Catalinbread's SFT and tone alteration

Papalampraina · #1 07-10-2011, 09:09 AM

I admit that I like fuzz. Lots of it. Simple, destructive, mayhem fuzz. But I also wanted something between clean and fuzz.
After hearing a lot of good drive pedals I ended up with an SFT. The thing is that I like it a lot, but I hate tone coloring. Even when the Bass and Treble knobs are at 12 o'clock, the sound I get is not my bass overdriven, it's something close to that.
So with that intro, I have to make a couple of questions.
Is there any way to get my tone just overdriven without any tone alterations?
And if yes, does anyone know of a pedal that can do that?
Even better, can it be a pedal that has the same drive as the SFT, which I like very much?
Cheers to anyone who shares a thought.

Lowbrow · #2 07-10-2011, 10:18 AM

I recently got an SFT, and while I like what it does I wholly agree with you (and much TB chat) that the pedal really does take over your sound.
Try the Xotic Bass BB Preamp, A/B-ing it with the SFT I find that it offers a far more transparent overdrive... suggest the BB in this case.

rratajski · #3 07-10-2011, 10:34 AM

The xotic bb, as mentioned, is your best bet. After that, the Fulltone OCD is a good second!

Papalampraina · #4 07-10-2011, 11:14 AM

I heard samples of the Xotic BB and it gave me the idea that it's a little bit hard. Not the warm drive the SFT gives you. Of course, that could be because almost all demos on the net show the pedals with maximum settings.

Papalampraina · #5 07-10-2011, 11:57 AM

Food for thought: What about the Fulltone Fat-Boost 3?

Lowbrow · #6 07-10-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papalampraina

I heard samples of the Xotic BB and it gave me the idea that it's a little bit hard. Not the warm drive the SFT gives you. Of course, that could be because almost all demos on the net show the pedals with maximum settings.

The BB can be hard at high gain settings but it excels at lo-gain OD - just a pinch will do... rolling off the treble helps, too.

Lars_Vegas · #7 07-10-2011, 12:12 PM

what about blending your clean signal in? with an ls-2 for example?
Just a tiny bit could be enough.

dannybuoy · #8 07-10-2011, 01:14 PM

The SFT inverts the phase so won't work with an LS-2, although an Xotic X-Blender or any other blender with a phase switch would do the job.

blastjv · #9 07-10-2011, 02:13 PM

I LOVE my BB, but for what you are seeking, I'd recommend the Way Huge Pork Loin!!! (though I wouldn't recommend against the BB)

-JV

eyeballkid · #10 07-10-2011, 02:19 PM

Ive use my Oxfuzz for a transparent OD. I tweaked the trim to my liking for the fuzz, then I set the Fuzz knob at the beginning of the fuzz breakup (around 3 oclock) and then the blend at like 9 oclock where it just adds a touch of it and its perfect! and transparent!
Its a way versatile pedal if ya spend time with it.

Motasimo · #11 07-10-2011, 06:17 PM

I really like my dredgetone angler

Papalampraina · #12 07-11-2011, 04:53 PM

Any thoughts on the EBS Multidrive? Volume, gain and a type switch. How does it fare on tone coloring?

Lowbrow · #13 07-11-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papalampraina

... Even when the Bass and Treble knobs are at 12 o'clock, the sound I get is not my bass overdriven, it's something close to that.
...

I've been spending more time working with the SFT and have noted that most of the tonal coloration is in the low frequencies - I've found that if I roll off a significant amount on the SFT's bass knob (see below) the sound becomes far more transparent, retaining the OD and letting the sound of my instrument come through much better.

In fact, I think it starts to sound pretty great - far more useful IMO than that fun but somewhat overbearing sound you get with the SFT bass knob set to noon or higher.

Juan Count · #14 07-12-2011, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papalampraina

Even when the Bass and Treble knobs are at 12 o'clock, the sound I get is not my bass overdriven, it's something close to that..

... In my experience... on many pedals 12 o'clock does not necessarily mean unity... I'm probably not being very clear... but basically... with some pedals... If it's on... well, IT'S ON (altering your tone)...

G.Bisson · #15 07-12-2011, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papalampraina

Any thoughts on the EBS Multidrive? Volume, gain and a type switch. How does it fare on tone coloring?

The MultiDrive is very transparent in 'Standard' mode. If you want a little tone coloring the 'tubesim' mode adds just a taste. I recommend it.

wolffman · #16 07-12-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastjv

I LOVE my BB, but for what you are seeking, I'd recommend the Way Huge Pork Loin!!! (though I wouldn't recommend against the BB)

-JV

+ 1 on the pork loin. It's what i use- and sounds transparent to me. no experience with the bb.

scHism · #17 07-12-2011, 11:12 AM

Any small/boss enclosure OD, w/ NO or least coloration recommendations besides the SFT? Looking for something in the price range of below $100. Thanks!