What pedals would be good to have around?

any of these would be fine:

 

If you want an easily noticeable tone changer, then look at a Fuzz/Distortion/OD. It all depends on what you want. If I had to worry about size, I would look into the EHX Nano series.

 

Those types of pedals you want to look into, are the only ones I have on my board.

Overdrive - EBS ValveDrive
Octave - EHX MicroPOG
Flanger - MXR

 

It all depends on what you need. For me, I need an envelope filter, my wah pedal, and octave, but honestly not dirt.

Some guys need 5 dirt pedals, and no filter, wah, etc.

5 basic needs, IMO.
Dirt
Delay/Flanger
Octave
Filter
wah/whammy pedal

IMO, YMMV, etc.

 

Overdrive, Delay and Envelope filter.

I have never had a chorus and never needed one. lol.

 

A Multi would probably do you more service than anything else. The Line6 POD X3 would give you alot.

 

*What the f#@k? Way to pirate a thread but who cares. What is that monstrosity?

*To answer the OP's question I think the only pedal a bass player needs is a good pedal tuner and maybe a preamp/DI. I prefer a Korg Pitchblack and either a MXR M-80 or Sansamp bass DI. Something with an XLR so when the soundman flops down a Behringer DI in front of you because he can't figure out how to EQ or deal with the signal level from your amp's DI you can give him a better option. Maybe even a SD Paranormal DI but I have never tried one.

*Two effects I keep around for my own amusement are and MXR Bass Octave Deluxe and Bass Auto Q. Tons of fun and have no practical application in any gig I have ever had.

 

tuner

 

Fuzz> Filter> Octave> Delay

 

You should definitely have a Boss OC-2. You're not a proper bass player if you haven't got an OC-2.

After that it's all just gravy.

 

octave pre-fuzz

 

if i had to rank pedals in terms of usefulness for me, i'd go with:

1.) compressor/sustain
2.) od/dirt
3.) eq pedal
4.) delay/reverb
5.) volume pedal

 

I like individual pedals as much as the next guy, but if you're buying "In case of a situation", get a good multi effect unit and learn how to use it well. It won't be nearly as good at individual effects, but if you can dial it in you will be able to get whatever you NEED.

 

Multi-Effect +1
If it's a "just in case" type thing, get a multi effect pedal. Should you find that the particular style/tone/genre suits you, you can always upgrade to individual stomp boxes later.

 

I'd just go with the Tuner and a Preamp/DI suggestion. If you want to broaden your styles take the time to work on your technique and learn how to be versatile that way. Playing in different positions, switching from fingerstyle to pickstyle. Nail that first or at least have those breakthroughs, then move onto FX.

FX are great; but for me; at least on the bass, they didn't even become of interest until I knew I wasn't using them as a cop out, or to cover up any lacking in my playing.

 

I guess I should mention that it depends on what styles you want to play. Electronica, D'n'B, Dub could use anything and everything you can throw at it,...filter, synth, octave, gated fuzz jump out. For straight up rock a good clean tone and perhaps a clean boost,...or distortion. More extreme rock,....Muff fuzzes,....and a bunch more that aren't coming to mind.

I'd almost wait until you find out what the scene is like when you arrive at school,...someone there is bound to need cash for extracurriculars and has a collection of pedals.