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What would be your first pedal?

#41
Lots of great suggestions already.

I would say this, depending on what you want to play, a versatile OD would be a greta choice, if you want more dirt, it's hard not to find a use for a Fuzz on bass, I'd get that before a straight out distortion like a RAT based pedal (but that could very well be you next choice :) ).

Then, you might want modulation (chorus, phaser, etc). If you want to experiment with that, a multi would be a good choice (Zoom, or SA Orbital).

Then, maybe you want an octave or filter (find an OC-2, maybe an SA Manta).

So many possibilities ahead of you, enjoy!

P.S.: These pedals will be cool with your current setup, they'll also be cool when you upgrade any parts of your setup. Get some pedals, enjoy!
 
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#43
I think you should keep holding on to your money until you have a clearer concept of what you want.

Listen to music you like and find out what types of effects are used in the parts that appeal to you.

Listen to demos of those effect types and try a bunch out at the store or your friends.

Just trying to help you not waste your money.
 
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#44
thabassmon said:
I think you should keep holding on to your money until you have a clearer concept of what you want.

Listen to music you like and find out what types of effects are used in the parts that appeal to you.

Listen to demos of those effect types and try a bunch out at the store or your friends.

Just trying to help you not waste your money.
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Yeah, I agree. Thing is, I know quite a bit about pedals and pedal boards and all of that nonsense because I also double as a guitarist at my church gig. Before anyone stones me for doubling as a guitarist (haha), I'm definitely a bassist first and foremost. The root of my issue here is just getting everyone's educated (or not so educated) opinions on what would be a great pedal to start with besides a tuner, of course, just because I've never used effects on a bass before.
 
#45
Caleb Mills said:
Yeah, I agree. Thing is, I know quite a bit about pedals and pedal boards and all of that nonsense because I also double as a guitarist at my church gig. Before anyone stones me for doubling as a guitarist, I'm definitely a bassist first and foremost. The root of my issue here is just getting everyone's educated (or not so educated) opinions on what would be a great pedal to start with besides a tuner, of course, just because I've never used effects on a bass before.
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Ok cool then, if you compare guitar effects usage with bass effects usage it pretty similar.

Bassists are generally more tasteful in their use, that has a lot to do with the harmonic role the instrument has.
If you have a bunch of guitar effects already you can try those.

If you are after recommendations the I'd agree with everyone that has said distortion.
 
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#46
thabassmon said:
Ok cool then, if you compare guitar effects usage with bass effects usage it pretty similar.

Bassists are generally more tasteful in their use, that has a lot to do with the harmonic role the instrument has.
If you have a bunch of guitar effects already you can try those.

If you are after recommendations the I'd agree with everyone that has said distortion.
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Cool, thanks so much, man. Right now I'm really leaning toward Fuzzrocious products because they seem to get really great reviews here on TB, and all the demos I've heard sound great. Now I just have to find out where to play them. Rat Tail, Demon, Grey Stache all seems to be loved on here.
 
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#47
Caleb Mills said:
Cool, thanks so much, man. Right now I'm really leaning toward Fuzzrocious products because they seem to get really great reviews here on TB, and all the demos I've heard sound great. Now I just have to find out where to play them. Rat Tail, Demon, Grey Stache all seems to be loved on here.
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I would get a RatTail with a second distortion mod before the Demon. I really think that the Demon is the weak pedal in their line, you would be much happier with the RT or Stache.
 
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#48
Definitely some sort of overdrive. Modded Rats from Fuzzrocious are very cool, but I'm holding out for the new MXR Bass Distortion coming out in June (hopefully), which Fuzzrocious designed in conjunction with MXR. A little of his philosophies, a little of theirs...sounds like a winner to me.
 
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#53
JimmyM said:
LOL! Yeah, that's right! But truly Caleb, I only say that because it seems like the only effect that bassists are using on a regular basis now.
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So I hear. I've been playing for about 13 years now (I'm 21 now, so I started as just a little tyke) and I've never played with any effects on my rig. It's worked pretty well so far, but I'm wanting to branch out. Do you have an opinion on the Fuzzrocious Rat Tail as an OD/Distortion?
 
#58
Aguilar Tone Hammer.

It has many benefits. You get the EQ/tone shaping of the preamp, which you can use as your standard sound or to give you a second channel of tone. You get to use it as a DI at church and elsewhere. You can dial it in to serve as a delicious overdrive or boost, and even if you are using it for just "regular" tone shaping, you've got the boost/AGS button that can kick on overdrive when needed. Super versatile and high quality pedal.

As for the effect nay-sayers, I often wonder why those guys even play electric bass. After all, if you really want to go back to the way bass was played decades ago, it was with an upright...I mean, really, who needs all that new-fangled stuff like frets and pickups and amps anyway? It just messes with the purity of what the big ol' bass violin was meant to do. ;)
 
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#59
Indeed. Just get an upright. I hear you can get ones from China for $150. :laugh:

RE Bassbone suggestion, more specifically: Used Bassbone OD.
Don't get it if you don't like wallwarts. The 15v is a pain in the patootie to power.

MS-60B, whether you dislike MFX or not, it would be a great place to start given the budget and experience.

HolmeBass said:
Whoa, total deja vu. Didn't we all just do this two days ago?
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Nah, it's more of a daily thing edging towards hourly.

Besides, GMC nailed it:
"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."
 
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#60
Caleb Mills said:
Hahaha, dude... Best advice of the day.
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He's right. Achieving spirituality is expensive.

Caleb Mills said:
So I hear. I've been playing for about 13 years now (I'm 21 now, so I started as just a little tyke) and I've never played with any effects on my rig. It's worked pretty well so far, but I'm wanting to branch out. Do you have an opinion on the Fuzzrocious Rat Tail as an OD/Distortion?
Click to expand...
I love Rats, but they're pretty hard-sounding pedals and don't do lighter overdrive tones very well. You can tame them down a little by mixing in some clean blend, but it's not their forte.
 

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