effects for classic rock

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by poomwah, Jan 9, 2009.

  1. poomwah

    poomwah

    Jan 26, 2008
    other than a decent tube overdrive... what effects would you recommend for a classic rock cover band? if any
     
  2. I use a touch of OD just about all the time. you may want Flanger, Phaser, Stereo Chorus, Octaver
     
  3. Jared Lash

    Jared Lash Born under punches

    Aug 21, 2006
    Denver, CO
    Well, this is not the most informative answer, but it depends on two things. (1) Is it your intention to play the songs in a "straight up" fashion and (2) what your set list is.

    If you are doing the songs as is, with no changes thrown in, then really your set list determines whether you "need" effects. Doing "Stranglehold", "Dancing In the Moonligh" or "For the Love of Money"? Then you'll need a phaser. Now, if you don't know which songs have effects or which effects are used, we can certainly help there, but otherwise it's pretty straightforward.

    Of course, if you are putting your own twist on these songs, then you can do what you please whether that means no effects at all or finding a way to tastefully use a Whammy on "Mustang Sally". That particular example could prove difficult, but you get my point.

    Hope that helps.
     
  4. poomwah

    poomwah

    Jan 26, 2008
    thanks everyone, I guess I should be more specific. I want to at least start playing the songs with whatever they originally used. And then improvise and maybe tastfully add from there.
    so to start... here is the set list for my audition.
    Alright Now
    Livin After Midnight
    3-Steps
    Paranoid
    Tush
    Another Thing Comin
    Keep your Hands to Yourself
    Man in the Box
    Really Got Me
    TNT
    Problem Child
    Dreams
    Keep On Rockin Me
    Can’t Get Enough
    Movin On
    Sweet Home Alabama
    Rocky Mountain Way
    Some Kind of Wonderful
    Immigrant Song
    You Give Love a Bad Name
    Fortunate Son
    Rockin in the Free World
    Born to be Wild
    Sweet Emotion
    Rock Me
    Anyway You Want It
    Lights
    Simple Man
    Sin City
    Rock N Roll
    Honky Tonk Woman
    Rock and Roll All Night
    It’s My Life
    Lick it Up
    Just Want to Make Love
    Needle & Spoon
    Feel Your Love Tonight
    Smokin in the Boys Room
    Little Miss Dangerous
    No sugar tonigh
     
  5. john_g

    john_g Supporting Member

    Sep 14, 2007
    Pennsylvania
    What he said.

    I am in a classic rock cover band and to be honest, none of the songs we do require any special effects. I technically dont even need OD. I did find an old Ibanez multi effects so I do have that but really outside of OD, chorus, and maybe a phaser, I dont think you will need much else.
     
  6. crapusername

    crapusername

    Sep 26, 2005
    North Kent.UK
    endorsing artist: Dean guitars, Marshall , Rotosound strings
    from your set list - probably only a decent OD, chorus and a pick for some of those too!
     
  7. kevteop

    kevteop

    Feb 12, 2008
    York, UK
    Just buy the worst rig you can find. Orange used to do a really awful-sounding 2x15 cab which I was unfortunate enough to use at a gig recently, see if you can find one of those. It would be great for farting all the way through a "classic rock" set. It certainly farted all the way through our band's set. Total bag of ****.

    As for amps, anything that can't quite handle the amount of power you're asking for will be fine. Solid state or tube, doesn't matter, so long as it sounds like total arse. You'll easily achieve that '70s "It's just the bass, nobody cares" sound.

    Or you could spend a fortune on a tube preamp/OD pedal.
     
  8. JohnDavisNYC

    JohnDavisNYC

    Jan 11, 2008
    Brooklyn, NY
    Endorsing Artist: Aguilar, D'Addario
    bourbon, hash, blow, and an annoying sore that won't go away... i think that is the classic rock bass cocktail....

    *KIDDING*

    i like classic rock bass tone, but i don't think there are many songs on your list that aren't anything other than either an SVT cranked up, an Acoustic 360 cranked up, or a Marshall cranked up.

    with either a Pbass, Jbass, or a weird gibson or ampeg bass.

    john
     
  9. SteveC

    SteveC

    Nov 12, 2004
    NE ND
    I'd play that set list straight up.
     
  10. poomwah

    poomwah

    Jan 26, 2008
    so far I'm just playing most of it with overdrive, a FEW with VERY light chorus, pick on the ones that sound like the had a pick. Flange on little miss dangerous. Fuzz for foghat, and still have NO clue what I'm going to do with that damn van hagar tune
     
  11. Jim C

    Jim C I believe in the trilogy; Fender, Stingray, + G&L Supporting Member

    Nov 29, 2008
    Bethesda, MD
    Use a decent bass straight into an SVT IMO
     
  12. Rugaar

    Rugaar

    Apr 11, 2007
    wisconsin
    Stop stressing about it and just play. Nailing the groove will take you miles farther than worrying about any minor tone tweaks.
     
  13. poomwah

    poomwah

    Jan 26, 2008
    thanks Rugarr
     
  14. rcubed

    rcubed

    May 8, 2008
    San Diego, CA
    I'm sick hearing the same damn songs done over and over again note for note. Get a fuzz, filter and delay and go crazy.
     
  15. greenboy

    greenboy

    Dec 18, 2000
    remote mountain cabin Montana
    greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
    A lot of cover band tunes have more overdubs or band members than the bands I typically play in, which are usually three-piece. I usually get to do whatever I damn well please using my V-Bass, but I also try to meet the internal logic of the original recordings if somewhat restructuring the bass lines and grabbing up some of the rhythm guitar and keyboard action.
     
  16. pbass2go

    pbass2go

    Dec 19, 2004
    Apple Valley, MN
    I used an octave and a chorus for the three piece blues band, but I am subbing alot in a classic rock band with two guitars, bass and drums. With them, I leave out all the effects and play "straight up" as SteveC said. Keeps the noise down and the bass clear in the noise that is two guitars.
     
  17. toomanybasses

    toomanybasses Guest

    Feb 20, 2009
    I have been playing classic rock ever since it was just rock. If my memory is not failing me, most everyone had to have Marshalls and Fenders

    I personally have never used any effects.

    I played either my Fender P-Bass or Ric 4001 through a Marshall Amp is all I have needed to get the Classic Rock Sound for the most part. I do use a Hofner Beatle bass for the early Beatles songs. Other than that, it's all you need Poomwah, I do play most of the tunes on your list.
     
  18. haha he's liable to get kicked out of the band if he does that!
     
  19. rcubed

    rcubed

    May 8, 2008
    San Diego, CA
    It's all the baby boomers' fault. ;)
     
  20. afroman

    afroman

    Aug 31, 2000
    Austin, TX
    overdrive, finger, picks.

    Aside from a good bass, amp and cab that's about it IMO.