Bass pedals essentials

1498 Views 24 Replies 15 Participants Last post by zontar, Jan 30, 2017

Ti-Ron

Discussion Starter · Jan 25, 2017

What are your must have pedals for bass?

I'm starting a new music project and I'll be the bass player in it. It's pretty new to me but I really enjoying it and give me a different approach of playing music.

For this metal oriented project, my board is pretty simple, Bass ->Diamond Bass comp -> Rat -> Ampeg SCR-DI -> Amp.
With this little setup I can get everything I need, comp, overdrive, distortion, EQ and DI. Simple but effective.

I'm planning to get a MXR Bass Distortion to replace the rat and maybe put a phaser or filter to add some spices.

What are your tools when it comes to low frequencies duty?

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

keto

· #2 · Jan 25, 2017

SA Aftershock, the distortion model is very close to the Darkglass B7K at about 1/3 of the price. Or a B7K, I'll own that or their new one they just announced at NAMM one day soon.
Compressor. I don't use one, but part of the effect of my TC Spark Boost (full sized) is that it does compress the worst of my ham handed picking technique. Plus it's an awesome OD, awesome EQ - I use it gain to taste (really, you can't much hear the gain until well past noon), vol at unity or very slightly above, switch to mid shift (also clean or fat options), treble noonish and bass slightly up, but that's my rig and how I like to hear it, you may differ. Lots of bass players use comp but I'm not sure many metal players do.
Been playing with different drive pedals, I had the Bass Dist but it's extremely fiddly to get a good sound and I returned it. Just picked up an MXR BlowTorch, still messing with it. I love the sound of the Zvex Mastotron bass demos, may get my hands on one to try.
Also trying a Tech21 Bass Boost Chorus, does get some nice sounds but I find myself not stepping on it in band situations.

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Reactions: 2

Ti-Ron

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 25, 2017

keto said:
SA Aftershock, the distortion model is very close to the Darkglass B7K at about 1/3 of the price. Or a B7K, I'll own that or their new one they just announced at NAMM one day soon.
Compressor. I don't use one, but part of the effect of my TC Spark Boost (full sized) is that it does compress the worst of my ham handed picking technique. Plus it's an awesome OD, awesome EQ - I use it gain to taste (really, you can't much hear the gain until well past noon), vol at unity or very slightly above, switch to mid shift (also clean or fat options), treble noonish and bass slightly up, but that's my rig and how I like to hear it, you may differ. Lots of bass players use comp but I'm not sure many metal players do.
Been playing with different drive pedals, I had the Bass Dist but it's extremely fiddly to get a good sound and I returned it. Just picked up an MXR BlowTorch, still messing with it. I love the sound of the Zvex Mastotron bass demos, may get my hands on one to try.
Also trying a Tech21 Bass Boost Chorus, does get some nice sounds but I find myself not stepping on it in band situations.

Thanks for your answer!

For me, the comp helps the B string to be on par with the other strings (I play in BEAD) and the Diamond have an EQ knob that is pretty usefull!

I'll have to try the M85 before buying, to me it was the perfect set and forget pedal, on paper. Did you used it as a full on wall of dirt or just to add drive to your sound?

amagras

· #4 · Jan 25, 2017

Dynacomp > Ms Foxy Brown > Small Stone > whatever amp there is - has worked fine for me on metal

Budda

· #5 · Jan 25, 2017

Rat in front of bass sounds great, i'd keep it. Looks good from here.

keto

· #6 · Jan 25, 2017

Ron, the MXR, I tried multiple basses (active + passive) and multiple amps. I tried blending in some dirt, I tried going huge dirt. As I say, and I know I'm not alone from reading on talkbass, very fiddly and hard to nail down a good sound (others over there just love it which is cool too). I know RAT's fairly well, having built a few and owned both originals and clones - hell, one of the best ever guitar tones I had was Tele->Rat->Hiwatt Custom 50->Marshall HW 4x12. That was vicious!

Reactions: 1

Ti-Ron

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 25, 2017

Budda said:
Rat in front of bass sounds great, i'd keep it. Looks good from here.

It is sound great but my guitar board miss it!

amagras said:
Dynacomp > Ms Foxy Brown > Small Stone > whatever amp there is - has worked fine for me on metal

Pretty straight to the point!

keto said:
Ron, the MXR, I tried multiple basses (active + passive) and multiple amps. I tried blending in some dirt, I tried going huge dirt. As I say, and I know I'm not alone from reading on talkbass, very fiddly and hard to nail down a good sound (others over there just love it which is cool too). I know RAT's fairly well, having built a few and owned both originals and clones - hell, one of the best ever guitar tones I had was Tele->Rat->Hiwatt Custom 50->Marshall HW 4x12. That was vicious!

Tele and Rat is my to go punk sound as well!

soldierscry

· #8 · Jan 25, 2017

For me it's Aguilar Octamizer > Boss CE-2 > Mesa Throttle Box

Reactions: 1

Granny Gremlin

· #9 · Jan 25, 2017 (Edited)

Ti-Ron said:
What are your must have pedals for bass?

I'm starting a new music project and I'll be the bass player in it. It's pretty new to me but I really enjoying it and give me a different approach of playing music.

For this metal oriented project, my board is pretty simple, Bass ->Diamond Bass comp -> Rat -> Ampeg SCR-DI -> Amp.
With this little setup I can get everything I need, comp, overdrive, distortion, EQ and DI. Simple but effective.

I'm planning to get a MXR Bass Distortion to replace the rat and maybe put a phaser or filter to add some spices.

What are your tools when it comes to low frequencies duty?

My current chain (it's kind of a shoegazy hardcore band; power trio): Klone (modified for bass - changed the input filter cap)> tuner > EQD Organizer (not mine; use on 1 song - would love a POG or HOG; got something similar in the build queue); Colorsound Dipthonizer copy (envelope filter/vowelizer); Boss CE-2(B) Chorus copy; EQD Grand Orbiter v2; Pearl OD-5 copy (my fave OD pedal); Echo Base delay (PT based analog-modelling digital delay with modulation on the tails and all the mods); Boss DM-2W delay.

If you are looking at a phaser then I can't recommend the Grand Orbiter enough. I had an Ibanez PH99 before that and loved it, but sometimes it would get too woofy (bass resonanty) and there was no way to dial it out. Grand Orbiter is the right amount of tweakable (not too many knobs; Chase Bliss I'm looking at you) but the Ibanez sounded a bit cooler.

With the exception of dirt pedals, don't be afraifd to try regular guitar pedals for bass (try a chorus - worked for Steve Severin... and me but who the F am I). Dirt pedals usually have a filter on the front end so the dirt doesn't get too muddy, but makes for thin bass tone (sometimes it works tho).

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garrettdavis275

· #10 · Jan 26, 2017

I usually hate chorus on guitar but with bass it's wicked fun. It would be the first effect I'd want after comp and distortion. Other than that a filter and octaver and I'd be about set.

But I'm also a noob on bass so take that with several grains of salt.

Reactions: 1

sambonee

· #11 · Jan 26, 2017

I love playing bass. The three things I've really enjoyed are: mxr m-80
Redirect Notice

A synth of choice,

And compressor

And for me as a guitarist I cannot afford to have blisters on r-hand tips so a pick. I prefer rounder picks. And I prefer v-picks. 1.2mm as a slight flex is really neat. I don't mind the 2.75. Picking near the bridge.

And finally learn what makes bach's base lines so amazing. No matter where or when, they're always melodies. Once your theory is up there, it's like you're soloing almost all the time (for me anyways ).

Rock - on!! Allume ton Roque. !!

Reactions: 1

BMW-KTM

· #12 · Jan 26, 2017

I absolutely hate the sound of overdrive or distortion on bass.
In my opinion it just takes away from the power and energy that a song could have had and replaces it with mud.
My bass rig includes only 3 fx and they rarely get used.

Compression, chorus and flange.
The chorus I use is the old school BOSS Bass Chorus.
It doesn't chorus the fundamentals only the harmonics.

Reactions: 1

zontar

· #13 · Jan 27, 2017

I often play bass without effects, but I do like having a volume pedal for volume swells and for lowering the volume easily between songs--and leaving my volume set on the bass as is.
But volume swells can sound real good on bass on some songs.
I use a Dunlop volume pedal (Passive)

As for effects I have used the following and they all work well-
Danelectro Fab Chorus, Boss Aw-3 & TC Electroniocs Sub N Up (Octaver)

But basically any good chorus, wah (dynamic or with the pedal), octaver & volume pedal will all serve you well for a variety of musical styles.

I have used distortion with bass as well--but normally find I like it cleaner.

Dr.StephanHeimer

· #14 · Jan 27, 2017

keto said:
Also trying a Tech21 Bass Boost Chorus, does get some nice sounds but I find myself not stepping on it in band situations.

This is probably the best bass chorus i've ever heard. Def a must have. In terms of octave pedals the MXR bass octave deluxe is tops in my book.

Ti-Ron

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 27, 2017

garrettdavis275 said:
I usually hate chorus on guitar but with bass it's wicked fun. It would be the first effect I'd want after comp and distortion. Other than that a filter and octaver and I'd be about set.

But I'm also a noob on bass so take that with several grains of salt.

I'm with on that, I am not a fan of chorus on guitar but since everyone seems to like it on bass, I'll have to try!

BMW-KTM said:
.
The chorus I use is the old school BOSS Bass Chorus.
It doesn't chorus the fundamentals only the harmonics.

Okay, okay, I will try a chorus on bass!

zontar said:
I often play bass without effects, but I do like having a volume pedal for volume swells and for lowering the volume easily between songs--and leaving my volume set on the bass as is.
But volume swells can sound real good on bass on some songs.
I use a Dunlop volume pedal (Passive)

As for effects I have used the following and they all work well-
Danelectro Fab Chorus, Boss Aw-3 & TC Electroniocs Sub N Up (Octaver)

But basically any good chorus, wah (dynamic or with the pedal), octaver & volume pedal will all serve you well for a variety of musical styles.

I have used distortion with bass as well--but normally find I like it cleaner.

And another chorus on bass lover!
Volume swell on bass? You got me curious, never noticed a volume swell on bass, maybe it's the music style I listen.

Dr.StephanHeimer said:
This is probably the best bass chorus i've ever heard. Def a must have. In terms of octave pedals the MXR bass octave deluxe is tops in my book.

MXR got a lot of praise with their bass line of pedals!

Ti-Ron

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 27, 2017

sambonee said:
I love playing bass. The three things I've really enjoyed are: mxr m-80
Redirect Notice

A synth of choice,

And compressor

And for me as a guitarist I cannot afford to have blisters on r-hand tips so a pick. I prefer rounder picks. And I prefer v-picks. 1.2mm as a slight flex is really neat. I don't mind the 2.75. Picking near the bridge.

And finally learn what makes bach's base lines so amazing. No matter where or when, they're always melodies. Once your theory is up there, it's like you're soloing almost all the time (for me anyways ).

Rock - on!! Allume ton Roque. !!

I try to use my fingers sometimes but the rythm is to fast to keep up... yet!

Ti-Ron

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 27, 2017

sambonee said:
I love playing bass. The three things I've really enjoyed are: mxr m-80
Redirect Notice

A synth of choice,

And compressor

And for me as a guitarist I cannot afford to have blisters on r-hand tips so a pick. I prefer rounder picks. And I prefer v-picks. 1.2mm as a slight flex is really neat. I don't mind the 2.75. Picking near the bridge.

And finally learn what makes bach's base lines so amazing. No matter where or when, they're always melodies. Once your theory is up there, it's like you're soloing almost all the time (for me anyways ).

Rock - on!! Allume ton Roque. !!

I try to use my fingers sometimes but the rythm is to fast to keep up... yet!

Mooh

· #18 · Jan 27, 2017

Nothing much wrong with what you've got.

5 string fretted and fretless, low B, passive electronics. I always use a volume pedal. When I had a steady bass gig I found I used chorus, reverb, distortion, compression, EQ, and all things in moderation.

Granny Gremlin

· #19 · Jan 27, 2017 (Edited)

I used an MXR Stereo Chorus for bass. It was OK, the Boss CE-2B (B for bass) is MUCH better (also for guitar - I use it for both).

Reactions: 1

KapnKrunch

· #20 · Jan 27, 2017

Totally different route for me. I play guitar and add bass with my feet.

Keith McMillan 12-Step into a synthesizer.

For me, as a solo artist, this means the amp and the effects must all be preset. My feet will generally be too busy to switch anything.

This limitation rules out much of what electric players like to do, namely varying their sound dynamically, but--

In your case, the possibilities to add EXTRA stuff to the performance could be quite impressive.

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