The Case for Keeping It Simple: Bass Gear Overload

bellbottoms

bellbottoms

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Jun 12, 2022
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#1
Let’s talk about pedalboards and the endless pursuit of the perfect tone. Here’s my take: every single piece of gear you add to your pedalboard makes your setup exponentially more complicated.

Think about it—every knob on every pedal modifies your sound in a specific way. Now, multiply that by the number of knobs and switches on each pedal, and then multiply that by the number of pedals on your board. You’ve just created a system that’s orders of magnitude more complex than simply plugging directly into your amp—or, if you really need it, running through one or two well-chosen effects.

In the end, there’s no way your bass actually sounds better under all that complexity. What you’re really doing is chasing your tail, tweaking endlessly, and potentially masking the natural tone of your instrument.

I get it—buying gear is fun, and tweaking your sound is too. But personally, I’m moving in the opposite direction. Stripping things down to the essentials has helped me focus more on my playing and less on chasing a tone that may not even exist.

Sometimes, less is more. Simplicity gives you clarity, focus, and a sound that cuts through without getting bogged down in a maze of knobs and settings. So before you add that next pedal, ask yourself: Do I really need it?
 
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#2
bellbottoms said:
In the end, there’s no way your bass actually sounds better under all that complexity. What you’re really doing is chasing your tail, tweaking endlessly, and potentially masking the natural tone of your instrument.
Click to expand...
Disagree entirely. If I thought my bass sounded worse with pedals (or better without them), then I wouldn't use pedals.

I have specific needs for pedals: overdrive/distortion because I like it. Compression (sometimes) because along with dirt it allows my rig to sound much like a cranked SVT even at coffeehouse volume.

I joined a Cheap Trick tribute, so to simulate the 12-string thing I bought octave up and chorus. Sorry, I wasn't going to buy an actual 12-string bass. I think they are awesome, deep respect to those who play them, but restringing and tuning them is not my idea of fun. Besides, I'm a 5-string guy... need my low B, and have less-than-zero interest in 15 string.

And that's just me: others have the need to emulate quality synth bass, or simply enjoy the extra zazz from reverb, autowah, etc.



Now, I totally agree that complexity can come with cost. For me, I can easily get lost with programmable multi-fx. So, I go with what I know: analog pedals that do one thing (or range of things) well. Each pedal is like a color on a palette, I figure out how to blend them into pleasing colors. This has come from practice.

Sure, it's easy to get crap tones from pedals if you don't know what you're doing. So, the answer is to know what you're doing. It ain't rocket science. I could learn to use a Quad Cortex well if I really wanted to. I just prefer analog.

Last but not least: it's important to state that I'm not "fixing" the tones of my basses. I love every bass I own without processing, and that's how I play them at home (unless I'm learning a new effect). Processing is icing on the cake at the gig. And I have to add that I regularly get compliments on my effected tone from bandmates and bandleaders. That includes my most effected clangy Entwistle-like tones for hard rock.
 
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#3
i haven't counted them lately, but i estimate that i have about 1000 pedals right now, but i only use two or three of them on my gigs playing classic rock and several originals. for me, it's nice to know that if something comes up that i find a certain pedal would be best suited for a song, i probably have it in stock.
 
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#4
And that's just me: others have the need to emulate quality synth bass
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If you need to emulate a sound that an electric bass doesn’t naturally produce, then absolutely, use effects pedals—that makes total sense. I think it’s great that you’ve got a clear purpose for each pedal and know how to use them effectively.

The spirit of my original post, though, is more about setups where things get overly complicated. For instance, when a pedalboard is loaded with EQs, preamps, and other potentially redundant effects, all feeding into an amp that already has its own preamp, EQ, drive, etc., you've just served up an overseasoned meal.
 
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#6
We each have different tastes, I call it the Sandwich Theory of Tones or Music. I embrace the opportunity to be as simple or complex as needed for the given moment. Ain't nothing like a simple Butter Sammich but sometimes only a Dagwood will truly do. A well designed pedalboard allows me to make many sandwiches.
 

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#7
bellbottoms said:
Let’s talk about pedalboards and the endless pursuit of the perfect tone. Here’s my take: every single piece of gear you add to your pedalboard makes your setup exponentially more complicated.

Think about it—every knob on every pedal modifies your sound in a specific way. Now, multiply that by the number of knobs and switches on each pedal, and then multiply that by the number of pedals on your board. You’ve just created a system that’s orders of magnitude more complex than simply plugging directly into your amp—or, if you really need it, running through one or two well-chosen effects.

In the end, there’s no way your bass actually sounds better under all that complexity. What you’re really doing is chasing your tail, tweaking endlessly, and potentially masking the natural tone of your instrument.

I get it—buying gear is fun, and tweaking your sound is too. But personally, I’m moving in the opposite direction. Stripping things down to the essentials has helped me focus more on my playing and less on chasing a tone that may not even exist.

Sometimes, less is more. Simplicity gives you clarity, focus, and a sound that cuts through without getting bogged down in a maze of knobs and settings. So before you add that next pedal, ask yourself: Do I really need it?
Click to expand...

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Really though, I have been doing the same thing over the last 6-8 months. If it won't fit on a Nano+ size board or smaller, I don't need it. But, of course I try to figure out what all I can still fit on a small board. 🤣

What your saying is a very general way of thinking though. It doesn't take into account what pedals are always on. I have seen folks with 10 pedals on a board and maybe the only things that were always on where a tuner and compressor, or even just a compressor. And like others said above, complex does not equal complicated and doesn't necessarily mean better or worse.

I could come at this from the point of view that people without effects are missing out and they just don't sound as good. They need that enhancement to their sound.

You gave your advice. Thanks. We didn't need it though.
 
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#8
My best attempt to steelman and charitably engage with OP's thesis:
Here’s my take: every single piece of gear you add to your pedalboard makes your setup exponentially more complicated.
Click to expand...
Yes - in a literal sense, every new control compounds the number of possible settings permutations.
In the end, there’s no way your bass actually sounds better under all that complexity.
Click to expand...
This is a subjective assessment - there is no universal standard for "better" or "worse", so there is no way to confirm or refute this assertion.
Stripping things down to the essentials has helped me focus more on my playing and less on chasing a tone that may not even exist.
Click to expand...
This is something I can get behind. In all my years of audio engineering training, the supreme rule to live by was "A/B the change you just made. Does it sound better or worse? Check again in five minutes, an hour, a day. Does it sound better or worse? If worse, go back to the way it was before." First, do no harm. I think it's helpful to occasionally step back and remind yourself what your bass sounds like with no other treatment.

But that does not at all necessarily mean that fewer pedals/controls/xyz are always better.

Being mindful of what you are putting in your signal path is always a good thing, though. :thumbsup:
 
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#9
bellbottoms said:
Let’s talk about pedalboards and the endless pursuit of the perfect tone. Here’s my take: every single piece of gear you add to your pedalboard makes your setup exponentially more complicated.

Think about it—every knob on every pedal modifies your sound in a specific way. Now, multiply that by the number of knobs and switches on each pedal, and then multiply that by the number of pedals on your board. You’ve just created a system that’s orders of magnitude more complex than simply plugging directly into your amp—or, if you really need it, running through one or two well-chosen effects.

In the end, there’s no way your bass actually sounds better under all that complexity. What you’re really doing is chasing your tail, tweaking endlessly, and potentially masking the natural tone of your instrument.

I get it—buying gear is fun, and tweaking your sound is too. But personally, I’m moving in the opposite direction. Stripping things down to the essentials has helped me focus more on my playing and less on chasing a tone that may not even exist.

Sometimes, less is more. Simplicity gives you clarity, focus, and a sound that cuts through without getting bogged down in a maze of knobs and settings. So before you add that next pedal, ask yourself: Do I really need it?
Click to expand...


IMHO Adding elements to the signal path can definitely enhance tone, but let's keep in mind, what qualifies as good tone is 100% subjective.

There are limits to how many elements can be included in the signal path before tone degradation occurs. There is no fixed number of elements where degradation begins. It depend on your tone goals, th gear you are using, and how different pieces of gear interact.

To answer your question, "Do I really need it?" The correct answer is up to you. Just keep in mind each person gets to answer the question for themself.

I don't typically use effects for bass, but I find them highly desirable for guitar. I am quite happy with the sound I get plugging my bass into good PA gear. Also I don't care for the sound I get using coveted bass rigs. For example, Ampeg SVT into and 810E = :vomit: for me. Millions of people love the sound of this rig, so it's obviously awesome! However, it's not my sound.
 
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#10
bellbottoms said:
Let’s talk about pedalboards and the endless pursuit of the perfect tone. Here’s my take: every single piece of gear you add to your pedalboard makes your setup exponentially more complicated.

Think about it—every knob on every pedal modifies your sound in a specific way. Now, multiply that by the number of knobs and switches on each pedal, and then multiply that by the number of pedals on your board. You’ve just created a system that’s orders of magnitude more complex than simply plugging directly into your amp—or, if you really need it, running through one or two well-chosen effects.

In the end, there’s no way your bass actually sounds better under all that complexity. What you’re really doing is chasing your tail, tweaking endlessly, and potentially masking the natural tone of your instrument.

I get it—buying gear is fun, and tweaking your sound is too. But personally, I’m moving in the opposite direction. Stripping things down to the essentials has helped me focus more on my playing and less on chasing a tone that may not even exist.

Sometimes, less is more. Simplicity gives you clarity, focus, and a sound that cuts through without getting bogged down in a maze of knobs and settings. So before you add that next pedal, ask yourself: Do I really need it?
Click to expand...
I run a very basic setup for most of the 50+ years of being a working bassist. Iike a PB with newer round wound strings, and top quality amp and speakers. I have never had anybody complain about my sound or suggest my simple rig is an issue. When the notes start flying, having a tone that sounds like a bass coupled with technical proficiency has proved to be way more important.

Well, all that is great for me. Others? I’m of the opinion that it’s their art, their gear, and their dollars in which I have no say in the matter. So I’m not going to say that complex signal chains are better or worse than my basic setup. But I will tip my hat to you for your recognition that it may be getting in the way of your artistic journey.
 
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#12
Fuzzbass said:
Disagree entirely. If I thought my bass sounded worse with pedals (or better without them), then I wouldn't use pedals.

I have specific needs for pedals: overdrive/distortion because I like it. Compression (sometimes) because along with dirt it allows my rig to sound much like a cranked SVT even at coffeehouse volume.

I joined a Cheap Trick tribute, so to simulate the 12-string thing I bought octave up and chorus. Sorry, I wasn't going to buy an actual 12-string bass. I think they are awesome, deep respect to those who play them, but restringing and tuning them is not my idea of fun. Besides, I'm a 5-string guy... need my low B, and have less-than-zero interest in 15 string.

And that's just me: others have the need to emulate quality synth bass, or simply enjoy the extra zazz from reverb, autowah, etc.



Now, I totally agree that complexity can come with cost. For me, I can easily get lost with programmable multi-fx. So, I go with what I know: analog pedals that do one thing (or range of things) well. Each pedal is like a color on a palette, I figure out how to blend them into pleasing colors. This has come from practice.

Sure, it's easy to get crap tones from pedals if you don't know what you're doing. So, the answer is to know what you're doing. It ain't rocket science. I could learn to use a Quad Cortex well if I really wanted to. I just prefer analog.

Last but not least: it's important to state that I'm not "fixing" the tones of my basses. I love every bass I own without processing, and that's how I play them at home (unless I'm learning a new effect). Processing is icing on the cake at the gig. And I have to add that I regularly get compliments on my effected tone from bandmates and bandleaders. That includes my most effected clangy Entwistle-like tones for hard rock.
Click to expand...
Good post.
 
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#13
Wasnex said:
IMHO Adding elements to the signal path can definitely enhance tone, but let's keep in mind, what qualifies as good tone is 100% subjective.

There are limits to how many elements can be included in the signal path before tone degradation occurs. There is no fixed number of elements where degradation begins. It depend on your tone goals, th gear you are using, and how different pieces of gear interact.

To answer your question, "Do I really need it?" The correct answer is up to you. Just keep in mind each person gets to answer the question for themself.

I don't typically use effects for bass, but I find them highly desirable for guitar. I am quite happy with the sound I get plugging my bass into good PA gear. Also I don't care for the sound I get using coveted bass rigs. For example, Ampeg SVT into and 810E = :vomit: for me. Millions of people love the sound of this rig, so it's obviously awesome! However, it's not my sound.
Click to expand...
+1!
 
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#14
bellbottoms said:
If you need to emulate a sound that an electric bass doesn’t naturally produce, then absolutely, use effects pedals—that makes total sense. I think it’s great that you’ve got a clear purpose for each pedal and know how to use them effectively.

The spirit of my original post, though, is more about setups where things get overly complicated. For instance, when a pedalboard is loaded with EQs, preamps, and other potentially redundant effects, all feeding into an amp that already has its own preamp, EQ, drive, etc., you've just served up an overseasoned meal.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. And I should have explicitly stated that I agree with many of the points you've made. For example, I try to keep things simple: my largest board has six pedals (the Cheap Trick board).

OTOH, some use huge boards and sound amazing. As someone else noted, it's unusual for all pedals to be on at once. Heck, they aren't always in the same signal path. My guitarist brother is a full time pro, and his large board is essentially two boards with an A/B switch, with each signal path providing its own range of tones.

We may all be familiar with someone who goes overboard with FX and has terrible tone. Then there are those who run pedal-free and get poor tone! But certainly, the chance to F things up rises dramatically when using devices.
 
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#18
bellbottoms said:
Damn. Cold blooded. haha
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Or the cruel but funny version -

Thanks for your advice, both free and overpriced...

I actually agree with your point in part. Too many pedals, with layers of preamps will degrade the sig/noise ratio.

I split them into 2 categories - EQ and FX. I never needed EQ pedals, but I occasionally used octave, chorus or OD on an effects loop.
 
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#19
bellbottoms said:
Let’s talk about pedalboards and the endless pursuit of the perfect tone. Here’s my take: every single piece of gear you add to your pedalboard makes your setup exponentially more complicated.

Think about it—every knob on every pedal modifies your sound in a specific way. Now, multiply that by the number of knobs and switches on each pedal, and then multiply that by the number of pedals on your board. You’ve just created a system that’s orders of magnitude more complex than simply plugging directly into your amp—or, if you really need it, running through one or two well-chosen effects.

In the end, there’s no way your bass actually sounds better under all that complexity. What you’re really doing is chasing your tail, tweaking endlessly, and potentially masking the natural tone of your instrument.

I get it—buying gear is fun, and tweaking your sound is too. But personally, I’m moving in the opposite direction. Stripping things down to the essentials has helped me focus more on my playing and less on chasing a tone that may not even exist.

Sometimes, less is more. Simplicity gives you clarity, focus, and a sound that cuts through without getting bogged down in a maze of knobs and settings. So before you add that next pedal, ask yourself: Do I really need it?
Click to expand...
This is not it. There’s a psychology-dissertation amount of response that could be written but to sum it up: nah, but you do you.
 
#20
bellbottoms said:
Let’s talk about pedalboards and the endless pursuit of the perfect tone. Here’s my take: every single piece of gear you add to your pedalboard makes your setup exponentially more complicated.

Think about it—every knob on every pedal modifies your sound in a specific way. Now, multiply that by the number of knobs and switches on each pedal, and then multiply that by the number of pedals on your board. You’ve just created a system that’s orders of magnitude more complex than simply plugging directly into your amp—or, if you really need it, running through one or two well-chosen effects.

In the end, there’s no way your bass actually sounds better under all that complexity. What you’re really doing is chasing your tail, tweaking endlessly, and potentially masking the natural tone of your instrument.

I get it—buying gear is fun, and tweaking your sound is too. But personally, I’m moving in the opposite direction. Stripping things down to the essentials has helped me focus more on my playing and less on chasing a tone that may not even exist.

Sometimes, less is more. Simplicity gives you clarity, focus, and a sound that cuts through without getting bogged down in a maze of knobs and settings. So before you add that next pedal, ask yourself: Do I really need it?
Click to expand...
My first band experience; the guitarist would bring 3 pedalboards. One pedal board was double decker.
Each pedalboard had at least a dozen pedals. Each pedal had at least two buttons and three knobs. Each pedalboard got a new pedal every two weeks.
It was an absolute nightmare. Endless supply of tones and effects and yet, never the right tone or effect when required. This whole scenario put me off pedals for my life.. yes I have a pedalboard (someone suggested I needed it) with a tuner, eq and either fuzz or distortion but it simply never gets used.. expensive gadgetry and gimmickry is how I see it since I always get a great sound just plugging straight into my amp and cab. Nothing more needed for this little black duck.
 
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