- Feb 27, 2005
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- Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
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Does the bass need effects?
- Thread starter de la mocha
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I like a little overdrive (not full-on distortion, just right on the edge of breakup.) But other than that, a phaser sometimes makes an appearance to give a little "movement" to a run here and there. Maybe some reverb while noodling around on fretless, that's a great atmospheric sound.
Nothing wrong with full-time effects on bass now and then, though. Chris Squire's flanged line on Yes' "Tempus Fugit" just wouldn't be the same without the... flange.
Nothing wrong with full-time effects on bass now and then, though. Chris Squire's flanged line on Yes' "Tempus Fugit" just wouldn't be the same without the... flange.
Ive been using different effects for years. I can usually do 100% of my gigs without effects. In fact, I fought using them for years. But they're a nice option to have. Chorus, flange, phase shift, gates, eq, distortion, wah wah, compression and many others. They're all useful for bass. Once you start to fool around with them in live settings, you'll find slick uses for them. The key is to use them appropriately, sensibly and sparingly. Don't forget, you're still the bass player and you have a function, so don't drown your bass in so much overdrive, wah, delay and other unnecessary self-indulgent effects that your drummer can't lock with you.
I tend to lean toward a little eq box for extra bass since Im playing a 4 string. Compression and gate filters for extra punch. The others are for personality and character. There are alot of amp modelers out there too that give extra dimensions for overall sound. Im toying with the idea of getting either a Line 6 Pod or a Boss multi-effect floor model. Korg and Zoom make nice bass effects too.
While not necessary, the effects and modelers are a nice addition to a bass players repertoire. Every bassist should consider having a nice multi-effects unit at their disposal even if you never or rarely plan on using it. At least, an eq and/or compression unit if nothing else.
I tend to lean toward a little eq box for extra bass since Im playing a 4 string. Compression and gate filters for extra punch. The others are for personality and character. There are alot of amp modelers out there too that give extra dimensions for overall sound. Im toying with the idea of getting either a Line 6 Pod or a Boss multi-effect floor model. Korg and Zoom make nice bass effects too.
While not necessary, the effects and modelers are a nice addition to a bass players repertoire. Every bassist should consider having a nice multi-effects unit at their disposal even if you never or rarely plan on using it. At least, an eq and/or compression unit if nothing else.
I use mostly OD/dist fuzz and wah/enveloppefilter/synth plus I'll add a leslie/vibe pedal( maybe dunlop rotovibe) because it's the only modulation sound I like which isn't kitschy soundin' (think led zep's heartbreaker)
plus I'll add a delay
thats all
i'mm 60% clean 30% od/ filter
and 10 percent the rest
plus I'll add a delay
thats all
i'mm 60% clean 30% od/ filter
and 10 percent the rest
The bass does NOT need effects. I appreciate all players, all styles. I don't appreciate fuzz tone, wah wah, flanger and all the other "effects" (cover ups) that so many bass players use today.
Call me old school, jerk, whatever...but I grew up supporting my band with a big, clear effortless bottom. That's why they call it bass!!! DUH!! It's the BOTTOM!!!
I am envious as well as in awe of good quality "slappers" or "funk players" but they know their place.....todays...6..7.8...string bassists....need to play what they really want...the guitar.
Call me old school, jerk, whatever...but I grew up supporting my band with a big, clear effortless bottom. That's why they call it bass!!! DUH!! It's the BOTTOM!!!
I am envious as well as in awe of good quality "slappers" or "funk players" but they know their place.....todays...6..7.8...string bassists....need to play what they really want...the guitar.
specplyrz said:
You might wanna check out the Artist profiles on the EBS site...Marcus, Rhonda, "Ready" Freddie, Maurice, et al. There are some pretty good slappers there that wouldn't be caught dead w/o their (EBS) effects...Michael Manring has the one I use (VF-1), and he's no slouch either!
specplyrz said:
It doesn't NEED it but sometimes you can only get a desired sound from an effect.
Your point of some people using effects to cover up crap playing is taken. However, if you limit your view of effects to pure coverup you are turning your head away from a whole nother sonic realm.
Also, the role of the bass is always evolving. If you wanna be a traditionalist... please just play whole root notes and nothing else.
Filling the bottom end defines your role in a band but it doesn't define how you have to do it.
Most of the time I don't use effects, but when I do...its fun. and sometimes it even sounds good enough to incorporate into a performance.
Stuart Zender and Flea.... 'nuff said.
and Justin Meldal-Johnsen is a genre onto himself, with a resume that is pretty friggin' impressive.
Stuart Zender and Flea.... 'nuff said.
and Justin Meldal-Johnsen is a genre onto himself, with a resume that is pretty friggin' impressive.
I don't understand why people who dislike effects even visit the Effects forum. Surely if you don't like effects, you'd have no reason to post here, and insult those who tastefully use effects (as in not as a "cover up"). I also don't understand where the anti-ERB comment came from, and how it relates to this thread.specplyrz said:
Graeme
I say I don't like/use effects and the bashers come out of the woodwork....like the weekly release of a new effect.
Now I'm a troll. I have noticed one thing about this board, don't dissagree with people.....especialy if they have been posting here for a while....really people...this is not grade school...grow up and let others voice an OPINION!!!! GET IT??? OPINION!!!
Now I'm a troll. I have noticed one thing about this board, don't dissagree with people.....especialy if they have been posting here for a while....really people...this is not grade school...grow up and let others voice an OPINION!!!! GET IT??? OPINION!!!
That and effects are not mutually exclusive. Plus, music can be defined as the combination of sounds and silences - a purposeful lack of bass from time to time is a useful musical device.
Cover ups? Don't know which bass players you've been listening to:
Flea was just covering up his total lack of ability when he tracked Sir Psycho Sexy.
Les can't play to save himself, so he just dicks around with effects to compensate.
Tim Commerford, man, that guy has no clue!
Sheesh, and it's not like any of these guys (and countless others) are successful and revered bass players who've sold millions of albums and inspired generations of bass players or anything!
I'm with BassGod.
specplyrz said:"Also, the role of the bass is always evolving"
So is the church....enuff said.
Thank God....other-wise, my gospel band mates and I would have to sit in the pews and listen to a monstrous pipe organ every Sunday
I like effects in small doses.
In a rock band that doesn't have multiple guitarists, a decent distortion/overdrive stomp box with a blend knob set to not overly extreme distortion can do wonders to fatten up the band sound without losing your low end "omph". I like this solution a lot better than the Akai Unibass with its "rhythm guitar emulation", as it is much too artificial-sounding to my ears; therefore mine is now on the bay.
Effects can be cool when used effectively, but I'd rather not depend on them too much, it's also nice to just kick back and not have to worry about them.
By the way, is it just me or are bass effects getting better and better? Most effects I came across recently didn't suck up my low end at all.
In a rock band that doesn't have multiple guitarists, a decent distortion/overdrive stomp box with a blend knob set to not overly extreme distortion can do wonders to fatten up the band sound without losing your low end "omph". I like this solution a lot better than the Akai Unibass with its "rhythm guitar emulation", as it is much too artificial-sounding to my ears; therefore mine is now on the bay.
Effects can be cool when used effectively, but I'd rather not depend on them too much, it's also nice to just kick back and not have to worry about them.
By the way, is it just me or are bass effects getting better and better? Most effects I came across recently didn't suck up my low end at all.
Just to clarify, I'm not bashing people who use effects, but from my own experience and with my own ears, I've only bought the boss chorus and E.Q. pedals for bass. Other effects for bass have sounded to electronic and artificial.
I just want to know what you guys use because maybe I'm looking at the wrong stuff, that's all. Again I'm not bashing.....
I just want to know what you guys use because maybe I'm looking at the wrong stuff, that's all. Again I'm not bashing.....
specplyrz said:
Take a walk in the park, son !
Agree, you are "supposed" to lay down the low end of the band. But try take a look at what the hell you are writing.
You're almost telling us that "effects == NO bottom at all" which is NOT true, it's not like you loose the bottom at all if youre using a, lets just say overdrive, which is designed for bass.
You dislike effects, thats fair 'n square dude! Don't take it out on anyone who uses them and STILL serve the low end of their bands.
Edit: Oh, and please do not speak up about oppinions as you obviously wont let ppl share their oppinions on things without summoning a warrior inside yourself.
Thanks.
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