• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Building a new pedalboard, opinions and advice please?

southerncomfort

southerncomfort

Guest
Jan 12, 2015
14
0
38
Greensboro, NC
#1
I'm looking at building a new pedalboard. I've been using a Boss GT-10b but I think it's time to actually spend the money and get a pedalboard together. So far this is what I've decided on getting.

Aguilar Tonehammer Preamp
Tech 21 Boost Chorus
MXR Bass Compressor
Electro-Harmonix Bass Deluxe Big Muff
Electro-Harmonix Microsynth
MXR Deluxe Bass Octave
Dunlap Cry Baby Bass Wah
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal

Any thoughts?.....

Just to give you guys as much detail as I can I use a Gallien krueger Fusion 550 with a 412 neo cab and I use roscoe basses which have Aguilar preamps and pickups.

thank you

chris
 
#2
Tonehammer is awesome. But consider the MXR M81 if you don't need the distortion from the Tonehammer. It will save you tons of space and money, and does not require 18v.

Tech 21 Chorus....go TC Dreamscape instead. It's a chorus, it's a flanger, it's a vibrato, it has toneprints for different chorus sounds. Half the size, too.

MXR Bass Compressor should be fine. I like the EBS Multicomp and Pigtronix Philospher bass better, but the M87 is great too.

Deluxe Big Muff. More like Deluxe Big Dump. Get a different fuzz pedal. Tall Font Russian, Stomp Under Foot, Grey Stache, Musket, Colossus, TAFM.

MXR Octave. YES!
 
#4
I can only comment on what I have, or have tried.

I love my MXR Bass Compressor

I have the MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe and love it, has a flanger switch too. Goes great with OD.

Big Muff is way over-rated.

I love my MXR Phase 90, I really like phasers,and this one is great too. maybe try one.
 
#7
Looks like some good choices. I got away from my boss me50b after I had line level and volume issues with going between presets and when I used it as a stomp box. From now on, it's all analog for me unless I'm super impressed with a multi pedal.
One thing I'll throw in though, I really wanted my Dunlop volume pedal to work with my setup, but the control was so touchy I just ended up ditching it. It got to max volume way too quick, so I found myself struggling to adjust my volume on the fly for different parts of our songs. So off it went. Make sure you're comfortable with a volume before giving it a permanent spot on your board.
 
#9
The Microsynth and octave may be redundant for you, or not... The microsynth does a very good sub octave sound, can be blended with the clean as well. The microsynth really does a lot of things and pretty well too. Of course if you need separate pedals to save knob twiddling then that makes sense. Older microsynths sound fatter than new, but the new do the job well and can be more reliable.

Consider the bass wah in a true bypass loop, it can be a tone sucker, or mess with pedals after it. Great effect, poor buffer, but not many other choices... Maybe an EHX enigma and an expression pedal?

All of the other choices are good... There's lots of big muff versions out there, the new bass ones aren't bad. As others have said there are "better" options, but you have to know what you don't like about the original. At a minimum, borrow one and test first - test in a mix.

Pedal boards are fun, but there is some technical stuff that you have to learn. Power supplies, cable routing and which pedals are hyped, but miss the mark. You're off to a good start with your choices... The best thing you can do is ignore opinions and hype & let your ears tell you what you like and don't like.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back