Bass Fuzz/Distortion for Home Recording

frets4fun · #1 10-10-2007, 03:11 PM

Hi,

I'm looking to add some effects to my rig at home for recording only (I play clean with the band).

I already have a QTron+ (which I use for guitar but works great with bass too).

I thought a fuzz would be nice to have, but I don't want to spend much b/c it will be used sparingly. What do you recommend?

I want something that gives me some flexibility--not a one-trick pony.

I expect I could find something in the $75-$125 range.

Boss ODB-3? Other suggestions?

Max Roberts · #2 10-10-2007, 03:25 PM

The Mojo hand Huckleberry is great IMO. I think it's about $150. It can go from nice warm fuzz to harsh biting fuzz, and everything in between!

assboglin · #3 10-10-2007, 03:26 PM

Are you looking for something that will give you a specific kind of sound? It would be great to have a starting point because there's literally too many possible good suggestions to name.

OhThePeacock · #4 10-10-2007, 04:48 PM

Well that Barber electronics 3 in one fuzz is coming out soon and it does say it will have tonebender and big muff models and one other i think (correct me if I'm wrong.)

jonpopu · #5 10-10-2007, 05:04 PM

This one is very versatile
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ksid=p3907.m29
I enjoy it.

::Saint:: · #6 10-10-2007, 05:28 PM

MXR Blowtorch is great - I use it in my home recordings and it works very well / sounds great!

frets4fun · #7 10-10-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by assboglin

Are you looking for something that will give you a specific kind of sound? It would be great to have a starting point because there's literally too many possible good suggestions to name.

Sorry, I should have said this:

I really don't have any sound in mind. I realize that makes it difficult! I play jazz/fusion/blues and am looking to "expand" (is that the right word?) from here. Nothing like grunge or metal. I want a pedal with flexibility so I can experiment and find the tones I like.

rodl2005 · #8 10-10-2007, 05:50 PM

Big Muff- Russian Version. Sounds Superb for bass!!!!! I've the Boss ODB-3 also- which I thought was OK til I got a big MUFF. Now when I try the ODB-3 it sounds buzzy -like a fly in a jar..... & not at all good IMHO.
It DOES work well as a boos/EQ type o' thang. As its got good controls. But if U want old fashioned overdrive to distotion/fuzz- the BIG MUFF-Green one(I've heard the Russion or Green Big Muff works better for bass- but I've not A/B'd them) it's GREAT value-good price, has a true bypass, & can go from a slight bit of overdrive to a full on ASSAULT( U can literally hold ONE note & it'll sustain forever-or until the manager/bandmates pull the plug ;-). IMO- it's a superb bass OD. especially for the $$$$- EHX= good quality, durable & good price!

OhThePeacock · #9 10-10-2007, 07:32 PM

+1 on the russian big muff, extremely affordable also.

JanusZarate · #10 10-10-2007, 08:27 PM

While we're at it, let me also suggest the Little Big Muff - it has a warmer tone than the Russian version, and is like an improved, smaller rendition of the USA version.

assboglin · #11 10-10-2007, 08:54 PM

On that basis, I'll just go with some standards. There's always the ubiquitous Fulltone Bass Drive, the new Mosfet version is quite versatile. There's a reason it's incredibly common, and I would consider it the standard for bass overdrives/distortions. You might find one used in your price range. Another one is the Boss ODB-3 which can give you a wide range of sounds if you set the knobs right, but as you can see, it's not very popular around here, and I can see why. For fuzz there's the aforementioned Big Muff, in it's various incarnations, which is very commonly used on bass, but note that most models will not do anything like overdrive or distortion; it's a FUZZ. I've done sound samples for a few different distortion pedals, so if you'd be curious to check some out and see whether or not they'd be what you're looking for you can do that here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search...archid=5712101

Sean S · #12 10-11-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Big Muff- Russian Version....has a true bypass...

don't think so...I don't think it's a hard mod, and the newer ones may have the 3PDT switch, but I don't think they're true bypass.

OhThePeacock · #13 10-11-2007, 06:52 AM

Usually true bypass on any pedal isn't hard to do.

cmhgreg · #14 10-11-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

While we're at it, let me also suggest the Little Big Muff - it has a warmer tone than the Russian version, and is like an improved, smaller rendition of the USA version.

+1 on the Little Big Muff. There are many tones in this little box and it does not suck your lows out at all. In fact, it almost seems to boost them with certain settings. I am presently running mine through a split signal into a Peavey TransTube Bandit guitar amp which, when combined with the clean tone from my Mesa, is producing outrageous results. However, it sounds awesome when put in front of my signal to the Mesa as well. And it's got true bypass.

I also have a Humphrey Audio Badder Monkey (a Digitech Bad Monkey modded for bass), and with the Drive knob past 3 o'clock it gets real fuzzy and can sound a lot like the LBM with the right tweaks on the tone knobs. Both are in your price range.

speak_onion · #15 10-11-2007, 08:50 AM

If dude is using the pedal only for home recording, I can't imagine he'd really care if it's true bypass.

frets4fun · #16 10-11-2007, 08:57 AM

Thanks for all your suggestions!

I tried something last night that worked out pretty well.

I have a Roland Cube30 guitar amp in my basement. It's not a bad unit and is loaded with built-in effects and has seven different amp models (clean -> metal). I ran my bass through it and sounded pretty good. Some of the amp settings sounded much better than others, but you can get a pretty wide range of tones.

I combined this with a bunch of guitar effects I own that sound good on bass (QTron+, Subdecay Quasar Phaser, Boss DD-6 delay).

All together, I have a pretty wide range of tones. I am not sure how this will sound recorded--hopefully will try this evening. I'll probably just mic the amp but the Roland gives you the option of direct recording option.

I am sure a dedicated bass pedal will give me better tone, but this way I can experiment "for free" to find what I like/don't like.

cmhgreg · #17 10-11-2007, 09:33 AM

You could just get an inexpensive DI, split the signal, send a clean signal to the recorder, send another signal to the Roland Cube for effects and DI that signal to the recorder as well. Mix the two signals to taste. It should taste good.

EricF · #18 10-11-2007, 10:10 AM

Based on that price range, and if you're truly looking for a fuzz (rather than an OD or distortion), a EHX Little Big Muff is worth a look.

That said, I'd suggest spending a bit more on a useful recording tool like a SansAmp BDDI. Not only does it provide a very good DI signal for running direct to your board/preamp/interface, but it has a very wide range of sounds from classic Ampeg to clean to some pretty thick distortion. It's an extremely friendly and valuable piece of gear for recording bass. I use the SABDDI to replicate the sound of my Ampeg SVT and have been very happy with the result.

lug · #19 10-11-2007, 11:24 AM

A used pandora px3b fuzz with surrounding effects, drum patterns, sampler, tuner, and EQ control.

eyvindwa · #20 10-11-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::Saint::

MXR Blowtorch is great - I use it in my home recordings and it works very well / sounds great!

Agreed!