I am 67 years old. I have a Mesa Walkabout Scout, a P bass and a Japanese Marcus Miller Jazz Bass. The trouble is I don't like any effects pedals. Please Help. Is my life always going to be like this?
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Don't like effects pedals
- Thread starter Peter S
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You must try them all until you find the one!
Do you have a desire to get into pedals? Do you gig? Find a useful utility pedal like an overdrive or compressor. Do you just play at home? Find something fun like an octaver or envelope filter. Effects are fun and useful.
Why is that a problem? Less expense, less stuff, less power consumption...
If you really need a pedal for the sake of having a pedal, get a PLL. If you really need a pedal that you will use, get a tuner or an HPF.
Do you mean you don’t like using them or you can’t find pedals you think sound good?
I have had several effects pedals on bass boards over the years, but the only ones that work and fit into the music I play are an octave pedal and a swell pedal.
I have had several effects pedals on bass boards over the years, but the only ones that work and fit into the music I play are an octave pedal and a swell pedal.
well there’s 10’s of thousands of them out there. Surely one will move you.
Envelope filters are probably among some of the most fun to use. Nothing like an octave pedal to fatten you up or cut through the mix. Try some fuzzys. Most Everyone should be using a HPF.
Often pedals and tone shaping develop more into a fun hobby than practically applying them to actual music.
What pedals have you tried so far?
Like others have asked...are you playing with a band or just jamming alone? A looper is a lot if fun to build up layers of sounds and rythms if playing alone. Playing with a band I only play through mild compression and EQ or use distortion depending on the song. I also have a tuner.
And a compressor. And a HPF. And you're on Talkbass so you need a Darkglass pedal.
There's no specific law I can point you to, if you don't want pedals don't use them.
I have some things that I use periodically, some to record, some to just play with at home. But the things I would always have in my bag are a tuner and a nice chorus pedal. A very subtle chorus is useful without being overwhelming. Reason I included "tuner" as a pedal is that having it on the floor is practical because you can see it constantly. That's how I practice with fretless, staring at a tuner every minute or so. Fretted, not so much. But the floor boxes are way more durable than some options. I don't use a lot of fuzz, distortion, overdrive but I can break it out when I need it. I have a really stupid+cool Electroharmonix Bass Micro Synth pedal that is not practical at all but is ridiculously fun to play with. But I can't use it at most gigs. Jest get a Julia chorus pedal and you'll be happy on the inside.
One thing that concerns me is you're not specifically saying that you want to buy pedals or more basses. That is alarming and counterproductive. You should always want at least 2 bass-related objects that you don't have. Pedals are certainly more affordable than basses or amps.
I have some things that I use periodically, some to record, some to just play with at home. But the things I would always have in my bag are a tuner and a nice chorus pedal. A very subtle chorus is useful without being overwhelming. Reason I included "tuner" as a pedal is that having it on the floor is practical because you can see it constantly. That's how I practice with fretless, staring at a tuner every minute or so. Fretted, not so much. But the floor boxes are way more durable than some options. I don't use a lot of fuzz, distortion, overdrive but I can break it out when I need it. I have a really stupid+cool Electroharmonix Bass Micro Synth pedal that is not practical at all but is ridiculously fun to play with. But I can't use it at most gigs. Jest get a Julia chorus pedal and you'll be happy on the inside.
One thing that concerns me is you're not specifically saying that you want to buy pedals or more basses. That is alarming and counterproductive. You should always want at least 2 bass-related objects that you don't have. Pedals are certainly more affordable than basses or amps.
D
This is truth. Also, the Wife Acceptance Factor is way bigger for new pedals entering the house.
But if you say you don't like pedals, or maybe are just pedal-curious, there are a few kinds you could start with.
Fuzz: fuzz is life. Try a Big Muff, they're cheap (especially second hand) and they sound great.
Overdrive : if you are not into distorted sounds, maybe just look for an OD to add some grit to your sound.
Compression : it does a lot that other people can way better explain, but it can colour your sound in a nice, complimentary way.
You don't need help, other than maybe learning not to post in the effects forum that you dont like effects... 
You are in the wrong sub forum. This is the sub forum for the people who like pedals. We envy you for sure. Life would be way simpler and way more affordable if we could do without. But we can’t, and we don’t need non addicts coming in here and making us feel bad. (Bad that we are going to take you down a path you can never truly walk back from.) start with a DOD Milk Box. About $60 on ebay.
I will say one thing about effects: I really enjoy the many flavors that they give me. I have so many colors to choose from. I also find, that after I spend some time with my effects, I enjoy the freshness of the uneffected sound of my bass and amp. They are great on and off!! 
"I don't like pedals"
Yeah me neither. It's all good. If you do that's okay too, but you don't have to, and I'm sorry if you feel like you do. Bass is bass and plenty of guys have made a living without much other than compression in the studio... and maybe on stage if that. Plenty of other guys also like to incorporate effects and other things into their technique and that's also awesome.
Yeah me neither. It's all good. If you do that's okay too, but you don't have to, and I'm sorry if you feel like you do. Bass is bass and plenty of guys have made a living without much other than compression in the studio... and maybe on stage if that. Plenty of other guys also like to incorporate effects and other things into their technique and that's also awesome.
Neither do I. The solution is simple....don't use them.
Remember, "to each his / her own". There is nothing wrong with being who you are.
Remember, "to each his / her own". There is nothing wrong with being who you are.
You're fine. Less is more.
don't worry hell I went most of my life with out wanting any effects. If the tone you get off your bass and amp is what you like then stick with that
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