Recommendations on first guitar FX pedal to get

[Nektheritos]

Heyo!

First post in TalkBass, here goes...

Basically I've been playing bass for around 8-9 years or so and finally want to get into the technical side of things, as such I was looking for an FX pedal (most likely multi FX), but was quickly overwhelmed.

The kind of music I play is varied, anything from rock/metal to funky vibes or Tool-esque weird-wobbly stuff.

I love Line 6 and was setting my eyes on a Bass Floor Pod, and noticed they where discontinued, although still found some for sale. Line 6 otherwise for bass-player seems a bit...slim unless I'd want to start shelling out 4-500 euros.

My current gear is a Behringer 900XLA Ultrabass and an ESP LTD F-405FM. Any recommendations are welcome!

 

[icecycle66]

Get the most expensive thing you can find with the most complicated use for only a very limited range of effects, once you figure it out the rest would be easy.

This comes to mind.
WMD - Geiger Counter Digital Destruction

 

[rr5025]

Fuzz (big muff) was my first pedal. Can't go wrong with fuzz.

If you like line 6 and want to go multi give the m9 or m5 a look. From what I've read the m9 seems to be pretty well liked here. I myself am considering picking up an m5 eventually.

 

[Crystalman85]

The line 6 processor would be a good choice for effects. since the bass floor pod has been discontinued, the line 6 pod x3 might be right up your alley. you can create a lot of unique sounds with this multi-effects processor. check out this clip.

POD X3 For Bass Guitar | Line 6 - YouTube

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

I hear great stuff about the modulation on the M series from Line6. For the most part not so much on the Dirt or Filters. I don't own one though and maybe people didn't get deep enough messing with the parameters. With that being said, I would prefer analog Dirt and Filters anyways.

 

[Nektheritos]

Thanks for all the replies guys!

I had a look and it seems that the X3 isn't produced anymore, thankfully not discontinued at least. Looking at the M5 and M9 and I might grab one of those actually, being a newb it -might- be easier for me to get a grip on just FX rather than to screw around with the cabs too.

 

[caeman]

The Line6 M5 seems like the perfect entry for you, then. You want something relatively simple to start out on, but still give you access to a plethora of functions. Once you've played with it for a while, you would then figure out what effects you need to run in addition and maybe buy in single pedal form. The M5 is one of those tools that could stay on your board for years.

 

[Paradox92]

I started out using a Boss CE-5 chorus ensemble pedal, and was awesome! Just a bit of a bias, but chorus is one of my favorite effects for bass! Depending on how you use it, you get a good, deep resonance with little transients put in when you sustain. But, after I knew that I needed to expand, about after a year of playing bass, I got a Boss ME-50B, which was my secret weapon for playing in the band I was in at the time. I stopped using it for a short period of time, bought some single stompboxes, and then realized the ME-50B was just as good, if not better, when you learn how to use it correctly. It has everything you basically need for any situation by itself, but I myself, am planning on incorporating a Boss ME70 into the chain to replace as many of the stompboxes as possible. Both of these are very user-friendly and sound GREAT through headphones. If you're looking for practical, I'd research the ME50B.

 

[scottfeldstein]

Allow me to play the devil's advocate.

Multi-effects units are like ordering chicken when you go out to eat: it's what you do when you don't know what you really want. Plus, they're like houseboats: not very good houses, and not very good boats.

Stay away from them.

Listen to your favorite bass sounds in your recorded music. Check out youtube for sound clips of different kinds of effects. Find an effect you like and would like to incorporate into your playing. It's not hard to decide if you do or don't like distortion or envelope filters. Just listen to them. Once you've found an effect type that you think is worthy...

Then do some more research. youtube (with headphones of course) is a good resource for listening. And also for thorough reviews of some different products available. Talkbass is, of course, an invaluable resource. Often you will get people to link you to well-known sources of reviews. This will allow you to pick a winner in the effect category you chose.

Buy it.

Use it.

Come back and discuss it with everyone else here.

Repeat this process for any other effect types you are interested in.

The end.

 

[madurolover]

I have a multi effects pedal but rarely use it. Go with the single pedals. I have a big muff and mxr envelope filter I use regularly. I am deciding if i want a chorus or octaver but the two are my primary. I have a looper but that just a worthless play toy.

 

[sillyfabe]

another BIG +1 from choosing single versus multi-effect pedals. my first pedal ever was a big ol 24V Q-Tron and that was fun but many many sales/trades/purchases later my board is done (took 4.5 years and settles on 18 pedals lol).

single effects are also fun as many have mods, can be mixed with other effects, usually ones made by the same company may have some "special way" of complimenting each other (i.e. 00Funk and Brown Dog) and overall single effects can be re-sold and retain good value (usually!)