Can you recommend me an overdrive?

skeptikal · #1 11-26-2008, 06:10 AM

I searched around a little bit and found a crap ton of threads about overdrive pedals but everyone said it's pretty much your taste. I was wondering if you could recommend me an overdrive pedal for my specific application. I'm not a big pedal guy but I do want another tone to add something to my bass lines. I was thinking about a Tech 21 Bass Driver DI I've heard good things, but I've got an active Corvette Standard that already has a 2-band EQ on it. So maybe I could get away with just a straight up overdrive pedal. Any Suggestions?

Equipment is in the sig. Thanks for any help in advance. I wanted to ask the effect gurus!

ihateusernames · #2 11-26-2008, 06:27 AM

here come 50 suggestions and 1000 +1's

i'll sit out on this one since i don't own a corvette or similar.

skeptikal · #3 11-26-2008, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihateusernames

here come 50 suggestions and 1000 +1's

i'll sit out on this one since i don't own a corvette or similar.

Bring 'em on. I like choices.

katri · #4 11-26-2008, 06:39 AM

there are literally 100's to choose from, try browsing the sound clip wiki and see if there is any that tickle your fancy.

Dan

GreggBummer · #5 11-26-2008, 07:04 AM

If you aren't a "big pedal guy" I suggest finding a pedal that is pretty flexible. The Tech 21 BDDI is a good example, although there are others out there.

Another option is an FX processor. A cheap one like the Zoom B1X might be useful. I own one an use it occasionally. When I play with my cover band it allows me to change up my sound for different songs... add some overdrive, distrortion, chorus, autowah, phaser, flanger, and so on. I don't own any of these effects and I don't plan to because I don't use them that often. But when we do "For The Love Of Money" I like to wash my sound through the box to give it little something extra. This isn't high a quality processor... you can find them new for $70.... it works well...but not fantastic. One last thing... when the kids are asleep I use the B1 with a set of headphones for silent practice. It also makes a good "poor mans" DI box.

skeptikal · #6 11-26-2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreggBummer

If you aren't a "big pedal guy" I suggest finding a pedal that is pretty flexible. The Tech 21 BDDI is a good example, although there are others out there.

Another option is an FX processor. A cheap one like the Zoom B1X might be useful. I own one an use it occasionally. When I play with my cover band it allows me to change up my sound for different songs... add some overdrive, distrortion, chorus, autowah, phaser, flanger, and so on. I don't own any of these effects and I don't plan to because I don't use them that often. But when we do "For The Love Of Money" I like to wash my sound through the box to give it little something extra. This isn't high a quality processor... you can find them new for $70.... it works well...but not fantastic. One last thing... when the kids are asleep I use the B1 with a set of headphones for silent practice. It also makes a good "poor mans" DI box.

I've got something like this that never gets used. The Digitech BP80 lol. I just really wanted a dedicated overdrive or (mild-hot, not death metal) distortion.

Mark Latimour · #7 11-26-2008, 07:25 AM

I have a Fulltone Bass Drive Mos-Fet that sounds pretty sweet to my ears. I have also heard good things about the DHA VT-Bass pedal. I think there was one for sale in the classieds a few days ago.

gm jack · #8 11-26-2008, 07:42 AM

I play an active corvette standard (5 string bubinga, ebony fretboard) through a Fulltone Bassdrive mosfet and I love the tone. It has a great midrange overdrive.

Swift713 · #9 11-26-2008, 08:14 AM

For power amp-esque overdrive I would have to recommend the BJFE Blueberry but it's expensive and hard to come by. With that out of the way, I've heard good things from people I respect about the Tech 21 VT Bass. Assuming you don't need a DI, its much more flexible that the Bass Driver. It was probably where I was headed before I lucked into my Blueberry.

Planet Boulder · #10 11-26-2008, 08:53 AM

What's your budget? That *might* help to narrow things.

skeptikal · #11 11-26-2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Planet Boulder

What's your budget? That *might* help to narrow things.

Definitely nothing over $200. Shooting for around $100 if possible but if I gotta spend a little extra then so be it.

TrevorOfDoom · #12 11-26-2008, 09:39 AM

MusicElectronix GeminiDrive

Catalinbread HyperPak

Bogdan Polish Love

search for 'em.

katri · #13 11-26-2008, 09:41 AM

i think Tech 21 is gona be the best route for you, try the bass driver, its got the DI which is always an added advantage i have the 3 channel one and its built like a tank and sounds pretty good.

tomvelsor · #14 11-26-2008, 09:43 AM

music electronix geminidrive is a good choice.

the tech 21 sansamp is a VERY high quality pedal, but might not be for you. theres a bit of a mid scoop. i personally love mine, its the "oldschool button." very realistic tube emulation.

another one that i own is the visual sound jekyll and hyde. 2 channels, overdrive and distortion, with two seperate switches. both circuits were designed to be used together. or seperately..its a great pedal for bass. very versatile

TrevorOfDoom · #15 11-26-2008, 09:46 AM

MXR Blowtorch

EHX Nano Muff

**cosmicpimp2** · #16 11-26-2008, 09:49 AM

I play a lot of rock/metal/punk and like fuzzes. i use a big muff which sounds great with my alembic. i use it to push my tubes harder. great sound in a mix. my friend plays more alternative music and uses a sansamp bass driver through a pa and it sounds great too. whta kinda music do you play?

skeptikal · #17 11-26-2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicpimp2

I play a lot of rock/metal/punk and like fuzzes. i use a big muff which sounds great with my alembic. i use it to push my tubes harder. great sound in a mix. my friend plays more alternative music and uses a sansamp bass driver through a pa and it sounds great too. whta kinda music do you play?

Whatever I can I'm still relatively new to the bass so I'm trying to absorb everything I can.

I'm kind of leaning between the Tech 21 BDDI or the MusicElectronix GeminiDrive. I liked the sound clips I heard from both of those. I can't find a price on the GeminiDrive I must have missed it in the naming thread. I have sent an e-mail off to Os so hopefully he gets back to me.

Thanks! Keep the suggestions coming though!

varunkapahi · #18 11-26-2008, 10:35 AM

search for bogdan polish love and check out its clips in the wiki. vtbass gives me nice od to mild distortion too its got its own characteristic distorted sound with a lot of flexibility but no blend however

laurel · #19 11-26-2008, 10:59 AM

The best 'overdrive' pedal I've heard is the EBS valve drive. I own one of these and a Sansamp Bass driver DI. I must say in my opinion the BDDI as a distortion/overdrive pedal is really bad and synthetic sounding. What it is great at is making your DI signal to the PA a bit tastier than your normal DI. That's what I use mine for.

I'd say the EBS is great for old skool overdrive warmth, however it can get a little muddy as you push the gain, and there's no way to increase mids/decrease bass enough to counter this. I wouldn't use it for particularly modern sounding stuff.

I always think the best solution is get a Boss LS-2 (or similar) and use it to blend in a mix of any distortion pedal of your choice. That way you're not sacrificing clarity or low end.

Snakeman1066 · #20 11-26-2008, 11:09 AM

Might I suggest that you try out the Vodoo Lab Sparkle Drive...it does mild very well...

I did an extensive review some time back...

VooDoo Lab Sparkledrive

i suggest this pedal to everyone that mentions the word overdrive as IMHO it offers a huge amount of conrol to sculpt your perfect sound...