10 Bass Effects Stompboxes Under $130

It is no secret that virtually all guitarists employ effect stompboxes as part of their artistic pallet of sonic colors and textures, and for them to perform at a gig without pedals is nearly unimaginable. On the other hand, bassists are often expected to carry only a clean and solid foundation sans any actual color beyond the sound of their amplifier, bass, and fingers. While players definitely can utilize a guitar pedal to distort their bass, it just will not sound well. Guitar specific amps, gears, and pedals are not built to handle the low-end frequencies produced by a bass guitar. While the lion’s share of pedals goes to the six-string family, bass effects stompboxes are a sought-after component of low-frequency enthusiasts. They played a vital part in numerous iconic rock and metal cuts, including Flea’s slap-and-pop cascading wah solo in “Coffee Shop” as well as Cliff Burton’s curiously guitarish “For Whom the Bell Tolls” intro. Branching way further than legends such as the MXR Bass Compressor and the Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi, effects like the Aguilar Filter Twin and DOD Meatbox showcase the vast universe of sonic possibility for bassists. Engineers, manufacturers, and bassists alike would agree that an excellent low-end delivers a healthy self-confidence and character to a music piece. Such is possible with a box the size of an effects stompbox. This article lists some astounding pedals any bassist can snag without breaking the bank.

Boss GEB-7 Bass Equalizer

The Boss GEB-7 Bass Equalizer is a seven-band EQ stompbox specially designed for the frequency range of electric bass. Credits to the frequency range that goes as low as 50Hz, this pedal is also capable of handling bottom end and depth adjustments for an upright bass outfitted with pickups. Specifically tailored to the needs of bassists, the GEB-7 Bass Equalizer incorporates three controls for the very crucial mid frequencies of 400 Hz, 500 Hz, and 800 Hz, which decide the bass sound’s fundamental character. Each of its seven EQ bands can be cut or boosted by as much as 15dB. That makes the unique character of each gaming technique perfectly apparent, from dynamic fingerpicking to aggressive slapping. Boasting an extensive frequency range from 50 Hz to 10 kHz, the GEB-7 Bass Equalizer is perfect for any bass type. Carrying seven sliders for the frequencies 50 Hz, 120 Hz, 400 Hz, 500 Hz, 800 Hz, 4.5 kHz, and 10 kHz, it delivers extremely accurate sound control.

Electro-Harmonix Bass Clone

Shallow-pocketed stoner rock bassists rejoice! Spec’d from Electro-Harmonix’s acclaimed guitar chorus, the Small Clone, popularized by Kurt Cobain among other rockers, the Bass Clone chorus stompbox delivers a simple yet efficient arsenal of controls. Per Electro-Harmonix, the Bass Clone’s core circuitry is almost the same as the famed Small Clone chorus, except for the new features for bass. Chorus is an amalgamation of dry and modulated signals. The Bass Clone carries a Crossover switch that slices low end from the modulated signal, so the stompbox provides a more precisely articulated bottom end with exceptional note definition. The Treble knob affects the entire signal, while Bass merely affects the dry half. Along with the Crossover switch, they deliver dead-on sound sculpting that allows users to capture a tight and focused bass guitar sound with shimmering chorus and well-defined low end. Packaged within a durable, compact die-cast chassis, the Bass Clone also features true bypass switching for supreme signal path integrity while in bypass mode.

Donner Alpha Bass

The Donner Alpha Bass is an effects chain amalgamating three effect types in one, including a rich chorus, an Opto-voiced compressor, and a versatile bass drive. It is characterized by its user-friendly form factor, compact size, and stellar tone. The Alpha Bass incorporates a buffer bypass and LED indicator that displays the working state. The warm opto-esque compressor boasts natural attack and sustain, while the classic-voiced bass drive has an extensive tonal range. The lush, warm bass chorus module is intended for crafting the natural sense of space. The Alpha Bass fits any music style. The Compressor module consists of Attack, Level, and Sense knobs for controlling the compression attack intensity, effect output level, and compression amount, respectively. The Bass Drive carries controls for Tone (brightness), Gain (drive amount), and Volume (output level). The Chorus module features a single Level knob for the effect level.

Joyo Dr.J Soloman Bass Overdrive

The Dr.J Soloman Bass Overdrive is a well-built and -designed stompbox featuring an exceptional range of tones and simple controls. It is intended for modern bassists who wish to drive their low end to a different level from rock to metal. Three overdrive modes allow for Bright, Normal, and Warm bass tones to be focused, while Drive and Level knobs adjust the amount of boosted dirt to capture that crushing tone. The Dr.J Soloman Bass Overdrive’s three-position tone switch works perfectly with Drive and Level controls to give users full command over their tone. Whether it is utilized to kick in on that bass solo or as an effect for an entire song, the Dr.J Soloman Bass Overdrive will deliver the user’s desired tone. Its true bypass design preserves the tone when the stompbox is not in use. All Dr.J Soloman Bass Overdrive units are sturdy, trustworthy, and made to last.

Behringer BOD400 Bass Overdrive

The BOD400 Bass Overdrive provides more features than anything in its class without breaking the bank. It is perfect for those who wish to add some grind to their bass guitar sound, dishing out lush tube-esque distortion, super-fat tone, and smooth sustain. Specially designed for bass, the BOD400 Bass Overdrive supports the whole frequency range of bass guitars, including five- and six-string models. It carries a unique Balance knob that enables combining the overdriven signal with the natural bass sound, so users can add some character to their tone sans sacrificing punch and clarity. “We’re as crazy about tone as you are, and as bassists, we know that good EQ and dry signal blending are must-haves for real-world situations,” Behringer details. Built to “compete head to head with leading products on the market,” the BOD400 Bass Overdrive is versatile enough to deliver anything from a mild grind to the sound of a tube stack nearing a meltdown. It features dedicated Level and Gain controls as well as a very musical two-band EQ for shaping the tone to perfection. It also boasts a first-class electronic On/Off switch for silent operation.

Xvive Bass Squeezer

A compressor is arguably the one most beneficial stompbox bassists can own. Perfecting the art of efficiently leveraging compression can be frustrating though, and a lot of adequate stompboxes get cast aside as a result. Xvive developed a stompbox that removes the pain of compressing a signal and offers even the most technically challenged bassist a pro-quality squashed signal. “Quality compression will revolutionize your bass sound, but quality compressors are usually expensive and anything but user-friendly. The Bass Squeezer could not be easier to use, providing the bass player with idiot-proof compression, pro-quality tone and an overdrive option in an armageddon-proof tiny pedal at an unbelievably low price,” Bass Squeezer designer Jamie Mallender said. Described as “idiot-proof,” the Bass Squeezer has the solution to any compression need. It consists of controls for Overdrive, Volume, and Compression. According to Jamie, this stompbox is “the compression pedal I have dreamed of owning for years. It makes bass compression easy so that I can concentrate on making music with minimum fuss. The tone is rich and organic and the controls could not be easier to use. This pedal is an essential addition to any professional bass players pedalboard.” Xvive pedals are inexpensive and tiny, consuming minimal pedalboard real estate. They are painstakingly designed by Xvive’s USA team to provide guitarists and bassists with professional quality products featuring a phenomenal tone at a competitive rate. Xvive also manufactures pedalboards, power supplies, patch leads, and cables to cater to different gigging needs.

MOOER Bass Ensemble Queen

Designed for bass instruments and bassists, the Mooer Bass Ensemble Queen dishes out a lush chorus sound and maintains the fundamentals of an instrument’s characteristics. Built with top-grade components, this stompbox acts pretty well at the bass part. By pushing down the nail, users will capture the rich, stereo Chorus sound that makes their performance more vivid with the exceptional atmosphere. Tweaking the controls alters the effect sound, psychedelic gorgeous or soft and warm. What’s more, the Bass Ensemble Queen maintains the strength of the natural bass tone and low end while serving up a delightful chorus sound exclusive for bass. The Bass Ensemble Queen comes in a compact enclosure consists of controls for Rate, Tone, Depth, and Level. It also features a true bypass. “We always keep it in mind—the needs of Bass players. From FOG, Thunderball of Fuzz to Filter of Sweeper, nowadays, there is a new choice for your Pedal Board—Ensemble Queen, the Bass Chorus pedal,” Mooer Audio wrote.

T-Rex Bass Juice

Built with exceptional bass tone in mind, the Bass Juice distortion pedal by T-Rex boasts organic distortion designed particularly for bass. It provides bassists with all the grind they want without compromising precious low end. It consists of controls for Mix, Level, Gain, and Tone. The Gain dial sweeps from slight overdrive to blistering high-gain tones with a harmonically rich and thick sound. The Mix knob allows users to blend the clean signal back in to their liking, preserving their lower-end frequencies. The Bass Juice carries a boost footswitch for getting a volume boost above the band or adding even more gain. In normal mode, the Bass Juice offers excellent sustain with big bottom and rich creamy overtone. Engaging the boost function will take users into fuzz tone heaven. T-Rex Engineering has been creating exceptional guitar gear and effects stompboxes since the 1990s. T-Rex pedals are built using highest-quality components, including lifetime-use pots, film/foil electrolytic capacitors, and sturdy footswitches, connectors, and toggles. The Mudhoney distortion and the Replica digital delay are among T-Rex’s better-known stompboxes.

TC Electronic SpectraComp Bass Compressor

The SpectraComp Bass Compressor is an incredibly compact multiband compression pedal featuring an inbuilt TonePrint technology. It boasts a phenomenal tone and advanced studio-grade compression algorithm perfectly tuned to bass frequencies, delivering a balanced and unified sound across strings. The SpectraComp Bass Compressor is TonePrint-enabled to allow users to beam cool unique tones into their stompbox with the free TonePrint App. Its straightforward single-knob control lets users concentrate on playing. Per TC Electronic, the SpectraComp is “the tiniest big thing to hit the world of bass in a long time. This ultra-compact and highly intuitive multiband compressor is made to bring out all of the glorious low-end punch and presence of your beloved bass in the most transparent and musical way you’ve ever heard. Just turn it on and take charge of the groove.” Other features include true bypass, which allows for zero high-end loss and optimum clarity when the pedal is off. The SpectraComp Bass Compressor is built with top-grade components to deliver an authentic studio-quality compressor in a pedal format. Its extra-small size allows it to easily find a home on any pedalboard and the sturdy die-cast chassis is designed for life on the road.

NUX Scream Bass

An analog overdrive pedal designed primarily for bassists, the NUX Scream Bass serves up a strong and warm overdrive. It is the perfect choice for bassists who desire more versatility in and command over their gear. This overdrive stompbox consists of four fundamental control knobs for dialing up the tone with Drive, Level, and two-band EQ (High, Low). It also carries an additional Blend control for handling the whole effect amount on dry signal. The Scream Bass features true bypass design as well as an analog circuit to guarantee the original overdrive tone. Its intuitive knobs allow users to capture the tone from overdrive to fuzz. The Scream Bass comes in a sleek, durable red chassis. Affordability, efficiency, and tone serve as the primary foundations driving Nux’s roster of guitar effects stompboxes. Within its broad range of analog and digital mini pedals and one-stop-shop multi-effects stompboxes, everyone is likely to find something that fits their tastes and needs without hurting their pockets.