Okay, so, I have about $150 to spend, and I'm starting from nothing except a TU-3 tuner and an EHX LPB-1. What pedal would you buy to get your pedal board started? Would it be an OD? Or a Sans-amp of some kind? Compressor?
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What would be your first pedal?
- Thread starter Caleb Mills
- Start date
It really depends on what kinda music you're playing.
Fuzz is the answer.
Oh yeah, sorry. I play a lot of worship music at my church. I also play out with some indie/alternative rock bands in medium sized venues around the Cincinnati area. I also play in a punk/rock band sometimes too. So really a pretty good mix of styles. Also, right now I'm playing a Fender Jazz bass (which I might sell, as it just not my style) through an Ampeg SVT-3 Pro into a Ampeg 8x10 cab. Thanks!
For church, delay/reverb and a volume pedal.
For everything else and life in general, FUZZ
Feel free to give suggestions on pedals to go with based on my $150 budget. I'd love to hear some suggestions.
I'd say some type of overdrive could do you some good.
Not sure what kind... That's a deep deep rabbit hole.
Not sure what kind... That's a deep deep rabbit hole.
Yeah, no kidding... Already been down that hole with my guitar pedal board. I tried using this Boss BD-2 Blues Driver that I had sitting around, but didn't really like how the bottom end drops out.
If that was my budget I'd probably get a couple Joyos. An American and an Ultimate Drive. Or maybe an American and a DOD 250.
I'd start with a second hand Zoom B3. Use it to learn what you like and need and then sell it some time later and buy the bits you want.
Actually, the Zoom B3 is very good. Some of the FX models are as good as their targets, other's less so. But hey, it's your money.
If I was starting out again. I would probably start with a good EQ box. Then add a Compressor, then a Dirt box. Then I'd add some modulation and maybe an octaver. I'd finish with some ambiance.
I'm just starting to play with pedals myself and, for now, I'm only using them while practicing at home. Once I feel like I've settled on a small set of useful pedals that enhance what I'm playing and I'm using them effectively, then I'll bring my board out to use with the band.
So far, I think a compressor and an overdrive are the most useful to me. I actually have two different compressors and three different overdrives (not including a Sansamp Bass Driver DI, which also has overdrive built in) that I'm experimenting with right now. I'm assuming I'll narrow it down to one compressor, but I might actually keep more than one of the overdrives and just rotate them on and off my pedalboard for some variety.
I've also bought a few other types of pedals, including a wireless, that I'm keeping until I either find ways to use them effectively or I conclude that I'm really not going to use them as much as I originally thought. But I do think a compressor and an overdrive are the most useful to me so far and will definitely stay. I'm also keeping the BDDI, which I carry as a "backup rig".
So far, I think a compressor and an overdrive are the most useful to me. I actually have two different compressors and three different overdrives (not including a Sansamp Bass Driver DI, which also has overdrive built in) that I'm experimenting with right now. I'm assuming I'll narrow it down to one compressor, but I might actually keep more than one of the overdrives and just rotate them on and off my pedalboard for some variety.
I've also bought a few other types of pedals, including a wireless, that I'm keeping until I either find ways to use them effectively or I conclude that I'm really not going to use them as much as I originally thought. But I do think a compressor and an overdrive are the most useful to me so far and will definitely stay. I'm also keeping the BDDI, which I carry as a "backup rig".
Any one of these id consider a good first pedal if you already have a tuner:
*compressor
*preamp/di
*fuzz
Depends really on what kind of music youre playing.
*compressor
*preamp/di
*fuzz
Depends really on what kind of music youre playing.
A preamp/DI. For sure. Preferably one with some OD, like the Sansamp or the Link Removed. OD can help you cut through the mix, which you'll want a little of (particularly if you give up on the jazz bass). It can also be fun if/when you want to do something a little heavier.
You can get a great tuner pedal for $20 from monoprice.
Compressors are awesome too (although I like them dialed in to be subtle). Might not be as worth it for the FIRST pedal though considering many amps have at least a limiter if not full-blown compressor built-in. Also, good technique "limits" (pardon the pun) the need for a compressor
You can get a great tuner pedal for $20 from monoprice.
Compressors are awesome too (although I like them dialed in to be subtle). Might not be as worth it for the FIRST pedal though considering many amps have at least a limiter if not full-blown compressor built-in. Also, good technique "limits" (pardon the pun) the need for a compressor
A used dirt pedal is always the answer
Fairfield Barbershop
SansAmp VT Bass DI
Fulltone OCD
Fuzzrocious Rat Tail or Demon
Fairfield Barbershop
SansAmp VT Bass DI
Fulltone OCD
Fuzzrocious Rat Tail or Demon
