Pedalboard on the “cheap”

[nottswarwick]

Ok so I need to put together a pedal board for some gigs - I’m mostly a drummer these days but this work has come in, so…

 

Will need a DI, some compression, a bit of overdrive and a tuner

I was going to get a Sansamp, but then it struck me that I already own a Radial JDI, and a TU2. BDDI is £250…

 

So, I’m thinking a compression pedal and an overdrive. Affordable but decent for pro gigs. If I could spend £150 ish and get both then cool…used at this budget. 
 

Any recommendations?  This way I can buy 2 affordable units and be done. 
 

cheers

 

Chris 

 

[Homatron]

At the risk of opening a can of worms... if I was looking to achieve the same, and focusing on affordability:

 

A Boss LMB3 might be a good place to start for compression and could be picked up for around £60 second-hand

 

Overdrive depends what you're looking for soundwise. A Behringer BDI21 (<£30) will give you a DI and Sansamp tone on a budget, or Joyo make the Tidal Wave (£75 ish), which is a clone of the Sansamp BDDI v2 and includes a mid control.

 

Alternatively, I really like the versatility of the Earthquaker Devices Blumes but it is very different from Sansamp-style overdrive (not especially cheap either).

Edited Sunday at 11:40 by Homatron
Added details.

[nottswarwick]

Thanks - yeah I’d looked at the Behringer and will check out the other options.

 

My issue is that as I am mainly a drummer these days I sold all my bass rig stuff. I’m used to high end stuff, and although any bass work I get to do is sporadic, the gigs tend to be bigger pro stuff.  Hence I am caught in a situation where I need good gear but don’t want to spend too much.

 

 I should probably just bite the bullet and get a BDDI (or similar) and a good compressor. Or maybe the Trace Transit B

 

[dave_bass5]

Cant recommend the EBS Microbass 3 highly enough. DI (2), tuner, comp and second drive channel. 

[Mediocre Polymath]

If you already have the tuner and DI, you could probably do worse than the combo of an LMB3 and an EHX Bass Soul Food, which is the pairing I use. I'd say @Homatron's estimate of £60 is probably a bit on the high side for the LMB3. I got mine in mint boxed condition for £40 a few years ago, and there always seem to be a few kicking around. The Soul Food is a little more rare, but they show up on here from time to time.

[Elfrasho]

Sell the pedals you've got and get a 2nd hand HX stomp. They seem to be about £300 just now. Ok, slightly more money, but you'd be sorted for life for a bass set up, guitar set up, and a general effects unit.

 

Or a tonex one brand new. that would give the same functionality as to what your potential pedal board could do. 

Edited Sunday at 15:21 by Elfrasho

[nottswarwick]

Is the LMB3 not actually just a limiter? I shall research. Thanks all 

[HeadlessBassist]

I recently bought a TC Electronic Plethora pedal, which covers me for everything I need. I just download the Tone Print of the pedal/effect I want, and have six presets available. It was only £150 as well. 

[nottswarwick]

48 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

I recently bought a TC Electronic Plethora pedal, which covers me for everything I need. I just download the Tone Print of the pedal/effect I want, and have six presets available. It was only £150 as well. 

I’ll check it out!

[HeadlessBassist]

https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/TC-Electronic-PLETHORA-X1-Toneprint-Pedal/6P8N?origin=product-ads&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22247591433&gbraid=0AAAAAD_kjLS5NywGiJyu22_D4PqNLrcgo&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo63HBhCKARIsAHOHV_WLQPW_-wOpJpxuZojbgNogseb1agLiKR1olNS9xvPVdJh9yAZmuO4aAqsUEALw_wcB

 

 

[Downunderwonder]

There was a TransitB in the classifieds that would tick all your boxes all by itself.

[Sibob]

TC Spectracomp for sale HERE - £45

BB Bass Preamp HERE - £ 110

 

Neither are mine, just signposting. 

£155 and done, and who knows, maybe the sellers will take a tiny bit less to get you in under £150….you can but ask.

 

Si

[ezbass]

Valeton’s Tech21 Flyrig ripoff covers the bases (no pun intended):

https://www.thomann.co.uk/valeton_dapper_bass_effect_strip.htm?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1581403900&gbraid=0AAAAADuDMCWE-6JzW8zHoZd5QvudOBxdP&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6bfHBhDNARIsAIGsqLisLZEhPjbAD0q4veQXyBqU8otRoWXUvs-KscV4ck-xk0GfIMmmdlkaAkWLEALw_wcB

 

Or the real deal but not on the cheap of course:

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/210226367217025--tech-21-bass-fly-rig-v2-multi-effects?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17147278064&gbraid=0AAAAAD76p-0F4n-A_Ckl-voJvrNemZYYW&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6bfHBhDNARIsAIGsqLifpUd8rU6NafbgzXxb2oNHoenstMCx1btGLB31FSdSMblAcQXsROEaAjfUEALw_wcB

 

 

Edited 13 hours ago by ezbass

[Jack]

On 12/10/2025 at 16:18, Elfrasho said:

Sell the pedals you've got and get a 2nd hand HX stomp. They seem to be about £300 just now. Ok, slightly more money, but you'd be sorted for life for a bass set up, guitar set up, and a general effects unit.

 

Or a tonex one brand new. that would give the same functionality as to what your potential pedal board could do. 

It's the boring answer but it's the good answer. If you can sell the tuner then a Stomp is the same £250 or so as the bddi would cost you. If you can bring yourself to sell the Radial as well then you probably will only need to add the £150 budget. Does everything, fits in on a high end gig...

 

Otherwise I agree with the LMB3 and I would also suggest the TC MojoMojo. Both great pedals and together (used) well below your budget.

[ezbass]

Just appeared in the FS section…