I play since some weeks ago with a cover’s band (yeah!) and I realized that changing tuning happens more than I was expecting. I played all my life EADG, and our covers require for EADG, EbAbDbGb, Drop D even Drop C#. While I’m trying to adjust some of the songs to keep it simple, in some cases is just not an option.
I have a 25 year old KORG that still works like a dream; however, having to unplug, plug, tune, unplug and plug again is a mess. And although nobody complains, I just don’t like it.
I asked and the band told me about the Polytune pedal. Looked for it and realized that then if I want to do things well, I need a pedalboard (because I already have a Big Muff Pi) and a 9v charger. When I saw the prices of the 3 things together I thought “what about multi-effects, do they include a tuner?”. And then I found many posts in this forum about the Zoom B1 / B1X.
I was about to buy the B1X for 111€ in Thoman, but then I saw their ranking of multi-effects bass pedals and checked that top 1 is Valeton GP-5. YouTube reviews put it as the One Ring to rule them all (which also fits in your pocket). And looks like having everything I want except perhaps a dedicated line in for things like Moises or the band recordings. All for 77€.
Long-story short / TL-DR: what do you recommend for a beginner (should I say bad-ass if I finished the course) already playing at a cover’s band that hopes to start playing live in some months?
Pedalboard + Polytune + (already purchased) Big Muff Pi
Valeton GP-5
Zoom B1X (if I get this one, I get the expression pedal just for fun)
I think I’m already dedicating to much time to decide on this, so I think that the moment 2 of you agree, I will go with that option
The GP-5 as far as I’m aware, gives you one effect at a time. That’s not a bad thing or a good thing… but something to be aware of. The Zoom lets you set up multiple effects at a time (distortion + chorus + reverb for example). Again, not a good thing or a bad thing, it depends on your needs. I will say that the B1X is getting really dated at this point and would suggest something more modern in that price range. I’ll drop a couple of options in this post.
On top of doing everything that the Zoom does (including the drum machine), this one has XLR connections as well.
Same basic pedal minus the XLR for just about the same price as the B1X
Thank you! I was also scared about the dates of the posts about the Zoom B1, but as it was still ranked 15 in Thomann… and removing the ones over 300€, it was 3rd… Although I cannot find the way to see that top anymore
From my investigation, with the Valenton GP-5 you can switch from one position to the next one, in a circle (e.g., 0 to 9 and back to 0), and each position can have a combination (i.e. chain)of emulated pedals. I guess the Zoom B1 is similar but with 2 pedals back and forth.
I will check the options you proposed! Thanks again @faydout !
Have a look at the Hotone Ampero (first generation), or Hotone Ampero One.
I have had the ‘one’, and currently have the Ampero. It gives you more effects than you could ever need, plus amp and cab sims. It also has drum loops and acts as a recording interface. Oh, it also has a tuner . I have set up some ‘go to’ pre-sets, including a number that I use live, where I plug into an amp (i.e, I have removed the amp/cab sims).
Overall, it works very well.
For reference, I also have a Zoom B1four. This is OK - I now use it for silent practice when I travel for work - but the Ampero is a far better device.
Hum, these ones are around 200-269€… I don’t have specific budget restrictions but myself worrying about expending too much. And knowing my bass was 400€, thos looks like it.
Any thoughts on pedalboard VS multieffects? I’m still finding it utterly strange that pedalboards are SO EXPENSIVE when they are simply a piece of plastic/metal on the floor. 70-150€. Wohoa.
An advantage to a multi effect is that you’re getting a whole library of pedals. If you’re new to pedals, don’t know what effects you like, have pedals that you need occasionally, or appreciate the simplicity of having an all in one solution to tone and effects… that’s where the multi effects shine. An advantage to pedalboard and individual pedals is that especially with some of the boutique pedal makers, you can really craft a unique sound. With a lot of multi effects, they have an fx loop so you can plug in some pedals and use them with the multi effect (mainly being able to turn them all on or off).
The BIG thing about the Valeton is that it can load NAM models. This is huge, especially in a pedal so small. A Neural Amp Model is a simulation of an entire signal chain - though some time-based effects like delays don’t model well. And a NAM model is like a snapshot of all the settings in the signal chain together.
You can grab a bunch of models here:
So you get access to a bunch of patches that more or less work out of the box, but you don’t get to adjust the individual components. If you want to play around with it in just software, there’s a free plugin available at the NAM site above.
EDIT:
And on the tone3000 site, you can audition the models just by browsing the website. Choose the input audio clip, the model you want to test out, the cabinet impulse response you want to use, etc
I think @faydout nailed it. I started to go down the route of separate effects, but then saw a multi-effects pedal and thought, w’oha, stop!! I sold the separates and bought the Ampero One, job done.
I talked with a local bassist I know, and he told me one thing perhaps worth mentioning: he uses the Polytune for tuning, because he had issues with multieffects pedals in the past not being precise enough.
The options from @faydout , do you know about how good is their embebed tuner? Specially when you need to tune it down a lot. Like Drop C# or even standard B for a 5-string.
I have a gp-5 and you can set and edit a chain of 10 effect pedals by hand, toggle them as needed and controll both switching, aswell as toggling via midi.
The tuner is really nice and simple, I compared it to my clip on tuner and they seem to always agree.
Right now I do not use it much, since I prefer to not annoy my neighbors, so I use my positive grid spark neo headphone amp. I have no idea of speakers, but I think I can get away without a dedicated amp using the valeton.
Open to reccomendations , for now I only really need it for the couple hours at home each day.
Nice! Mine is arriving in 3 days. That was my final choice for now.
I discovered that you can both send and receive audio via the GP-5 bluetooth at the same time, connected to your phone and headphones. So that covers all my needs.
But now you make me doubt: are you having issues connecting the GP-5 to headphones directly?
No, right now I just use it when I do not wish to use headphones. But my “great” speaker right now is a spark mini, so thats not exactly the right thingybob for a bass
. I have set up some ‘go to’ pre-sets, including a number that I use live, where I plug into an amp (i.e, I have removed the amp/cab sims).
