What pedals do I need?

[interp]

For the better part of 50 years I steadfastly refused to use any pedals, but in the last few months I have become an adherent of the following three and use them all the time: tuner, HPF and compressor. The HPF and compressor are basically on all the time.
I might consider a bass chorus pedal and possibly a delay pedal in the future.

 

[bearhart74]

Need? None.
Want? All.

 

[bobdabilder]

One of each

just wondering what pedals people think are a necessity for any bassist?

 

[Ghook]

I like the Zoom B1. Most of the effects are pretty useless to me but the EQ and Compression allows me to get a big sound out of my small practice amp. I also like the drum tracks and looper ( for experimenting with layered bass lines) . On top of all that. ...inexpensive, $60.

 

[bluepeep]

For the Holidays. I'm getting a MX Compressor, a Plug in tuner instead of the clip on that Kills me when the band won't shut up.... and I borrowed a tech 21 VT pedal... Gonna play around with those for a while and see what I think!!!!

 

[Freight Train]

Just in my opinion you don't NEED any pedals. Again in my opinion, what you do need is #1 good technique, #2 a good bass and #2a a good amp. Beyond that it's a matter of what do you want, not what do you need. It's been over 20 years since I've used any pedals and I've gigged regularly in classic rock cover bands, heavy rock original bands and blues bands. Nothing against guys who live and die by the pedal, just saying I've worked steady for over 20 years without them. My strong belief is nothing can beat the sound of a good bass plugged directly into a good amp. Also that for every piece of electronics you put between your bass and amp you will gain something and you will lose something. You'll gain whatever effect the pedal offers, if you think you want that, and you will lose a little punch and definition. That's just from my experience, many will strongly disagree.

 

[logdrum]

I have a preamp with a built in compressor and HPF, A wah and envelope filter and a TC electronics G-Major that's housed in the rack where the compressor sits and it has reverb , delays and many fun effects.

But lately I am carrying the Eventide H9, a small tube pre which also has an HPF and an expression volume pedal. Most of my gig and jam playing involves doubling with an upright and slab

 

[Nunovsky]

I haven't read all of the comments above but like usual they divide among those that say that you don't need pedals and those that say the oposite and sugest this or that piece of gear.
In my opinion, first you should ask yourself why do you need pedals? Are you not satisfied with your sound? Do you want to play certain songs that use effects? Do you have bass references that use effects? Do you just want to experiment?
You should first make your mind on what type of sound you want to get of your bass and then think if you need pedals to achieve that and what kind of pedals will take you there.
Pedals can be a true rabbit hole and you can spend a lot of money chasing after a certain sound, so it's better to make your mind first about what you're aiming to achieve sonically than just start spending money on sugestions that some guys told you would sound great on bass just to find out that you don't like them or that it's unusable in your current musical project.
Just my 2 cents...

 

[LoTone]

In that order for me, all optional as mentioned before.

1. Tuner
2. Compressor
3. Low/High pass filter
4. Chorus
5. Octaver
6. Envelope filter

 

[jwr]

This is a loaded question that can't properly be answered. No one can tell you what you need. You've got to decide that for yourself.

If you have to ask, you probably don't need anything.

Now, I could recommend a whole mess of fun pedals that sound good but it's pointless at this point.

 

[Lowbrow]

Tuner

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Three ring modulators, minimum.

 

[ciaran_hughes]

Three ring modulators, minimum.

I will have to google that haha

 

[dxb]

I will have to google that haha

You need three because you'll smash the first two of out of frustration.

 

[Two-Spirit]

My last pedalboard was; Pigtronix Bass Fat Drive, Aguilar TLC Compression, MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe, MXR Bass Octave Deluxe, MXR Bass Envelope filter. I also had a Pigtronix compression, it sounded good with the Bass Fat Drive. The TLC made my amp sound hifi. I don't plan on getting another compressor or envelope filter.

 

[GrapeBass]

Honestly, you don't need ANY pedals. IMHO Tuners do not count nor do stand alone DIs (most amps today provide a good DI output).

BUT (lots o'butts here - LOL)
IME Most of the aural qualities of the effects are lost when playing with a full band so you would use them sparingly. Some like to use an always on fuzz/od but I find that too fatiguing, it also overloads the mix with a barrage of sound if you're playing with a full band. I like to play in the pocket and leave some space for guitars, keys and drums.

There maybe a call for 'special' effects in certain songs or for soloing or if you're playing in a hipster new space band.

 

[lowplaces]

Hi Lowplaces! I have a Fender Rumble 100.

Are you going to tell me it has a built in compressor? I did have a look online at the spec but couldn’t see anything.

Well, it does have a built-in circuit called the Delta comp. It's explained in the manual if you want to download it or dig out your hard copy.
https://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Original/10002/237030_bamp_manual_all_revA.pdf

For a solid-state amp such as yours I would start with a Broughton always on HPF ( at the very least) and a Keeley Bassist compressor.

This Thread is a good read...

High Pass Filter (HPF) and Low Pass Filter (LPF) Mega Thread

 

[ciaran_hughes]

Well, it does have a built-in circuit called the Delta comp. It's explained in the manual if you want to download it or dig out your hard copy.
https://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Original/10002/237030_bamp_manual_all_revA.pdf

For a solid-state amp such as yours I would start with a Broughton always on HPF ( at the very least) and a Keeley Bassist compressor.

This Thread is a good read...

High Pass Filter (HPF) and Low Pass Filter (LPF) Mega Thread

Oh brilliant that is great I will look in to this

 

[lowplaces]

Oh brilliant that is great I will look in to this

The main reason I asked what amp you used is because if you used a tube amp I would spend more of your money for you

 

[vvvmmm]

Somebody please 'splain, why use up board space with a tuner? Doya's think clip-ons are that bad?