Essential Effects Pedals for Bass Guitar
Must Have Stomp Box Equipment for Every Bass Player
Aug 17, 2008
When it comes to putting together the essential pieces of equipment in a bass guitar set up the player should not only look at instrument and amp but floor mounted effects pedals.
Chorus Pedal for Bass Guitar
Gives the bass guitar sound a more spacious coloured sound. If over used it can muddy up a bass sound but if used tastefully it adds a different dimension to a bass line and overall mix.
It’s an effect that is used extensively on all the early Guns and Roses albums by bass player Duff McKagan. Bass chorus can also be heard on “Come As You Are” by Nirvana.
There are many different chorus pedals for bass guitar available so the player should try before they buy to see what pedal suits their needs the best.
Boss SYB-5 Bass Synth Pedal
There are many different bass synth pedals available but one the most effective is the Boss SYB-5. It is a modern version of the Boss SYB-3, the world’s first consumer bass guitar synth pedal.
A bass synth pedal is designed to replicate the synthesized bass sounds of eighties keyboards and synths. Whilst the pedal does this reasonably well it also allows the player numerous variables to create their own distinctive and sometimes crazy sounds.
One of the advantages of the Boss SYB-5 is that it is very easy to get sounds out of it immediately but it also has scope for further sonic exploration for those users willing to put the time in.
Distortion/Overdrive Bass Pedal
The use of distortion on bass sounds has become increasingly popular in recent years and no self respecting bass player should be without that option. Distortion pedals replicate the overdriven sounds of amplifiers and give the bass an aggressive ragged sound that works well in rock/metal music. The band Rage Against the Machine use distortion in their bass sound very often.
Distortion/overdrive on a bass sound also has the advantage that it boost some of the mid and high frequencies allowing the bass sound to “cut through” the overall mix.
Bass Compressor/Limiter Pedals such as the Boss LMB-3
Certain bass playing techniques such as “slap” bass often mean big jumps in playing dynamics and volume. A compressor/limiter pedal basically evens out this highs and lows and gives a more consistent output level.
A pedal which does this very well is the Boss LMB-3 Bass Limiter Enhancer. It has a more controls than a regular bass pedal and can make a cheap bass guitar with old strings sound like a not so cheap bass guitar with not so old strings. It’s the bass compressor that most bass players swear by.
Those readers who aren’t just bass guitar aficionados but six string electric guitar players should read Must Own Guitar Effects Pedals.
