Author

David LloydFollow

A History of Bass Guitar Effects Pedals: Liner Notes

Publication Date

Spring 4-27-2023

Abstract

This project examines bass effect-pedal technology and the lineage of recordings that have made use of such equipment. The timeline of bass pedal recordings and artists that used them range from modern day session players to The Beatles. A well rounded list of effects most frequently used on bass guitar include octave, fuzz/distortion, chorus, phaser, and envelope filter based processors, and this paper examines multiple songs from commercial music history that utilize one or more of these effects on bass guitar. These songs include ‘Think For Yourself’ by The Beatles, ‘For the Love of Money’ by The O’Jays, ‘Something About You’ by Level 42, ‘I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down’ by Paul Young, and ‘Them Changes’ by Thundercat. In addition, there are examinations of Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ and Bananarama’s ‘Cruel Summer,’ in order to explore the option of using effect-pedals with bass guitar in order to emulate the sound of hardware synthesizers.

Major Mentor

Roy Vogt

Second Mentor

Lina Sheahan

Department

Music, School of

College

Music and Performing Arts, College of

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Music (MM)

Degree Level

Master's

Degree Grantor

Belmont University

Recommended Citation

Lloyd, David, "A History of Bass Guitar Effects Pedals: Liner Notes" (2023). Composition/Recording Projects. 12.
https://repository.belmont.edu/music_comp/12