Just getting back into bass, what are some "needed" effects?

[jwr]

Since everybody is suggesting fuzz/overdrive/distortion, I have to ask. Does anybody use that realistically outside of metal?

Do you listen to music? I mean really listen.


Uhhh...let me think. Yes. Other genre's of music use fuzz/overdrive/distortion. If you need specific bands or genres, I suggest you search Youtube and listen to the radio.



As far as what you "need", well it depends on what you want to accomplish. I know a lot of people would suggest you don't need any effect to get a good bass tone. Others swear by them. It just depends on your outlook. I think subtle effects are awesome, but I obviously also love insane effects. Effects can be fun and useful depending on what type of music you're into.

 

[Ben Noblit]

Compressor, VT Bass, envelope filter.

 

[johndough247]

Not counting a tuner (I use a headstock tuner for on the fly tuning)...my vote is chorus, octave and envelope filter...but you may need a compressor after the filter, or be careful with the resonance settings. so I guess that's 4 pedals...oops.

 

[Robert Sjea]

I was in your shoes not that long ago. VT bass was a revelation to me and gave me the simple tone I like without trying out tons of pedals. A good tuner and I'm now adding a chorus and I can't see adding much more in the future, as I'm a very average player.

 

[Gus Borden]

Just go and listen to a lot of what is out there. On a lot of older tracks you will hear a bit of overdrive. Fuzz shows up more frequently in newer stuff - Muse and Strokes, White Stripes/Rackonteurs

Chorus/flanger who up in heavier bands like Tool & RATM. Octave - RATM & 311. Chorus and OD show up on a lot from the 80's.

But in the end its trial and error. Everyone will have a lot of.opinions, but in the end you'll need to find your own effects that work for you.

Someone said it above - you don't need the effects. Nothing beats a good clean tone in the end.

And if you've been away from the bass for a while, welcome back. You are about to find out that it is a very cool time to be a bass player right now!

 

[SteveC]

There are no needed effects. If you find you are trying to get a certain sound and need an effect, then it's time. Until then, play clean. Honestly, I think effects on bass are fairly un-necessary - but that' sjust me.

 

[alexa.]

Since everybody is suggesting fuzz/overdrive/distortion, I have to ask. Does anybody use that realistically outside of metal?

I use it in jazz, blues and dub
But I'm just awesome like that.

@OP: phaser/wah/flanger/chorus all sound like the same effect, but differently executed. To me at least.
Also, take the PS-3 for the third, fun pedal.

 

[Gus Borden]

Right. Don't set yourself on a path where you feel obligated to have 3 effects... or however many. Do some listening, reading, search TB. Find an effect that speaks to you. Try that out. Honestly start out with one and see what you think. How it feels, if you like it.

Out of curiosity, what type of music are you playing with your friends?

 

[My name is Mudd]

ROut of curiosity, what type of music are you playing with your friends?

I was wondering if someone would ask this before I go to this point in the thread.

 

[Petros-J]

a distortion(or fuzz) // boss ps-6 harmonist(thats a thing to mess around) // a delay?!
no matter the genre you can combine these babies and make beautiful stuff!

 

[bassbenj]

Wow, two replies already, thanks guys!

What do you use the DI for, to emulate a tube amp?

I definitely don't think I will be adding a fuzz or any distortion to my effects chain any time soon, I've never been a big fan of that effect on bass. i do actually own a EHX bass balls, which I use very little.

Do you use your chorus "all the time" or just for a few songs here and there? If it is something I might use for almost every song than I may look at getting it instead of the octave, which I don't expect to use a lot.

I also really like the idea of the expander, but I'm not sure if it is something I would use all the time as it acts the opposite of the the compressor. Do you think a bass booster would be used much?

I have a variety of setups I commonly use. Most common is either no effects (note that chorus is built into my Fender BXR 200) or just a DI. I have two. One is a passive DI with no controls or EQ. I use it most with active basses with lots of EQ controls. The other DI is active with three band tone and a bass-boost feature. Works great for passive basses.

I have a compressor that works well and I love what it does. But I almost never use it. It's a rack mount and I don't carry a rack. I have a pedal case that includes the following: optical volume, tuner, Bad monkey, Holy Grail reverb, and the active DI. Note I used this setup for BOTH acoustic guitar and bass. The reverb is never used with bass. The Bad Monkey is modded to work with bass. Overdrive is hard to get right on bass and the Bad Monkey is very mild and works very well for this, but I am not a big fan of overdrive on bass but I DO use it.

Modded pedal from here: Link Removed
(Look under products and "Badder bass Monkey")

And finally when serious effects are called for I have an old Digitech BP-8 that has all manner of things in a single unit. I love a lot of them. My biggest complaint is the octaver which I love has a sort of limited range and tends to drop out with 5 and 6 string basses. I love the tube and other emulations. There are almost too many effects to deal with there. The thing is big, heavy, with lots of wires, so it tends to be left at home a lot.

Based on what I've learned so far I'm thinking that my next effects unit is going to be a sansamp VT Bass. I love the Ampeg and other modeling in my Digitech and I'm thinking that one of these carried along and nothing else (even for DI) could go a long ways toward simplifying things.

 

[paradigm_shift]

I like how we're all suggesting pedals- but no ones asked what style of music the op's playing. I know what I use varies heavily on what suits

 

[sonic assassin]

all ive ever needed was drive and chorus. havent found the perfect ones yet, but i can see having 2 or 3 drives. but clean bass interests me very little.

overdrive serves as natural compression, especially at extreme levels, so that rules out the need.

 

[My name is Mudd]

I like how we're all suggesting pedals- but no ones asked what style of music the op's playing. I know what I use varies heavily on what suits

Four posts above yours, on this page...

Out of curiosity, what type of music are you playing with your friends?

I was wondering if someone would ask this before I go to this point in the thread.

 

[Vlad5]

Delay!
I use a delay pedal (MXR Carbon Copy) and find it very useful for making echo effects (fast delay) and adding a second bass sound (slow delay). Its also great to use when I play with my self as it increases my sense of timing , which is always good. A delay pedal offers a wide range of modulation effect, and overlaps a bit what a chorus pedal can do.

If I could only own three, they would be Boost with mid-sweep, distortion/fuzz/overdrive (one of these), and Delay.

Though I do see a chorus and octave pedal in my near future.

 

[kaputsport]

If you want a slightly gritty OD to get some grindy tones from, plus a booster pedal, get an HBE Hematoma.

This thing is awesome.

 

[Medford Bassman]

I use a VT Bass, chorus and a volume pedal running thru a wireless system.

Between the VT and the wireless my signal is squashed just enough for me that I don't need a compressor.

 

[pinz]

I use a few Boss effects(Tuner-not an effect but best pedal I have scored to date),Chorus,Octave,Distortion,and a Limiter/Enhancer.
All have their uses in the covers band I play with in various tunes,although the Limiter is on permanently.

Recent addition is the Looper which is just fantastic for jamming alone.

 

[obihann]

Wow so many great responses, and great ideas. I want to answer a few questions that came up, or make a few points.

Our band plays what I call classic rock, CCR, the stones, Tom Petty, etc, with a little newer stuff in there as well like the chilli peppers. I personally play jazz, blues, rock and I would love to start playing funk.

I said "need" trying to be sarcastic. I know you don't need any pedals at all, but I'm just trying to find what are some good ones to have that I would use. I wan't to get a few to mess around with, but I don't want to buy ones that I would never use.

Somebody said not to limit myself to 3, I only chose 3 because I want to go out in the next month or so and buy a few pedals, 3 seems like an affordable number that would get me started.

Now distortion/fuzz... I never liked this years ago when I was playing with it, but I decided to give ti another go last night. I grabbed the boss super over drive from my guitarist and screwed around with it when we played jumping jack flash. I really really liked it, though I found it really took away all my bottom end, and left me with nothing but highs and mids (possibly because it isn't a bass pedal).

 

[DattaGroover]

Octave, chorus, expander, bass booster, they all "sound" cool but I can't really decide what would be the "first 3" pedals to get.

Any opinions on what type of pedals, or even what models/brands would be greatly appreciated.

It's all highly subjective.

I love my Boss OC-3 octave on some songs - but ONLY if I have the right amp in the right venue, and then I only use a touch of it (and it sounds very sexy).

I also love my Boss Twin Chorus - but only on solos. The crowds also love it.

I use my Boss compression/sustainer when tapping (with a lot of sustain), and it gives a very cool effect, but never use it otherwise (compression can suck the life and energy out of regular playing).

Those would be my 3. I've tried all kinds of brands, and I only use Boss/Roland. I have had some of my Boss pedals for over 20 years, with no problems. I also have a Roland VB-99 & FC-300 combo. It is awesome, and can be an overwhelming start, both financially and learning-curve-wise. Depending on the gig (and how much set-up I want to do) it replaces everything else, and much more.

I personally cannot stand any fuzz for bass. I used to flange, but not any more. Tastes change. Slap-back delay can be cool, but I find myself rarely using it.

Hope that's helpful.