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Newbie needs 3 Essential Pedals for Rock

Why in the hell are so many people suggesting tuners when he wants EFFECT PEDALS???
I just don't get it.

Even amp simulators like the VT are a stretch. They're really usually used more like pre-amps. You CAN use the VT or SFT as just a overdrive if you crank the gain, so they ARE good effects if you use them in that way. Otherwise, if you are happy with your amps tone, go for a fuzz or distortion first.

Filters typically are associated with funk music.
I've played rock for years and hardly ever found a use for one, tbh.
Compressors are awesome, but you definitely don't need one for what you are after. Just my opinion.

My advice (considering your influences) -

1. Fuzz or Distortion or Overdrive of some type. Keep it simple. Big Muff / B:assmaster / Swollen Pickle / VT bass / SFT ... you know, something you've heard of and seen others use.

2. Octave or Synth. Look at your fav bands and see what they use...?
OC-2 / Micro Synth / Deep Impact / etc

3. Modulation of some sort. Delay / Chorus / Trem / etc.
Whatever type of sound you like the best, really. Start cheap, and go from there.


Hope that helps (even a little)
 
...suggesting tuners when he wants EFFECT PEDALS???
Respectfully...

A) That is not what he asked...go look at the thread title again. OK, that may be a technicality issue, but it does address the point

B) Apparently, a lot of us believe that a tuner is an essential pedal - I do, but that's just me

C) This question has already been asked and answered a few times on pages 1 and 2

D) As far as the VT Bass pedal itself goes; considering that the VT emulates an SVT stack, and considering that an SVT stack is part of THE defining tone of rock in general, a VT Bass pedal recommendation makes perfect sense in the context of his question, IMO
 
:hmm:
Classic rock and roll was pretty effect laden before tuner pedals even existed.
If you can hear pitch, then a tuner is not a necessary thing for rock and roll AT ALL. You just have to tune to each other.

Fuzz / distortion, however, pretty essential to rawk IMHO.
:bassist:
 
:hmm:
Classic rock and roll was pretty effect laden before tuner pedals even existed.
If you can hear pitch, then a tuner is not a necessary thing for rock and roll AT ALL. You just have to tune to each other.

Just because they weren't around in those days doesn't make them wrong. I'm sure if accurate pedal tuners were around back in the 50s and 60s people would have used them instead of holding tuning forks to their soundboards. Just as the Beatles would have used 32 track Protools recording if it was available instead of 4 track reel to reel.

People used what was at their disposal at the time. Sure some of that technology defined the era and the sound, but it shouldn't mean that we should be stuck in the past either when there's equipment out now that can't help capture the vibe and improve on it.
 
...Just as the Beatles would have used 32 track Protools recording if it was available...
Drifting towards the shoal of Off Topic to amplify this - George Martin and the band did everything they could in the studio to make Beatles albums as cutting-edge as possible, given the equipment at their disposal...one big reason why the band gave up touring was due to not being able to reproduce their music in a live venue situation.
 
This is what I play as well. I have had a whole plethora of pedals. These suggestions that I am making will meet the approximately $300.00 level you are asking for, and get you more than 3 pedals, if you buy used. I am keeping in mind that it seems you want bang for the buck, and not high end.

1) Tuner: Korg Pitchblack can be had $60.00 to $70.00 used.

2) Fuzz: I would go with the EHX Bass Big Muff. While the sound is not the quality of a green Russian Muff, it is close enough for horse shoes and hand grenades. It will attain a tone similar to the intro of "H". $55.00 to $60.00 used.

3) Bass friendly Distortion: MXR M-80 Bass DI+. This is a great "Swiss Army knife" of pedals. It is a DI (to run your signal to the FOH), a tone shaping machine, as well yielding as a decent wet + dry" sound (think Fear Factory). The MXR Blowtorch will do the same thing and more distortion wise, but is more one dimensional in functionality and runs off of 18v. . $75.00

4) Octaver: Using this in conjunction with a fuzz will help you get something similar to a Muse "Hysteria" tone a well as some other synthy stuff. Some here say to go with the Boss OC-2 and these can be had for around $50.00 used. I am not a fan of the buffered bypasses in Boss pedals and prefer true bypass (this is a highly debated topic, so use your ears to decide). so I would go with the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe. This will be about $110.00 and deplete the rest of the $300.00. But it is true bypass. Otherwise, if you do go with the Boss, get modulation. Skip the chorus for now, as for your genre a Flanger will be a better choice. Get the Boss BF-2 for about $40.00 to $50.00 (Think Tool, as the previous poster suggested) but you can also use this for other pseudo modulated effects.

After this, remember you still have patch cables to buy and a second cable, but this will get you 4-5 pedals that is effective for the styles you seem to like. I think power can be handled off the Pitchblack IIRC. For now, just build yourself a pedal board from some scrap lumber and Velcro your effects to it then throw it in an old suitcase or brief case for protection., or just buy a cheap board when you have a

There you go. Have fun!


I have an old multi-effects pedal but I'm looking to switch to boxes. I like hard rock (think Tool, Muse) and want to buy 3 pedals preferably around $100 each. I will likely hit Guitar Center, Sam Ash or Manny's in nyc today. Any advice?
 
for all the feedback.

I went in a different direction and threw down for the Line 6 M9 (built-in tuner! :) .)

I see boards with the M9 and other stompboxes/pedals so I may revisit this at some point.

Oh, and that old multi I have is a KORG AX30. That's right. not 3000. 30. I feel like I traded in a Datsun for a Porsche.
 
for all the feedback.

I went in a different direction and threw down for the Line 6 M9 (built-in tuner! :) .)

I see boards with the M9 and other stompboxes/pedals so I may revisit this at some point.

Oh, and that old multi I have is a KORG AX30. That's right. not 3000. 30. I feel like I traded in a Datsun for a Porsche.

Good choice :)

I still have a feeling that in a few years you'll come back and still want to try out individual stomp boxes. No worries though - we'll be right here. Waiting.

;)