Worship Bass Pedalboards

[jacoby75]

So you said you use the Spark for subtle grit. That's interesting... any sound you could compare it to? I've been looking for the warm subtle grit sound in my head for a long time. Most ODs are way too harsh, I'm wanting something almost fuzzy but I think most fuzz pedals are too harsh as well.

Bear in mind I use a direct-only setup. No amp. Dirt will sound different through an amp. But the Spark works well for me so far. At least in my headphones. I haven't tried it in the real world yet.

If you search the forums for "subtle" or "transparent overdrive," or "barely there grit" or something like that, you'll get a bajillion and a half recommendations. And there is at least one thread on the Spark Booster, which is what convinced me to try mine. I had it on my guitar pedalboard and crossed it over to the bass board. I'm not the most experienced with bass grit. At least not with finding grits that I like and keep. I've tried I-don't-know-how-many pedals before settling on this one. But I would compare it to any of those that offer clean drive, in certain settings. Like, overdriven tube amp type grit. It's similar to the drive of the VTBassDI, but better, cleaner, more adjustable. (I still have the VT at the end of my chain, but never liked how the VT drive sounded for my purposes) The Spark is clean, at least in "clean" mode. It leaves my bass sounding just like my bass, but with grit. It doesn't change the overall sonic signature of the setup. "Mid" and "Fat" modes give you even more options. It all depends on what sound you want.

 

[dan1952]

No pedals pour moi, please.

 

[timendous]

I'm running the beta dlx and I think I've found what I am looking for. I run compression before it to tame the signal. I use the boost side for fingers to keep level up and add just a tiny pit of push to the tone hammer. And I use the drive side with pick. Seems to have just a small amount of break up. I'm super happy with it.
View attachment 3527283

Just watched some videos of it on youtube. Sounded perfect! Looked like the guy was playing a jazz bass with chromes on it... that may be part of the "roundness" I'm looking for. Excellent suggestion, thanks!!

 

[yobtaf]

Just watched some videos of it on youtube. Sounded perfect! Looked like the guy was playing a jazz bass with chromes on it... that may be part of the "roundness" I'm looking for. Excellent suggestion, thanks!!

Yeah I tried a few of their pedals, and this is by far the best. All of their demos are same guy with flats and jazz bass I play rounds and P bass. The key for me was the comp in front. Its not set unity gain, its down just a tad.

 

[timendous]

Yeah I tried a few of their pedals, and this is by far the best. All of their demos are same guy with flats and jazz bass I play rounds and P bass. The key for me was the comp in front. Its not set unity gain, its down just a tad.

I currently have rounds on a P as well. My plan has been to pick up a compressor and a preamp/OD pedal all along. I have been looking at the Tone Hammer, 2 Notes Le Bass, Darkglass Vintage Deluxe, Sansamp BDDI, etc. I see you have a Tone Hammer at the end of your chain. I won't have the funds to be able to pick up three pedals all at once, so I'm thinking maybe the Beta DLX and a compressor to start.

 

[yobtaf]

I currently have rounds on a P as well. My plan has been to pick up a compressor and a preamp/OD pedal all along. I have been looking at the Tone Hammer, 2 Notes Le Bass, Darkglass Vintage Deluxe, Sansamp BDDI, etc. I see you have a Tone Hammer at the end of your chain. I won't have the funds to be able to pick up three pedals all at once, so I'm thinking maybe the Beta DLX and a compressor to start.

yeah you can "tone shape" a bit with the DLX. they dont pop up very often here in the used bin, but there are a couple on reverb now. there is one for 159 right now, its been on for awhile. maybe offer a bit less. Im probably the only person on planet earth that uses the EHX bass preacher, I find it easy to use and does what I need it to do. So many people complain they are buried in the mix but spend so much on pedals? why? Dont fall down that hole. It has no bottom.

 

[timendous]

yeah you can "tone shape" a bit with the DLX. they dont pop up very often here in the used bin, but there are a couple on reverb now. there is one for 159 right now, its been on for awhile. maybe offer a bit less. Im probably the only person on planet earth that uses the EHX bass preacher, I find it easy to use and does what I need it to do. So many people complain they are buried in the mix but spend so much on pedals? why? Dont fall down that hole. It has no bottom.

Yeah I saw the ones on Reverb. Seems like a pretty good deal on a pedal with a lot of versatility. I'm actually looking to sell a bass first to fund these things for my pedalboard so once that goes, I'll be in business.

 

[scubaduba]

I am dying to buy/try the Doc Lloyd Photon Death Ray, but I know I will have to wait. Has anyone tried the Pulp and Peel (3 knob version, not the latest) or the Mad Professor Compressor/Sustainer in a worship setting. GC has these used that might give me some compression flavor until I can get my hands on a Death Ray. Or if you tried something in worship that you enjoy.

I've used every one of the compressors in my shootout in a worship setting.

 

[TrevorR]

This may be the wrong place to ask, so please let me know if I need to post elsewhere, but I have a few questions. I'm a long time player (30+ years), but new to adding effects to the signal chain.

• First, I'm looking to add a compressor, then likely an octave pedal of some sort (unless I can get a 5-sting first).
• When/how would you use an overdrive pedal? I understand it's use with standard guitar, but not sure about bass in the contemporary worship (Hillsong-style and the like) setting.
• What do you use an Envelope Filter for? I haven't tried one since the late 80's, and remember it mostly added a "quack" to the tone.
• What does a bass synth pedal do? I don't recall ever hearing one; at least when I was aware of it being there.
• Do you find reverb useful for bass? It seems that it would get muddy in the lower frequencies.

I'm sure I'll have other questions as I expand my board, but this is a good start for me. Thank you all for your time and input.

Here's my pedal board and how I use it... Every pedal has different jobs to do. I don't have any always on pedals (preamp doesn't count in that regard)

Never really used a compressor for the last 20+ years. When I started off bass I tried compressors and bass limiters but after a few years just ditched them and went bass tuner amp for many years. There's some comp on my FOH channel so that's compression covered for me! Others consider them essential, always on pedals... each to their own, I guess. Octave is another effect that I've never really felt much of a connection to so others can comment on those. I'm with you on Reverb. Great for ambience for solo bass but in a band context I don't want a reverb mushing up my tone. Most halls are bad enough for all that - I don't want to add in even more early and late reflections into the mix deliberately!

Here goes...

* Tuner - obvs. The mute function is really useful too.
* Little Lehle - Loop switcher, switches between 1) straight from tuner to preamp and 2) effects in the signal chain. Keep the signal path clean when not using effects.
* Tech 21 Sansamp VT Bass DI - sends an amp/speaker simulated signal to FOH and to my stage monitor amp; set for a low gain , clean sound that just breaks up a little when I dig in hard. Don't use multiple layered gain stages or several different levels of OD, just play harder to increase the level of grit.

EFFECTS LOOP:
* EHX Bass Soul Food OD - mild overdrive for more rocky songs (think Glorious by BJ Putnam or In The River) just to add some grit to the sound. It's a very low gain/mild O/D compared to many, which suits me fine as I'm really not into distortion on a bass, just some light break up. Works nicely with a plectrum for Phil Wickham's This Is Amazing Grace but also with...
* Eden Californiwah envelope filter - least used pedal but a fab one nonetheless. It replaced a Morley Dual Bass Wah which had both conventional Wah and "funk wah" settings; there are one or two songs we do where a bit of squelchy Bootsy funk works but that's rare (some nu-Gospel type stuff and our version of Hezekiah Walker's Every Praise Is To Our God); But mostly used in conjunction with the OD to simulate a bass synth type sound for songs like Let Praise Awaken (largely the instrumental bridge), Alive (Hillsong Young & Free type stuff). Chorus and Tremolo can also be added to enhance the effect. Never found a bass synth pedal I got on with, but they've come an awfully long way the last few years. Maybe I should try out some more.
* EHX Stereo Pulsar Tremolo - my fave effect. I'll use it on songs like My Soul Longs For You or More Love More Power to give a sort of dreamlike feel to the bass sound; also works well as a different tonal texture on a specific part of a song like a "down-feel bridge". Fell in love with Chris Squire's Tremolo bass tone on Starship Trooper by Yes.
* EHX Bass Clone chorus - I use a mild, 80s pop type setting to sweeten the tone on some ballads (never been into that 90s grunge wibbly-wobbly, under water chorus sound so never use that even though the pedal does it brilliantly). On my Wal Bass there's a particular pickup/EQ setting where I can suggest an upright bass kind of tone, a couch of chorus helps sell the effect too.

Anyway, hope that kinda gives you some ideas...

 

[jacoby75]

I've used every one of the compressors in my shootout in a worship setting.

Well, THAT doesn't narrow it down at all, lol. I can't imagine compression for worship would be much different than compression elsewhere. Unless you're talking about wanting a certain color of compression for a certain style of music, but that's really splitting hairs. And I would bet money nobody but a bass player or compression junkie (if even that) would realize the difference if you switched an optical compressor for a JFET mid-worship set.

 

[yobtaf]

Yeah I saw the ones on Reverb. Seems like a pretty good deal on a pedal with a lot of versatility. I'm actually looking to sell a bass first to fund these things for my pedalboard so once that goes, I'll be in business.

Ha one just popped up here for 150

 

[jacoby75]

* EHX Stereo Pulsar Tremolo - my fave effect. I'll use it on songs like My Soul Longs For You or More Love More Power to give a sort of dreamlike feel to the bass sound; also works well as a different tonal texture on a specific part of a song like a "down-feel bridge". Fell in love with Chris Squire's Tremolo bass tone on Starship Trooper by Yes.

I don't need a tremolo . . .
I don't need a tremolo . . .
I don't need a tremolo . . .
I don't need a tremolo . . .

Gah! Now I want a tremolo.

It's one of my favorite effects to use on electric guitar when playing rhythm and worship leading. I never thought to try it on bass because it seems counter-intuitive . . . like, the foundation of the entire song would warble in and out of existence. But it could be fun. And now I want to try it. Dangit! That's the problem with this board. You'll be perfectly fine and content with what you have and then have to go and read something like this.

 

[Audiomicrowave]

Here's my pedal board and how I use it... Every pedal has different jobs to do. I don't have any always on pedals (preamp doesn't count in that regard)

View attachment 3527763

Never really used a compressor for the last 20+ years. When I started off bass I tried compressors and bass limiters but after a few years just ditched them and went bass tuner amp for many years. There's some comp on my FOH channel so that's compression covered for me! Others consider them essential, always on pedals... each to their own, I guess. Octave is another effect that I've never really felt much of a connection to so others can comment on those. I'm with you on Reverb. Great for ambience for solo bass but in a band context I don't want a reverb mushing up my tone. Most halls are bad enough for all that - I don't want to add in even more early and late reflections into the mix deliberately!

Here goes...

* Tuner - obvs. The mute function is really useful too.
* Little Lehle - Loop switcher, switches between 1) straight from tuner to preamp and 2) effects in the signal chain. Keep the signal path clean when not using effects.
* Tech 21 Sansamp VT Bass DI - sends an amp/speaker simulated signal to FOH and to my stage monitor amp; set for a low gain , clean sound that just breaks up a little when I dig in hard. Don't use multiple layered gain stages or several different levels of OD, just play harder to increase the level of grit.

EFFECTS LOOP:
* EHX Bass Soul Food OD - mild overdrive for more rocky songs (think Glorious by BJ Putnam or In The River) just to add some grit to the sound. It's a very low gain/mild O/D compared to many, which suits me fine as I'm really not into distortion on a bass, just some light break up. Works nicely with a plectrum for Phil Wickham's This Is Amazing Grace but also with...
* Eden Californiwah envelope filter - least used pedal but a fab one nonetheless. It replaced a Morley Dual Bass Wah which had both conventional Wah and "funk wah" settings; there are one or two songs we do where a bit of squelchy Bootsy funk works but that's rare (some nu-Gospel type stuff and our version of Hezekiah Walker's Every Praise Is To Our God); But mostly used in conjunction with the OD to simulate a bass synth type sound for songs like Let Praise Awaken (largely the instrumental bridge), Alive (Hillsong Young & Free type stuff). Chorus and Tremolo can also be added to enhance the effect. Never found a bass synth pedal I got on with, but they've come an awfully long way the last few years. Maybe I should try out some more.
* EHX Stereo Pulsar Tremolo - my fave effect. I'll use it on songs like My Soul Longs For You or More Love More Power to give a sort of dreamlike feel to the bass sound; also works well as a different tonal texture on a specific part of a song like a "down-feel bridge". Fell in love with Chris Squire's Tremolo bass tone on Starship Trooper by Yes.
* EHX Bass Clone chorus - I use a mild, 80s pop type setting to sweeten the tone on some ballads (never been into that 90s grunge wibbly-wobbly, under water chorus sound so never use that even though the pedal does it brilliantly). On my Wal Bass there's a particular pickup/EQ setting where I can suggest an upright bass kind of tone, a couch of chorus helps sell the effect too.

Anyway, hope that kinda gives you some ideas...

Great info...thank you for taking the time to answer.

 

[just_chill]

I don't need a tremolo . . .
I don't need a tremolo . . .
I don't need a tremolo . . .
I don't need a tremolo . . .

Gah! Now I want a tremolo.

It's one of my favorite effects to use on electric guitar when playing rhythm and worship leading. I never thought to try it on bass because it seems counter-intuitive . . . like, the foundation of the entire song would warble in and out of existence. But it could be fun. And now I want to try it. Dangit! That's the problem with this board. You'll be perfectly fine and content with what you have and then have to go and read something like this.

Haha, I fell into the "I need a tremolo" trap a few weeks ago... mine should be coming in the mail tomorrow. I bought the ZVEX Sonar Tremolo. I will be honest and say that I will probably not use a lot of the awesome settings that is offered on the pedal but I am a sucker for features and ZVEX's trem is just full of them!

 

[just_chill]

* Eden Californiwah envelope filter - least used pedal...

I am so happy to read this. My Aguilar Filter Twin is only of my LEAST used pedals on my board (I am almost certain I have never used it in a live situation).

 

[TrevorR]

I don't need a tremolo . . .
I don't need a tremolo . . .
I don't need a tremolo . . .
I don't need a tremolo . . .

Gah! Now I want a tremolo.

It's one of my favorite effects to use on electric guitar when playing rhythm and worship leading. I never thought to try it on bass because it seems counter-intuitive . . . like, the foundation of the entire song would warble in and out of existence. But it could be fun. And now I want to try it. Dangit! That's the problem with this board. You'll be perfectly fine and content with what you have and then have to go and read something like this.

Haha, I fell into the "I need a tremolo" trap a few weeks ago... mine should be coming in the mail tomorrow. I bought the ZVEX Sonar Tremolo. I will be honest and say that I will probably not use a lot of the awesome settings that is offered on the pedal but I am a sucker for features and ZVEX's trem is just full of them!

Oh dear, what have I started? Lol! Yes, it's such a great EG effect too. There's a couple of tracks on Sheryl Crowe's Globe Sessions album where the trem guitar lead is just spine tingling.

On settings, the depth control is your friend here...

I am so happy to read this. My Aguilar Filter Twin is only of my LEAST used pedals on my board (I am almost certain I have never used it in a live situation).

Yes, but when it fits it's a joy! Lol! I got my Wah pedal for some songs the wedding band I played in did and it mostly sat unused for worship. However, one morning set up and line check went so quickly and without a hitch that we started jamming around some of the tunes on the list while we waited for the singer's to arrive. The EG threw in a ridiculously wah'd solo on Let Praise Awaken so when we went to the bridge instrumental I did the octave bit with a daft amount of squelchy wah... This bit...

The (main) WL turned to me with her mouth wide open and I thought, "Uh-oh!" But she said "Trevor, I LOOOOVE that. You must do that when we do it this morning!" "Yeah, sure! Ha ha ha!" "No seriously, I love it!" "OK!" So since then it's become a fixture for that song and I've found the other song here of there where it works (our other WL who is more into the nu-Gospel scene and has his own gospel group likes it on some of his own songs). But definitely an effect to be sprinkled sparingly!

 

[soundsupport1]

I am so happy to read this. My Aguilar Filter Twin is only of my LEAST used pedals on my board (I am almost certain I have never used it in a live situation).

I have a Boss AW-3 that I bought in 2003. I used it regularly for the next four years, then I moved out of my parents house and kept forgetting to take it with me anytime I visited them. It's still there, still works, and has been unused for 12 years.
There's a space on my board for it, I just need to remember to grab it next time I'm back visiting mum and dad!!!

12 years is ridiculous. Especially since I do remember using it fairly frequently in church - the tap tempo really is a tremendous help when the speed done at rehearsal does not necessarily correlate to the speed done in the service...

Now that I have a proper pedalboard, there's a gap staring accusingly up at me every time I play. Other musicians see a sophisticated, creativity-inspiring rig. I see the gap.

I'll get the AW-3 the next time I'm home, I promise.


As to using tremolo on bass: I've heard it, but I suspect most bassists looking for that sort of thing are more likely to use a rotary speaker simulator to get that on/off swirling effect. There are very few pedalboards with a tremolo; there's more than a few around here with a Keeley DynoMyRoto or EHX Lester K somewhere in the signal chain.

The pedal that would really interest me (although you don't see it so often) is the Dunlop Rotovibe: Chorus/rotary effect pedal, in the Crybaby wah format where your foot varies the speed and depth. Does anyone here use one? There used to be a really good demo on Youtube, but I think it's been removed...

Peace,
SoundSupport

 

[jacoby75]

Haha, I fell into the "I need a tremolo" trap a few weeks ago... mine should be coming in the mail tomorrow. I bought the ZVEX Sonar Tremolo. I will be honest and say that I will probably not use a lot of the awesome settings that is offered on the pedal but I am a sucker for features and ZVEX's trem is just full of them!

That's the one that I have on my electric guitar board. It's a fantastic beast! So smooth and natural sounding, and ridiculously flexible. And the tap tempo comes in really handy. Haven't tried it on bass yet, but I'm definitely going to have to steal that one for my big bass board.

 

[jacoby75]

* EHX Bass Soul Food OD - mild overdrive for more rocky songs (think Glorious by BJ Putnam or In The River) just to add some grit to the sound.

In other news, I just learned who BJ Putnam is. Very cool! What a voice! Sounds kind of like a white Israel Houghton. But he looks a little like Patton Oswalt with a fauxhawk. I'm not sure if I can ever un-see that now, lol. I was listening to some Elevation Worship yesterday, which I love in small doses. But I was like, "Where the heck are all of the rocking worship songs?" Everything . . . by everybody . . . is so slow and monotonous these days. Some of it is lovely and incredibly moving, clearly spiritually anointed stuff. But I can only take it in small doses before it all starts to blur together. Thanks for sharing a new resource for some rocking worship songs.

 

[Wfrance3]

I'm back to tried and true.

I've gone thru several DIs over the last 10 years or so. I just landed back on my original MXR-M81 and feel like I'm home. Boat of being content with your stuff is a pretty good boat to be in...