Wa wa pedal

[Greaserbeef]

Im thinking about getting a pedal, do i need an effects thing to go with it? I've been playing for a few years, so what pedal should i get?

[Reinout]

The first thing I want to know: do you want a multi-effect or stompboxes. Multi-effects are cheaper and the are easier to handle (with presets), but many people think the sound is less great than from stompboxes. "The multi-effect is designed to put as many effects as possible in it and the sound doesn't matter." I don't agree with that, because I am quite happy with my Boss ME-30, but I have never listened very well to stompboxes. Separate stompboxes are more expensive, but the give you a better sound. If you need many real different sounds, I would recommend a multi-effect. If you don't need much different sounds, and you have a large wallet, go for the quality. But remember this: trust your ears!

[Raskolnikov]

I agree, to me multi-effects sound sterile and plastic, but it's your ears that count when it comes to your rig. I think Vox makes the best guitar wah these days, but try a few different ones out to see what you like. Cry Baby's are also good, and I have a Morley Bass Wah (for my basses of course), and it's been great. As for other effects, distortion+wah can get you a long long way. I can get turn table sounds, screeches, whistles, as well as traditional wah sounds w/ just my 4 string, wah and a ds-1. I've used my wah to simulate an envelope filter, flanger, and chorus effects. But generally, my phylosophy is to keep as little between my bass/ guitar and amp as possible. I'll probably invest in a chorus pedal, talk box, and maybe a couple of other things before I'm done, but I want to keep it as simple as possible. But again, shop around, try things out, and go by your ear.