Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Where to start
- Thread starter leehutch
- Start date
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,780
- 40,482
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
If you're set on individual pedals/effects, I would start with a tuner and then then look at pedals that might give you something in terms of a sound/tone you need for the music you play that you simply can't coax out of your current bass, amp and/or cab.
If you think you'd like to simply experiment a bit and see what things you might like, a multi-effect pedal like the Zoom B3 isn't a bad investment and might actually do everything you'd ever want (including having a built in tuner). I really favor the multi-effect route for folks who don't have a specific need and are just looking to explore or expand their tonal options.
Good luck!
If you think you'd like to simply experiment a bit and see what things you might like, a multi-effect pedal like the Zoom B3 isn't a bad investment and might actually do everything you'd ever want (including having a built in tuner). I really favor the multi-effect route for folks who don't have a specific need and are just looking to explore or expand their tonal options.
Good luck!
Depends on the type of music you play or want to play. If funk, then you want an envelope filter/auto wah that is bass friendly, mu-tron, q-tron etc... Bass synth effects take that to the next level, but you can emulate them with a distortion or fuzz before the envelope. Digitally triggered units like boss SYB-3 and SYB-5 really sound like a synth, but are prone to glitching. A unique waveform modulating synth effect, the korg G5 actually sounded like a real synth but wasn't triggered so it was not Aa glitch prone. Unfortunately it was disconnected almost 20 years ago.
The most common effects bass players use are more dynamics than effects, compressors, limiters, Overdrives and eqs boosts. Chorus and reverb on bass is not really en vogue these days.
Phase shifters can get an envelope type sound, except it is not sweep sensitive to your dynamics like an envelope.
Older boss dynamic filter was a coveted effect, hard to find. The current aw-3 auto wah is not bad.
The most common effects bass players use are more dynamics than effects, compressors, limiters, Overdrives and eqs boosts. Chorus and reverb on bass is not really en vogue these days.
Phase shifters can get an envelope type sound, except it is not sweep sensitive to your dynamics like an envelope.
Older boss dynamic filter was a coveted effect, hard to find. The current aw-3 auto wah is not bad.
Here's what I suggest, and more or less in this order of purchase though not necessarily the order of your pedal chain:
Compression isn't the boogeyman some make it out to be, more like compression can be the Boogie, Man!
EQ, very underated, but it can do SO MUCH! Fix things in the room, pop you on top of the mix for your solos, help with switching tonally-opposite instruments...
Dirt: something versatile that can do mild OD yet get grittier – such as The Elements. There's plenty to sample down this BlindRabbit hole... Then there's distortion and fuzz...
MFX: a multi-FX that lets you experiment with other saucy flavours such as flanging, phasing, filters, tremolo, reverb, EQ (yes more), delay... The Zoom MS-60B or the B3 and Line6 M5 or M9 have a great selection of sounds to experiment with. When you decide you like some specific type of effect, then go explore stand-alone examples of that effect – for example you decide Chorus sounds great with your fretless ... Try the Cosmichorus or the Boss CE-2B or ...
I didn't include tuners, 'cause that's just a mandatory baseline, but as Al Kraft mentioned, the B3 has a tuner as do most MFX (though not the BitQuest).
For general use, any genre, you can't go wrong with Compression, EQ and some OD.
Compression isn't the boogeyman some make it out to be, more like compression can be the Boogie, Man!
EQ, very underated, but it can do SO MUCH! Fix things in the room, pop you on top of the mix for your solos, help with switching tonally-opposite instruments...
Dirt: something versatile that can do mild OD yet get grittier – such as The Elements. There's plenty to sample down this BlindRabbit hole... Then there's distortion and fuzz...
MFX: a multi-FX that lets you experiment with other saucy flavours such as flanging, phasing, filters, tremolo, reverb, EQ (yes more), delay... The Zoom MS-60B or the B3 and Line6 M5 or M9 have a great selection of sounds to experiment with. When you decide you like some specific type of effect, then go explore stand-alone examples of that effect – for example you decide Chorus sounds great with your fretless ... Try the Cosmichorus or the Boss CE-2B or ...
I didn't include tuners, 'cause that's just a mandatory baseline, but as Al Kraft mentioned, the B3 has a tuner as do most MFX (though not the BitQuest).
For general use, any genre, you can't go wrong with Compression, EQ and some OD.
I agree with compression, EQ and OD. Those are all I want. I don't get tuner pedals when a $7 Snark works as well. My preamp already has compression and a good EQ, so I am only looking at OD pedals.
If you get something like the Source Audio Aftershock, it sounds great as is, but can be completely customized with a smartphone app. That makes it a great option as an only pedal. I think it is totally worth the $150 asking price (but that is still too much for me right now.)
So, I think I will be going with a TC Electronic Dark Matter for $50.
If you get something like the Source Audio Aftershock, it sounds great as is, but can be completely customized with a smartphone app. That makes it a great option as an only pedal. I think it is totally worth the $150 asking price (but that is still too much for me right now.)
So, I think I will be going with a TC Electronic Dark Matter for $50.
Honestly, it doesn't matter. Because once you get one, no matter what type, you'll have begun your slide down the hill.
I always say to copy your influences when starting. It gives you an idea of how to mimic and use the effect to get a similar sound.
Buy a multi effect box use to play with for a bit and discover what you like and don't like. Line6, Zoom & Digitech are good low cost place to start. (Boss to, but the others tend to have more to offer).
Buy a multi effect box use to play with for a bit and discover what you like and don't like. Line6, Zoom & Digitech are good low cost place to start. (Boss to, but the others tend to have more to offer).
Speaking only for myself and what I like:
After that, the sky's the limit depending on the size of your purse and the sort of stuff you like or are currently GASing for.
My core set consists of:
I'll plug other things in from time to time. But the above collection is pretty much what I use.
In the interests of good taste and self-restraint I don't usually have them all on at the same time.
- A good stage tuner that works well with bass
- A good quality clean AC power supply that can handle multiple effects
- A compressor you understand and can work with
- A high-pass or band-pass filter; or outboard EQ; or preamp (or similar) if your rig can benefit from you having one (optional)
After that, the sky's the limit depending on the size of your purse and the sort of stuff you like or are currently GASing for.
My core set consists of:
- Ampeg SCR/DI
- Broughton Audio HPF
- Keeley Bassist Limiting Amplifier
- TC Electronics Polytune
- Iron Ether Nimbus Reverb
I'll plug other things in from time to time. But the above collection is pretty much what I use.
In the interests of good taste and self-restraint I don't usually have them all on at the same time.
Last edited:
Zoom B3, Zoom MS60b ... Or both. You can get so many effects and great quality from them and they're pretty cheap.
This.
You can always add and then replace, but you'll be hard pressed to get more experiment for less. For my limited needs it's all I use.
It kinda depends, if you're riding a bike it's best to have both a right and left pedal.
The line 6 bass pod is a good learning tool. With it and Google the manual. You can learn about all sorts of effects amps and cabs. And the "simulated effects" give u a pretty good idea of what u like and what u don't. What's usable and what's not. Gateway drug into tone chasing.
Boss, Joyo, Mooer and Cadine are great places to start IMO. They are inexpensive and most sound great. Hotone is also a great one. These are options that wont break the bank and will introduce to the world of effects today.
There is a TON of awesome stuff out there right now. What I would do is zero in on what type of effects you want, what type of music will you be playing and how many you think you want to work with. Zoom also makes a few multis worth looking into, the B3, ms60b and the B1Xon are all great. But again, it all depends on what youre after. Just remember, no question is stupid, we've all been there, new to effects. Ask questions, research (because most of the demos and info are out there and here on TB, there is a wealth of info and shared experience and knowledge) and keep an open mind. Have fun and welcome to the wonderful world of effects!!
There is a TON of awesome stuff out there right now. What I would do is zero in on what type of effects you want, what type of music will you be playing and how many you think you want to work with. Zoom also makes a few multis worth looking into, the B3, ms60b and the B1Xon are all great. But again, it all depends on what youre after. Just remember, no question is stupid, we've all been there, new to effects. Ask questions, research (because most of the demos and info are out there and here on TB, there is a wealth of info and shared experience and knowledge) and keep an open mind. Have fun and welcome to the wonderful world of effects!!
Depends what you wanna play. My personal experience always leads me to recommend getting a fuzz or distortion first. Here's my reason why. Its an extreme effect that will usually keep you from leaving it on just because you have it, so while you are learning the ins and outs of the pedal itself you are also learning how to use effects to serve the song, not your desire to push buttons.
If I was to build a pedalboard from scratch right now that could serve most kinds of music I'd do this.
Booster (I prefer these to have some sort of voice to them I'm not huge on colorless boosters)
Transparent overdrive
Fuzz/distortion (can't go wrong with a muff or rat flavored dirtbox)
Delay with modulation.
Ive done the huge pedalboard with one of everything and this is the formula I keep coming back to. I have a lot of extra pedals that I keep for the odd time I need them but that's the basis of my board for both guitar and bass
If I was to build a pedalboard from scratch right now that could serve most kinds of music I'd do this.
Booster (I prefer these to have some sort of voice to them I'm not huge on colorless boosters)
Transparent overdrive
Fuzz/distortion (can't go wrong with a muff or rat flavored dirtbox)
Delay with modulation.
Ive done the huge pedalboard with one of everything and this is the formula I keep coming back to. I have a lot of extra pedals that I keep for the odd time I need them but that's the basis of my board for both guitar and bass
Another vote for the Zoom B3.
Easy to use, quality effects, doesn't take up a lot of space, and it has a tuner on board.
Once you've played with the B3 for a while, you can maybe start to supplement it with a few carefully chosen individual pedals, or another multi effect type set up like a GT-10B or a Line6 M9/M13.
Easy to use, quality effects, doesn't take up a lot of space, and it has a tuner on board.
Once you've played with the B3 for a while, you can maybe start to supplement it with a few carefully chosen individual pedals, or another multi effect type set up like a GT-10B or a Line6 M9/M13.
