Ever Gigged without effects?

[fishdreams]

I use effects only for soundscapey stuff, which is about 5% of the time.
The one essential pedal for me is a loop switch pedal so that I can have a very clean signal for that 95% of the time.

 

[QweziRider]

I use no effects at all. Preamp, power amp, cab. not that I have anything against them, just that what I do so far has little call for any effects.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I played only once live in 14 years with an effect and I didn't switch it fast enough at one point hahaha it was wierd.

So every other time it was my bass direct or I had a foot tuner like the BOSS TU serie.

 

[nad]

Last time I played a show without a fuzz pedal was 20 years ago.

Thankfully I haven't made that horribly tragic mistake ever since.

 

[Matt Dean]

Last time I played a show without a fuzz pedal was 20 years ago.

Thankfully I haven't made that horribly tragic mistake ever since.

 

[bassbrad]

I must have but I honestly don't recall, shucks even the C&W guys expect me to throw on some efx down to stomp on.

 

[rob_thebassman]

if a tuner doesnt count as an effect, no

 

[SBassman]

Not gonna read the whole thread, but -
I wouldn't sweat this. The only pedal you Really need is - a tuner.

Haven't gigged with any effects - for most gigging days of my life.

 

[Matt Dean]

I always find it puzzling that people who claim to never use/gig with effects post on the FX forum. I think I'll start going to the nofx forum and tout the superiority of using effects.

 

[redhed]

Yes, all the time.

 

[SBassman]

I always find it puzzling that people who claim to never use/gig with effects post on the FX forum. I think I'll start going to the nofx forum and tout the superiority of using effects.

Who cares what forum it is? The question was asked, and the answers are the answers.

 

[Spaldo]

imo effects are tone killers.

Not necessarily. I used to have that problem until I started using a DC Power Brick on my board and placed a compressor at the end of the chain. If anything, it improves my live sound markedly. I just couldn't be arsed bringing my board to a gig half the time

 

[Mulebagger]

I have some that I think are essential, octamizer, mutron, some dirt. But 99% of the time it's bass and amp. No effects. I guess it would really depend on the music you are playing.

 

[beefandbones]

I've played shows where I just plug my bass into the sound guy's DI Box and used the monitors as... monitors. No amp at all. Sounded great, actually. Other times I've just used a DI box, other times just a compressor, again without an amp.

But if you're looking into being in a band for the first time, the your potential bandmates will think more highly of you if you have a bass amp. Get a tuner pedal. Maybe a compressor.

Gearheads like to talk to other gearheads, and they egg each other on to find the 'best' something pedal. It's fun... but it's not necessary. All you need is a bass and an amp (and a tuner).

 

[FuManChu]

I left my pedal board at home by accident at a gig once and I was pretty concerned at how I was going to sound that night. I had a sansamp, BBE, Compressor, things that were basically always left on all night to shape my tone. I spent 5 mintues adjusting the amp and I feel that my sound seemed to cut in the mix and sound much more natural than ever before without all of those effects. Get a tuner and and see what you NEED or want down the road.

 

[Valerus]

Once in the past...ever.

I always have my board, but 90% of the time only my Wren & Cuff Phat Phuk B is on for slight tone shaping purposes.

 

[seang15]

Gigging 25+ years now. Can count on two hands HOW MANY TIMES I have used effects!

 

[ToadWarrior]

Yes, I have gigged lots of country/old time with no effects. (Did have a tuner though)

In the past year however I have used an Orange Squeeze clone my dad made for me at every single gig, It might kill abit of the dynamic and character of my different basses, but it adds a very pleasant warbly grind (hard to describe) and it makes all my basses (even the cheapies) sound so punchy, thick and even in the mix.

If you can afford one effect I think a compressor is essential.

 

[Steve Dallman]

I've used effects for years, Sansamp, distortion, bass chorus, bass compressor, octave up. I ran a 300Hz highpass signal from my GK1001RB (I built it into the amp) into guitar effects into a small guitar amp for years too.

This got whittled down as I got older to just the SABDI into the GK with maybe a chorus. When the GK died, and I replaced it with a PF500, I am enjoying just the bass to the amp. The amp's compressor is great and I can get a little grind where I don't miss any effects.

Listening to recordings of the band, or mixes off the mixer at church, I finally realized that the only one who could hear and appreciate the effects was me. The audience can't hear them and/or doesn't care, and usually the band doesn't either.

 

[DagoMaino]

NOFX/FX

Played the first ten years of my gigging life without 'em, not a big deal. Though now I would probably prefer not to do without my DI/Distortion.... My pedal board is more about me looking into sculpting different tones in the songs then a necessity.

1. Be sure you have a tuner!

2. If you have some extra $ then I would suggest a MXR or Sans Amp DI/Distortion. Useful live and important in the studio.

3. Don't skimp on the rest of your set up because your overly anxious to add effects... and when you do start adding effects BUY QUALITY not quantity. Cheap effects will do much worse for your sound then just staying clean.