eh? there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a headstock tuner on a gig. not sure where you're coming from on this comment.
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Do I really need to use pedals ... and if so, which one(s)?
- Thread starter Ralph124C41
- Start date
I can't believe that Helix is still here at that price. You could probably buy that and sell it to GC for not too far from what he's asking. I've never seen one that cheap. Hell, thr Stomp XLs are more than that new.
But, it's still big and a lot to learn.
Number 1 ... as I said I can't foresee more gigs, at least with this band. Remember ... I'm not a band member ... I am still regarded as a fill-in bassist.
Number 2 ... I would llike to have some fun with effects ... but not at a paying gig, if that makes any sense. I just want to improve the sound a bit so that would be my specific goal. ANd I don't know if there is anything I can't already do with what I have on hand with my bass and amp controls. In fact, as others have noted, I do have an EQ pedal (10-band I think) I could add to fine-tune my sound. It may help me more than trying to figure out how to use the complicated (to me at least) 4-knob mid controls on my amp.
no need for pedals if you and your band are good with your sound.
I started playing around the same time as you and it's true that there were not many bass pedals back then. Fuzz Face came out in '66 and the Big Muff pedal came out in '69. But keep in mind that many bass players, using somewhat underpowered amps of the day, tended to over drive their (usually) tube amps and that was actually an effect. So, if you were interested you could check out some pedals that did OD. But really, it sounds like you don't really need to.
good luck and enjoy playing the remaining dates. Just out of curiosity, why do you think that you will not be playing any more after those dates ?
I started playing around the same time as you and it's true that there were not many bass pedals back then. Fuzz Face came out in '66 and the Big Muff pedal came out in '69. But keep in mind that many bass players, using somewhat underpowered amps of the day, tended to over drive their (usually) tube amps and that was actually an effect. So, if you were interested you could check out some pedals that did OD. But really, it sounds like you don't really need to.
good luck and enjoy playing the remaining dates. Just out of curiosity, why do you think that you will not be playing any more after those dates ?
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Years ago I had a DigiTech BP-1, which I think was the first, or among the first, of the giant bass multi-effects unit. It was huge ... and complicated and I really never used it except in the most basic function.
Two reasons ... on a personal note my age (in the 70s) and I've gotten very picky about the musicians I play with. With this band I played with two of them about nine years ago so I guess that was the reason. Physically it is taking its toll. I just got back from playing two gigs in two days, both about 80 miles from my home, and it is just a lot to bear.
Secondly, I think ... but can't be sure ... that the band will dissolve after this season and this is just a temporary thing, which is one reason I have not been officially asked to join the band. Again, that is just my opinion.
Oh, but I do intend to keep playing at local jams or open mics or if there is any local fill-in slot so I mean playing at regular gigs with this band or probably any other band.
As I said, no DI but I have several tuners available ... just not an individual pedal tuner. The tuner function in the Zoom G1on works fine. The amp does not have a tuner itself ... only a line out to use a tuner. I have an old Korg CA something which works but is very slow to read notes for some reason.
Oh, forgot to say as for D.I.s I do have an old Behringer AD-121 ... but it's wonky and one of the controls works only at some points so I can't count on it at a gig. I did like the sound it produced so I would be interested in finding a used or inexpensive D.I.,, maybe something like just the Caline CP-60 or something like that. I do think that's a good suggestion.
You don't need pedals.
Pedals involve a learning curve. Do you really have the time? Most effects are subtle, so these final gigs are really only going to make a difference to yourself. Will it interfere with your playing? You'll have to adjust your playing if your turning effects on and off.
I see your amp has a good number of options already. A one knob compressor is about as easy as it gets. It'll do you for these last gigs. A parametric mid section. Mute and DI. Seems you have most things covered, and plenty to play with already. A High Pass Filter would be nice to have to tighten up your sound as needed per gig, as would an overdrive pedal to add some harmonics to help you poke through. Still, it would only be subtle, or might ruin your bands sound if used too heavily. which your band may not be used to or want.
Even then, will it all give you the bang you seek? From my point of view, I'd be focusing on enjoying your gigs as much as possible, rather than cramming.
Pedals involve a learning curve. Do you really have the time? Most effects are subtle, so these final gigs are really only going to make a difference to yourself. Will it interfere with your playing? You'll have to adjust your playing if your turning effects on and off.
I see your amp has a good number of options already. A one knob compressor is about as easy as it gets. It'll do you for these last gigs. A parametric mid section. Mute and DI. Seems you have most things covered, and plenty to play with already. A High Pass Filter would be nice to have to tighten up your sound as needed per gig, as would an overdrive pedal to add some harmonics to help you poke through. Still, it would only be subtle, or might ruin your bands sound if used too heavily. which your band may not be used to or want.
Even then, will it all give you the bang you seek? From my point of view, I'd be focusing on enjoying your gigs as much as possible, rather than cramming.
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Yep that was my pivotal point ... need vs. "be nice to have"
Well just ordered that CP-60 for less than $33 with state tax. I should get it before our next gig, the one at the county fair. The band wants to be at its best and I will try my best to help them.
As someone who absolutely LOVES pedals and always has all sorts of them on numerous boards, it sounds like you don't really need one. If there's no specific tone you need, and the band is happy with your tone, I think you're set. However, if you're looking for a decent pedal that will work in all sorts of situations, I'd go with an OD pedal. Probably one that's relatively tame. (Since you already have an EQ and tuner, as well as a simple compressor on your amp.)
Some OD suggestions:
Way Huge Pork Loin (modded, preferably - a simple 1 cap swap)
DOD 250 - an absolute classic, and only two knobs!
Way Huge Green Rhino - this one's a bass-friendly Tubescreamer
Joyo American Sound - super affordable, versatile, and recreates old Fender amps (if memory serves)
Some OD suggestions:
Way Huge Pork Loin (modded, preferably - a simple 1 cap swap)
DOD 250 - an absolute classic, and only two knobs!
Way Huge Green Rhino - this one's a bass-friendly Tubescreamer
Joyo American Sound - super affordable, versatile, and recreates old Fender amps (if memory serves)
We play a lot of breweries. The buildings are usually concrete floors with cinder block walls and metal ceilings so I have a Low pass / high pass filter on my pedal board. I also have a compressor and a VT bass pedal. The only other pedal is a tuner. Some of the other places we play have very small stage areas and usually I don't use any pedals at these places.
It makes the headstock uglier and looks kinda amateurish. I know I will die on this hill alone.
Feel free to disregard, I just find them too ugly for a stage and I don't expect too many people to agree on thiseh? there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a headstock tuner on a gig. not sure where you're coming from on this comment.
Which "guitar specific" compressor do you have? It may not be as specific as it says on the lid.
D
Buying pedals without having any idea what you want the pedals to do MIGHT be fun but it will also most likely also be one of the most stupid investments you can make. Adding random pedals just for the sake of it will degrade your tone 99% of the time. At least in the context of a band/mix, which is really what matters. If you have a tonal issue that needs solving, tell us about it and we can MAYBE start to think about pedals.
Also, based on your post it doesn't seem like you've learned how to use the eq and compressor on your amp. I think it would be a good idea to learn how to use your current gear before you think new gear will solve any problems, if there even is a problem, which from you description doesn't seem to be the case.
FWIW, if I had to upgrade anything in your signal chain it would be the pickups in the TMB100. They are rather sterile sounding. Pretty much ANY alnico PJ-pickups will be an improvement on these cheap ceramics IMO. Personally I would also rip out the preamp and re-wire the bass passive. Partly because I prefer passive (which is of course just a matter of personal taste) and partly because the preamp in these basses isn't particularly great. It might be worth mentioning that I've seen some reports about standard J-bass bridge pickups being slightly too wide for these Talman basses, which makes things slightly more complicated. I replaced the pickups in my Talman without any problems, but the bridge/J-pickup was a VERY tight fit.
Also, based on your post it doesn't seem like you've learned how to use the eq and compressor on your amp. I think it would be a good idea to learn how to use your current gear before you think new gear will solve any problems, if there even is a problem, which from you description doesn't seem to be the case.
FWIW, if I had to upgrade anything in your signal chain it would be the pickups in the TMB100. They are rather sterile sounding. Pretty much ANY alnico PJ-pickups will be an improvement on these cheap ceramics IMO. Personally I would also rip out the preamp and re-wire the bass passive. Partly because I prefer passive (which is of course just a matter of personal taste) and partly because the preamp in these basses isn't particularly great. It might be worth mentioning that I've seen some reports about standard J-bass bridge pickups being slightly too wide for these Talman basses, which makes things slightly more complicated. I replaced the pickups in my Talman without any problems, but the bridge/J-pickup was a VERY tight fit.
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- Sep 26, 2005
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Tbh you don't NEED any more pedals than a tuner.
Playing hard rock, I've never needed a compressor, but I usually have a slight drive provided by the ehx bass soul food.
It just helps the bass 'sit up' in the mix a little better.
If you listen to someone like John deacon's playing with Queen, he uses a load more drive than you would imagine from listening to the track, and his parts were always clear and present in the mix both on stage and recorded.
Playing hard rock, I've never needed a compressor, but I usually have a slight drive provided by the ehx bass soul food.
It just helps the bass 'sit up' in the mix a little better.
If you listen to someone like John deacon's playing with Queen, he uses a load more drive than you would imagine from listening to the track, and his parts were always clear and present in the mix both on stage and recorded.
