What do I really need?

[Nigella]

Due to the fact that I do not want to end like this guy, I asked myself what kind of gear do I really need?

 

I have so far a fine bass, a small combo (for practicing at home (with the band I use the combo of a friend), a compressor and a delay (both pedals). Actually I am saving money for purchasing a 200W Amp and a matching speaker, my boyfriend will construct a preamp for me. And I plan to buy another effect, a flanger.

 

I' m playing in a Wave Band, we're doing a bit Metal as well.

 

Any suggestions?

[gnurph]

My guitar teacher taught me many important things, not the least is this: What one really needs, what one thinks they need, what one actually has, and what others tell one they need are often 4 different things. What I mean by that is if you're doing fine with your gear, then why worry?

 

That said, seems like you have a decent setup, but in addition to that, an overdrive pedal's always fun, maybe a synth pedal... hmmm... A backup bass maybe? Oh, and Ebows are cool too.

 

One of my favorite off the wall accessories- you know the dolls that you press them and they make a sound? Rip the doll open and pull out the little box.. I have 4 of them- a growl, a monkey, a siren and the word 'hey!' that I put in front of my pickup and it picks up. Hehehe.

[Perfessor]

I just bought an Eden amp, which is the sweetest sounding amp I've heard. It has a compressor. I know you'd be happy with one. They are a lifetime purchase.

[LanEvo]

Originally posted by Nigella Due to the fact that I do not want to end like this guy , I asked myself what kind of gear do I really need? I have so far a fine bass, a small combo (for practicing at home (with the band I use the combo of a friend), a compressor and a delay (both pedals). Actually I am saving money for purchasing.

If you have a good bass, a decent amp, and a good compressor...I would say that's just about all you really "need." Anything more than that is just "nice to have" but not necessary.

 

However, if you start playing live (in bars and clubs) where you'll need to use the PA system, it would be VERY helpful to have a good D.I. box so you can get a nice house sound. I used to have a SansAmp Bass Driver DI for that job:

 

 

As for effects, the only one I actually find useful (for the kind of music I play) is a good envelope-controlled filter. I use the Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron:

 

 

I like the Q-Tron because it's an affordable alternative to the "real thing," which is the much more expensive Mu-Tron III (originally made by Musitronix, now reissued by HAZ). The Mu-Tron III has a much sweeter sound, but at the time I couldn't really afford it.

 

If you're into metal and stuff, I suppose a good distortion pedal, like the ProCo Rat or Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi would be de rigueur.

 

 

Emre

[Nigella]

Thank you very much for your hints, they were very helpful. No.1 on my list is - of cause - a decent amp and a box. And the rest will find its way to me, I think, but now I know the directions.