I've experimented quite a bit and this is what I have come up with. It's subject to my taste and needs, but they probably line up with a good general use setup. Sorry the post is so long...
Tuner -
Of your choice. Just needs to be quiet and accurate. I like the TC Polytune
TC Electronic | Series | POLYTUNE SERIES
They all work, so pick one that you like...
SFX Thumpinator -
[sfx] sfx sound: micro-Thumpinator v2
It throws away super low freqs that especially smaller speakers can't really use anyway. Makes for a more efficient signal. For me a must have for 5 string, and still doesn't hurt anything and actually helps with a 4. Also has a buffer, which improves the quality of your signal if you have a longer cable run from your pedal board.
There is also a strong following for the Broughton HPF(high pass filter) which is adjustable. I like that the Thumpinator has no knobs, so I picked that one...
Broughton LPF (low pass filter) -
Low Pass Filter | Broughton Audio
Will erase string noise, acts as a cab sim, basically does what a HPF does, but with higher frequencies. Using a HPF and a LPF together will give you autonomy to chop off the extreme end of both ends of your audio frequency range. Broughton also makes a HPF+LPF that folks like around here:
Low + High Pass Filter | Broughton Audio
I had one for a while, and like my Thumpinator + Broughton LPF setup better...
Some kind of clean boost -
This will give your signal something you may not have known was missing. I currently have a TC Spectra-Drive.
TC Electronic | Product | SPECTRADRIVE
If you look at the two white colored knobs on it; TUBEDRIVE and a SPECTRACOMP are set up so you can load several different versions of DRIVE (overdrive, dirt, essentially makes your tone break up).
as well as several different versions of COMP (compression, makes your quiet playing louder and your loud playing quieter). You can load them onto the pedal using a smartphone app or plug into your PC via USB.
I have a clean boost loaded onto my DRIVE. It can break up, but I usually have it between 9 and 11 o'clock, so you don't get a whole lot of that the way I use it.
The way both of these knobs work is almost like a wet-dry, but not precisely. Short story turning clockwise gets you more of the effect and to the left gets you less. If you turn it all the way to the left turns the effect off.
You also get a really musical 4 band EQ and input/output volume. PLUS headphone out and AUX in for ampless practice. This pedal also has a built in buffer. To my knowledge you can't turn it off, but it in no way interferes with the buffer in my Thumpinator.
I also have a Keeley Bassist Compressor and Tech 21 Para DI that I swap out for the Spectra Drive from time to time. - Sometimes I get tired of my tone and like to shake things up a bit. Both the Spectra Drive and the Para Drive have a quality and quiet DI out with ground lift. If you need to provide a signal to the mixing desk, you're all set.
Bassist Compressor - Robert Keeley
It's a good little compressor that is simple and sounds great. If you look at compressors, there are a bunch that have all kinds of knobs. Great if you know exactly what you want and need all that finite adjustability to get there. I know less, and also like things simple. On the Keeley Bassist, every missing knob amounts to a setting that is taken care of automatically. - Also, if you want, you can turn the compressor part off completely and just use the gain knob as a clean boost. It's a very good utility pedal.
Invalid Link Removed
This is another good utility pedal. It has a 3 band EQ, built in drive that you can dial back with a blend knob if you want. Also has a mid-range frequency control so that you can decide what mid-range frequency you want to boost or cut. Also, the Para-DI has "air" and "rumble" buttons that function pretty much as a HPF and LPF. They are not adjustable and in my opinion kinda like a broken wrist watch; right twice a day...So, if musically they fit the bill, great, but if not, that's kinda how it goes. - When I use my Para Driver, I leave both of those disengaged and just stick to what my Thumpinator LPF combo does...
Whether I play straight into FOH, or with an amp, I use this setup. I like the EQ section in both DI pedals very much, so I leave my amp flat (no eq, everything straight up), and adjust my tone with the DI pedal. This post was arranged in my signal path order; the tuner was first, so it's first in the lineup, then the thumpinator, etc...
An honorable mention goes to the MXR M81 and the ZOOM MS60B.
MXR® BASS PREAMP - Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
I don't have one right now, but that is a fine pedal as well. I've had one in the past and it works well.
MS-60B MultiStomp Bass Pedal | ZOOM (zoomcorp.com)
I don't have this one either atm. It was fun, but didn't have anything I found that useful. I'm a clean player, so I ended up selling mine after it collected enough dust...
If you want to experiment with phasers, flanges, octavers, etc. This is a great bang for the buck. It's a kitchen sink pedal that also includes a tuner. Some people complain that the digital representation of the pedal is a little paler than the genuine article, but as far as just having something around that will get you "close enough", It can't be beat. I've read several posts where people have "that one song that needs X"... This is outstanding in that capacity.
Hope this helps!
