Do you need FX pedals for rock?

[Nev375]

I don't really "need" any, but I like having my Fender Sublime Fuzz.

I like it because it's more than just on/off I can dial anything from
a clean boost (green) to overdrive (yellow) to full on fuzz (red)
just by turning the knob to the desired sound with my toe.

It actually sounds good too, the color-changing knob is not just a gimmick.

It's a HUGE pedal, but I don't really use much else so that's ok by me.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I've played lots of different genres and never felt I "needed" effects for anything. Out of around 2000 gigs I've played, I've probably used effects 1% of the time.

They're nice to have if you like that kind of thing, but unless covering certain artists or tunes you're trying to emulate, you don't need effects for anything.

I just got myself a ZOOM B3 multieffects. It covers all the bases with lots of variety, and covers them well. At $200 I don't think it can be beat.

 

[bolophonic]

I've been a bassist for almost 30 years and have never, ever used any pedal of any kind for more than five minutes. I posted an answer to this effect in a similar thread about "needing" effects in the "effect" section once and people instantly freaked out like I shoved their grandmother or something.

So OP: you might discover that effects are your new thing, or you might find them to be tedious and burdensome to deal with. Lots of players get by without. I'd be very wary of anyone who tells you that you "need" effects: they are the one who "needs" it, not you.

 

[sprag]

you don't need pedals but they can add another dimension. they also add more to carry more to spend on and more to go wrong. I use em anyway though

if you're doing much slap a compressor can be useful. bass big muff has quite a few haters myself included as the low end can disappear in the mix. I replaced mine with a swollen pickle which i prefer the tone of. I have a dual amp rig so the bottom end loss is not a problem for me. the wren and cuff pickle pie b is a muff based fuzz with a clean blend. the TAFM is a gated fuzz which if you put after an octave pedal and maybe before an envelope filter you can get a great synth sound which may or may not show up in your choice of set list.

a good clean tone and solid chops will get the job done every time though

 

[lfmn16]

I'd be very wary of anyone who tells you that you "need" effects: they are the one who "needs" it, not you.

As he should be wary of anyone who tells him he doesn't "need" effects: They are the one who don't "need" them."

There's nothing wrong with needing them or not needing them. It's the judgmental attitude that causes all the problems. I don't get people that think they can decide what someone else needs.

 

[sprag]

As he should be wary of anyone who tells him he doesn't "need" effects: They are the one who don't "need" them."

There's nothing wrong with needing them or not needing them. It's the judgmental attitude that causes all the problems. I don't get people that think they can decide what someone else needs.

I see where you're coming from...
in fairness, the OP/thread title does ask the specific question

 

[Bodeeni]

I toyed with a few effects back in the 70s and have not used any since. If you listen to recordings I think it is pretty clear that over 99% of recorded bass in popular music is unaffected and probably direct. I am almost never in a live situation where the bass is clear enough for an effect, unless extreme, to live in the mix with a full band. Soloing is different story.

 

[TJBass]

Although you may not "need" fx pedals to pull off the bands choice of songs, but you may "want" fx pedals to pull off the bands choice of songs. So i would look at the setlist, determine which songs have what fx on the originals, then determine which pedal, or "pedals" would help you fit better with the song.

I use, and suggest, the zoom ms60-b, not because its a great pedal, but its a multi use tool. If you need compression, you got it, if you need fuzz, you got it. It does take some tweaking but theres a few threads in the effects forum dedicated to settings, amp and cab sims, effect order and homebrew patches you can dial in. Its actually very simple.

For $99, its there, but if you find its not needed, just use the tuner in it.

 

[lfmn16]

I see where you're coming from...
in fairness, the OP/thread title does ask the specific question

I just get tired of these blanket statements, "You don't need effects." Particularly when we know so little about the OP or what he is trying to achieve. In the original post he doesn't say anything about his band's instrumentation, what specific songs he's playing, why he thinks he might need effects, what equipments he uses, PA support, etc., etc., etc. All of these things would factor into a decision about whether or not to use effects, but still we get these people that say, "You don't need effects."

For the record, in 40+ years of playing, I've never used an effect on stage. I consider that a deficiency in my toolkit though, not a badge of honor.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Aguilar Agro

 

[delta7fred]

I've played rock forever. A bit of OD helps but is not essential.

For the first 30 years I used a cranked tube amp and got all the OD I needed, then switched to SS which was all a bit clean and clinical so used a Catlinbread SFT (set for mild OD) always on. (Now playing 60s so back to no OD.)

The above worked for me and as always YMMV.

 

[Mr.Ace]

I just get tired of these blanket statements, "You don't need effects." Particularly when we know so little about the OP or what he is trying to achieve. In the original post he doesn't say anything about his band's instrumentation, what specific songs he's playing, why he thinks he might need effects, what equipments he uses, PA support, etc., etc., etc. All of these things would factor into a decision about whether or not to use effects, but still we get these people that say, "You don't need effects."

For the record, in 40+ years of playing, I've never used an effect on stage. I consider that a deficiency in my toolkit though, not a badge of honor.

Sorry for lack of info in my original post. As far as my equipment:
bass's:
Lakland 55-14
4 string American deluxe jazz
Amp and cab:
Mesa M9
SWR Goliath III
I do plan to line out to the PA
It's a three-piece band. The guitar player plays a lot of different guitars. He always uses a dirty overdriven sound, has multiple petals on a board.
As far as songs go here is one of our four sets:

Rocky Mountain Way(godsmack)
Breed
Shine
Open Up Your Eyes
Comedown
Machine Head
My Own Worst Enemy
All The Small Things
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Paralyzer
Aint Talkin Bout Love
Eruption (You Really Got Me)

 

[Joe Nerve]

As he should be wary of anyone who tells him he doesn't "need" effects: They are the one who don't "need" them."

There's nothing wrong with needing them or not needing them. It's the judgmental attitude that causes all the problems. I don't get people that think they can decide what someone else needs.

"Needing" effects is a handicap. My opinion, but I believe factual. I'd be willing to explain if necessary, but I think the reasons are obvious.

 

[sprag]

IMO from that list the effects/overdrive stick out the most on breed and comedown. 90% (assuming 10% are bass players)of the audience won't notice or care if you have those exact tones. if your doing say sir psycho sexy, time is running out, or i knew you were trouble when you walked in (with no keyboard player) the audience are more likely to notice ut not necessarily care.

 

[Nic.]

Not sure if you call them 'effects', but having a good EQ sure is handy. And some people swear by compression (while I don't use any at the moment, I totally get why they love it). Stuff like this won't drastically change your sound, but it could make you (and thus the band) sound way better in the mix if done right.

 

[lfmn16]

Sorry for lack of info in my original post. As far as my equipment:
bass's:
Lakland 55-14
4 string American deluxe jazz
Amp and cab:
Mesa M9
SWR Goliath III
I do plan to line out to the PA
It's a three-piece band. The guitar player plays a lot of different guitars. He always uses a dirty overdriven sound, has multiple petals on a board.
As far as songs go here is one of our four sets:

Rocky Mountain Way(godsmack)
Breed
Shine
Open Up Your Eyes
Comedown
Machine Head
My Own Worst Enemy
All The Small Things
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Paralyzer
Aint Talkin Bout Love
Eruption (You Really Got Me)

It's not your fault. People should ask questions before giving advice.

You are in a three piece band with PA support, that sounds like a good place to try some pedals to thicken up the sound during leads, or add some interest. I would suggest a post in the effects forum asking for suggestions.

 

[Bodeanly]

I made it through the 90s without one pedal. I started experimenting in 2002, when I joined a three piece. An octave pedal really fattens the sound during a guitar solo.

 

[Stranger Danger]

No

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I think it was Dave Pomeroy who said "You should turn your compressor off once in a while, just to show you can play without it." So I always play with one. I've fooled around with with a Q-Tron, Big Muff, and Super Octave OC3, but I don't use them live anymore. I do still use a BBE Sonic Stomp, even though I don't really understand how it works (and sorta don't care at this point...), and I have a neat little clean boost for the approximately 45 seconds of solo time I get on an average gig.

These days I'm mostly playing classic rock and classic country ('50s-'60s), I must be a classy guy.

Edit: Why don't I use effects live? Because I feel like I lose presence when they're on. I'm one of those dinosaurs who prefers to play with all the treble rolled off. I want to be felt, not heard. I jack the treble to play the opening of "Sweet Child O' Mine" and a couple other intros/outros, but that's about it.

 

[socialleper]

just got hired for an established rock cover band. 80's and 90's Rock. Nothing crazy heavy, but heavier then usual for me. I've been playing primarily funk, blues and new/classic country for all of my gigging career. I've never used pedals except for a tuning pedal. I've always adjusted the controls on my bass to achieve different tones. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

For my $.02 I'd say a little over drive. Fuzz might be a little much if you aren't going all out metal.
If you want a little grit in your sound the Way Huge Pork Loin is a low gain soft clipping OD. If that isn't enough for you I'm a fan of OCD clones like the Fuzzrocious Demon. A Rat clone can work, as can a Tube Screamer clone like the Black Arts Toneworks Witch Burner or Abominable Electronics Hellmouth.
Also, the ability to blend my clean tone into an OD is a must for me so I would suggest checking out a blend pedal or a Boss LS-2 that can be fooled into acting like a blend.