Helix vs real pedals

S

Stuart rollo

Feb 13, 2018
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#1
Alrighty I'm looking for some advice. I play in a 4 piece band with 1 guitar and bass. I currently use my helix as my effects pedals I use the obsidian 7000 b7k module with a fuzz pedal when the guitarist plays lead to fill out sound. The other effects I use on my helix is 2 octave pedals, 1 with the expression pedal to make it more like a whammy and delay.

I'm thinking of buying the real pedals, I was thinking of getting the tech21 sans amp (£100 eBay) darkglass b7k (£150 eBay) I already own a digitech hardware delay pedal which I love. My main question is, is it worth spending this money or should I just continue ur to use my helix?

I use a Warwick streamer and my amp is a Ashdown mag 300

Cheers
 
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#2
I like actual analog gear...whether it's pedals, console, rack gear, etc. That said, digital has opened up the possibility of doing so much more with a lot lower overall investment. I have never tried a Helix. I like the digital stuff if I'm running sound/mixing, but if I'm playing I feel much more connected to my instrument if I'm using all analog stuff. So, yeah...I don't know if any of that is helpful. You can't go wrong either way.
 
#5
I just sold the Helix Rack I used for my bass pre. My Crown amp is up for sale. Moved to a Mesa D800+ with a Markbass LMIII as a backup. I'm putting together a small board that will have tuner, chorus, HPF (for LMIII) and maybe a compressor. I like my new tone better. Guitar config will remain Helix Floor.
 
#6
I'm not a big pedal/effects user, but tend to go with analog when it is an option and like individual pedals optimized for their purpose. The reason for that preference, however, is that it gets me the sound I want...so I would say whatever gets you the sound you want is the way to go. There is no right or wrong answer here IMO.
 
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#9
Stuart rollo said:
Alrighty I'm looking for some advice. I play in a 4 piece band with 1 guitar and bass. I currently use my helix as my effects pedals I use the obsidian 7000 b7k module with a fuzz pedal when the guitarist plays lead to fill out sound. The other effects I use on my helix is 2 octave pedals, 1 with the expression pedal to make it more like a whammy and delay.

I'm thinking of buying the real pedals, I was thinking of getting the tech21 sans amp (£100 eBay) darkglass b7k (£150 eBay) I already own a digitech hardware delay pedal which I love. My main question is, is it worth spending this money or should I just continue ur to use my helix?

I use a Warwick streamer and my amp is a Ashdown mag 300

Cheers
Click to expand...
It really comes down to you like what your hearing or not.
I know several guitarists that have gone Fractial or Kemper.

However in my specific case I’m really accustomed to the very specific sounds of my analog pedals so I go pedal board even though a single unit type of thing would be easier.

So, the only one making the decision is your ears.

Good luck and share your results.
 
#10
My two cents. I started with a B3, then started building an "analog" (with some digital effects, like delays) pedalboard from scratch, both for playing bass live and playing guitar at home.

The problem is, when trying to cover all the bases for both, it quickly grew out of proportion, both sonically and moneywise. Not to mention the size... Yeah, pedals they are very tweakable, and beautiful, and sure they sound great if you can afford some good ones, but... Finally I saw that was the road to nowehere and opted for a Helix LT I'm coming to terms with right now. Maybe some effects are not so special/great, but in the mix, specially live, it doesn't matter. And for the guitar it's a killer.

The case is, for live bass I just really needed a tuner, a delay/looper and a preamp. But maybe some dirt. Maybe some phasflanghorus... Maybe an octaver... Maybe a compressor... Maybe... Please STOP.

The Helix LT is (for me) the end of the road to the asylum for impoverished demented musicians.

Edit: add to this that more times than not, I now go directly to PA both in rehearsals and live. I have a good amp, but it's not part of "my tone".
 
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#12
thanks for the all the replies. I've decided to stick with using my helix, I like my tone I get from it. you can check out my bass tone here in my bands first single called Black Star: open.spotify.com/artist/46GarMAEIp3HFHYs8cUAU0?si=t5gdq4elRu-P_jVNqJG94A
again thanks for every ones input
 
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