Which is better for bass?

GraffixNyc · #1 12-13-2007, 09:53 AM

Which Distortion is better for bass?
Boss MD2 Mega Distortion or Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion
Anyone tried both out? it says the MD2 has better low end so I'm thinking that one might be better for bass.

crapusername · #2 12-13-2007, 09:58 AM

TBH i thought they both sounded really weak with bass IMO

GraffixNyc · #3 12-13-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crapusername

TBH i thought they both sounded really weak with bass IMO

Any recommendations on a good one? not too pricey.. looking for dist not OD

bigchiefbc · #4 12-13-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraffixNyc

Any recommendations on a good one? not too pricey.. looking for dist not OD

Proco Turbo Rat, can sound really mean if you crank it.

McHaven · #5 12-13-2007, 10:13 AM

Big Muff. It does the whole Distortion/Fuzz thing like no other.

El-Bob · #6 12-13-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

Proco Turbo Rat, can sound really mean if you crank it.

+1 for turbo rat, it took me so long to finally decide on which distortion i wanted. The turbo rat just sounds right to me.

El-Bob · #7 12-13-2007, 10:24 AM

Proco Turbo Rat SOUNDCLIPS this thread has sound clips of the turbo rat.

GraffixNyc · #8 12-13-2007, 10:28 AM

ok I guess I will go to GC and try them both out! How does the Rat differ from the muff?

coolrunner989 · #9 12-13-2007, 10:35 AM

I wouldnt use the rat without a clean blend - it drops alot of low end.

I like the MD-2 - it hold the bottom just fine and gets a quite gritty if you max the gain.
My friend in atlanta has one and I'm going to try and trade him a chorus for it, or at least make some recordings of it.

El-Bob · #10 12-13-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolrunner989

I wouldnt use the rat without a clean blend - it drops alot of low end.

I like the MD-2 - it hold the bottom just fine and gets a quite gritty if you max the gain.
My friend in atlanta has one and I'm going to try and trade him a chorus for it, or at least make some recordings of it.

i haven't found low end loss to be a problem, i always have the same EQ settings on my TKO when we jam, so all i do when i turn on the turbo rat is crank up the low shelving knob a bit(it's usually at the 12 o' clock position, then i turn it up to maybe 2 or 3 with the rat) also i find if you turn the amp level down and turn the rat level up it eliminates alot of the low end loss.

bigchiefbc · #11 12-13-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolrunner989

I wouldnt use the rat without a clean blend - it drops alot of low end.

Yes and no. Judicious use of the Filter knob can keep quite a bit of bass in the signal, although the percieved amount of distortion drops a bit when you do that. I agree that it sounds best with a clean blend, and that is how I use mine. But I don't think it is unusable without one.

coolrunner989 · #12 12-13-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

Yes and no. Judicious use of the Filter knob can keep quite a bit of bass in the signal, although the percieved amount of distortion drops a bit when you do that. I agree that it sounds best with a clean blend, and that is how I use mine. But I don't think it is unusable without one.

yeah - I think the Rat is still usable without a clean blend but this is based one 30 mins with an ampeg stack and a bongo. I set the bongo up for a nice clean loud low end/mid range boost. I turned the rat on and while anything in the upper register sounded great, when I played the low E and B strings the big presence that used to be there wasnt anymore.
I love the sound of a rat and hope to get one after xmas to try with my new Submarine pedal that should arrive in the mail today...

my experience was with the RAT, not a Turbo Rat or Rat2, so maybe those are better/worse.

crapusername · #13 12-14-2007, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraffixNyc

Any recommendations on a good one? not too pricey.. looking for dist not OD

try the ibanez PD7, boss HM2, EH metal muff w/top boost (has full eq so possible to boost lows to compensate for losses)
The boss odb3 has a marmite effect (either you love it or hate it) but it has lots of possibilties.

The ibanez and eh can be found around the £50 mark new ( not too sure how much in US$), and the boss pedals can be found fairly cheaply on 'the bay'

**TheMutt** · #14 12-14-2007, 05:27 AM

Try out a HomeBrew Electronics Hematoma. Not a distortion per say, but it is a very bass-friendly overdrive that can go from deep and mellow to fuzzy and gritty and anywhere inbetween. I'm definitely loving mine

Soma666 · #15 12-14-2007, 11:39 PM

love a marshall guv'nor!! sounds like its gonna bite ur freakin' head off!! and of course a big muff is just a tried and tested maschine...

Bluedevilxx · #16 12-15-2007, 02:14 AM

I used a guitarist's md-2 the other night, and it actually sounded allright!!
I was pleasntly surprised!

Qvist · #17 12-15-2007, 02:31 AM

I think you should check out the OS-2, it has both overdrive and distortion and is as cheap as the others.

bongomania · #18 12-15-2007, 09:21 AM

OP, if you're actually a Spector endorser then why are you messing around with kiddie pedals? Go for the good stuff with no low-end loss. Try the TAL Landmine, Roger Mayer Voodoobass, Malekko B:Assmaster, MXR Blowtorch, etc.

DbNBassist · #19 12-15-2007, 11:26 AM

I use my RAT without a clean blend just sounds amazing, dont think i would use it with a clean blend.

Hookus · #20 12-15-2007, 06:13 PM

I run my Rat in a loop with a scooped Boss EQ pedal. Trying to use it with my normal amp settings does not give much low end. The Rat does sound awesome, but I may upgrade to a MXR BT.