I used to go straight into the amp until I began using a wah. I then got a Zoom multi-effect pedal and used that for a while but went back to a simple wah/overdrive setup. I had a go at integrating amp modeling into a live rig but that got me nowhere, it was too hard to set up a consistent tone and I had no use for most of the options it gave me, anyway. So I went back to basics. Then, started collecting pedals a couple of years ago and I’m beginning to have a pretty nice range of effects to choose from.

My current board is made up of a Phase 90, BMP w/ Tone Wicker, DS-1 Ultra, SMMH and a CAE Boost. The phaser is the only modulation pedal I use live, it’s an effect that has many uses. The Big Muff is for solos and riffs (tone off, wicker on, sustain max’ed out). I step on the DS-1 when I need to rock hard without being over the top. I use the SMMH for basic echo, as well as reverse solo/chord effects in a couple of songs. The booster is always on, providing a bit of clarity and pushing the front end of my Hot Rod Deluxe just enough to give it more character.

That’s the way it’s been for the last two gigs, and I’m pretty happy with it. But I have a horrible case of GAS right now, so who knows what will come next.

In the studio, I stick to the purist approach, crank the amp and go for it. And I add a bit of Muff mayhem if need be…

i used to play straight to the amp for about 2 1/2 years until i got a boss ds-1. then a year later i got a crybaby wah. over the past 6 months i’ve gotten the rest of my stuff: small clone, big muff pi, flanger hoax, lpb-1 and phase-100.

Oddly enough, I purchased my first effects pedals (an NYC EHX Big Muff reissue and a Boss GEB-7 Bass Equalizer) within a month after playing. I subsequently sold them off, but I quickly came back into the effects frenzy.

My fascination with effects has run parallel to my development of traditional and not-so-traditional bass experience and techniques. I love having them around. I play “clean” (that is, using only what my amp has to offer) most of the time, but I do use effects on a few songs, and I love to experiment with them.

I can go without them if I need to, but given the choice, I’ll always have a pedalboard on the stage – even if I don’t use it for some reason. You never know when you might find a new use for what’s on the board.