Good Pedal to Get for my First One

[Psych0naut]

Hi, I'm new to the site, and have been playing for around 6 months. I was curious what type of pedal you would recommend getting for someone getting their first one. My bass is a Schecter Stilleto Extreme-4, and I play a lot of stoner rock/drone rock. I was looking at the Electro Harmonix Bass Big Muff.

I also still have the amp that came with the starter kit (got a new bass since the one with the kit didn't have working pickups). Should I focus on getting a new amp first?

Thanks.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

what amp is it ? The more information you give the better the help you get.
Usually much better off getting an amp that sounds good and will get the low notes right before you get effects. Not a requirement though. You will be better off if you get your main sound right first then focus on your effects.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

A Great first pedal would a tuner. If you don't already have one.

 

[spanndrew]

Get some sort of dirt pedal because they are fun. I'm not a fan of the ehx big muff but it'll be plenty of fun! A tuner will be super functional but not a fun first pedal.

 

[Mosfed]

It kind of depends on what kind of music you want to play.

A muff is a great choice but I wouldn't get that EHX one. If you want something cheap get the Vick Black Russian instead or their Ram's Head.

 

[Psych0naut]

I've got a Crescent Amp right now. And yes, I have a tuner.

This is what I got originally (Amazon.com: Crescent Electric Bass Guitar Starter Kit - Transparent Blue Color (Includes Amp & CrescentTM Digital E-Tuner): Musical Instruments), but the only thing I still use out of it is the amp.

 

[Bassmike62]

As a first pedal, may I suggest the Zoom MS60B ? Has everything suggested in the previous posts, will allow you to explore the wonderful and wacky world of effects and will cost you only around 80 $ on the used market, maybe even less. Check out the link

MS-60B MultiStomp Bass Pedal | Zoom

 

[ProfFrink]

Welcome! Your story is actually exactly like mine was approximately 2-3 months ago. I was care free and didn't care much at all about sound or pedals...

Fast-forward these last 2-3 months, and I already have 7 pedals, with 2 more in the mail along with a Pedaltrain classic-2 (it's a pretty big board), and you can imagine how my bank-account looks now And there's also the cables, power supplies, etc. etc.

And all this started with "Hmm.. maybe I should try some effects" and getting a Zoom MS-60B.

So my recommendation:
a. Think carefully whether you really want to go down this path. It can quickly become somewhat costly.
b. If you do - it really is lots of fun and actually make me practice more and enjoy my playing more. In this case I really do recommend the Zoom (can also take the B3, which has similar effects but with a different mix of peripheral features). It's a great way to get acquainted with many types of effects, and yes, it does also include a good tuner, so arguably also covers the most important effect which you actually "need"

 

[Psych0naut]

Thanks for the fast responses. I'm leaning towards getting a new amp now, because as Nighttrain said, it will help me hit the lower notes better (which would be great for me since I typically play in Drop C). Those pedals you guys recommended look awesome though, so maybe I should get one after a new amp...

 

[JimmyM]

Ya, definitely get the basics squared away first.

 

[bassbrad]

Normally I would say get a better amp as a sound suggestion but as a practice tool and good intro to effects might I also suggest a Zoom B1on. Tuner, drum loops, jam along, headphone amp and a selection of effects for 60 bucks (dont forget a power supply) is hard to beat. Then start saving for a worthy amp.

Amazon.com: Zoom B1on  Bass Effects Pedal: Musical Instruments

 

[Psych0naut]

Good point Brad; my amp sounds fine to me right now honestly. I'd like to get a new one but $60 is def more in my price range atm. Plus, a drum loop would be great for me because I'm used to practicing with my friend who had one. Recently moved though so no one to jam with. :/

 

[bassbrad]

Another feature is the jam along, plug in any mp3 player to jam w recordings. I cannot begin to tell you how much I wish there was something like this when I started playing so long ago, shux can recall buying a Justina quartz tuner for $89!

 

[Sav'nBass]

I would suggest as a first pedal a Zoom B3. It has a built in tuner. It is basically 3 pedals in one box which would allow you to explore various pedals in more depth .. You can switch the order in the chain... You would have a few more options than in the MS60B and the B3 also has a built in metronome on steroids which will be an invaluable tool for practicing the bassics . It also has a 40 second looper which can be another great tool to practice with. At this juncture I would focus more on the basics .. but a B3 would be a very good overall practice tool as well as a good entry into finding out what pedals do what. It will enable you to make more informed choices in the future.

 

[Zooberwerx]

A good pedal is your gas pedal so you can drive down to your local music store and trial some decent amps. Once you're up to speed in that department, consider decent but modestly priced tuners and compressors.

Riis

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

+1 for either if the zoom pedals mentioned (ms60b or B3). They sound great, and will allow you to test out what effects would have the greater probability of working out best for you without needing to spend too much.

 

[HolmeBass]

+1 on the new amp first. Then another good versatile fuzz, although not a muff, would be the Team Awesome Fuzz Machine from smallsound/bigsound.

 

[DavC]

i'd get whatever makes you wanna practice and play ... it is hard to convince students how important the fundamentals really are ... wanna play = muscle memory , fingers going where you want them to go ... !

i'd definitely save up for a nice Practice amp ... that has an Aux in ( for mp3 or drums ) and a headphone output so you can practice the boring stuff without driving others crazy ... !

Multi FX are fun ... especially if you take the time to learn about all the different effects they have in them .!
as in actually looking up what & how the original Echoplex worked - for example ... they can be a fun learning tool ...

 

[hintz]

The first pedal I ever got was the DOD Bass Grunge in the 6th grade, but back then multi FX weren't as good as they are now, so like others said, id vote for a good multifx unit to get a taste of everything...

 

[Psych0naut]

A good pedal is your gas pedal so you can drive down to your local music store and trial some decent amps. Once you're up to speed in that department, consider decent but modestly priced tuners and compressors.

Riis

I don't have a car, and the closest music store is quite lacking.