Pedals or no pedals

[Deleted member 409773]

I play in a progressive metalcore band, so Darkglass pedals are a must (in my case a Microtubes X Ultra), but for that articulate sound specific to the genre, a compressor is also a must.

After all, in most concerts I only carry the pedalboard, generally the stages these days are ampless/silent. So it's normal that pedals are more important than amplification (in my case!), considering that in the last two years my amplification hasn't left the rehearsal room.

Even for recordings I use the Cali76 compressor and Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra with Nolly Mega Meld ir, sometimes Origin SV or DCX thrown in for some parts of the songs. Everything I recorded with the band, but also for other projects/artists, was direct to console, without amplification, but definitely using (at least) a compressor and a preamp/DI.

 

[Mytola]

Yes, it's really my whole rig. Bass - Anagram - PA. I really like some dirt and I love to play around with other effects too. And I need a tuner, HPF and compressor as well, so I wouldn't be happy without some sort of pedal setup.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I don't care about the pedal thing... I came here for carrots. And there were none. Foiled again.

 

[Hyoga]

I do not own an amp (or rather, just a small one). It's rental studio for practice and whatever is available at the live house. And since I usually play covers, I need some stuff. Dirt for Gojira. Chorus for Guns N Roses. Added a tuner/mute pedal. Not a lot of things though, and nothing sophisticated.

 

[WaldoNova]

It's been touched upon but it is definitely situationally dependant.

99% of my performances are on a silent stage at church using IEM exclusively. Our sound engineers are mostly volunteers. Some are very good, others?, not so much. So to get a good sound I need at least a HPF, compression, some sort of DI, Additional EQ to get an amp like tone in my ears and, of course, a tuner. This provides a starting ground so the more amateur SE's can just turn the volume up and down as they see fit.

With silent stages becoming more popular the need for pedals has grown. I have no idea what sort of % of bassist need to use pedals but most in my situation do.

Style of music is also a huge factor. Straight up Jazz? Probably no need for pedals. Praise and worship? It's become more normal using Fuzz, synth and various distortions, modulation and even delay.

If you have no need for pedals it's probably a plus since you're most likely lugging around an amp and a cab already.

 

[Deleted member 409773]

I don't care about the pedal thing... I came here for carrots. And there were none. Foiled again.

Fake poll, no carrots option!

 

[jimmydean]

I go both ways (wink,wink) it depends on the acoustics of the venue and the bass I use .

 

[6thplanet]

Never been a pedal guy. I have awesome amp and cab/s. I let the guitarist do all the tap dancing.

 

[Medicine Man]

So I play in a couple acts. One is classic rock and country and I would be fine with just a cable. I still typically run a comp and hpf. My other act needs effects big time. Overdrive, filters, synth stuff are all on the menu to cover the more pop leaning stuff. The first 30 years I played I never used a pedal, because I played a ton of originals, blues and rock that didn't need it. That being said, I have the best sound I've ever had now, and using utility pedals is a big contributor. I played a gig last year where I had to cannibalize my pedalboard to fix my lead guitarist's board and run straight into my amp. It was fine, but not as good as with my board.

 

[2saddleslab]

Amps get me in the ballpark, pedals get me to home plate.

 

[HolmeBass]

I use pedals, including an always on compressor.

This does not diminish the importance of the amp or speaker cabinets.

Each link in the signal chain is important and contributes to the overall sound.

 

[sheesh]

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.

most guitar players I have encountered mess around with pedals constantly - EXCEPT my high school friend who loved his two channel boogie - no pedals

Do you use pedal(s) playing bass?

sometimes when I need an effect

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

who knows?

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?

sometimes I like to play my P bass direct into my PJB suitcase
sometimes I like to play with a lot of pedals.

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

um, power amp? every pre-amp has it's own sound. You use pedals to shape sound. some amps allow you to jump ahead of the pre-amp (I have the Quilter 800 and you can plug your pedal pre-amp in the back and skip the Quilter shaper.) I have various pre-ampie pedals to get different sounds.

You active guys - you are carrying/hiding your pedal in your bass

ha ha

 

[KevInDaBassment]

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.

Great, now I already know what I'm getting for lunch

I agree with this example though. Stale bun and cruddy, bland meat is probably going to ruin everything. Condiments and veggies might help mask it some, but the core has to be good. After that, the extras (and some nice, crispy fries) just enrich something that's already good. One of the reasons I like GK RB heads so much is how well they take effects.

Running a preamp into the front end of an amp isn't something I typically do....if I want that kind of coloration, I'll put it into the effects return of the amp or straight to the mixing board. I mention this only because that's specifically stated by the OP.

 

[ryco]

Not so much anymore. Used them a lot '80-90s = compressor, chorus, distorion, envelope, and flanger; but one by one tossed 'em.
Still have 'em; just never use 'em on stage anymore, though for fun play 'em every once in a while in the practice room.

Have nothing against them, nor judge the peeps that use them. To each their own.

 

[Passinwind]

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!

But if you start with a great steak do you really want to ruin it with ketchup?

So as always, it just depends. For a few decades I used lots of effects, but mostly in rack mounted form. I currently dabble in designing and building pedals, but almost never have a reason to use them on bass, beyond a tuner. If a compelling reason to do so presented itself I would act accordingly though, of course.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

No pedals.
I like the sound of my Ampeg just fine.
I did use a little blue mxr eq pedal in the 70s, because....Gibson.

 

[Zooberwerx]

But if you start with a great steak do you really want to ruin it with ketchup?

So as always, it just depends. For a few decades I used lots of effects, but mostly in rack mounted form. I currently dabble in designing and building pedals, but almost never have a reason to use them on bass, beyond a tuner. If a compelling reason to do so presented itself I would act accordingly though, of course.

I'm from Pittsburgh (Heinz)...what's your problem with ketchup?!? The "57" is even better. Running gag: Heinz condiments exist solely because, if confronted with a decent cut of beef, they wouldn't know what to do with it.

Riis

 

[JimChjones]

There are pedals and pedals though. Most of the time I just play through an HPF, but there's one tune in the bands repertoire that I'll use distortion for, although we don't often play it. But both of those treatments could be available without pedals if I used a different amp. To my mind there's little difference between using tone and level controls on a preamp to those on an amp,

There's a kind of gradation I suppose. On one extreme the very basic sound modification like HPF, tone, gain, which for a lot of people is in their amps anyway, through moderate compression all of which are sort of basic to reproducing electric instruments, and don't really do anything a mythical perfect amp wouldn't do, but beyond that you've got the kit that radically changes the sound, delay, modulation, envelope, synths and a world of others.

Maybe the poll should have three divisions, because I, at least, don't think my normal rig with just an HPF is really what you are looking for as a yes.

 

[Dave W]

I run some light compression and occasionally kick on an EQ, octave, or overdrive. I also have my tuner and wireless on my board.

 

[Scarysharkface]

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?

I own pedals and mess around with them at home, but on gigs I usually just plug straight in.

John