I agree. Three just happens to be a bad number--first two are obvious, the third is pretty tough to pick.
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Newbie needs 3 Essential Pedals for Rock
- Thread starter Amor Fati
- Start date
1) Tuner. Skip Boss and go for a pitchblack.
2) Sansamp/Bass Attack/M-80 - Shop around, but find something that can give you a bit of grit and tone shaping
3) Depends on what you need. a Muff for heavier parts? Whammy? Play around, find something that fits with the band.
2) Sansamp/Bass Attack/M-80 - Shop around, but find something that can give you a bit of grit and tone shaping
3) Depends on what you need. a Muff for heavier parts? Whammy? Play around, find something that fits with the band.
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I think the point is that far too often we overlook things like tuners for the "flashier" items, even though nothing will make you sound worse than being out of tune -- either with yourself or with your bandmates. It's not an effect, but it's something that should be purchased early on in your rig upgrades and if you don't already have one it should precede buying multiple stomp boxes.
I'm really happy with my new Digitech Hardwire Tube Overdrive pedal. It just replaced my Boss ODB-3.
Tuner, that's a must. Does that count in your 3 pedals ? Let say no, just for fun.
Maybe a compressor, depending on how you play. Players with good technique generally don't require one (I use one
), but some use it anyway for effect.Effects: Octave and some dirt (fuzz, distortion, overdrive)
Bonus : cool if you find in your price range some kind of box you can also use as DI (ex.: SansAmp PBDDI, which I also use for overdrive).
I never really use a pedal tuner. I never really saw the point, to spend money on a box that does something I can pay less for that works just as well. I just put velcro on my BOSS TU-80 and stick on the side of my cabinet and just it. I hardly ever have problems with being out of tune though...
Used EBS pedals are good, especially the Multidrive and Multicomp. I'll bet if you look around you'll find some for 100 +/- $10
What he says, and I respectfully disagree with the 'don't need a tuner' comments, but that's just me.Topic starter asked for pedals, not effects.
For me it was the sansamp BDDI, Ernie Ball VP Jr. and a Boss Tu2 tuning pedal that kick started it. For me that's bare bones, I'm adding in modulation effects and such bases on need, which has only called for the addition of a chorus pedal so far.
Not everyone. I can't stand the sound of muff like fuzz. I prefer the smoothness of the Tube Screamer type overdrive.
for all the replies. I have some thinking to do.
As for my current setup, I have a Peavey Cirrus bass, a 25w Fender practice amp and (I think) an old Korg? multi-effects unit (w/ built in tuner) which I never really liked. It has to be 10 years old and even when I mucked with pre-sets the sounds seemed very muffled.
The guys I play with have better mixing equipment (some high end digital mixing board), monitors and amps.
Going to be playing a 15-20min gig at the end of the month and want to round out my tone. The songs are pretty much hard/modern rock in 4/4 with standard tuning. As such, I probably don't need a tuner pedal.
I talked to a pro (former bass player) who said he uses a ME-50 on guitar. So my final quandary is an ME-20B (the 50 is $500 list) or 3 pedals (VT Bass, Agro, and maybe Octave.)
Anyway, thanks to everyone for replying to a thread that's likely been started a hundred times before. I tried to search for something similar as I'm sure every beginner wants to know where to start. I'll make a decision by week's end and let you know how it worked out.
As for my current setup, I have a Peavey Cirrus bass, a 25w Fender practice amp and (I think) an old Korg? multi-effects unit (w/ built in tuner) which I never really liked. It has to be 10 years old and even when I mucked with pre-sets the sounds seemed very muffled.
The guys I play with have better mixing equipment (some high end digital mixing board), monitors and amps.
Going to be playing a 15-20min gig at the end of the month and want to round out my tone. The songs are pretty much hard/modern rock in 4/4 with standard tuning. As such, I probably don't need a tuner pedal.
I talked to a pro (former bass player) who said he uses a ME-50 on guitar. So my final quandary is an ME-20B (the 50 is $500 list) or 3 pedals (VT Bass, Agro, and maybe Octave.)
Anyway, thanks to everyone for replying to a thread that's likely been started a hundred times before. I tried to search for something similar as I'm sure every beginner wants to know where to start. I'll make a decision by week's end and let you know how it worked out.
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If you've only got a 25w practice amp to play through and are going to be playing with a live band I would skip the pedals and put that money directly into a fund for a new amp.
we usually practice through a mixer and two high end PA's. The gig is a plug and play with monitors and amps provided. I do hear you and will invest in a new amp soon.
So I think my choice is one of the below:
Boss ME-50B
or
Tech 21 VT Bass
Aguilar AGRO OD
MXR M288 Bass Octave
The second package will run me more, but I don't want to kick myself for getting another muffled multi unit.
I will likely go to the store for a couple hours and play through each.
Anyway, thanks again for the feedback.
So I think my choice is one of the below:
Boss ME-50B
or
Tech 21 VT Bass
Aguilar AGRO OD
MXR M288 Bass Octave
The second package will run me more, but I don't want to kick myself for getting another muffled multi unit.
I will likely go to the store for a couple hours and play through each.
Anyway, thanks again for the feedback.
There is a lot of love for the Line 6 M9 on this forum regarding multi-effects. Line 6 is kind of leader in this market segment so I have more confidence in the M9 than the Boss ME-50 tbh. Can be wrong, have never used any of them.
