Effects ( everybody should be able to respond to this one)

Sorry to miss ya' first time`round. Welcome to TB btw.

You can listen to a few at buzzfox.com and get an
idea what a wah, graphic, etc. do.

Whaddya' know? They got the zvex woolly mammoth up
and runnin' . Still ain't got the E/H Bass Synth tho .

A graphic might be a good place to start. Boss makes
one, and like most Boss stuff -- built like a brick sh...
built like a tank . Though some fellers argue the validity
of a BASS e.q. that has a 10KHz setting. Anyhoo, here's
the page for that`un, with links to the other Boss bass
scthuff -- click.

Here's a page from Harmony-Central with links galore
to effects manufacturers -- click

 

Hetzel - If you've only had your bass 3 months, I hope you're just asking out of curiousity about effects.

I'm not trying to talk down to you or give you grief about your request. But getting a consistent tone, string response, fretting correctly, and all the basics that go into just getting a good natural sound should be one of your goals.

You'd be amazed how many people who have been playing for years sound like a mess to an audience because they never took the time to listen critically to themselves and have poor control over their dynamics, (loud-soft) and tone, (treble-bass), as a result.

Effects are often misused by beginners as a gimmick, or a crutch, to try and compensate for their lack of basic skilsl. It doesn't work. The fact they're trying to cover up becomes apparent when the effect gets overused.

But, I'm glad you have the curiousity to ask about them.

Many bassists, as well as myself, find chorus, overdrive, fuzz, delay, echo, and envelope follower/filter, and phaser useful and fun.

I think notduane steered you to some real good ones. Line 6, SansAmp, and DigiTech are just a few more brands that I think are worth checking out. This link can help you out http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/ It has sound samples for various effects and explanations so you can get an idea of what each does.

 

1.) Most usefull effect: Envelope Filters, I love them you can do so much with them, very universal.

2.) Good brand for effects: Can't really say what is a good brand, you may have to look arround for the perfect effect (word of wisdom; don't think the perfect effect will always cost $300.00 you may find that one that cost $50.00 gets the sounds you want). I currently like <a href="http://www.ehx.com">Electro Harmonix</a>, <a href="http://www.mu-tron.com">Mu-tronics</a> and <a href="http://www.ibanez.com">Ibanez</a> (great phaser).

3.) Opinions on effects: singles IMHO are always better, more tweakable and chainable then any digital multi-effect.

 

Come again, please? Are they really something that will threat dynamic processors in usefulness? I think not. But they are cool nevertheless.

 

A ring modulator is cool a but it's still just ring modulator an eq is low,mid and high but an Envelope filter is a Wah, filter matrix, synth... IMO it's the most useful and universal it also is best for beginners, to best discover what they can do with an effect by using different settings twards different applications.

 

SansAmp Bass Driver DI is a must for you gig bag. Not a realheavy effect, but it can add warmth or a little overdrive, which is bitchen for bass. Not too much, y'know? Also the Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus is cool, too.

I just got a Yamaha Nathan East NE-1 equalizer today. It gives great tone, but I still can't play like Nathan East. Why is that? Maybe I need a Yamaha BBeast to go with it.

Overall, I don't like a lot of effects on bass, whether it's me playing or somebody else. Pure, clean, hi-fi tone is where it's at.

 

And still you play through a Sansamp Bass Driver?

 

I have to agree w/ a Sans Amp Cram.
I used one for awhile b/c my amp was out. It did an excellent job of evening out my tone, and had nice natural compression, but My "zings" sounded artificicial or dulled. It worked best w/ phantom power, and still is a great "escape hatch" in case of amp disaster, but definitely not hi-fi.
-When I started playing bass I used no effects and EQ'ed everything flat. I think this helped me understand how to make different sounds w/ the bass.
-Good form is essential if you want to be able to play well when you're older.
-Avoid finger strengthening devices, they are rough on tendons
- Be one with the bass drum. record yourself often

Multi effect w/ realtime parameter control is how to get good live effect$

 

Oysterman ~

If you hold the Drive knob to about noon or so, you don't get that overdriven tone. It just pumps up the lows and highs a bit for a little of that smiley face thang.

 

Still find it rather funny since I don't really see the SABDDI as particularily "hi-fi". But it works for you, and that's all that counts!

 

if you've only been playing for three months i'd be inclined to give it a while before you go for any effects. depending on what sort of gear you have now i'd look at saving the cash up for a decent rig -if that is, you started off, as i did, on cheapy bass & tiny combo.

apart from that, what sort of sounds do you like ? go from there when you do choose some effects.

read some reviews, ask some opinions here, go to your friendliest guitar shop at a quiet time (mondays are good), and try them oout.

i would give it some time for the effects though.

and keep at the practice.

good luck !!