Pedal Advice

[MusicGeek]

Right now, I have a chorus and wah pedals, I have no pedal board and a small gig. I want expand and I need to know what to get next. Flanger, phaser, octaver, looper, overdrive, distortion. IT'S MAKING MY HEAD SPIN!!!! PLEASE HELP ME OUT. Thanks guys.

 

[kenstee]

1. What type of music do you primarily play?
2. What sounds do you like?
3. What sounds would you like to play but can't get with your current set-up?

 

[not_jason]

Often times, less is more. I'd advise against adding pedals for the sake of adding pedals.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

I would suggest an octave or a distortion/fuzz/overdrive only because they are effect types that are the farthest from what you already have. You can see how they make you feel and then fine tune your search from there.

You're in for a long trip, though. Stuff you think you want will prove to be stuff you don't want. Stuff you don't want now will be exactly what you are looking for in the future. Keep an open mind to the possibilities of what a pedal can do.

 

[MatticusMania]

Wait until you find a pedal that moves you... then buy it.

 

[donut]

I want expand and I need to know what to get next.

Unfortunately no-one can tell you that.

Answering kenstee's questions will give you a much better idea. Once you know what type of effect then others can be more help, especially if you're after a certain tone.

 

[Jake of Bass]

+1 to the overdrive/distortion/fuzz. Those types of effects work really well with the ones you already have, and (for me at least) you can use them a lot, with varying degrees of effect (eg. just a touch of overdrive to give your tone a bit of bite, or full blown distortion).

 

[kenstee]

Distortion/Fuzz and OD are useless.......

unless that's what you want tone/sound-wise.

 

[kevteop]

Distortion/Fuzz and OD are useless.......

unless that's what you want tone/sound-wise.

The voice of reason insists on being heard.

TBH adding dirt to your bass sound is probably the most difficult thing to do, given that it usually puts you into contention for the same frequencies as the guitarist(s). I only use fuzz if there's no dirt on the guitars at all.

 

[tracer03]

1. What type of music do you primarily play?
2. What sounds do you like?
3. What sounds would you like to play but can't get with your current set-up?

+1.

Although I think chorus sounds good on bass for everything except metal. For me, my chorus pedal was the 'gateway drug' to fx madness......

 

[K2000]

Often times, less is more. I'd advise against adding pedals for the sake of adding pedals.

I agree. There's a difference between using pedals because that's "your sound" and just adding a bunch of effects, which can sound gimmicky or cheesey. Effects are fun but they have to be used with a definite purpose IMO.

Maybe if you're a new player (or new to the whole idea of effects) and just want to try some things and experiment, I can understand that completely. This might sound odd, but you might try buying an inexpensive multi-effects pedal, which will give you access to the majority of effects categories. It's a relatively easy and cheap way to dip your toe in the water and try different things. Buy used gear if possible, you get more bang for your buck (I always say that). the TalkBass classifieds are great for finding gear.

If you want somebody to recommend the next single pedal purchase for you, I really couldn't tell ya'. It depends on a million things.

 

[Crystalman85]

+1.

Although I think chorus sounds good on bass for everything except metal. For me, my chorus pedal was the 'gateway drug' to fx madness......

That's not true. chorus can sound good on bass for metal. especially progressive metal. I knew two guys who played in progressive metal bands who uses chorus effects on bass and they sounds awesome. I play groove metal and I use chorus effects all the time. especially when I combine it with distortion with it. it gives me a grungy but heavy sound.

 

[René_Julien]

That's not true. chorus can sound good on bass for metal. especially progressive metal. I knew two guys who played in progressive metal bands who uses chorus effects on bass and they sounds awesome. I play groove metal and I use chorus effects all the time. especially when I combine it with distortion with it. it gives me a grungy but heavy sound.

A case of "to each their own".

I play (progressive) metal, and I don't like chorus on bass in the band setting.
I much prefer a mellow tremolo or leslie-simulator as alternative to chorus, for better definition of the notes.
I love an over-the-top chorus on guitar in metal though.


Although at home I play around with a CE-5 on bass when in the mood.


And off course a lot of metal bands from the 80s used chorus on bass.
Actually, that whole decade was an overdose of chorus.

 

[Jazz Ad]

If you don't know what to get you likely don't need anything.

 

[champbassist]

A case of "to each their own".

I play (progressive) metal, and I don't like chorus on bass in the band setting.

John Myung uses chorus live. The fact that it's hardly recognizable is a totally different matter

I much prefer a mellow tremolo or leslie-simulator as alternative to chorus, for better definition of the notes.

Gotta agree with that.

I don't think this thread can go too far forward unless we know what kind of music the TS plays.

 

[MusicGeek]

1. What type of music do you primarily play?
2. What sounds do you like?
3. What sounds would you like to play but can't get with your current set-up?

I prefer 70's classic rock but right now am playing in a folk/bluegrass group. I still am looking for rock-orientated pedals though.

 

[MusicGeek]

+1 to the overdrive/distortion/fuzz. Those types of effects work really well with the ones you already have, and (for me at least) you can use them a lot, with varying degrees of effect (eg. just a touch of overdrive to give your tone a bit of bite, or full blown distortion).

I do have a built-in OD on the GK gig I'm using now. I know there are some key tonal differences in OD and other distortions. Anyway, I get the general feel of grundge.

 

[BioDriver]

Wait until you find a pedal that moves you... then buy it.

+64512095620398723756^4

Go to a music store and try out the pedals they have there. Ask yourself if the sounds you get from it could be used for the style of music you play.

As for your pedalboard issue, buy this, some velcro, and spraypaint. I spent about $20 total to make mine.

 

[Holy War]

+64512095620398723756^4

Go to a music store and try out the pedals they have there. Ask yourself if the sounds you get from it could be used for the style of music you play.

As for your pedalboard issue, buy this, some velcro, and spraypaint. I spent about $20 total to make mine.

Ikea for the win! Wow, I may invest in one of those and start a fun little project

 

[Crystalman85]

A case of "to each their own".

I play (progressive) metal, and I don't like chorus on bass in the band setting.
I much prefer a mellow tremolo or leslie-simulator as alternative to chorus, for better definition of the notes.
I love an over-the-top chorus on guitar in metal though.


Although at home I play around with a CE-5 on bass when in the mood.


And off course a lot of metal bands from the 80s used chorus on bass.
Actually, that whole decade was an overdose of chorus.

That's cool. I'm a big fan of chorus effects on guitar and bass. I definitely like a lush chorus sound on bass. it really adds color to my sound.