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Effect Pedals Every Bassist Should Own?

#42
I thought I was a victim of playing in a funk band (8 piece) without a keyboard player but after a few years I find, as long as I keep it tasteful, bass effects are very advantageous on stage.

Akai Deep Impact Synth (this thing is cool if you can find one)
EH Mini Synth (new purchase and love the moogs)
MXR Octave
Sansamp DI/Driver
Boss Bass OD
Boss Touch Wah
Boss Chorus
EBS Comp.
 
#44
What style of music do you play(or want to play)? That would determine what pedals to look for IMO. A muff, compressor, wah, etc.

I'm not much of an effects user but I think my next pedal will be some sort of EQ/Preamp/DI. That'll help boost during important parts, may have the gain/compressor built in(but not as messy/bulky as a multi-effect unit), basically act as another channel for my amp or allow for superlight gigs when I just plug into the house.
 
#45
Every bassist should own an EQ pedal, even if you are one of those guys that don't use pedals. It isn't a sexy pedal and gets very little attention, but it is a wonderful tool for shaping your tone. Most amps only have a 3 knob EQ. I like the 10-bands on my MXR. I guess the only better EQ pedal option would be a parametric EQ, but I am in a holding pattern on pedals for a while. The good ParaEQ pedals are a little pricey.
 
#47
okay. So since a tuner isn't an effect ( But really freaking important!) What kind of music will you be playing Rock, Punk, Metal, Funk, Etc... I was really into green day and Incubus when I picked up the bass (not the case anymore) . My first effect pedal was a DOD Bass Overdrive after that was a Boss Chorus then an octave pedal.
 
#49
after a tuner, I think anyone playing with distortion should have a clean blend pedal of some sort, or a preamp/DI with a volume control and a Y cable. Trying to find a bass distortion that doesn't suck low end is difficult and really limits your search. Being able to blend in some clean low end under your distortion really helps with the quality of your sound- besides distortions sucking out your low end, distortion compresses your signal and takes out the attack/punch from your sound. You'd be surprised how much better your sound is with some of that clean, uncompressed signal coming back in under your distortion.
 
#51
My board is getting crowded. I just added a Behringer A/B switch so I can switch from my PentaBuzz to my NS, that goes into my TC Polytune which goes into my old Zoom 506 multi that I only use 2 similar patches on, then my DOD FX80-B Compressor/Sustainer which I use almost all the time. From there it goes to my seldom used DigiTech Bass Multi Chorus and then to a Whirlwind DI Box to get to the board and the amp. I do not do the effects loop thing but would if I had an amp with a level control or a blend knob. I might split everything up if I could blend certain effects with the normal signal and keep the compressor and tuner in line. I'm liking the TC RH450 or 750 head for a lot of reasons but would love the blend option like SWR or Mesa offers.
 
#52
runmikeyrun said:
after a tuner, I think anyone playing with distortion should have a clean blend pedal of some sort, or a preamp/DI with a volume control and a Y cable. Trying to find a bass distortion that doesn't suck low end is difficult and really limits your search. Being able to blend in some clean low end under your distortion really helps with the quality of your sound- besides distortions sucking out your low end, distortion compresses your signal and takes out the attack/punch from your sound. You'd be surprised how much better your sound is with some of that clean, uncompressed signal coming back in under your distortion.
Click to expand...

Agreed, it's fairly easy to set up a distortion loop with a clean blend using an LS-2. I've got a combination of a Bad Monkey and a Green Muff clone in mine.
 
#56
A tuner is not an effect. However, many come in pedal format and occupy sometimes limited pedal real estate. Tuners may also likely paid for out of the effects budget. Therefore, from a practical point of view it is probably appropriate for tuners to be part of this discussion.
 
#58
Smokin' Toaster said:
+1

My effects are my fingers and my monster cable.
IMHO, effects are a crutch. My opinion, feel free to disagree.
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I disagree :D

I couldn't play the music I play without a little grind in my tone. In a genre where most bands are just three instruments, you got to have something to fill some sonic space while the guitar player is noodling.

I currently am broke, but I want a fuzz pedal.
 
#59
rsmith601 said:
A tuner is not an effect. However, many come in pedal format and occupy sometimes limited pedal real estate. Tuners may also likely paid for out of the effects budget. Therefore, from a practical point of view it is probably appropriate for tuners to be part of this discussion.
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Also agree with this and I totally understand suggesting it. He might already have one like a rackmount unit though and is actually looking for an "effect" pedal.
 
#60
bassbrad said:
Swiss Army knife, er umph i mean a multi effect pedal. It will give you a taste of all that is available and deliver basic functions every bass player needs-tuner, eq, headphone amp, rhythm trainer
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Yep, yep, yep! I use a Digitech BP200. Bought it 8 years ago and a certain program on it is an integral part of my sound. Plus the tuner and all the other goodies on it. Ran it straight to the board for band practice one time. :cool:
 

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