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Effects buyer's guide?

Amara

Amara

Fumble-Fingered Beginner
Jan 13, 2014
365
86
Toronto
#1
My, there certainly are a lot of effects.

So many that I'm a little overwhelmed. I think I've managed to learn what a good bass is, and whose amps and cabs are better than whose, and even instrument cables. I'm a little at sea about effects, though, and about which ones work well with a bass at all.

Is there a good resource somewhere that's a good starting point? Or do I just walk into L&M/Steve's/GC with my bass and try a lot of different choices?
 
#2
You can research and read reviews until you can't see straight but it really comes down to your setup, Basses, availabilty and your ears. If it turns out for you like it has for most of us you'll be spending a lot of money and time buying and flipping effects until you find your perfect setup. Even then the latest and greatest will come out and you'll contemplate replacing what you have with it. Just turn and run while you still have time.... Lol!!! The bottom line is some guitar pedals can and do sound good on bass others not so much. Try as many as you can every chance you get. Enjoy the ride!!!
 
#3
A lot of people say buy multi effect pedals and see what you like. It's not a bad idea. I would say try out the Source Audio Soundblox2 pedals. They have so many options that you will definitely find sounds you like at a really good price point. As with all effects and gear YMMV!!!
 
#4
Assuming you go and obtain some effect pedals,
be aware you have even more choices to test and make:

A) What's the best order of the effects in the chain?
B) Is it better to use the effect loop of the bass amp or go from bass through the chain directly into the main input?

There's even more questions for sure.

As for me, I find that effects loops work pretty well presuming there's a way to adjust the intensity or input/output level of the loop on whatever amp is being used. Otherwise I go bass > effects > amp for quietest performance.

As for order of devices, it's my opinion (though I am sure others will pick this nit) that overdrive/distortion/fuzz/gain or boost type devices should come first in the chain. Then modulating effects like chorus, phase, flanger, envelope filter. Finally, I'd say put compression last, prior to the lead that goes to the amp.

My logical reasons for this order of effects is:
Drive effects move the signal forward > Modulation effects filter the tones and compression evens out the signal by boosting the weaker frequencies and limiting volume spikes before you put the signal into the amp.

Just my .02.

TBers: Go ahead and post your own theory.
 
#5
I agree with trying a multi-effect pedal.

Have a look at the Zoom B3. Overwhelming at first maybe, but take your time, maybe start with one effect type at a time; it has many effect types, and a few variations within an effect type. And you can easily switch the order of effects. Great effect learning tool IMO. And it sounds GREAT IMO too.

FWIW, the B3 is my main gear now, I go direct to FRFR / FOH with it. I added an expression pedal to the B3, that its, I use the DI out. Also using a Zoom G5 for guitar as well.

edit: also has Edit & Share software to edit, save and restore your patches. makes it much easier to create / edit patches.
 
#8
Adding my 2 cents, i went for the multi-effect route years ago. It was a Digitech RP255 iirc and it didn't encourage me at all. I pretty much only used it once live, and i used its loop function.
Years later i met a guy (close friend now) who was just getting into pedals (but to me he was the expert) and after following Juan Alderete a lot, i finally bought a CS-3 (which would later be sold and replaced with a CS-2) followed by an OC-2 and black russian big muff. All second-hand buys. The OC-2 costed me like 50 bucks.

Having a more limited amount of combinations made it easier for me to get into them, plus rotating knobs and listening to the results is priceless.


tl;dr try a pedal that's not expensive (or an affordable alternative) that your favorite artist uses! Just keep in mind you're gonna use it on a bass(?), so if it's a distortion try to find a bass-friendly alternative :P
 
#10
rsm said:
I agree with trying a multi-effect pedal.

Have a look at the Zoom B3.
Click to expand...

I've said many times that the B3 is worth having just for education and experimentation. It doesn't get any easier than the editing software to try effects models and chain/stacking options... Sure, it doesn't nail everything but it gives you a very good representation and it sounds great for most uses.
 
#12
Talkbass is the greatest blessing/curse for effects heads (well my less than stellar bank account might be the greatestcurse...but I regress), but honestly the best way to start figuring out your tone is to figure out what sounds your looking for and try to find similar effects in the TB classifieds.

Shameless plug: interested in great cheap overdrive?
 
#13
My advice would also be to start with a multifx like the Zoom B3 or MS60B. You'll get to try out HEAPS of different sounds which are pretty close the real thing and you'll work out what you like and don't like. From there you can dive into stand alone units if you want.
 
#14
Yes this place is your guide-it will even answer your questions and supply audio and video clips of FX. Just be aware that some things are facts and some things are opinions. I have learned a great deal of useful info and been turned on to some fantastic gear from the people on TB.
 
#15
I'm in the "grab a multifx and see which of them are the right ones for you" list

Maybe next mont the brand new Zoom B1on will be avalaible. For 60$ you 'll have a great bunch of fx and will be able to explore which ones fit with your taste. When you find the right ones for you , if yo want you can set a pedalboard with some single dedicated pedals.

I'm very lucky about fx stuff... I found all that I need in the Boss ME50B and I bought a Zoom MS60B as a backup..and the Zoom has become my main pedal in two of the three bands I play.. All that I need in a single pedal which fits in a gigbag. At this day, I don't need anymore.
 
#17
Diaz said:
Having a more limited amount of combinations made it easier for me to get into them, plus rotating knobs and listening to the results is priceless.
Click to expand...

Truth.
To support what appears to be the dark side in this discussion, I prefer individual stompboxes. I get INSPIRED when I'm combining pedals in different orders, trying a combination of dials on two different pedals at the same time. Total blast.
I was overwhelmed by the multi-effects--and I'm normally a fan of find the setting that you like and leave it. But too many options, and I finally give up.
silvertone said:
As for order of devices, it's my opinion (though I am sure others will pick this nit) that overdrive/distortion/fuzz/gain or boost type devices should come first in the chain. Then modulating effects like chorus, phase, flanger, envelope filter. Finally, I'd say put compression last, prior to the lead that goes to the amp.
My logical reasons for this order of effects is:
Drive effects move the signal forward > Modulation effects filter the tones and compression evens out the signal by boosting the weaker frequencies and limiting volume spikes before you put the signal into the amp.
Just my .02.
TBers: Go ahead and post your own theory.
Click to expand...
I had the compressor at the end for all the reasons listed above, but I recently moved it up front, and I'm finding that the rest of the pedals (especially the filters) are tracking better and more predictably. As always, YMMV.
 

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