Been Doing an SFT v. Distortron Battle

Valerus · #1 12-04-2009, 03:45 PM

I really like the Distortron on bass. It sounds sweet.
Then I GAS'd for the SFT and have been doing a battle to the death.

I usually get a muffled sound out of the SFT. It has potential and I'm really trying to like it. I have to crank the treble knob.
But once I get a good setting, the SFT sounds pretty sweet. It's not a trebly OD, it has a lot of (girth?) and punch for sure.

I'm just trying to see which one I prefer.

And to top it all off, I just bought an OCD. So it'll be a 3-way dance.

Is anyone else, guitarists and bassists, having to choose between the two?

jam.majors · #2 12-04-2009, 03:53 PM

I sure wish I had all three! In fact, I don't own any, but I've tried two.
I haven't tried the SFT, but I do really like the Distortron and the OCD was ok. But the distortron really kept to low end, and added even more with the toggle on 3.

I'm sub'd here, looking forward to the conclusion of your battle royale!

Valerus · #3 12-04-2009, 03:55 PM

do you know which version of the OCD you played/owned?

BassBrass · #4 12-04-2009, 04:14 PM

I don't understand you. You have Distortron and Disortron into SFT and SFT alone and OCD into Distortron or OCD into SFT or OCD alone...Or visaversa, etc, and I bet $100 that one or two of those combinations will be awesome! Individually one will be your mild over drive, one will be your agresssive overdrive and one will be your over the top Amageddon pedal and it looks to me like each pedal could do each job but with a different sound. Or what? Leaning over to adjust one pedal like some geeky button pushing dial twiddler? No! That doesn't work! You need a verse sound and a chorus sound for many songs (no break to twiddle) and a breakdown sound and a dub sound and a synth sound. Not to mention a doom sound and a funky sound.

christoph h. · #5 12-05-2009, 05:52 AM

I don't have a SFT, but I own a Distortron.

After reading all the SFT praise I almost bought one, but on hearing the sound-clips I decided not to. Like Valerus described, they sounded muffled and "dense" to me, very authentic but not what I want. I like a more open, aggressive, edgy sound.

The Distortron does that perfectly and can be tamed with the tone control.

So I made the decision before buying the pedals.

One thing though: "Theoretically", the Distortron keeps the lows perfectly, but I found this doesn't really apply to real life. The mid frequencies get emphasized in a manner that make your signal appear much louder, so you turn down - effectively "losing" bass.

So, I'm not sure whether I should keep it and get a blender or get something else with a EQ section (Xotic BB preamp).

jam.majors · #6 12-05-2009, 08:01 AM

I think I played the most recent version. I'm not sure, I just had a pile of them in a local guitar shop and did a snap decision ear test on each. Distortron came out the winner for me between Fulltone Bass Drive (Mos-Fet), Fulltone Catalyst, Fulltone OCD, ZVEX Box of Rock (mostly eliminated for price..), and a couple of others that didn't float my boat that I can't remember.

Now, all I have to do is save up and go by one.

Valerus · #7 12-05-2009, 10:03 AM

jam, makes sense.

The Distortron really surprised me. And it's hard getting rid of it, or at least trying to.

Hopefully with the arrival of my OCD, I'll get some answers.

but christoph, don't put the SFT off just yet. I'd suggest trying it out if you have the available cash. You'll be able to flip it over instantly if you don't like it and want to sell it.

Matt Dean · #8 12-05-2009, 08:06 PM

I'm going to have to try the Distortron next time I'm in Bananas... I'm addicted.

4stringmangler · #9 12-06-2009, 04:05 AM

i asked for an SFT for Christmas, but i doubt i will get it. but i do like the sounds you can cop on guitard on it, that's why i asked for one. my pedal board goes both ways....

Valerus · #10 12-06-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4stringmangler

my pedal board goes both ways....

like a bisexual!

gnasher1993 · #11 12-06-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4stringmangler

my pedal board goes both ways....

So does mine

...

4stringmangler · #12 12-06-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

So does mine

...

AJ?

Valerus · #13 12-10-2009, 05:25 PM

Okay fellas, I received my OCD v1.4 earlier today.

And it slays. Wow.

I think this will dethrone the Distortron.

And I'm thinking of keeping both the SFT and the OCD.

Proton Lenny · #14 12-12-2009, 02:04 PM

Any more news Valerus. I'm still having OD conundrums as usual. The OCD is replacing your Distortron? Does it have a similar sound/character to the Distortron? Retain lows better than the Distortron? Where did you find that specific version?

Valerus · #15 12-12-2009, 02:40 PM

I bought the OCD on TheGearPage.net. It wasn't hard to find the v4.

It sounds similar to the Distortron. It's definitely more colored than the Distortron. I had a really hard time choosing the OCD over the Distortron, but I just felt like it sounds better to me.

The lows are fine! If you're worried about a loss of low end, don't worry. It's a wonderful pedal on bass. I was very pleased and surprised!

Holy War · #16 12-12-2009, 03:38 PM

The OCD is my favorite boost of all time. Great, great pedal!

Proton Lenny · #17 12-12-2009, 05:17 PM

So version 4 is the way to go for bass though?

Valerus · #18 12-12-2009, 05:19 PM

I've heard so. I'd try to get version 4. It sounds super freaking awesome

4stringmangler · #19 12-12-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerus

Okay fellas, I received my OCD v1.4 earlier today.

And it slays. Wow.

I think this will dethrone the Distortron.

And I'm thinking of keeping both the SFT and the OCD.

Valerus · #20 12-19-2009, 06:59 PM

btw I traded the Distortron. The OCD wins!

And SFT clip:

Catalinbread SFT
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=8502130

Using a Fender Classic 70s jazz bass.

I roll off my two pickups in the clip, just listen for it. Towards 2:20 in the clip, I turn the bass knob all the way up on the SFT. Unfortunately, you can barely tell.

Sorry, this isn't 100% accurate for the SFT. If you like this sound, you'll love the pedal in person. It's hard capturing its awesomeness without proper equipment.

Recorded with my Zoom H2.