I mainly to classic rock songs. I was wondering if an effects pedal is really needed. I tend to be able to get a sound I like. Would a pedal really add much to the sound? I want to have a nice bassy layer while still being able to punch through clearly like geddy lee did in the 70s.
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Do I need effects
- Thread starter JRuben
- Start date
You posted to the 'Effects' forum on TalkBass - of course you need a pedal!! Any pedal. And you need it NOW. In fact you need 2. Oh, GAS....
In all seriousness, I think you answered your own question...
In all seriousness, I think you answered your own question...
Need? no
Want?
Yes
It's cool?
Sure
Most of the time I don't use pedals--but sometimes I do.
Want?
Yes
It's cool?
Sure
Most of the time I don't use pedals--but sometimes I do.
If you tend to get all the sounds you like ... no, you don't need effects. But if you want to try other sounds, maybe for some tasteful spice on the sounds you already use, or to explore outrageous sounds just for fun, then maybe you want some.
I play in a blues/classic rock type band and for the most part my sound is clean, slightly overdriven or occasionally with a touch of phaser or chorus. Nothing wild since that simply doesn't add anything useful. At home on the other hand I like to play with sounds, the more effects the better. It's mainly for fun, but maybe one day even a song idea will emerge from the sonic mayhem.
I play in a blues/classic rock type band and for the most part my sound is clean, slightly overdriven or occasionally with a touch of phaser or chorus. Nothing wild since that simply doesn't add anything useful. At home on the other hand I like to play with sounds, the more effects the better. It's mainly for fun, but maybe one day even a song idea will emerge from the sonic mayhem.
Worst case scenario you don't like. Buy used. Resell. Inexpensive experiment. Best case you fall in love and go broke.
Pedals tune your bass, achieve the tone you seek and provide sonic versatility. If you have no needs there, you don't need pedals.
But in a effects form, your answer is, of course you need effects pedals. Welcome to Talk Bass.
But in a effects form, your answer is, of course you need effects pedals. Welcome to Talk Bass.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Gonna go against the grain and say probably not yet.
If you're finding that you can do everything you need without pedals, then I wouldn't bother. I'd wait until you find that you have a void that needs to be filled.
I will say if you're playing classic rock, you may soon find yourself sometimes needing to add a temporary bit of grit, punch or volume to your sound. This can be done with a dual channel amp (ideally with a footswitch) or sometimes with your volume knob, but an overdrive pedal is a very effective tool for this too and there are many affordable options. When playing pop-rock, an overdrive was the only pedal I ever used and even then it was rarely.
If you're finding that you can do everything you need without pedals, then I wouldn't bother. I'd wait until you find that you have a void that needs to be filled.
I will say if you're playing classic rock, you may soon find yourself sometimes needing to add a temporary bit of grit, punch or volume to your sound. This can be done with a dual channel amp (ideally with a footswitch) or sometimes with your volume knob, but an overdrive pedal is a very effective tool for this too and there are many affordable options. When playing pop-rock, an overdrive was the only pedal I ever used and even then it was rarely.
Nobody NEEDS effects. But, you could play it on the safe side and get something that is bound to come up.
If classic rock is your thing, and you play covers, no matter what amp you have, a good OD and a Fuzz pedal seem like a must to me. My recommendation would be to get something relatively cheap but good. So, don't go jumping on something like an EHX Bass Big Muff.
Get a good muff clone, research the effects forum, there are tons of affordable Muffs. From the vick black russian to used higher end units. For overdrive, there are tons of recommendation out there.
The biggest trap you can fall into is buying cheapo/bad units and be turned off of effects forever. Also, the Zoom MS60B is a great way to explore tons of other effects on the cheap.
If classic rock is your thing, and you play covers, no matter what amp you have, a good OD and a Fuzz pedal seem like a must to me. My recommendation would be to get something relatively cheap but good. So, don't go jumping on something like an EHX Bass Big Muff.
Get a good muff clone, research the effects forum, there are tons of affordable Muffs. From the vick black russian to used higher end units. For overdrive, there are tons of recommendation out there.
The biggest trap you can fall into is buying cheapo/bad units and be turned off of effects forever. Also, the Zoom MS60B is a great way to explore tons of other effects on the cheap.
For a newbie in the effects realm i highly suggest a multifx. That way you can experiment and find out what effects you really want to use. ...if any.
After that you can dump hundreds of dollars and build a massive pedalboard. Searching endlessly for just those pedals that sound and do JUST what you want exactly.
Then when you get a little older than that and back issues are starting to be a problem. You will dump the big heavy pedalboard that requires all the bending over and kneeling and just settle with a small multifx unit.
Or maybe youll just learn to be happy with amp cord and bass. Nahhhhhhhh......
After that you can dump hundreds of dollars and build a massive pedalboard. Searching endlessly for just those pedals that sound and do JUST what you want exactly.
Then when you get a little older than that and back issues are starting to be a problem. You will dump the big heavy pedalboard that requires all the bending over and kneeling and just settle with a small multifx unit.
Or maybe youll just learn to be happy with amp cord and bass. Nahhhhhhhh......
Get a used Zoom B3. $150.
Tuner, drum machine, looper, interface, about a bazillion sounds, amp sims, can sims, editor software, great headphone sound, di, three power options.
All for less than one boutique dirt box.
That should scratch the itch.
Tuner, drum machine, looper, interface, about a bazillion sounds, amp sims, can sims, editor software, great headphone sound, di, three power options.
All for less than one boutique dirt box.
That should scratch the itch.
Or get a booteek box and join the club!
Seriously, I use mostly dirt and filters and think that judiciously applied effects adds to the total music experience. At my last power trio gig, someone came up after we were done and said we had the ballsiest sound he'd heard; I was using a VFE Woodchipper on some Hendrix we playing.
Seriously, I use mostly dirt and filters and think that judiciously applied effects adds to the total music experience. At my last power trio gig, someone came up after we were done and said we had the ballsiest sound he'd heard; I was using a VFE Woodchipper on some Hendrix we playing.
What's the harm in trying?
I'm in the process of rebuilding my board after purging all my pedals and I've gotta say its at least fun!
I'm in the process of rebuilding my board after purging all my pedals and I've gotta say its at least fun!
Effects can make small improvements to your sound, add a little seasoning or flavor to your sound or change your bass stand out, it all depends on your choices. The main reason to get into effects is to have fun and experiment.
Like others here my suggestion would be a Zoom B3 - great selection of efx and humility, sounds very good and easy to use.
Like others here my suggestion would be a Zoom B3 - great selection of efx and humility, sounds very good and easy to use.
I like keeping a basic pedal board with a good chorus, reverb, overdrive and/or fuzz, and compression. The chorus and reverb really help kind of round out your tone. The fuzz and overdrive...well...I like distortion. And nobody should be without a good compressor.
A good multi-fx unit's nice to have too to keep costs low.
A good multi-fx unit's nice to have too to keep costs low.
