Utility vs Effect

[minddrain]

Having ordered two more pedals to, hopefully for a while, complete my setup. I am looking at pedal types:

Utility:
Compressor
Noise Gate
Parametric EQ
Boost

Effect:
Fuzzz
Chorus
Delay
Reverb

It seems I am putting in as much shaping my tone as effecting it. In fact the effects are more situational then the utility pedals. What do you use more?

 

[Frodolicious]

I definitely use effects rather than utility pedals. I prefer addressing any tone issues with my bass and amp. It makes my set ups so much easier and less to worry about!

 

[Nephilymbass]

Having ordered two more pedals to, hopefully for a while, complete my setup. I am looking at pedal types:

Utility:
Compressor
Noise Gate
Parametric EQ
Boost

Effect:
Fuzzz
Chorus
Delay
Reverb

It seems I am putting in as much shaping my tone as effecting it. In fact the effects are more situational then the utility pedals. What do you use more?

Lately 2/3rds effects 1/3rd utility. And the math to figure that out was super easy

 

[Swimming Bird]

Yeah, the more electronics you have to use to get to your base tone, the harder it is to sound good consistently. I fell into this trap of using a comp, a dirt and a noise gate to make a slightly grindy sound... Ultimately I turned them all off and the bass felt way more present and alive. Definitely prefer situational, not subtle effects.

 

[jthisdell]

Most of my pedals are for tone shaping and I use them a lot more than my effect pedals.

 

[Goatrope]

Utility most. Comp always on. Clean boost and/ or EQ brought in if I grab a bass that needs extra help. Effects are dependent on song choice, or “situational” as the OP put it.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I'm not sure I agree that EQ, Boost, and Comp are utility. I guess it depends on how you use them.

 

[Bassmike62]

Out of the 11 pedals on my board, 6 are utes. The only always-on effect is the VT, I use the other ones depending in the song.

 

[Goatrope]

I'm not sure I agree that EQ, Boost, and Comp are utility. I guess it depends on how you use them.

Understood, but in the context of this thread, they are, since the OP set the definitions.

 

[JRA]

i use pedals so infrequently (will i pack these or not? naaah...) that i have to consider all of them as "effect." on my small board of six pedals: the utility pedals (2) are to compensate the effect pedals (3)...so if i don't want the efx i won't need the "utility." (i usually run a cable from my ax to my amp and call it a day.)

 

[cosmicevan]

85% effect. I play experimental electronic improv so alone or w others I am heavey on shaping more than just a bass tone.

 

[LazarusOrange]

For me, 2 utility (compressor and preamp, almost always on) 2 effect (overdrive and flanger, song dependent). It's for a metal band so just keeping it simple.