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delay on bass?

bassicsax

bassicsax

Jul 29, 2007
538
483
40
Memphis, TN
#1
Sorry if this has always been discovered...

Im working on building my pedal board and ive noticed that alot of people have delay pedals on their boards, i have neverthought of using delay on bass, so i guess my question is how and when do you use it. And when you use it how does it sound...
 
#2
bassicsax said:
Sorry if this has always been discovered...

Im working on building my pedal board and ive noticed that alot of people have delay pedals on their boards, i have neverthought of using delay on bass, so i guess my question is how and when do you use it. And when you use it how does it sound...
Click to expand...

Pink Floyd's "One of These Days" is a prime use of a delay...I sometimes use mine for slapback.
 
#9
bassicsax said:
i was thinking about trying to use one during big parts of a song where the lead player drops out to do a solo to help fill in the space. Does anybody think this will work...
Click to expand...

I don't know why you couldn't. I think (not sure) that Kings of Leon's bassist uses delay in a few songs. I say go for a Boss DD-3 or a Line 6 DL4 (if you want all delays and a very handy looper).
 
#13
I make a lot of ambient music, and delay is definitely a Must Have for me. The second link in my signature has multiple examples, although the others likely do as well because I find myself using delay more and more (and more and more and more and more and more).
 
#16
It's not a necessary effect if you are sticking to old-school bass duties. But a quick slap back echo on a thumpy bass line can be a nice moody effect (makes it sound more ominous). The Dukes of Stratosphear song "25 O'Clock" uses this to great effect.

Delay can also be useful if you are playing more "lead bass" melodic stuff in the baritone register (common in a lot of post punk stuff, often with chorus too) for a more trippy sound.
 
#18
i never really got the appeal either.. but i got for either grindy hardcore tone or alice in chains chorusy sound.

if you have the space and a HPF on the delay, i can see it working. the stuff i play is way too busy.

+1 to the kings of leon comment. his bass work on this latest album was top notch.
 
#20
I've got a Boss DD-6, and I love it. Great for creating a big ambient break in the middle of a song, or, as posted above, something like "One of these Days" by Floyd. I don't know about must have, but if you're building a pedal board it's an impressive tool to have. The DD-6 has several preset delay times, but also allows you to tap in the time you want. I couldn't ask for more, personally.
 

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