What multifx (no amp sim required) would you recommend for a bass beginner?

[molul]

My uncle recently started learning bass, and he saw my Helix LT and was interested in getting something like that instead of buying several pedals (compressor, distortion, chorus, flanger, delay...).

I was thinking of HX Effects for his use case (he has a nice bass amp and doesn't need amp simulation), but being forced to use HX Edit is a big con, and on the other hand, I think a device like Hotone's would be enough for him to start learning about effects. I mean, he doesn't need the best quality, just something cheap and nice to get familiar with this new world for him.

What would you recommend?

 

[ian_dissonance]

Yeah, for a beginner whatever is going to fit their approach is best. I would honestly recommend avoiding much for FX until you have some confidence on the instrument. Always reminding people of that when I was doing lessons. FX are cool, but they’re not important until you can play something.

 

[molul]

He knows how to play enough I was hoping more for device names than general advice, but thanks anyway :)

 

[ian_dissonance]

He knows how to play enough I was hoping more for device names than general advice, but thanks anyway :)

Boss GX-10. Super easy, touchscreen, classic FX, not crazy expensive, built solid.

 

[Desertdweller]

@molul The best bass rig I ever had was a tuner, a MXR bass compressor, and a DarkGlass preamp. $600 new or $500ish used and you have a full rig, headphone ready, with an XLR out. Bass generally doesn't need delay, chorus, or reverb, but it can be nice to add sometimes. Bass needs punch, width, and girth. A bassist needs to be able to control these at will.

This compressor


This preamp


For fun you can check out these also awesome offerings from Ampeg and Mesa:



If you really need a multi-FX, nothing beats the control and functionality of the Line 6 HX Effects, but a good FX pedal with some of the best quality around would be the Fractal VP4. But neither has a preamp section, they're effects only.

 

[Desertdweller]

Here's a great pedalboard rundown from Amos Williams of Tesseract. He runs an all-pedal platform rig:

 

[ragingplatypi]

My first recommendation would be an HX Stomp if it’s not too expensive. It’s easy to figure out and it’s what the pros use.
My budget choice would for a new box would be the Zoom Multistomp

MS-60B+ MultiStomp for Bassists | Buy Now

MS-60B+ MultiStomp for Bassists

zoomcorp.com

Then there’s a myriad of choices on the used market.

 

[metropolis_4]

If FX are important:

If FX aren’t necessary:

 

[Mikael Dez]

The Stomp having amp sims and headphones out might help him with his beginner journey (I know my wife would likely get sick of me rumbling around on bass shaking the walls lol) I don't know if he has other people to consider though. If not, full send turn that amp UP lol

 

[JCW308]

Trace Elliot Transit B for sure:

Trace Elliot® Transit™ B Bass Pre-amp & Effects Pedal

Direct from Peavey! Get Your Trace Elliot® Transit™ B Bass Pre-amp & Effects Pedal Now with Free Shipping! Financing available.

peavey.com

 

[molul]

Trace Elliot Transit B for sure:

Trace Elliot® Transit™ B Bass Pre-amp & Effects Pedal

Direct from Peavey! Get Your Trace Elliot® Transit™ B Bass Pre-amp & Effects Pedal Now with Free Shipping! Financing available.

peavey.com

I dunno... He already has a good bass amp and is only interested in effects.

 

[Desertdweller]

The Line 6 POD express Bass would be a great place to start too.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PODExpBass--line-6-pod-express-bass

 

[Tito83]

IMO an old Zoom B3 would be pretty neat for that. I does have amp sims, but you don't have to use it. It has pretty much every effect you can think of, sounds pretty cool, cheap, and it's fairly easy to edit on the unit itself.

 

[Lele]

What would you recommend?

I would honestly recommend avoiding much for FX until you have some confidence on the instrument.

The Line 6 POD express Bass would be a great place to start too.

I agree, maybe a multi fx isn't necessary, and anyway I'd also suggest the Pod Express Bass.

 

[Piing]

I'm not recommending this, but it came to my mind as soon as I read the title. I don't know why. Maybe because I owned the SGX2000 in the 80's, and these brush strokes are still in my subconsciousness

 

[HotRats]

I know you asked for a multi FX but I'd personally start with single pedals.

 

[metropolis_4]

I dunno... He already has a good bass amp and is only interested in effects.

Stomp is a great way to go for that. Don’t think of it as an amp modeler, think of it as a really good multi-fx that happens to have amps if you want them.

 

[GuitarBilly74]

We use the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig V2 in our band. Sounds great through an amp or straight into the board.