What would be your first pedal?

[Yawsbass]

I play almost exclusively at church, and with your budget I'd start with a good compressor (I adore the Pigtronix Philosopher Bass and it can be found pretty cheap if you look), and I've actually used fuzz quite a bit over the years so that might be something to look into as well.

 

[warrplayer]

Church?

Get a good compressor. You are going to need a compressor anyway if you are building a pedal board. get a good transparent compressor and you can use it on every song you play on in church. Fuzz? Not so much.

 

[PokeyPrasch]

I'd get one of those Source Audio OFDs (USED) $100-125
They sounds great, are affordable and will let you sample a bunch of different stuff.

That said, it might not be that usable if you are playing in church. Probably go compressor, EQ, or a subtle overdrive with wet/dry.

 

[robd]

Look in the classifieds for pedals within your price range then go out to youtube and find a demo for them (listen with headphones not computer speaker) then buy one you like the sound of

 

[dgrizzly]

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!

In general, a compressor is a good idea, but you won't notice it as much as other effects so you may want to start with something that's a little more "fun".

For church, you'll probably want some ambiance so a reverb or delay paired with a volume pedal is a nice way to go.

For rock you'll probably want some kind of dirt. I'm an overdrive guy, but fuzz definitely gets the most love when it comes to dirt.

When you decide which category to go for, I would recommend searching recent TB articles for suggestions or starting a new thread to poll a larger audience.

Good luck with the new board and let us know what you decide to go for (and how you like it)!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I'd avoid any other pedals - save your money for a better bass or amp (or pay down your credit card!) - Fx on bass just isn't that important, in my opinion.

 

[dgrizzly]

I'd avoid any other pedals - save your money for a better bass or amp (or pay down your credit card!) - Fx on bass just isn't that important, in my opinion.

The question was, "What would be your first pedal?"

The question was not, "Do you think I should get an effects pedal?"

This is the Effects forum. Your comment does not contribute to the discussion.

 

[bassmusic17]

Here we go...

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

The question was, "What would be your first pedal?"

The question was not, "Do you think I should get an effects pedal?"

This is the Effects forum. Your comment does not contribute to the discussion.

*sigh*

Okay, a tuner pedal. That should be his first pedal. And he already has that. So I'd say that he's done.

 

[dgrizzly]

*sigh*

Okay, a tuner pedal. That should be his first pedal. And he already has that. So I'd say that he's done.

I think this response fits the discussion much better, thank you. You answered his question AND got to share your opinion that effects are unimportant!

 

[Somnambulance]

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!

Get a zvex Mastotron.

 

[bassmusic17]

*sigh* is right. I play bass. Boom de boop bop beep.

Look at me. I don't use any effects. Doob da dee boo pop.

 

[Somnambulance]

Effects are for people who don't know how to properly use their gear. I don't even have a tuner, I use a tuning fork to ensure I'm in perfect pitch.

 

[Caleb Mills]

A used dirt pedal is always the answer

Fairfield Barbershop
SansAmp VT Bass DI
Fulltone OCD
Fuzzrocious Rat Tail or Demon

I've really started to like the sound of the Rat Tail, for sure. I haven't seen a review on it where they take it to really low gain settings. Can it kind of go more over drive, or does it basically always have to be all-out distortion and grind?

 

[bassmusic17]

I've really started to like the sound of the Rat Tail, for sure. I haven't seen a review on it where they take it to really low gain settings. Can it kind of go more over drive, or does it basically always have to be all-out distortion and grind?

It does low gain too! It's a great sounding pedal. I think most people including myself love it for the high gain grind. Listen to Young Widows. He takes the Rat through low to high and everything inbetween. He has an RK and a RT. His tone is badass.

 

[MCS4]

For most uses, a versatile overdrive that works decently well for both low gain and higher gain applications. Fuzzrocious Demon, Marshall Jackhammer, and BB Bass Preamp are all good choices.

However, for my current band or a similar project, a good fuzz (Fuzzrocious Grey Stache) all the way.

 

[Caleb Mills]

For most uses, a versatile overdrive that works decently well for both low gain and higher gain applications. Fuzzrocious Demon, Marshall Jackhammer, and BB Bass Preamp are all good choices.

However, for my current band or a similar project, a good fuzz (Fuzzrocious Grey Stache) all the way.

Also really impressed with the demos I've seen of the Grey Stache, too. I think maybe a Rat Tail/Grey Stache combo would cover my needs all the way from overdrive to distortion to fuzz.

 

[Somnambulance]

ZVEX MASTOTRON!! You can go from no distortion to full on fuzz with the option to adjust sub frequency volume. It's a great pedal and I wish I had gotten it when I first started into effects.

 

[MCS4]

Also really impressed with the demos I've seen of the Grey Stache, too. I think maybe a Rat Tail/Grey Stache combo would cover my needs all the way from overdrive to distortion to fuzz.

Solid choices. The Grey Stache with tone bypass mod is the last word in fuzz, IMO... I bought a backup a while back to make sure that I've always got one available. I prefer the Demon to the Rat Tail but they're both fine pedals.

 

[Slevage]

My first pedal be a Doctor Q, my second pedal be Bass Balls, my third pedal be a grey MXR flanger.

I don't be using any pedals any more.