Recommend a Bass Guitar Pedal for my Son
Discussion
My 13 year old son started learning Bass in September - he is mainly into Rock music and is very keen.
For his birthday I got him a distortion pedal and want to surprise him for Xmas. I know very little about musical instruments, but know he would like another pedal .
Thanks for your suggestions
For his birthday I got him a distortion pedal and want to surprise him for Xmas. I know very little about musical instruments, but know he would like another pedal .
Thanks for your suggestions
I’m not too keen on effects for bass, but I’d get him one of these… I’ve got an earlier one and there is a lot of stuff packed in. He can work out what effects he likes then maybe get dedicated versions in the future.
https://www.gak.co.uk/en/zoom-b1x-four-bass-multi-...
https://www.gak.co.uk/en/zoom-b1x-four-bass-multi-...
Pistonpants said:
I’m not too keen on effects for bass, but I’d get him one of these… I’ve got an earlier one and there is a lot of stuff packed in. He can work out what effects he likes then maybe get dedicated versions in the future.
https://www.gak.co.uk/en/zoom-b1x-four-bass-multi-...
Would also suggest a multi effect pedal like this for someone starting out, as you get the most sounds for your £££'s whilst your finding out your sound.https://www.gak.co.uk/en/zoom-b1x-four-bass-multi-...
Pistonpants said:
I’m not too keen on effects for bass, but I’d get him one of these… I’ve got an earlier one and there is a lot of stuff packed in. He can work out what effects he likes then maybe get dedicated versions in the future.
https://www.gak.co.uk/en/zoom-b1x-four-bass-multi-...
+1https://www.gak.co.uk/en/zoom-b1x-four-bass-multi-...
This was the first pedal I bought for my son, great value.
If you must get him a pedal, get him a compressor, if he plays rock or metal, he will want one at some point.
However, you'd be better off putting the money towards a decent amp. If he is just playing a little practice amp, getting him something decent (not a Fender Rumble) with a couple hundred watts will be the biggest upgrade. He'll need one if he wants to play with others, as little practice bass amps just can't keep up with drums and guitar amps, plus even just practicing at home on a good amp is a joy.
However, you'd be better off putting the money towards a decent amp. If he is just playing a little practice amp, getting him something decent (not a Fender Rumble) with a couple hundred watts will be the biggest upgrade. He'll need one if he wants to play with others, as little practice bass amps just can't keep up with drums and guitar amps, plus even just practicing at home on a good amp is a joy.
The Zoom (or other multi effects) is a good suggestion.
Alternatively, build one yourself?!
https://www.jedspeds.co.uk/basskits
Alternatively, build one yourself?!
https://www.jedspeds.co.uk/basskits
As a seasoned bass player I would recommend either of the following staples:
Octave pedal - Something like a Boss OC-2
Envelope filter - Something like a Q-tron
Don't bother with chorus or compression just yet, a young eager player would find they can be more creative with something which makes the bass sound really different... Multi FX are okay but the sounds are average and it's easy to end up losing focus due to their being too much choice, in my opinion it's better to have a limited "palette" and learn to work with what you've got. Then you can slowly build your signal chain with quality pedals.
Another pedal to consider might be a looper - I've got a Boss RC-30 which is a brilliant tool. They encourage creativity and are also great for inadvertently improving timing.
Octave pedal - Something like a Boss OC-2
Envelope filter - Something like a Q-tron
Don't bother with chorus or compression just yet, a young eager player would find they can be more creative with something which makes the bass sound really different... Multi FX are okay but the sounds are average and it's easy to end up losing focus due to their being too much choice, in my opinion it's better to have a limited "palette" and learn to work with what you've got. Then you can slowly build your signal chain with quality pedals.
Another pedal to consider might be a looper - I've got a Boss RC-30 which is a brilliant tool. They encourage creativity and are also great for inadvertently improving timing.
Sansamp BDDI is the only thing he will ever need, honestly.
Can create so much with it, so much tonal variety, makes relatively inexpensive gear sound really good.
Anything Darkglass is great - Currently use a B7K.
I play in a touring metal band, I have the sansamp as a rackmount but pedal version is available, and the Darkglass is great for a "modern" metal tone, but can be dialled great for heavy rock.
Can create so much with it, so much tonal variety, makes relatively inexpensive gear sound really good.
Anything Darkglass is great - Currently use a B7K.
I play in a touring metal band, I have the sansamp as a rackmount but pedal version is available, and the Darkglass is great for a "modern" metal tone, but can be dialled great for heavy rock.
jesusbuiltmycar said:
Budget about £100
His current favourites bands / riffs he plays are by Black Sabbath, Nirvana, Gorillaz, Green Day and Tool
He likes the intro to ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ but isn’t that keen on Metallica
He is also a big fan Royal Blood.
A lot of those play with fairly clean sounds tbh.His current favourites bands / riffs he plays are by Black Sabbath, Nirvana, Gorillaz, Green Day and Tool
He likes the intro to ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ but isn’t that keen on Metallica
He is also a big fan Royal Blood.
On the music front - does he listen to any other Metalliica from the Cliff Burton era? I can well udnerstand not being fussed about the later stuff, but the Burton era has some cracking basslines.
Ended up getting him one of these second hand from Reverb
https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Boss-GT...
https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Boss-GT...
jesusbuiltmycar said:
Ended up getting him one of these second hand from Reverb
https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Boss-GT...
Excellent choice - they sound greathttps://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Boss-GT...
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