The bass guitar is almost always the unsung hero of any band, but a great bass effects pedal can add serious distinction and character to any bass. Whether you’re looking for filters, compressors or just some added oomph for your bottom end, there is an effects pedal out there to keep you sounding your best. With so many pedal options available to you, it’s important to have a basic idea of what kind of sound you’re trying to achieve. Different pedals provide different effects and no two are exactly alike. For example, pedals such as the Cry Baby 105Q Bass Wah from Dunlop or the PBA-2 Dual Bass Wah from Morley effect the pitch and frequency of your bass by creating a sweeping sound, more commonly described as the “wah wah†sound. This effect can be heard everywhere from Miles Davis’ On The Corner record to Metallica’s (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth, which definitely showcases the diversity of a wah pedal’s sound. If you’re looking for more of a classic fuzz tone for your bass, you’ll definitely want to check out the XO Bass Big Muff PI Distortion Effects Pedal from Electro Harmonix or the Hand-Painted Woolly Mammoth Fuzz Bass Effect Pedal from ZVex. The fuzz sound is arguably one of the most distinct in popular music. The effect is used by a diverse group of artist such as Christopher Wolstenholme of Muse, Robert Sledge of the Ben Folds Five, Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland of the Crystal Method and Scott Shriner of Weezer. Your lower end will cut through any style of music, from indie rock to electronica, when it’s powered up by some serious fuzz. Maybe you’re not looking for one specific sound, but rather a wider spectrum from which to explore. If that’s the case you’ll want to check out options such as the BP355 Bass Multi-Effects Pedal from DigiTech or the GT-10B Multi-Effects Pedal. Multi-effects pedals offer you the ability to mix and match between pre-sets and custom settings to come up with sounds that are totally unique, all while keeping you from having to carry a potentially huge pedal board from gig to gig. If you’re chasing a truly custom sound, odds are you’ll find it with a multi-effects pedal. As you can imagine, the right bass effects pedal for you is simply going to be the one that catches your ear and inspires your playing. Whether you’re carefully exploring the fret board or chugging along like a freight train, there is a pedal that will complement your playing style and bring your sound to the next level.
