Any T-Rex bass juice distortion users?

Phendyr_Loon · #1 03-01-2011, 06:22 PM

I checked the "reviews" section on TB but found nothing. I'm interested to know what kind of distortion sound it has, my local GC doesn't have it in stock or I'd demo it there. I'm really looking for a effect to add some dirt, but still retaining bassy, ballsy drive.
I've tried a few different distortion/fuzz/overdrive pedals though when I crank the "gain" knob on the pedals it saturates the signal too much, turning the gain back doesn't give me enough gritty drive.
I read up on the the T-Rex and I like the idea of the "blend" knob.
So I'd like to get some opinions on this pedal, or a suggestion of a similar functioning pedal.

**rhino333** · #2 03-01-2011, 08:06 PM

I've had my Bass Juice for about a 2 weeks now and really like it. The blend knob makes it extremely easy to dial in the "dirt" I want.

I have my gain set to about 11 o'clock and have the blend dialed back to about 8 o'clock. I'm using it more to "fatten" and "warm" up the bass. It CAN breathe fire if you like that, though.

I keep the tone set at 12 o'clock and that seems to retain my original tone. There is no "bottom end loss" in this pedal (IMO).

I've used MANY bass (and guitar) distortion/OD's including (but not limited to):

Boss ODB-2
Boss ODB-3
MXR M-80 Bass DI OD
MXR El Grande
Dunlop Hendrix Octave Fuzz
Nobles ODB
Marshall Guv'nor 2 (which was my "go to" before the Bass Juice)

Only the Marshall and the Bass Juice worked for me. They sound warmer to me and were easier to dial in the sound I wanted.

Anarchyok · #3 03-02-2011, 02:29 AM

I have one and love it! I run everything at 12 o'clock, except the blend which is at 10.30 - 11. Sounds awesome. Great creamy distortion with lots of low end, then kick the boost switch for a fuzzed out tone.

**rhino333** · #4 03-02-2011, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarchyok

I have one and love it! I run everything at 12 o'clock, except the blend which is at 10.30 - 11. Sounds awesome. Great creamy distortion with lots of low end, then kick the boost switch for a fuzzed out tone.

Oh Yeah... I forgot to mention the boost switch. I don't use it much, but it's definitely "kick butt".

Lars_Vegas · #5 03-02-2011, 08:03 AM

maybe you should include the tc electronics vintage bass distortion into your search.
They are the same asaik.

old-fashioned · #6 09-22-2011, 07:13 PM

Is the mix knob on this pedal used for adding distortion to the clean signal, or for adding some clean signal on the distortion? I mean when the mix knob is all down (all the way counterclockwise) do we hear the clean signal or the driven?

Mister_argentum · #7 09-23-2011, 03:23 AM

I tried one in a shop in Geneva, a little bit pricey (I did not buy it) but is the best distortion pedal I ever try. It has pretty good fuzzy tones as well. The blend knob is a very useful feature.

Laurent · #8 09-24-2011, 07:37 AM

Great, unique sounding pedal. Highly recommended.

RickenBoogie · #9 09-24-2011, 01:57 PM

Yes, I just got mine a few weeks ago, and love it to death. I too have been through an amazing number of bass drives over the years, and for me, the Bass Juice ranks up near the top of the list. No low end loss at all, and a wide range of overdrive through distortion and right up to the edge of fuzz tones are available with the twist of a knob. Excellent choice.

old-fashioned · #10 09-26-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old-fashioned

Is the mix knob on this pedal used for adding distortion to the clean signal, or for adding some clean signal on the distortion? I mean when the mix knob is all down (all the way counterclockwise) do we hear the clean signal or the driven?

The mix knob is for adding distortion onto the clean sound.

Yes, today in a music store I had a chance to try the T-Rex Bass Juice for the first time. It is an impressing pedal for sure. I love the sound. I really wonder how it would sound in a band mix though...
Yes, it is a distortion pedal... Even the mildest gain setting doesn't give you an overdrive effect, it still distorts. I would have bought it in a minute if it had given a warm overdrive sound when the gain is set low. (Yes I know I demand too much: Honestly what I'm really after is an organic OD/Dist/Fuzz in the same pedal with separate switches and gain knobs if possible

))
One thing about the boost switch: As far as I could notice in the store, this switch doesn't make any effect when the gain is set below 9-10 o'clock. This means you can not jump from a mild distortion to a fuzz sound. You need to distort well before you hit the boost switch. I was worried about the boosted mode being too harsh or extreme high gained or something, but that was not the case. It's really usable and useful.
I didn't buy it but I can not forget it... I'm afraid I'll buy it.

fettbass · #11 09-26-2011, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old-fashioned

The mix knob is for adding distortion onto the clean sound.

Yes, today in a music store I had a chance to try the T-Rex Bass Juice for the first time. It is an impressing pedal for sure. I love the sound. I really wonder how it would sound in a band mix though...
Yes, it is a distortion pedal... Even the mildest gain setting doesn't give you an overdrive effect, it still distorts. I would have bought it in a minute if it had given a warm overdrive sound when the gain is set low. (Yes I know I demand too much: Honestly what I'm really after is an organic OD/Dist/Fuzz in the same pedal with separate switches and gain knobs if possible

))
One thing about the boost switch: As far as I could notice in the store, this switch doesn't make any effect when the gain is set below 9-10 o'clock. This means you can not jump from a mild distortion to a fuzz sound. You need to distort well before you hit the boost switch. I was worried about the boosted mode being too harsh or extreme high gained or something, but that was not the case. It's really usable and useful.
I didn't buy it but I can not forget it... I'm afraid I'll buy it.

You might want to check out the Wounded Paw battering ram. It has separate Overdrive and Fuzz sections, so you can dial in a more mild overdrive on the OD side, and have the fuzz side set to something more aggressive for when you need it. I've been toying with one for a few weeks and it's been great.

old-fashioned · #12 09-27-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fettbass

You might want to check out the Wounded Paw battering ram. It has separate Overdrive and Fuzz sections, so you can dial in a more mild overdrive on the OD side, and have the fuzz side set to something more aggressive for when you need it. I've been toying with one for a few weeks and it's been great.

Yes, I'm aware of the Battering Ram and very much interested. Based on the Youtube videos I thought that the Bass Juices' drive sound will suit my taste better. As a matter of fact judging with the internet videos is not easy. The Bass Juices' actual sound was not exactly the sound I was expecting... Unfortunately here I don't have a chance to test the Battering Ram in real life. How do you compare the two tonewise?

topo morto · #13 09-27-2011, 03:00 PM

I really hope it doesn't actually sound like it does in this video...

Chris Revill - Effects Pedal: T-REX Bass Juice Distortion - YouTube

fettbass · #14 09-27-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old-fashioned

Yes, I'm aware of the Battering Ram and very much interested. Based on the Youtube videos I thought that the Bass Juices' drive sound will suit my taste better. As a matter of fact judging with the internet videos is not easy. The Bass Juices' actual sound was not exactly the sound I was expecting... Unfortunately here I don't have a chance to test the Battering Ram in real life. How do you compare the two tonewise?

I don't own the Bassjuice, only tried it out. I'd say the OD side of the Battering ram by itself isn't as aggressive as the Bass juice. It's kind of a smooth, low end rich kind of overdrive, at least when the pedal's in bass mode. I find the overdrive in guitar mode is actually a bit more aggressive and clear, but then you lose some of the low end. Either way, the OD section of the battering ram doesn't get quite as aggressive as the Bass Juice. You get the raspy aggressive stuff by mixing in the fuzz section on top of it. The reason I decided to go with the battering ram was that it's capable of so many different kinds of drive, given that it has two independent, differently voiced gain channels, a low range switch, and an octave up fuzz setting for the fuzz section. Kicking both sections on can get pretty ridiculous, and the pedal's great at putting out a "wall of sound" when both channels are engaged. I actually wish the pedal had the option to send each section to a different amplifier, it'd be perfect then in my books. The bass juice is great though, a bassist I know uses one and it sounds great and works well in a band setting.

old-fashioned · #15 09-27-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fettbass

It's kind of a smooth, low end rich kind of overdrive, at least when the pedal's in bass mode.

The Battering Ram sounded a bit bassy to my ears, that was why I was more interested in the Bass Juice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by topo morto

I really hope it doesn't actually sound like it does in this video...

Chris Revill - Effects Pedal: T-REX Bass Juice Distortion - YouTube

No, this one:
Test T-Rex Bass juice bass distortion - YouTube

topo morto · #16 09-28-2011, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old-fashioned

The Battering Ram sounded a bit bassy to my ears, that was why I was more interested in the Bass Juice.

No, this one:
Test T-Rex Bass juice bass distortion - YouTube

I must admit, that still has the kind of buzzy sound I really try to avoid! But each to his own, and I can see it's a usable sound....

sillyfabe · #17 11-19-2011, 08:28 PM

Just got it and it rocks. Use it as an overdrive an dirt box and it kicks ass!

sillyfabe · #18 11-20-2011, 04:13 PM

So far I'm using it in many ways:

Light overdrive:
Tone 10:30
Gain 9:00
Level unity
Mix 12:00

Slight crunch
Tone 12:30
Gain 10:30
Level unity
Mix 01:30

Warm crunch
Tone 8:30
Gain 9:00
Level unity
Mix 1:00

Fizzy overdrive
Tone: 3:00
Gain 12:00
Level unity
Mix 11:00

Dirty bass
Tone11:30
Gain 1:30
Level slight boost
Mix 2:30

Good stuff abound here folks!

old-fashioned · #19 02-26-2012, 04:12 PM

I've been gigging with T-Rex Bass Juice for 5 months now. Yes, it is a very good vintage bass distortion which can go nasty if you want. I can not make use of it as an overdrive, or a fuzz. It is only good as a real vintage distortion pedal with impressive ability on keeping the low end.