Darkglass Microtubes B3K and JHS Low Drive Question

srslots81 · #1 01-28-2013, 09:05 PM

Hey guys...new poster here. I've been a guitar player for 20 years but have only been a bass player for about 1. I have narrowed my OD search (I play a PBass) down to the B3K and the Low Drive, but do not have the ability to AB them in person. I have played the Low Drive in person but not the B3K. I liked the JHS in person - it had a nice warm transparent drive that went from light to fat. As far as the videos go though, I like the tone of the B3K more, but most of the clips are focused on either really heavy rock playing or metal.

I play music more along the lines of Delta Spirit, Wilco, Pearl Jam, Beatles, Lennon Solo stuff - where I want OD when the time is right but want to have light, clean, transparent OD and then when appropriate can crank it up to the heavier stuff. I am leaning towards the B3K but would love to get feedback on how it would fair for the type of music I play!

Thanks.

cybersnyder · #2 01-28-2013, 09:22 PM

I owned the Low Drive twice, but thought it was too "buzzy" in it's distortion character. I preferred the Morning Glory from JHS, but it's really noisy. At least the one I had was noisy. Wish I played the B3K, but I haven't. I do have a Darkglass Vintage Microtubes on order, but that will be a few weeks until it ships.

hamfistUK · #3 01-29-2013, 12:50 AM

For the music you are playing, personally, I don't think the B3K is the right pedal. It'll always tend to be a bit mid-scooped and "modern" in character. The B7K is more versatile and would be able to do what you want. However, the Low Drive seems a good choice from the vids and clips I've seen of it. Also, you've played it and liked it. Lastly, I believe it's significantly cheaper. So, there you are, the Low Drive for me.

srslots81 · #4 01-29-2013, 09:44 AM

Thank you for the feedback so far! Anyone else that can provide some first hand opinions?

Thanks!

**bassboysam** · #5 01-29-2013, 04:32 PM

B3K and P-Bass sounded pretty terrible to me. it works great with my J and Ric though. i dont think the B3K is what you are looking for. I had a low drive and to me it was to buzzy and cut too much low end. maybe check out the Oh See Demon or SFT?

Check out this thread for options and samples

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f36/overdrive-fuzz-quest-882997/

liveburning274 · #6 01-29-2013, 07:17 PM

TREX Bass Juice....I absolutely love mine! The clean blend makes it so usable to bring in as much OD or fuzz on extreme settings as I want into my signal.

Anarchyok · #7 01-30-2013, 12:39 AM

I've owned both. The Darkglass B3K is in another league to the JHS IMHO. The JHS I had was extremely picky with power (had to be on an isolated circuit) as it screeched if it was daisy chained with my Polytune, and it cut too much low end tonally too. I would also describe the tone as inherently buzzy.

Go with the Darkglass, you'll be glad you did.

franksgbass · #8 01-30-2013, 06:24 AM

You might wanna wait till the DG vintage comes out. I'm not sure those two pedals are right for the tones you mentioned. Actually, I think you should look into the Basstortion from zvex. Thats a bit more like overdrive from an amp from what I hear. Let us know what you decide on.

srslots81 · #9 01-30-2013, 10:37 AM

The Vintage def looks awesome, however I just didn't want to wait! We have our first show in a few weeks and wanted something sooner that I can practice with in the meantime. The zvex pedal sounds a little too high gain for what I want. My concern with the B3K is that it seems a little too "throaty" and heavy for the type of music we play. Every demo I heard it on was with music that is way darker than what we play. I was able to AB the Low Drive, the SFT and the Aguilar Agro last night at Ludlow Guitars and of the 3 I liked the Low Drive the best so I picked it up. Won't really know how it fits in the mix until I can crank it up along side drums and the guitars during practice though. I hope it doesn't loose too much bottom end, but with a cranked stack and a P Bass I am guessing the low end will be fine. I also purchased a Diamond Compressor so I am really excited to hear how the 2 sound together!

cybersnyder · #10 01-30-2013, 10:42 AM

I let you know what I think of the Darkglass Vintage when I get it, but it does sound exactly like what you need if the Era knob performs as it's touted. And I say that with no doubt that it will.

obsidianbass · #11 01-30-2013, 10:46 AM

I haven't tried the JHS pedal, but I do have the b3k. Yes, it does the aggressive thing VERY well but I can totally dial in some moderate warm grit by keeping the drive down and the blend favoring the dry sound. It's a really amazing pedal and while everyone's tastes are different, I have a hard time believing anyone would be truly let down by it.

srslots81 · #12 01-30-2013, 10:50 AM

The feedback has been great thanks! If I am not satisfied with the Low Drive on Friday when I have practice I will bring it back to the store and either order the b3k or wait for the vintage!

cybersnyder · #13 01-30-2013, 11:54 AM

Are you using a cab with a tweeter? I think that enhanced the buzzy/fizzy texture that I ran into with the Low Drive. Another cheap option is the Hardwire CM-2. I really liked the one I had.

srslots81 · #14 01-30-2013, 01:03 PM

I play it with different amps because we rent studio space in Brooklyn by the hour...I do not have my own head or cab yet. It is just not that practical in NYC without a car, however I will probably buy my own head soon to use for gigs since most places already have house cabs. For our upcoming show at Sullivan Hall I will be playing through:

(1) Gallien-Krueger 700RB (Bass Head)-480 Watts
(1) Ampeg SVT 8x10” Bass Cabinet