Add a third distortion pedal? Or start over?

[Touch]

Hi Folks,

I've done some searching and thread reading but thought I would give you wise effects kids a chance to chime in. Here's my situation.

On the pedalboard at the moment I've got a Fulltone Bass Drive and a VT bass. I like the Bass Drive OK and the the VT can give some good grind. I generally don't use them together.

The last couple of shows I have really noticed a ton of low end loss when I step on the Bass Drive. I try to compensate by increasing the volume but that only goes so far. The pedal is working fine, I don't think it has failed.

I'm not quite sure I'm getting the distortion I hear in my dreams. Any suggestions? Looking through the classified I see lots of distortion, fuzz and overdrive right now. They seem to be calling out to me to try them.

So if I keep the Bass Drive and VT Bass, what should my third distortion pedal be? Or should I swap out the Bass Drive or VT Bass or both and start my search again? I am considering an LS-2 blender too.

In the classified at the moment I see plenty of OD, distortion and fuzz pedals. El Grande Bass Fuzz, Bass Big Muff, Russian Muffs, FEA Labs. Lot's of choices. The ElectroniX MessDrive Hybrid also sounds very interesting (maybe not their customer service) and I keep hearing good things about the Badder Monkey.

I'm playing a Lakland active 5 and a passive Jazz. Sunbeams on the Lakland and Chromes on the Jazz. Most of the time I play finger style but do use a pick on some of our harder material. Amp is a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0.

Thanks!

Touch

[TrevorOfDoom]

if the BassDrive is losing low end, why would you keep it?

to address your issue, the BassDrive is losing low end, which is known to happen.
You seem satisfied with the VT, so i'm not sure why you'd ask if you should get rid of it.
If something doesn't work, replace it or fix it.
If something does work, don't touch it.

[Matt Dean]

I just got a FEA Dual Band Distortion and it is quite good.

[big evil robot]

I'd maybe try switching the Bassdrive with a BigMuff for some fuzz, keep the VT as an overdrive.
I've generally found anything past two drive stages for bass distortion is going to result in your tone going into "rusty bandsaw" territory.

It's kind of difficult to guess at what you're going for in terms of distortion tone though.

[Touch]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your comments. I have used the VT on all the time as a tone circuit for my Jazz bass. Now that I have the Lakland as my main bass with its preamp I find I don't really need the VT for the tone. With the VT I can get a passable John Wetton "Red" sound and the Radiohead "Exit Music" sound. It seems to have plenty of bass.

I guess I am trying to use the BD to get even more distortion. I find that I can't get the bass I need even when I hit the Boost. The Boost doesn't even seem to do too much in one of the modes... I think the comp-cut if I remember correctly.

It really sounds like the BD has got to go. Perhaps an Xotic BB preamp? I have read that many BD owners have gone down that route.

Anyone know how a Xotic BB compares with the Electronix MessDrive?

The FEA dual band does sound quite sensible since it has a built in blend. Are there others that have a built-in blend?

I'm getting a tax refund and I am sensing an OD/Distortion GAS attack.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Touch

[dannoman]

IMO, best bass distortion would be the Ampeg SVP-BSP pre amp. From subtle fuzz to full blown Cliff Burton Ala Anesthesia. I haven't found anything that compares to it. Plus you got the separate channel for you low end and so when you blend the 2 channels, nothing is lost from your sound.

[dannybuoy]

Originally Posted by Touch

It really sounds like the BD has got to go. Perhaps an Xotic BB preamp? I have read that many BD owners have gone down that route.

Anyone know how a Xotic BB compares with the Electronix MessDrive?

The BB does sound similar to the BD but with tons more low end available due to the EQ. If you like the basic BD sound then I'd recommend it. You can't really compare it to the Messdrive though, which is a heavy fuzz rather than an overdrive. I'm holding out for a review of the new Mad Professor Blueberry Bass Overdrive before I buy another pedal though!

[Touch]

Very cool...thanks. I'm listening to some Pork Loin and Sparkle Drive samples now....very nice.