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Church Bassist Effects

C

CoreyN

Mar 9, 2008
6
0
#1
I love my setup for my church gig--I couldn't be happier with the tone that I can achieve with my Ibanez and my Genz Benz Shuttle. I'm interested in augmenting it with an effects pedal that will allow me to quickly switch between different preset effects and EQ since we perform a wide range of styles, often within the same service. I often don't have time to fiddle with knobs between pieces. I know relatively little about effects pedals, and so I'm looking for a little advice. I've looked through the forums and haven't been able to find anything that really applied to me. Right now I'm mostly looking at either the Zoom MS-60B or the Zoom B3. (Probably the MS-60B.)

In review I need:
Multiple different, easily switchable EQ and effects settings.
Clean sound

I don't need:
Loopers
USB connections

I'll be using this in a live setting 99% of the time, and I have limited floor space, so pedal-boards are out.

Thanks for any input!
 
#4
The Zoom B3 gets a lot of love around here for a multi-effect pedal. I had the guitar version, which was great until one of the display screens stopped working. I'm still waiting for a quote to fix it, but suspect it won't be worth it, repairs seem to run as much as the cost of the unit these days.

A little different, without getting into a full board, would be a Tech21 VT Bass Deluxe. That gives you up to six preset EQ settings/amp simulations so you can alter your tone with a quick click. There is an effects loop with an additional switch to activate or deactivate the loop - I know you said no loops, but if you're just adding one effect (like a chorus or envelope filter or something) it's still pretty compact and efficient. Is there a budget?
 
#5
CoreyN said:
I love my setup for my church gig--I couldn't be happier with the tone that I can achieve with my Ibanez and my Genz Benz Shuttle. I'm interested in augmenting it with an effects pedal that will allow me to quickly switch between different preset effects and EQ since we perform a wide range of styles, often within the same service. I often don't have time to fiddle with knobs between pieces. I know relatively little about effects pedals, and so I'm looking for a little advice. I've looked through the forums and haven't been able to find anything that really applied to me. Right now I'm mostly looking at either the Zoom MS-60B or the Zoom B3. (Probably the MS-60B.)

In review I need:
Multiple different, easily switchable EQ and effects settings.
Clean sound

I don't need:
Loopers
USB connections

I'll be using this in a live setting 99% of the time, and I have limited floor space, so pedal-boards are out.

Thanks for any input!
Click to expand...

(This is not a use the search function post, please do not take it that way)

There is a cool Church/Worship pedalboard thread here. In case you want to see what TBers are using at church.

Worship Bass Pedalboards | TalkBass.com

I am not a church-going person but find it cool to see what people in that thread use in such a setting.
 
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Reactions: adamaarts
#6
I'd say you're on the right track considering the Zoom pedals. I would suggest the B3 even though I own an MS60b, because of the extra functions that would be advantageous in a live setting, namely the DI out and the two extra stomp switches. The MS60b can load more patches in one chain, but you only have one foot switch to operate the pedal. Either one of these will help you get your "feet wet" in determining what effects you really need so you can build an awesome board like @adamaarts ;)
 
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Reactions: adamaarts
#7
CoreyN said:
(...)

Right now I'm mostly looking at either the Zoom MS-60B or the Zoom B3. (Probably the MS-60B.)

In review I need:
Multiple different, easily switchable EQ and effects settings.
Clean sound
Click to expand...

Well suh, being the 60B fan that I am, I will certainly seize the opportunity to recommend it and further more, noting that your clean sound is important to you, I will push the enveloppe further and suggest you loop it through a blender pedal (I use the Boss LS-2). This way, you get easy switching between patches even during songs, low-end goes through better and you can control the dry/wet mix. Of course, now you would need 2 pedals, but IMO, it's worth it.
 
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Reactions: nshuman
#8
Thanks for all the thoughts, all! This is great. I think I'm still leaning toward the MS-60B, although I'm tempted by the B3 and other more traditional multi-effects units. The blender pedal is interesting. Pedals are all new to me, so I'll have to look into what and how the blender pedal works.

And thanks for the link to the church pedalboard thread... I somehow missed that one. Although I think what most of those guys (and gals) are doing way more (in terms of electronics) than I'm interested in.
 
#9
I had a line 6 m5 before getting into individual pedals it's a great pedal for the money. lots of great sounds that could be used to create atmosphere. If I had a church gig Id probably go with a vt deluxe for the different eq, a POG and the m5. The m5 has EQ but if you use eQ you can't use any other effects at the same time. You'd have to bump up to an m9 for that. The pog is fantastic for swells with a delay or reverb after it and the pog2 specifically can get some nice organ like tones
 

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