Guitar Pedals for Bass?

Chilorioman · 10-02-2005, 07:21 PM

Is it bad to use a Guitar Effects pedal like distortion or Wah for a bass, or do you really need it specifically for bass, cause I heard of cliff burton using guitar wah and distortion but do you really need it speciffically for bass?

PillarFreak · 10-02-2005, 10:02 PM

Guitar pedals used with a bass often don't bring out the low end of the bass very well at all, but, from my experience, still work fine and other than what I mentioned sound good, too.

TurnOnTheLight · 10-03-2005, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilorioman

Is it bad to use a Guitar Effects pedal like distortion or Wah for a bass, or do you really need it specifically for bass, cause I heard of cliff burton using guitar wah and distortion but do you really need it speciffically for bass?

There's a few guitar pedals that sound really good on bass like a Big Muff. The Wah Cliff used was a Morley, they are pretty good even for bass. I had a Steve Vai original Bad Horsie but someone stole it from me.

nerdbert · 10-03-2005, 04:27 AM

Guitar pedals have a different frequency response to bass pedals as far as I know, so likes been said you'll tend to lose a lot of low end. It wont damage the pedal in any way though, and some guitar effects can sound good on bass.

HumanHiFi · 10-04-2005, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nerdbert

some guitar effects can sound good on bass.

^^.

try the pedals out, if they sound good then that's all that matters. Nothing will be damaged, and some work really well. might even be cheaper

LewsTherin · 10-06-2005, 12:34 PM

I personally use nothing but guitar effects for my bass. An MXR Distortion+ and a Dunlop Dimebag sig Wah. They can suck a bit of low end, sure, but thats when you just bump up the bass on the EQ a little. Its really not that bad.

I like them both better than any bass-specific distortion or wah Ive ever tried.

sheppaow · 10-15-2005, 03:27 AM

ive been playing on my friends boss mt-2 metal zone pedal. It's absolutley insane there isn't any pedal that gives a more insane muffled drive.....

mx Bass player · 10-15-2005, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilorioman

Is it bad to use a Guitar Effects pedal like distortion or Wah for a bass, or do you really need it specifically for bass, cause I heard of cliff burton using guitar wah and distortion but do you really need it speciffically for bass?

this questions has been asked so many times

MuRd0K · 10-15-2005, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheppaow

ive been playing on my friends boss mt-2 metal zone pedal. It's absolutley insane there isn't any pedal that gives a more insane muffled drive.....

What the...

I tried the same with my bass, but I hated the sound. I played a lot with the EQ to get a good sound, but everything I played sounded like farts with tones. Hated it.

Has anyone tried a Dunlop Crybaby Wah with a bass? if so, how does it sound?

I-am-scott · 10-16-2005, 01:42 PM

I use both a Boss OD3 and a Dunlop Crybaby on my bass, The OD3 has a good sound to it but I fint it can be a bit limiting at times, it doesnt really have a good dirty sound without losing the bottom end. I now use a washburn mx-1 metalhead, this is alot better as it has more choice.

If I was looking for another distortion pedal for the bass I would definately look for one with these controls on it: Level and distortion as usual, Bass and Treble. Having the choice to beef up the low end really helps as I personally think that a single tone control is pretty useless when it comes basses.

The same problem with the cry baby with a loss of low end but it is a good little pedal and for songs that dont require too much bass it is well suited.

Hope that has helped,
Scott.

11-12-2005, 07:46 PM

sry to do this, im just checking to see if i can post. But fender makes some great pedals

LewsTherin · 11-14-2005, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by front-line bassman

sry to do this, im just checking to see if i can post. But fender makes some great pedals

no, they dont. fender doesnt make pedals.

Thonk · 11-17-2005, 07:04 PM

The only Fender pedal i've seen was a Fender Blender? It's a distortion pedal.

doodooking · 11-17-2005, 08:31 PM

i think they make a pedal tuner...

10-02-2005, 07:21 PM	#1
Chilorioman Lead Bassist Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 14	Guitar Pedals for Bass? Is it bad to use a Guitar Effects pedal like distortion or Wah for a bass, or do you really need it specifically for bass, cause I heard of cliff burton using guitar wah and distortion but do you really need it speciffically for bass?

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10-02-2005, 10:02 PM	#2
PillarFreak Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Central IL Posts: 545	Guitar pedals used with a bass often don't bring out the low end of the bass very well at all, but, from my experience, still work fine and other than what I mentioned sound good, too.

10-03-2005, 04:27 AM	#4
nerdbert Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 483	Guitar pedals have a different frequency response to bass pedals as far as I know, so likes been said you'll tend to lose a lot of low end. It wont damage the pedal in any way though, and some guitar effects can sound good on bass.

10-06-2005, 12:34 PM	#6
LewsTherin MX Warwick Club HUZZAH! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CMass USA Posts: 8,608	I personally use nothing but guitar effects for my bass. An MXR Distortion+ and a Dunlop Dimebag sig Wah. They can suck a bit of low end, sure, but thats when you just bump up the bass on the EQ a little. Its really not that bad. I like them both better than any bass-specific distortion or wah Ive ever tried.

10-15-2005, 03:27 AM	#7
sheppaow viva la stingray Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: bristol Posts: 7	ive been playing on my friends boss mt-2 metal zone pedal. It's absolutley insane there isn't any pedal that gives a more insane muffled drive.....

10-16-2005, 01:42 PM	#10
I-am-scott It's me! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Norfolk, United Kingdom Posts: 39	I use both a Boss OD3 and a Dunlop Crybaby on my bass, The OD3 has a good sound to it but I fint it can be a bit limiting at times, it doesnt really have a good dirty sound without losing the bottom end. I now use a washburn mx-1 metalhead, this is alot better as it has more choice. If I was looking for another distortion pedal for the bass I would definately look for one with these controls on it: Level and distortion as usual, Bass and Treble. Having the choice to beef up the low end really helps as I personally think that a single tone control is pretty useless when it comes basses. The same problem with the cry baby with a loss of low end but it is a good little pedal and for songs that dont require too much bass it is well suited. Hope that has helped, Scott.

11-12-2005, 07:46 PM	#11
front-line bassman Guest Posts: n/a	sry to do this, im just checking to see if i can post. But fender makes some great pedals

11-17-2005, 07:04 PM	#13
Thonk god is a concept Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: black mesa Posts: 12,884	The only Fender pedal i've seen was a Fender Blender? It's a distortion pedal.

11-17-2005, 08:31 PM	#14
doodooking Sinep Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 424	i think they make a pedal tuner...