What are your essential pedals?

[superheavyfunk]

Hardly anybody ever says it but other than my compressor (which is more on the utility side of things, rather than being an 'effect'), the pedal that gets used the most is my chorus pedal... It fits in so many places, genres, etc. If I could only keep one effect, it would probably be that.

 

[Neko]

Agreed, choruses are great, but not absolutelly essential to me.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Essential is a strong word... none are essential (even the tuner)
BTW my Berg B|Amp has HPF and LPF in it, and a tuner. That tuner is ok, but rather one on a board I can see on stage in the dark. But this goes with me.

Tuner, MarkBass compressore (I like the tube), Ashdown Octave / Distort, and Tech 21 Boost Chorus

Also started playin around with this.. DigiTech Bass Whammy - fun, but not at all necessary.

 

[srbbass]

Compressor (Cali), tuner (way old Seiko analog), and Tonebone for EQ, HPF, DI, mute, boost, effects sends (to TC electronics multi-effects). Loopstation just for fun. Love my Eventide power supply too since I need 9v, 12v, 15v and 18v.

 

[superheavyfunk]

and a HPF (currently using an HX effects for this).

that's a bit overkill for an HPF, isn't it?

Agreed, choruses are great, but not absolutelly essential to me.

nice name!

 

[RustyAxe]

Pretty much depends on what you're playing. I play country, blues, jazz, and anything more than a tuner pedal is overkill. But in other genres anything goes.

 

[G On Bass]

Ampeg Scrambler
Ibanez PD7 Phat-Hed

These 2 are always on the board.

 

[Neko]

Dont you find the scrambler is a bit short gainwise? I tryed one and I just get a tiny overdrive like a ts type on the lowest setting.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Been a meat and potatoes player my whole life. Meaning, I've never really used any pedals, but now that I'm digging deeper into bass, I'm wondering what pedals are essential outside of a tuner.

What do you all use and suggest? Pics of your fancy toys are a plus!

 

[405BassGuy]

I'm a little embarrassed to say that other than using a small amount of chorus (on select songs only), it's great for tuning the bass and muting the volume.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Essential genres:

*Character / preamp / OD. I count 5 in the pic.

*Tuner. 4 different options.

*Compressor. I see 5.

*DI. Total of 4...one is well-hidden. Take a guess!

Optional:

*HPF/LPF. Normally, I'd consider it essential but I use 2 preamp pedals (EBS MB 3, dUg) independently as "fly-rigs"...neither have HPF option.

*FX (modulation, delay, etc). Matter of taste. The Zoom MS60B and Digitech Chorus cover the bases when required.

 

[REV]

EBS compressor. Except for upright gigs then it's a Fishman Platinum pre.

 

[afroman]

I agree that nothing, besides the tuner, is a must. But I have two pedals that will always stay with me and I feel they are part of my tone:

Xotic RC bass booster
Demeter compulator compressor

 

[Pings Bass]

Nothing essential, i.e. I'm happy to plug right into the board or an amp, but my newish doubling board is a line switcher, HPF pre and a tuner. The HPF is the closest I've got to essential.

 

[smogg]

For me the main ones are tuner > dirt > chorus.

 

[klokker]

Not necessary........but always on and always enjoyed.

 

[BaltBass5]

Over the years I’ve carved it down to needing nothing more than a light dirt, heavy dirt and comp.

Staple for the past couple of years is all Darkglass: B3K, Omicron and Hyperluminal.

HOF: Way Huge Porkloin and Aphex 1404.

 

[FutureTense]

I have an always-on MBD-1. That'd probably be the one I always carry (after the tuner).

 

[sawzalot]

Ultimately all I *need* is my bass and an amp or DI box. But my IEM gig board has a wireless, tuner, compressor, octaver, digital delay, and a Mesa subway preamp. Of those, I’d treat the compressor and preamp as the core elements of my bass sound. The tuner I can substitute with a headstock tuner and the others are more or less nice to have but not essential.

 

[jdh3000]

Been a meat and potatoes player my whole life. Meaning, I've never really used any pedals, but now that I'm digging deeper into bass, I'm wondering what pedals are essential outside of a tuner.

What do you all use and suggest? Pics of your fancy toys are a plus!

Empress ParaEq. It really helps with seeking out trouble frequencies to boost or cut.