switch option to supplement the on-off stomp switch it comes with. Then you can play it like the damper pedal on a piano.

I've got one I'm still getting my head around. Very cool pedal.

 

[BadExample]

I am done, really need nothing else but maybe a cheap DI to go behind the Zoom since it does not have an XLR.

That triggered another thot in my small and inefficient noggin'. Not really a pedal per se' but can be used as one; any ART project series. Start at $50. Several like the Studio V3 (actually not in the MP/project series). If you have no usb for a computer, this one for 100 beans: ART Tube MP Project Series USB I'll probably get one soon. Right now I did my ART phono plus out of my stereo to get usb. Way better than a cheap OEM sound card. ART is amazingly high bang for the buck, as has be testified to by many. You can stand on one. One of those companies that just makes stuff right. ART | Sweetwater.com

Troy, I think you could find one of the several ART DI's would work for you. I dunno much about them. My amp has DI. They do start at $25... that meets the cheap criteria!

 

[PortlandBass77]

#1. hands down: Invalid Link Removed
This pedal is so useful and has more features than most other mini looper pedals at double the price.
(I own it)
@ $60 - $100 depending on where you buy.

2. Boss DS1 distortion:
This pedal is more for guitar, but it has many proven and easy to implement mods, and if it's good enough for Kurt Cobain then it's good enough for me.
(I used to own it - got rid of it because I'm $$$$ at guitar)
@ $20 - $50 depending on where you buy.

3. Mooer Tender Octaver:
Though it isn't as good as the EH Micro Pog, it is less than half the price and can still get you a Royal Blood type tone on the cheap.
(I own it)
@ $70

4. Behringer BDI21
Again, although not as good as the Tech 21 bass driver di, it is a quality substitute for about 1/4th of the price.
(I own it)
@ $30

5. I don't really have a 5th one... all of the other cheap pedals I have owned / played have sounded like $$$$. Though the other products from Mooer do look very promising since I have been very happy with the octaver and looper.

 

[matty1039]

+1 for Zoom B1-on. Good intro to effects. And when you don't need it anymore it still has a looper, drum machine, and tuner.

I've had good success with Joyo pedals. They run between $30 and $40 with some other more expensive options.

 

[BadExample]

And when you don't need it anymore it still has a looper, drum machine, and tuner.

plus works with headphones, volume pedal if you get the "X" and the ability to go back to it to see what your next pedal might do for you. Can probably find more uses for it. I thought I would sell mine off, but it's for keeps.

 

[gjohnson441496]

Again???

 

[NortyFiner]

Korg Pitchblack tuner.
Idiotbox Blower Box dirt pedal.
EHX Bass Clone chorus.
MXR Script Phase 90 phaser.
DOD Milk Box compressor.

I have all of those on my board, in that order. By themselves, they'd make a pretty decent board for 70's-90's rock type settings.

 

[XXL]

All these pedals are available used for under $120 and are stellar pedals that are worth a shot with your gear/setup/ etc.

Southampton Fifth Gear
Fairfield Electronics Accountant
Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork
Earthbound Audio Supercollider
Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master

 

[NoiseNinja]

I just picked up a Joyo Orange Juice for £50, a steal

How would you describe the sounds you can get out of it on bass?

There's only one short demo of it on bass on YouTube and it isn't really a good demo either.

I've been pondering if I should invest in this or the bigger California or American Sound pedal as distortion/overdrive unit for my bass.

 

[MTN.bass72]

Lots of great info guys, keep it coming. I have no problem buying used from the TB classifieds, so I guess no need to limit to just new. (I will edit OP).

My goal here is to build a small(ish) useful pedal board for live use on the cheap. Working covers band doing classic and modern rock. I get no complaints about my tone but I know I could benefit from punching in some mild OD/grit and/or modulation on certain songs. My amp is pretty clean so IMO it should take FX well.

Thanks for the advise so far all.

The WayHuge Pork Loin has been mentioned...
Add to that the Green Rhino.. cheap, and sounds great

 

[BadExample]

The WayHuge Pork Loin has been mentioned...
Add to that the Green Rhino.. cheap, and sounds great

Actually, if OP has another $10 or $20 he was going to use for shipping, free shipping from sweetwater would get a new Green Rhino or Swollen Pickle, Saucy or Havalina ($129 or less, and he can sell the sack of candy). Two OD's and two fuzz boxes to choose from. Used I imagine could get any WH for under $120 except the Camel Toe and Supa Puss.

Of course, there is always the option to sell a kidney on e-bay!

 

[smogg]

The WayHuge Pork Loin has been mentioned...
Add to that the Green Rhino.. cheap, and sounds great

I have been listening to YouTube vids of both pedals and am finding it very difficult to chose one. It will probably come down to which ever becomes available at a best used price when I'm ready to drop coin.

 

[Agosix]

Any used Aguilar pedal
Fairfield Barbershop used
Zoom b3
Zoom MS 70cdr
TC pedals used
Keeley bass comp used
Few more