Pedals or no pedals

[USAJO]

On guitar forums there are occasionally threads where players almost defiantly boast they go guitar, cord, amp. They don’t need or desire no stinking pedals.

Do you use pedal(s) playing bass?

I would guess the percentage of guitarist who use pedals is in the high 90’s.

What percentage of bass players would you guess use them?

I’d guess it would be lower. Maybe 70% or less?

What do you think?

If pedals are a big part of your sound does that make the amp you use a little less significant?

 

[WayneP]

I get the impression from this forum that pedals are pretty popular these days. I assume the percentage is not nearly as high as guitar players, but I’d be surprised if it’s as high as 70%.

You could have opened this thread as a poll. Not sure if it can be changed after the fact.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

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[USAJO]

I get the impression from this forum that pedals are pretty popular these days. I assume the percentage is not nearly as high as guitar players, but I’d be surprised if it’s as high as 70%.

You could have opened this thread as a poll. Not sure if it can be changed after the fact.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

Ok poll added. Thanks

 

[agedhorse]

It depends on what exactly you are trying to achieve.

 

[GrowlerBox]

It depends on what exactly you are trying to achieve.

This. Depending on the situation, it could be anything from bass into small combo, maybe a nice analogue delay, all the way through to 20 pedals into a tube or solid state amp and two cabs. Usually, I have compressor, boost/mild OD, (real) spring reverb, delay and HPF, but it’s nice to have options .

 

[USAJO]

It depends on what exactly you are trying to achieve.

I’ll consider sometimes as a yes. If you never use pedals that will be a no.

 

[Redbrangus]

I presume you intend for this to mean effects pedals, compressors, or some other sort of signal processers. I use a tuner that IS a pedal, but I don't consider it a pedal, as such. In fact, I don't even have it on the floor. So no -- no pedals... and don't need an ashtray either.

 

[USAJO]

I presume you intend for this to mean effects pedals, compressors, or some other sort of signal processers. I use a tuner that IS a pedal, but I don't consider it a pedal, as such. In fact, I don't even have it on the floor. So no -- no pedals... and don't need an ashtray either.

You are correct. For this poll I wouldn’t consider a tuner only pedal as a pedal.

I’m assuming people know the “ashtray” is a Steve Martin reference.

 

[FretRiff]

On guitar forums there are occasionally threads where players almost defiantly boast they go guitar, cord, amp. They don’t need or desire no stinking pedals.

Which is uncommon. In most popular music today guitarists use effects pedals, most bassists use effects pedals, some synth players use them, some drummers use effects (eg bitcrushing or distortion on tom or snare hits) as well as sampling pads.

It's uncommon mostly in jazz, classical, folk, and traditional country music (but even there you'll still see EQing and light compression).

Everywhere else it's been normalized for literally decades for tone shaping and textures and movement.

Every so often I'll stumble across an older post here from someone who says they've played for decades without a pedal... and they are considering getting a compressor, lol.

 

[Michedelic]

On guitar forums there are occasionally threads where players almost defiantly boast they go guitar, cord, amp. They don’t need or desire no stinking pedals.

Do you use pedal(s) playing bass?

I would guess the percentage of guitarist who use pedals is in the high 90’s.

What percentage of bass players would you guess use them?

I’d guess it would be lower. Maybe 70% or less?

What do you think?

If pedals are a big part of your sound does that make the amp you use a little less significant?

It’s curious that you posed this question in the Amps and Cabs forum as opposed to the dedicated Effects forum.

 

[USAJO]

It’s curious that you posed this question in the Amps and Cabs forum as opposed to the dedicated Effects forum.

I think it’s because I’ve been ultra focused on whether I should sell my current amp seeking the “holy grail” when in fact the pedal I’m using might make the amp less significant.

Maybe another poll could easily be what shapes your sound more? Pedals or your amp and cab.

 

[Michedelic]

I think it’s because I’ve been ultra focused on whether I should sell my current amp seeking the “holy grail” when in fact the pedal I’m using might make the amp less significant.

Maybe another poll could easily be what shapes your sound more? Pedals or your amp and cab.

The only pedal(s) that might improve an amp are the EQ variety. Beyond that, pedals(the effects kind)are there to enhance your sound, give it some flavours, not make up for any deficiencies of your amplification. I’ve been using pedals on bass since the late 70’s, before there were any specifically for the bass range.

 

[USAJO]

The only pedal(s) that might improve an amp are the EQ variety. Beyond that, pedals(the effects kind)are there to enhance your sound, give it some flavours, not make up for any deficiencies of your amplification. I’ve been using pedals on bass since the late 70’s, before there were any specifically for the bass range.

Well you certainly have experience and knowledge far, far beyond me.

What I’m trying to understand is this.

I have a Mesa D800+ and run my bass through an Ampeg SGTDI. The settings on both the Preamp and SGT on the pedal are set relatively low. 9:00 on SGT and 11:00 on Preamp. Still the pedal significantly affects the tone.

Would switching from the D800+ to the new 800D or a Bergantino or an Aguilar really have that much of an affect on the tone? Is the SGTDI a bigger factor in overall tone than the amp head as I’m using it. I leave the pedal on at all times. No other effects.

I don’t believe I would use a pedal with an SVT head for my purposes but with a Class D head it seems necessary for me.

I just can’t be moving an SVT at this point of my life.

 

[WG Plum]

Pedals are definitely part of my chain.

 

[GrowlerBox]

It’s curious that you posed this question in the Amps and Cabs forum as opposed to the dedicated Effects forum.

Because it potentially encourages generalised anti-effects comments, which are against the rules of that forum and tend to result in thread closures, bannings, floggings and summary exucutions. All thoroughly deserved, of course .

 

[cataract]

Pedals!

 

[Nuisance]

I find I can not live without a compressor. Everything else is optional.

Probably due to my sloppy-assed technique.

 

[MovingPitchers]

It's like a burger. Pedals and effects are the fries, ketchup, or whatnot. Can you have a burger by itself and have it taste good? Sure! Would sides and such be also a bonus? Sure!

Tuner, compressor, and an overdrive pedal would be all I needed. Micro Synth, octave, chorus, whatever, are all optional.

 

[Nuisance]

Well you certainly have experience and knowledge far, far beyond me.

What I’m trying to understand is this.

I have a Mesa D800+ and run my bass through an Ampeg SGTDI. The settings on both the Preamp and SGT on the pedal are set relatively low. 9:00 on SGT and 11:00 on Preamp. Still the pedal significantly affects the tone.

Would switching from the D800+ to the new 800D or a Bergantino or an Aguilar really have that much of an affect on the tone? Is the SGTDI a bigger factor in overall tone than the amp head as I’m using it. I leave the pedal on at all times. No other effects.

I don’t believe I would use a pedal with an SVT head for my purposes but with a Class D head it seems necessary for me.

I just can’t be moving an SVT at this point of my life.

Do what sounds right to YOUR ears. A little (or a lot of) dirt is heaven to some people......to others, not so much.

 

[NickyBass]

I use pedals, but no amp. We are all on in ears and I’ve never been happier with the tone and the mix.
And bonus thread points for referencing The Jerk.