Slightly unusual request, I’m looking for a present for a friend who plays bass guitar in a “progressive metal” band, and was thinking an effects pedal might be fun.
I know nothing about bass guitar or the metal genre (I’m more of a synth and 4/4 drum machine type!) so was wondering if anyone had any recommendations of cool pedals for this genre, around the £80-£100 mark ideally?
I can hopefully check if he already has something specific via his wife, but don’t want him to have any hint about the present so cannot ask him directly
All ideas welcome - I’d assume he has the fundementals covered as he has been playing for a while, so something a bit unusual/esoteric could be cool. My thoughts naturally gravitate towards distortion when I think of metal, also I can imagine distortion is something it’s fun to have multiple types of.
Shame Thomann is not doing the cheap Analog Drives any more
This one’s kind of a Sunn Model T emulation, but very much its own thing. Sounds huuuuuuge on bass, but more for doom/stoner I guess than prog, but still awesome.
Don’t be sorry, really appreciate your help! Love the design on some of these, heh. Someone recommended this Fuzzolo — ZVEX Effects (speaking of cool design reminded me), not sure if you’ve ever come across it? No idea how suitable for metal or not it is, I just like the design lol
Just to chime in – I would say for something like progressive metal, an overdrive or distortion (like the Acapulco Gold) would be favored over fuzz (like the Fuzzolo). Progressive metal is about precision, and fuzzes tend to make note definition difficult.
Really depends on the type of metal he is doing , i have been involved in metal for over a decade. Ive used the apcupulco for drone and doom. For prog you might want something cleaner. Something like an EQ pedal could go miles for prog metal.
Yea, this pedal is amazing! Definitely have a look at the EHX Bass Big Muff as well, they’re not that expensive and are great for massive sludge / post-metal sounds.
Ah nice, the Big Muff was actually one someone else mentioned too and the price seems right, so just need to check with his wife that he doesn’t already have one Thanks!
Anything Darkglass is the bomb, but prob seriously over your budget. Zvex Mastotron is another one to consider. Generally distortion or fuzzes with a clean mix to keep the low end.
The bass big muff is great. The bass player in my current band uses one and I love the sound.
The key with distortion for bass in metal is the ability to have a wet/dry mix. Too much distortion on bass and you lose low end definition, starts sounding thin.
I used to play with a guy who played frettless bass through a boss oc3 and a totally dimed peavey mark viii. You could feel your bones shake.
There’s the infamous boss hm-2 that’s between distortion and fuzz but overpriced in second hand - there’s a cheap tc electronic clone tough, the eyemaster.
A bitcrusher is commonly used on synths, but I think it’s overlooked by guitarist/bassist (note that it might just be a false perception of mine). It sounds amazingly good on a distorted bass.
A looper might be fun if he hasn’t one?
It’s hard without knowing what he already has on his pedalboard… (What about a strap or some other accessory?)
edit: read too fast, glad you found what you were looking for!
Love the design on some of these, heh. Someone recommended this 
Thanks for all the help!