Best Bass Pedals & Effects of 2024: 10 Reader Favorites That Shaped the Year in Tone
This year, we’ve explored an incredible range of pedals and effects, from tone-shaping classics to boundary-pushing innovations. Here are the 10 articles that resonated most with the bass community in 2024, earning their place as your favorites. Dive in and see which pedals made waves this year.
1. Fender Unveils the Bassman Pedal Series
Fender is upping their bass pedal game this year with a full Bassman line of pedals. The five new stompboxes include the Driver, Fuzz, Compressor, delay and reverb models.
2. NUX Introduces the B-8 Wireless System
NUX has added to their range of wireless products with the B-8, a wireless system that includes a tuner, a boost, an effects loop, and a DI all in one pedal-sized package.
3. Line 6 Launches the Pod Express Bass Pedal
Line 6 has unveiled the Pod Express Bass pedal, which acts as an amp and effects processor. With sounds derived from the company’s Helix processors, the new model packs a lot in.
4. Tech 21 Unveils the SansAmp XB Driver
Tech 21 will be on hand at the 2024 NAMM Show to introduce their latest development: the SansAmp XB Driver. The “all-in-one” box brings together elements from their SansAmp Bass Driver DI, the Para Driver DI, the Q/Strip, and dUg Pinnick Ultra Bass 1000 into one unit.
5. Trickfish Amplification Now Shipping New Bass Pedal Line
Trickfish Amplification’s booth at NAMM this year was buzzing due to a new amp and a new range of pedals. Now we have the full scoop of the stompbox lineup, which includes the VCA Compressor, the Overdrive Preamp, External Preamp (EPA), and the Signal Filter.
6. Zoom Announces the MS-60B+ MultiStomp Pedal
Zoom has updated its MultiStomp lineup with the MS-60B+, a stompbox loaded with 11 amp/cabinet models, 11 preamp emulations, and 75 bass effects.
7. Electro-Harmonix Introduces the Lizard King Bass Octave/Fuzz
Electro-Harmonix has introduced the Lizard King, an octave and fuzz pedal based on their Lizard Queen but optimized for bass.
8. Earthquaker Devices Announces the Blumes Bass Overdrive Pedal
Earthquaker Devices has expanded their pedal lineup with a new bass overdrive called Blumes. Though the company’s effects have often been used for bass, the Blumes is their first overdrive made specifically for bass.
9. Electro-Harmonix Unveils the POG3 Pedal
Electro-Harmonix has unveiled the POG3, marking the latest generation of its Polyphonic Octave Generator pedal. The company calls it the most powerful pedal in the history of the series.
10. Source Audio Introduces the ZIO Bass Preamp
Source Audio has expanded its offering of bass-specific pedals with the ZIO, which is an analog bass preamp and DI.
Corey Brown is the founder of No Treble and serves in an advisory role. He’s also Head of Editorial at Muse Group. Learn more about Corey on his website and LinkedIn.
I am not a huge fan of pedals, but there are two on your list that are great. One, the Trickfish compressor, is indispensable. Unlike other commercial products, this one uses an LED ladder so you can actually see how much compression is being added. This one took the place of the Aguilar compressor which I loved. This one is much better.
The second pedal is the Fender Bassman reverb. I have lost count of how many reverb pedals I have tried and had to return. This one is a keeper. The HPF is what makes all the difference. This quickly became my favorite effect pedal (I don’t count compression as an effect). I am not Fender fanboy. I don’t even own any Fender basses, but this one is just a treat.