Breakdown of fuzz/distortion/OD pedals

powellmacaque · #1 12-22-2009, 07:20 PM

After a long tenure of just running bass-to-amp, I've decided to throw some effects into the mix.

My guitar-player friend sold me a Boss ODB-3 for $20 a while back, and I like it so far, but I am looking around at other options to fill out some other tones in my head.

So far, from my limited Youtube and TalkBass research, I've found that I like the Bass Muff, Bass Blogger, and MXR Blowtorch. Is it overkill to run all of these pedals for different tones? Are the tones different enough to tell a difference? What about a SansAmp? Is that just a modeling pedal?

tomhanzo · #2 12-23-2009, 12:59 AM

Umm to start i'll say only you know if it is worth it to have all these pedals. I have three dirt pedals on a board so i can mix and match for different tones. I have a BBM, but have never tried the others you mentioned.

Which Sansamp?

theunknowndude · #3 12-23-2009, 04:43 AM

for what its worth,...
owning lots of dirt is a 'if it matters to you' type thing...
I myself listen for it, and can hear my own different tones from my dirt pedals (unfortunately I realised lately I have far too many so some of them are going) however most of the audience will prolly just think its all dirt and wont care so long as it sounds good (might find a few musicians who can actually determine your using different firt etc)

that said it CAN be used to good effect for different reasons... first example in my head is NIN... they have some songs that require synthy hard edged all out fuzz... others for just a bit of light overdrive...

I'm going to use an all out fuzz (supercollider) and medium OD (Ibanez PD7) in my band for when different tones are called upon. My home/noise board is going to have 4 different tones on there (tho im planning one using one as a 'solo/octavia' pedal to make it very different)

end of the day, its your money and your ear and what makes you happy

edit: oh and one thing is for sure, the blowtorch is a VERY different sounding pedal, never liked the solo tone from it but in the mix it killed with its middy buzz! only thing that put me off is the size and power requirements..

also telling us what music you play can help refine your search for dirt

Higgins666 · #4 12-23-2009, 04:49 AM

Well, I've got two types of dirt & am looking for a third, so it all depends on what you want, personally, I want something like this -> Mild Grit (thinking Marshall Guv'nor or Bad Monkey) -> Megacrunch (Ashdown Hyperdrive) -> FUZZZZZZZ (DOD Classic Fuzz), now to my ears they all sound different, but the audience might not be able to tell.

Swift713 · #5 12-23-2009, 06:47 AM

Which sansamp were you reffering to? Tech 21 makes a number of pedals that emulate amplifiers and speakers but I would only use the term modeling for digital devices that simulate amps such as the Line 6 POD X3 etc. Tech 21 makes the BDDI which is a direct box with blendable emulation, and the VT Bass which is a pre amp/dirt box designed to sound like a range of Ampeg amps. Either can be used as overdrive, pre amp, etc. They also make the Paradriver, a couple variations on the BDDI, emulators for guitar amps, and a few rackmount devices.

I am currently using one overdrive and one fuzz and that's plenty of dirt for me.

powellmacaque · #6 12-23-2009, 12:43 PM

Well I was looking at either the VT or the BassDriver.

Now excuse the lack of understanding, but I come with a bit of prejudice when it comes to modeling (partially from lack luster experience), but in my experience if you want an Ampeg tone, you get that from an Ampeg. I could be mistaken though.

I play all varieties of music. I love playing punk and would love to start a punk/hardcore/ska band, so I feel I need a nice trebly OD. I also play in a rock/reggae/blues group that could use some vintage-y low end balls, and I've been doing country rock that could use all out distortion (the ODB-3). Really, I'm tonally indecisive (I own a P, J, MM, Danelectro, and Jag). I just don't want to be stuck with one tone and will gladly pay $80 - 175 for a bigger palette.

BassBrass · #7 12-23-2009, 01:33 PM

One of my favorite sounds is Blogger on drive, tone at 3pm into Blowtorch: blend 50/50, torch button in, vol. 9:30, bass: 1pm, midswitch: middle position, mid: 2pm, treble: full, drive 11am. VERY synthy sound with tons of low punch.
I love the Blogger...not many do, but for me it works well going into any number of pedals. It basically doubles my sounds as each pedal has it's own sound and the sound it makes when the Blogger is going into it. Blogger into Attack Goat, Blogger into Prunes & Custard, etc... I never use the fuzz side either.

Jared Lash · #8 12-23-2009, 01:47 PM

1) The VT Bass cops Ampeg tones better than I ever thought a pedal could. It really is an amazing little pedal in that regard.

2) The VT Bass has quite a range of sounds in it from the icepick, trebly OD for punk stuff, to a fat tube like grit to all out distortion.

I sold mine because my overdrive needs were for more transparency (at least at the time) and the Tech 21 absolutely colors your tone. But if you like that Ampeg vibe, it definitely sounds like it would work very well for what you want.