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Going no effects

#41
baxter_x said:
In more than 20 years I have NEVER played with any effect.
If I want a tone I assume it comes from my playing, nothing else.

When I see a bass player with an insane pedal board, I know he doesn't master his art
Click to expand...

I would bet you almost all big time bass players use boards or effects of some sort. If you don’t see it onstage, I bet it’s backstage.
 
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#46
Today Source Audio launched the full Nuero Editor 3 SoundCheck feature to listen to clips through pedals in real-time.

Next week the app will feature the ability to build and fine tune a preset without an instrument or pedal and save it for later use. So when you're on that train ride you can make the most of it...

I'll keep the effects Monster Squad of UltraWave Bass, C4, Nemesis ADT, ZIO Bass and OPUS with sweet clean tone in there, too.

Any more than that is just extra honey foyo biscuits! 🍯
 
#48
I'm basically a plug straight in guy, but about three years ago I got the itch to finally explore bass pedals and eventually ended up with a kitchen sink-type, well, not quite aircraft carrier, but certainly a frigate of a pedalboard. I went through a big phase of messing with everything to see where it might fit in with my sound/style, but now I mainly just use the tuner, lol. But just last night though I was using a heavy dose of Ampeg-style distortion from a Catalinbread SFT pedal I have on there, and it is pretty cool, for sure. Anyway, I don't usually use effects, but conversely, it's hard to give any up :laugh: I mean, each effect that made the cut on my pedalboard was something I really liked. I just don't actually need 'em, lol
 
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#50
baxter_x said:
In more than 20 years I have NEVER played with any effect.
If I want a tone I assume it comes from my playing, nothing else.

When I see a bass player with an insane pedal board, I know he doesn't master his art
Click to expand...
There are most certainly many bass players who have "mastered their art" (a subjective assessment if ever there was one) who use pedals extensively. Mike Gordon comes to mind immediately. It seems to me he has also achieved a modicum of artistic success. There are literally countless others. Pedals are just tools. They can function as toys, distractions, enhancements, adornments and/or essentials, depending on context.

When I see a post broadly condescending to others based on their gear choices, I see unwarranted arrogance.
 
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#54
OBC810_AD200.jpg

I definitely feel ya on that one, baby...
 
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#58
joel the bass player said:
Pedals are part of the art. Looking down on someone just because they use pedals is a pretty lame way of thinking. Pedals don't keep time for you or fix your flubs. They can inspire you though, and can add to the music when used tastefully.

Plus, many (myself included) rarely use an amp, so what is on my pedalboard is just part of what I use to get my sound from my fingers to the house. Do I have more than I need? Yes, but it is just part of the fun. I'm never lacking for options, and just because it is on my pedalboard doesn't mean I'm going to use it every time I plug in.
Click to expand...
No worries... I've gotten lazy and prefer to have smaller footprint and quick setup... (also less to t-shoot). More power to those keeping the monster tones alive and pushing the envelope. Most of our favorite albums have great effects on them.
 
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#59
I spent most of the last 45 years without effects. But since coming back after a hiatus, and doing a lot of writing and recording (in addition to occasional gigs), I now use a Zoom B1X and effects for my "tone". Regardless of whether I'm playing through headphones, monitors, PA or my amp and cabs, my sound is pretty much the same through all...because of how I use my effects.

I don't use them as "effects" per se. I use them modestly (subtly blended with a "dry" tone) and created four different saved presets of distinct tonal change. So I'm not adding effects for "effect".
 
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