Off Topic What shall I buy?

[AlexBongoCrazy]

I put this under off topic because it doesn't have to be related to musicman products. but basically, I've been saving up for a while now and have thought about spending some of the money in my bank account on something new for bass but i'm not quite sure what because i'm not sure what I actually NEED to buy or what I WANT to buy. The main thing i've thought of is getting a pedal of some sort, probably along the lines of an envelope filter, preamp/DI, EQ or an overdrive pedal but i'm not sure which one of those would actually be useful. Other than pedals i'm not sure what i could buy an amp wouldn't be that useful because I already have one and i've thought of maybe getting a J bass but i'm not sure i want to spend that much money. So anyone got any ideas on how I could spend my money?

Keep in mind that i want to focus on both what I actually need and that i'll be going to music school in september so i'll be playing a variety of stuff with a focus on pop, funk, soul, rnb (mainstream music).


Another question: what could i use to clean the back of the neck? sometimes it gets a bit grimy which makes it harder to move my hand around the neck.

 

[Stephen]

Buy: a Big Al or a 2 band Sting Ray to add some old school vibes to your very nice Bongo.

Clean: use a damp piece of cotton cloth with a drop of soap (most times just water will do).

 

[MSilvers]

What kind of amp do you have? About a year ago I had (and still have) this awesome amp that sounds great for any smaller gigs, but it's a 200W 1x10 combo so I got a half-stack because I needed something with more power for loud rock gigs. If you're going to music school (where are you going by the way?) and all you have is a big powerful amp you might want to get a high quality smaller amp that can be used for smaller gigs/practice/recitals. As far as pedals, my first pedal was an envelope filter (EBS Bass IQ) and though I love it I don't think it would be the best starting pedal; it's a very specific effect that you would only use at specific spots. Probably a distortion/overdrive or a chorus pedal would be more frequently used to change up your sound. If you already have a good amp that will work for any situations you'll need it for soon (as far as size and power) and you don't think you really need or want any pedals, treat yourself to a nice new bass. I'm going to music school next year too (Frost at UMiami) and I've been thinking about what equipment to bring when I go. As of now I think I'm just bringing the smaller amp for now and I'm not sure about pedals, which I feel like I've been using a lot less recently.

As far as cleaning the neck I tend to just use the same stuff I use for the fretboard.

 

[AlexBongoCrazy]

Well an amp wouldn't be very practical because I would be using the amps at the music school (in england) and so i wouldn't bother bringing mine especially as i wouldn't have room and it's just a practice amp. But I think you're right about the envelope filter because i would probably only use that for something like jamiroquai or parliament so an overdrive or some sort of preamp pedal would probably be more useful and i would like to add a bit more bite to my sound cus sometimes just a clean sound isn't powerful enough for some songs. when do you think a chorus pedal would be useful?

 

[JoshL]

Cant talk about chorus pedals really but I got the boss odb-3 overdrive pedal at christmas and its great for adding a bit more power and bite to some of the songs. Another good one a few bassists at my college (uk) use is the bass big muff which seems to do the same sort of thing just it gives you a slightly more old school overdrive sound.
Hope I've been of some use.
Josh

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

"...because i'm not sure what I actually NEED to buy ..."
"...Keep in mind that i want to focus on both what I actually need..."

I think you answered your own question. If you are not sure what you actually need, then I would hold off and just wait until you do know. You already have a good bass. If your amp is good enough and you have a strap, a patch cord and a tuner, you're pretty much all set.

 

[MSilvers]

when do you think a chorus pedal would be useful?

Well for me chorus is just something where I can just hear it being at certain parts of a song (often the chorus or the bridge). It kinda gives it that "woahhh" sound and can really grab some attention and make the bass stand out at certain parts of the song. As far as a good distortion pedal I have both the EHX Bass Big Muff and Bass Blogger. The Blogger is more of a subtle "just add a little growl" kind of effect where the Big Muff is a much more intense overdrive.

 

[AlexBongoCrazy]

Yeah I think Smallmouth is right i'll hold off for now, maybe i'll buy some strings for backup and one of those things to turn the tuning pegs quicker cus I just put some new strings on and it's a real bitch having to turn the peg constantly but otherwise i think i'll just save my money and maybe i'll find that I need some sort of pedal when i'm at music school

 

[projectapollo]

The Tech 21 Sans Amp DI is a very handy tool and priced well.

 

[adouglas]

Headphone amps are very, very useful. You can't always plug in for real. I've tried a few and the one I use is the little VOX unit. Simple and sounds pretty good.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with effects. I've been there and done that, and eventually everything gets put aside… my sound just doesn't require that stuff (yours might, though). The only thing I run is compression, which happens to be built into my rig. If I were playing through a "normal" amp without it, I'd buy a Markbass Compressore.

 

[fly]

Headphone amps are very, very useful. You can't always plug in for real.

yup,we have one and they are pretty versatile......

 

[AlexBongoCrazy]

does compression really make that much of a difference? I sort of know what it does but i'm just not sure whether it's that useful, but i could be wrong. But yeah i don't think my sound really requires much in terms of effects at this point but i would of course like a really good tone which i'm guessing is down to getting a better amp but i'll do that later on. It's just a shame tube amps are so expensive. At the moment I have a tiny line 6 thing which really doesn't do the bongo any justice and I tried an ampeg once and loved it. So i guess i should just focus on having a good bass and a good amp and forget about effects for now.

 

[adouglas]

So i guess i should just focus on having a good bass and a good amp and forget about effects for now.

You display wisdom beyond your years, young man.

Now go check out some Markbass gear.

 

[jlepre]

Money burns a hole in your pocket - Idiom Definition - UsingEnglish.com
I don't mean to sound harsh, but that's how I feel....

 

[drTStingray]

Whereabouts are you going to college - did you say England?

If you want to buy an effects unit, chorus does add some interesting dimensions to sound and playing (it's especially useful to get that 80s sound, amongst others) and can be had quite cheaply (eg Boss). However, like A Douglas, I've got loads of these things (including compression) and rarely use any of them to be honest.