Pedal Board Plans

Welcome to the addictive world of effects! This is where I got my start (for better or worse).

One thing your going to hear is effects are personal decisions. While there are bad effects....ones that don't seem to work right or are perceived as being unreliable, what you decide you like and use is an adventure and your decision.

It seems like the effects you are considering are reputable choices. The only comment I have relates to the VT Bass. I have one and I wouldn't classify it as "fuzz/distortion." The VT is really an amp modeling/tone shaping effect closer to the BDDI (but no DI). You won't get fuzz from a VT. You can get distortion from it but I still wouldn't put it in the category of a distortion effect. You may want to look through the VT thread. Many people (including myself) use the VT to add some tubey warmth to their sound, especially if they are using a SS amp. I think you'd be disappointed if you expect the VT to be a "fuzz/distortion" effect.

I hope this helps.....watch the GAS!!

 

VT and BDDI has been debated in the VT thread. My impression of the discussions is the VT "does tube" better than the BDDI. Does it make it worth having both is a personal decision.

It sounds like a DI is a requirement so that leaves you with two possible choices; (1) BDDI only or (2) VT with another DI.

You may also want to checkout an Aquilar Tone Hammer.....it has a DI....versus the VT/BDDI. It may provide you with the flexability your looking for.

Here is a link:

http://www.bestbassgear.com/aguilar-tone-hammer-preamp.htm

Can't help you with a delay.....no experience or knowledge to share....sorry!

 

For a delay, check out the Boss twin pedal delay (I forget the model number) but it's smaller in size than the Line 6 and it has some pretty nice effects for the money.

 

The model for the Boss delay is the DD-20.

 

True, but you said you would like more than one delay and the Boss has multiple user presets...otherwise I would check out a more boutique true-bypass delay (tons of them to choose from)

 

Go with the x2 for wireless. Right price, and the lesser evil of wireless. In my opinion, the boss dd-20 kills the DL-4. And, keep in mind that true bypass on delay kills the repeats or trails when the pedal is switched off..if that is a sound you dig. Also, with such a short chain of pedals you probably won't loose much tone. I personally think true bypass is over-hyped, especially on bass. In my experience signal loss is usually experienced in the top-end, which is less important to most bass players. Plus bass is delivering more signal on the front than most guitar pickups. Sorry to rant. BDDI is a great utility...you won't regret having it, even if your GAS leads you to other alternatives. Hope this helps. Welcome to an endless way to spend time and money!

 

Usually my first questions in these types of threads. are what kind of music the poster plays and what kinds of tones they wants is a big part of giving good advice. But it sounds like you have a good idea of what you want.

The X2 is a great wireless. I don't have a pitchblack but it seems very solid.

If you want fuzz, the Big Muff is a standard, but the new Bass Big Muff is worth checking out.
While I like Muff tones, the scooped sound is a bit much (and if the BDDI was on too you'd have major mid scoop) for me, plus it doesn't do really aggressive IMO. But it is a classic sounding, creamy fuzz that works well on bass.

As stated, the VT Bass to me is a pedal for getting tube tones out of a solid state amp and not a distortion.

The DL-4 is a cool unit, but it is bulky and built cheaply. If you are careful with gear, no problem. But if you are a stomper as I can be, the DL-4 may break on you.

The SansAmp is a great utility tool. Again, a dip in the mids (this can be mitigated somewhat by rolling back bass and treble and turning up the volume) but it's great as a DI and I've used it during recording, especially for split signal dirty/clean tone. It colors your tone a lot, but you can always roll the blend all the way off and use it as a straight DI.

 

No, if any pedal that is not true bypass looses power you are out of luck. Typically if my pedalboard looses power, my amp is gone as well. However, one can never be overly prepared...you can put your whole signal chain (other than wireless of course) into a true bypass loop (keeley makes a god one or loop-master.com). This way you have a passive (no power required) master bypass that removes all of your effects in case of a power loss, bad cable, etc.

p.s. I say lesser evil in reference to the way wireless units tend to kill tone. Nothing beats a physical connection, but the x2 is pretty awesome...best i've heard anyway.

 

Man how awesome would it be to have an x2 wireless ...unfortunately its illegal to use them in NZ because of the frequency/ies they use so you will have to rule that one out i'm afraid.

Pretty damn stink I know.

For a delay with 2 seperate delays and built in tap tempo have a look at a TC Electronic Nova Delay...oh and if you are in NZ and want boutique pedals....head to http://www.guitarpedals.co.nz John is the importer for a whole bunch of nice stuff and can get his hands on almost anything else

 

First why a wireless? I see no point.
Tuner: korg is fine so are boss and planet waves
Fuzz: big muff is a good place to start but there are manyyyyyy fuzzes. YOU MUST SEARCH INTILL YOUR EYES FALL OUT, ONLY THEN..........

Delay: I wuv Maxon's stuff.

DI: I have a Radial JDI and JDI duplex, I can't say enough good things about them.

 

+1 for the dd-20, i love mine, i'm usually quite uptight about pedals, into boutique, modded stuff, and i had a phase of everything having to be true bypass, but the dd-20 just kiils every other delay pedal out there i think, does loads of different types of delay, 23s of delay, and its even got a simple looping function, and i've never noiticed any tone loss from it not been true bypass, but they are kinda pricey, i paid £120 for mine 2'nd hand (not sure how many american buckaroos that is nowadays, i think its $180'ish)