First effect?

[DJ Bebop]

I have good luck with this one (Boss GT-1B): https://www.amazon.com/Boss-GT-1B-B...dchild=1&keywords=gt-1b&qid=1634250224&sr=8-1

Like the Line6 Bass Pod I had years ago it sounds great, but it takes some patience to learn how to fine-tune the patches. Also, unlike a pedal-board, it is hard to switch between lots of different effects using only your foot.

Yep, my first foray into the "digital" pedals was the Zoom B1xon



I had an editor to use with it but, I was used to editing it on the little LCD screen fast. I still use it. But because of it, I can see myself get into a Helix or Kemper or something

 

[singlemalt]

The endless river of used effects runs right through Talkbass.

Buy used, at a good price, and you can throw it back in the river when you get tired of whatever grabbed your fancy six months ago. Done right, the “catch and release” program shouldn’t cost more than the price of shipping it to the next guy.

They come and they go.

The multi is a solid idea for getting started on effects. I went full circle and ended up back at a multi. All the wizz bang hot stuff, flavor of the month stuff, came and went.

Except for my Smoothie compressor. That has been the survivor of many a compressor shootout. It’s staying put.

 

[groove pump]

Agree with the route of an affordable multi. I wasn't really in need of anything, but picked up a little Zoom gizmo after I'd been playing for a while and already gigging a little bit. That was a terrific way to taste-test a lot of different things without making a big investment.

I think that no matter what you get into, you may consider getting something that can allow you to blend your effects with your unaffected sound. The Boss LS-2 is only one example. Some pedals have a blend control, but some don't and if they take away too much of your fundamental to create whatever sound you're trying to stomp up, that might be trouble if you're still trying to drive the bus.

The first effect I ever got - well, the first one I ever used for a gig - is my EHX Q-Tron. My rack preamp I was using at the time gave me the ability to blend that funky envelope filter sound with my clean tone - a good thing.

Just picked up a nice fuzz and VERY looking forward to letting it off the chain once or twice at our next show. Not really shopping for anything else specific, but open to trying stuff now more than ever.

 

[Greg Jones]

Darkglass vintage microtubes. "nuff said

Checked out some video demos of this Darkglass. Very impressive and I generally don't like distortion pedals on my bass sound at least not so far. Many asked what kind of music I'm playing. Right now not locked down. Not in a band. I gigged classic rock for decades. I grew up digging Rush & Iron Maiden. Right now anything I get would be mostly for ***** & giggles. That's why I think an affordable/used multi would be the ticket. I do like this Darkglass Vintage Microtubes though.

 

[Greg Jones]

Definitely this if the WD didn’t have one, but he’s covered.

Here’s my answer, no matter what you are playing, and here’s why: if you’re digging the WD, I know you like some tube OD. You also have some level of appreciation for the design skills of @agedhorse.

You really need to check out the Genzler 4 On The Floor OD pedal. My more expansive thoughts are on this thread:
NPD -- Vroom Vroom -- Genzler 4 on the Floor

It’s a great compliment to the WD and has a really great range of usable, highly adjustable levels of drive. You can just add a little bit of a different flavor of warmth to light fuzz, depending on how hard you drive it. I was a little surprised at how much I had it cranked the first time I took it to band practice. It’s very musical and really fattened up my sound.

Checking out some videos of this one now ... so far I'm really digging it! Thanks!

 

[kevindahl]

Checked out some video demos of this Darkglass. Very impressive and I generally don't like distortion pedals on my bass sound at least not so far. Many asked what kind of music I'm playing. Right now not locked down. Not in a band. I gigged classic rock for decades. I grew up digging Rush & Iron Maiden. Right now anything I get would be mostly for ***** & giggles. That's why I think an affordable/used multi would be the ticket. I do like this Darkglass Vintage Microtubes though.

I currently play in classic/rock cover band and use it on about 10 songs or so. I watched a ton of videos and the pedal was easily the best, to my ears, anyways. We play Limelight and it nails the distortion pretty well.

 

[Greg Jones]

So, never thought this would be the outcome. I just ordered the Genzler 4 on The Floor. It was between that and the Darkglass Vintage. Both sound amazing in the demos I've watched. The Darkglass was originally in the lead just because it has fewer knobs ... lol ... I know how that sounds. My brothers/sisters in tweakage understand me though. In the end it was hard to get past all the thought & detail that went into the Genzler ... plus I ordered through TB, so win-win? Hope so. Cheers! Thanks again for all the input. I'm not done by a long shot, but I think I'm off to a good start. The TB community was most helpful. Thank you.

 

[Greg Jones]

Genzler FOTF out for delivery! Thanks TalkBass Store!