BOSS GX-1B Bass Multi-Effects Processor Pedal

I have only one Effects Pedal for my basses and it is another item that I have purchased multiple times. I bought the previous generation GT-1B two times and finally landed on the latest, greatest iteration from BOSS.

This thing is extremely slick. The sparkling blue finish is gorgeous, the menus are a bit easier to navigate than the GT, and BOSS added an Envelope Filter tailored for bass guitars.

I could not resist adding the BOSS-branded caps for the switches.

BOSS RV-6 Reverb Pedal

Reverb is almost considered “standard equipment” on most pedal boards and BOSS makes a fantastic one.

It’s exceptionally well-made and has a ton of tonal possibilities.

Thanks to the guys at Guitar Center who knocked a few bucks off the purchase price!

BOSS TR-2 Tremolo (Analog)

This was a pedal that I did not think I would want. Now, it might just be G.A.S., but for $79, I took a chance.

Tremolo affects volume modulation (louder, softer, louder), not pitch (that’s “vibrato”). I’m still trying to get the difference locked into my brain.

Another Guitar Center pre-owned deal. This time, complete with the box and all papers.

Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi With Tone Wicker

After having sold my NYC Big Muff Pi, I missed having it. So, I decided to go with the next level and get the Tone Wicker model.

The Tone Wicker allows the mids and highs that a standard Big Muff Pi filters out. It is a great Fuzz pedal with great tonal versatility.

I virtually “stole” this one for $50 on the Facebook Marketplace as it came with the original box, all “case candy”, and a CD.

Electro-Harmonix Nano Q-Tron

A pedal so nice, I bought it thrice. Well, two Nanos and one Micro Q-Tron. However, the Nano Q-Tron has a volume control that the Micro lacks. This helps tame the “ice pick” factor that these kinds of envelope filters can produce.

Why has it taken me three times to “get it right”? I do not have a good answer to that. I love the effect and sold the previous Nano Q in a Gear Purge. So, I had to pay for that mistake.

It’s based on the Mu-Tron III pedal that Jerry Garcia, Bootsy Collins, and many other players used to shape their sound.

Electro-Harmonix Soul Food “Transparent” Overdrive

In 2021, I began to look at FX pedals more deeply. During this time, I was introduced to “Drive Effects”, which are the effects that simulate pushing amplifier tubes to the point of signal distortion.

Drive effects come in three “levels” moving from milder, less-pronounced to wilder, extremely-pronounced: Overdrive, Distortion, and Fuzz.

I wanted an overdrive that did not introduce a large amount of “color” to the guitar signal. These are called “Transparent” overdrives. And the Soul Food from EHX had excellent reviews. And when I found one at Guitar Center for $60, I jumped on it.

And so, my “Pedal Board” (that I was not going to build) grew to two.

MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay

Also known as an “Echo Pedal”, a delay pedal makes a copy of the original signal and duplicates it while making the copy decay over time.

In the broadest sense, there are Analog and Digital delays, with analog being described as more “warm” and “vintage”. The digital delays are precise. The reader can find better, more in-depth explanations on the Interwebs. I’m just not clever enough to describe all of the different types of delay.

I wanted a delay pedal because they are just cool. In addition, delay pedals have been used on many of the songs I listened to in my now-faded youth.

There were so many options for a delay pedal that I got overwhelmed and went with an extremely reputable brand, MXR.

This beautiful pedal is covered in a deep-green, bass boat sparkle finish. It is built like a tank, is the heaviest pedal I own, has easy-to-understand controls, and sounds fantastic.

It was then that this non-existent “Pedal Board” (the one I refused to build) was up to three.

Electro-Harmonix Bad Stone Phase Shifter and Small Clone Chorus

These were purchased together from a music store on Reverb at a time when EHX had significantly marked down a few of their pedals. And they are the only two brand-spanking new pedals I own.

The two are members of what is broadly referred to as Modulation Effects with Chorus “thickening” the tone, and Phase applying a “swirling” effect. Together, they are a lot of fun!

OK, OK, OK! I ended up building a Pedal Board.