Best bass distortion/fuzz/overdrive?

theblackshades · #1 07-11-2011, 07:26 PM

The age old question.

Ive been using the zvex distortron pedal for the past six months but am not happy with it. I find that I lose beefy low end when it's engaged, leaving me with too much high end. I'm looking for more crunchy, bass boost. Something that isn't hard to dial in as well. Less knobs, happier me.

What have ya got for me?

Also, is a compression worth the investment?

Outlaw_son · #2 07-12-2011, 01:37 AM

There are endless possibilities when it comes to distiortion,fuzz and overdrive. When you say your looking for more lows and crunchy bass boost, to me that screams BOSS ODB-3. This pedal is labeled an overdrive pedal but to me it seems to be a mixure of OD,distortion and fuzz. There are also high and low knobs to tweak how much of each youd want. Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive Pedal: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend. This isnt the "best" OD/Distortion by no means but what it does,it does well.

IMO compression is worth the investment.

spaz21387 · #3 07-12-2011, 01:49 AM

try a big muff.

Plays_For_Dog · #4 07-12-2011, 02:20 AM

Your budget would help. Maybe link a video of a tone you're after too.

I have found the Fuzzrocious Grey Stache absolutely kills in the mix. The Mids boost on them help you define how far in the front of the mix you want to be when you stomp it on.

YouTube - ‪Fuzzrocious Grey Stache vs Earthbound Supercollider - BASS BATTLE Demo‬&rlm;

Juan Count · #5 07-12-2011, 02:57 AM

Another forum-suicide thread... what's the best... way to upset the TB establishment...

In all honestly though... I highly recommend COLORSOUND... Tone Bender OR Bass Fuzz... (Bass Fuzz is a little on the 'synthy' side)...

BassBrass · #6 07-12-2011, 06:54 AM

Exactly the sound you are describing: Team Awesome Fuzz Machine (TAFM), but it does have some knobs. Took me about a week to understand how they interacted, and where unity was (about 8:30-9 for the fuzz, 2 pm for clean if boost isn't on) but I wouldn't trade any knob's function for more dumbness. Like cutting of a finger because one less is less to think about...but is it really? You could try what others suggest and leave them alone thereafter.

theblackshades · #7 07-12-2011, 09:20 AM

I've already tried big muff, too fuzzy in my opinion.

How do you guys feel about the Sansamp bass driver pedal?

theblackshades · #8 07-12-2011, 09:23 AM

Also had odb-3 at one time and it was in my mix for a few years but I wanted to try something new. I've gone through maybe 5 pedals now.

theblackshades · #9 07-12-2011, 09:25 AM

What sort of compression would you recommend? What is the purpose of a compression exactly? Sorry for such a "wet behind the ears" question.

I've been gigging for over ten years but have barely scraped the surface in the various effect pedals. Currently, I only use my overdrive pedal and a micro pog.

JetBlackJazz · #10 07-12-2011, 09:30 AM

MXR El Grande

erigod23 · #11 07-12-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theblackshades

I've already tried big muff, too fuzzy in my opinion.

How do you guys feel about the Sansamp bass driver pedal?

Sansamp Bass Driver won't do fuzz. I use it for overdrive and it does me quite well. I've had good results with an MXR Blowtorch for fuzz. I have a TAFM on the way, as I still haven't fully scratched my fuzz itch.
Seems to me that most of us (on TB) have to go through our personal trials by fire when it comes to this subject. The TAFM is probably my 6th go at it. Iron Ether Oxide and Fuzzhugger Arc Flash are the next 2 in line for me.

AlvarHanso · #12 07-12-2011, 09:38 AM

I'm really digging my SA Multiwave Bass Distortion Pro, but it's more synthy in most of its settings, but I do love the "normal" distortion setting as well, and saved it as one of my presets. It's got some crazy crazy sounds in it, but if the Big Muff was too fuzzy, this one probably would be too.

bassbrad · #13 07-12-2011, 09:53 AM

And the prize for asking the #1 question today

Everyone has their suggestion usually their current fave boutique or unobtainium pedal. Your solution could be as easy as adding an EQ before of after the Zvex or getting a fuzz with a clean blend or getting a blend pedal or let the quest begin.

All I can say is begin your quest, be persistent and patient and tone may come

,or not.

I went thru over a dozen pedals until I found my optimum mix of the "hairy beast" and shall stop here, 4 gnarly and rare beasties is enough for me.

theblackshades · #14 07-12-2011, 01:06 PM

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm gonna look into Sansamp bass driver, and add an eq to the mix.

anthowl · #15 07-12-2011, 11:19 PM

If it's not too late to suggest, I think the 85 reissue Rat pedal by Proco is amazing.

MHH · #16 07-13-2011, 01:38 AM

EBS Multidrive is pretty good too. Oly two pots but it's very versatile with three mods.

NoNoise · #17 07-13-2011, 06:39 AM

I'll just list what I use. I lose no low end.

Low Drive: DOD 250
Fuzz: Zvex Woolly Mammoth
Distortion: H.B.E. Hematoma

Honorable Mention: Ashdown Bass Drive Plus
(It can do great low drive and distortion, depending on how you set it. I just don't like it as much as my DOD 250 or Hematoma for those applications, and the Ashdown pedals take a lot of pedal board space, comparatively)

ItsMichaelYeah · #18 07-13-2011, 11:18 AM

The best OD/distortion/fuzz is the one you like. There's many!

moebass · #19 07-13-2011, 02:11 PM

I use a turbo rat. It sounds like a monster eating a chainsaw.
When i add tube overdrive,its the bees knees.
Its the first time i've got a distorto-bass tone I was happy with.

slaphappychappy · #20 07-13-2011, 09:12 PM

Digitech xb bass overdrive/distortion. Better than the muff I had, doesn't distort the signal but rather blends it with the bass. Full range of distortion, blendable, tone n volume. In fact I might get another.