Diesel Dawg

tomzilla23 · #1 08-11-2008, 10:19 PM

i was wondering if any one could give me there opinion on the Diesel Dawg Distortion pedal by Gallien Kruger

Lebowsky · #2 08-12-2008, 02:17 AM

A great distortion. Can go from light overdrive to heavy distortion, even a bit fuzzy. I'd compare it to the fulltone bassdrive - but better. Only inconvenient is its size.

judas jedermann · #3 08-12-2008, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lebowsky

Only inconvenient is its size.

... and weight.

Good od/dist. though. More aggressive than Fulltone IMO.

Asca · #4 08-12-2008, 05:17 AM

I have both. They are both really good in my opinion, but I think you have to be used to the eq section in the diesel dawg to use it properly. I think the fulltone is easier to use from that point of view, I also find it to be a little more aggressive than the fulltone, as the other users said. Everything obviously IMHO.

ihateusernames · #5 08-12-2008, 09:21 AM

As stated by others, larger and heavier than other pedals - not really a problem to me. I really like the eq abilities of the pedal. My favorite thing about the pedal is that it sounds like distortion, not overdrive, not fuzz, but distortion. Definately different than a DOD250, Boss bass distortion, Tubescreamer, BigMuff, etc.

For me it could stand a bit more output. Depending where I place it in the chain, what preamp I'm running it with, and lots of other variables, there are instances where it doesn't have enough output for unity. I don't think there is any fault with the pedal though, just too much going on in my setup sometimes.

ishouldbeking · #6 08-12-2008, 01:00 PM

The Diesel Dawg is an identical circuit to the GK 2001RB amplifier, which I owned for a number of years... I now use a Fulltone Bassdrive Mosfet version. Only difference between the diesel dawg and the 2001's distortion circuit is that it has an added mid control, which I presume would come in handy.

Honestly I find very little in common between the GK distortion and the fulltone's overdrive sound. The fulltone is based around a tubescreamer type of OD, albeit with more room to tweak and a much wider array of sounds. No matter how much you tweak that OD, however, you will not get into the full on distortion that the GK is capable of. People often described the GK distortion sound to me as "unique, closer to a guitar distortion than what you'd normally hear on bass" and I tend to agree. I think it's a really cool sound though. Doesn't lose low end, has it's own voice... only real downside IMHO is the ugly tribal graphics on the pedal, but who really cares. The Fulltone is much more useful as an overdrive (lighter distortion, more natural sounding), but the GK is a real distortion pedal and shouldn't necessarily fall into the same category as the Fulltone, DOD 250, tubescreamer etc.

Another one to consider in this category is the Tech 21 XXL. Haven't tried one myself, but a lot of people mention them in the same breath when talking about bass distortion.

Vic Winters · #7 08-12-2008, 02:39 PM

You could rehouse the Diesel Dawg to a box 1/3 the size. I use it for my heavy distortion, and it does it's job quite well.

Joe P · #8 08-12-2008, 03:44 PM

I've played many, heard many, owned many; the Dawg is my absolute favorite bass Distortion - and Holy-moly do they sound great for Metal Guitar too (That's why my brother often has mine borrowed from me...).

Anyone who has an ear for bass distortions, or considers them self somewhat of a 'Connoisseur' should play one (and play-with - they do have interactive controls that you must get a feel for. But they're VERY powerful and versitile); there's nothing like the Diesel Dawg.

And to give you an idea of my tastes: I think Big Muffs sound awful on bass. Just awful. so if you're one who's said (or been afraid to say, because of all the Muff Worshippers out there) "I just don't get WHAT they see in these things!", Maybe you're more like me, and will also freak on the Dawg.

Joe

JanusZarate · #9 08-12-2008, 03:48 PM

To counter what Joe said:

I love the Big Muff. But the distortion channel on my 2001RB (the amp's equivalent of a Diesel Dawg) sees more use every gig than any distortion or fuzz pedal I've ever used.

So, even a Big Muff lover should check one of these out if heavy distortion is appealing to them.

Still, it's way too big. I'm hoping GK reissues a more compact version sometime.

Joe P · #10 08-13-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

To counter what Joe said:

I love the Big Muff. But the distortion channel on my 2001RB (the amp's equivalent of a Diesel Dawg) sees more use every gig than any distortion or fuzz pedal I've ever used.

So, even a Big Muff lover should check one of these out if heavy distortion is appealing to them...

Of course I mean my bass, my rig, my other pedals, my playing style (which often involves tapping/chording stuff)...

I know that some famous and excellent bass tones have been recorded using the Muff. I mean tones which I have agreed are excellent.

Y'know what I'd like to know? Can anyone state what mid-knob position on the Dawg is equivalent - or closest to - the 2001 tone? Those controls are SO interactive; I'd bet the answer is not "straight-up 12:00".

Joe

JanusZarate · #11 08-13-2008, 09:01 PM

Hmm... I dunno.

SpankyPants · #12 08-14-2008, 04:08 AM

Like always, Boo, you've let us down.

Again.

Scionreality · #13 08-14-2008, 07:10 AM

Are any of you guys able to post clips? I don't see one in the Wiki or on GK's site.

Or, I suppose, a good example of the high-gain channel on the 2001RB?

Jateca · #14 08-14-2008, 07:13 AM

There's a clip in this article, along with loads of others. I very nearly got the GK pedal, but went for a fulltone instead. Might get one one day

http://www.bassplayer.com/article/ov...s/Dec-06/24670

Scionreality · #15 08-14-2008, 07:54 AM

Thanks. I'll have to check it out later; it doesn't want to load right now for some reason.

Scionreality · #16 08-14-2008, 02:29 PM

Ooo... I think you guys & GK just made me $150 or so poorer.

After listening through all the Tech 21's and Fulltones and such, this is almost exactly the sound I had in my head.

Thanks for the link.

Thangfish · #17 08-14-2008, 03:17 PM

As much as I hate to say it, The GK DDawg *does* loose some low bass. Even if you crank the bass knob, it just affects the mid to upper bass freqs only. I guess most people tend to not notice the loss of low end at all... depends on your preferred sound, equipment and eq. Not nearly as bad as some g----r distortion stomps, but for a stomp intended specifically for bass, this is just inexcusable to me, and causes me to seriously question their design engineering. They (GK engineers) *refused* to give me any tips to mod it to retain more bass. "Against company policy."

Having said that, it does have a nice sound. Great harmonics. Maybe with a blend box of some kind, but still... a bass distortion stomp that drops low end? It's a non-starter before it gets out of the gate for me.

judas jedermann · #18 08-15-2008, 01:31 AM

I haven`t noticed any low end drop.

Vic Winters · #19 08-15-2008, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thangfish

As much as I hate to say it, The GK DDawg *does* loose some low bass. Even if you crank the bass knob, it just affects the mid to upper bass freqs only. I guess most people tend to not notice the loss of low end at all... depends on your preferred sound, equipment and eq. Not nearly as bad as some g----r distortion stomps, but for a stomp intended specifically for bass, this is just inexcusable to me, and causes me to seriously question their design engineering. They (GK engineers) *refused* to give me any tips to mod it to retain more bass. "Against company policy."

Having said that, it does have a nice sound. Great harmonics. Maybe with a blend box of some kind, but still... a bass distortion stomp that drops low end? It's a non-starter before it gets out of the gate for me.

You could always add a blend circuit. Lord knows there's enough room for one.

Joe P · #20 08-15-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thangfish

As much as I hate to say it, The GK DDawg *does* loose some low bass. Even if you crank the bass knob, it just affects the mid to upper bass freqs only. I guess most people tend to not notice the loss of low end at all... depends on your preferred sound, equipment and eq. Not nearly as bad as some g----r distortion stomps, but for a stomp intended specifically for bass, this is just inexcusable to me, and causes me to seriously question their design engineering...

Here goes THAT accusation again...

I assure you that we can be quite confident that GK - you know: GK, like one of the most respected world experts in the design of Bass (as in 'low frequency') amplification - certainly, very well, obviously, perfectly-well knows how to reproduce low frequencies (Jeeze!!). OK: have we gotten that out of the way now? Are there really any reasonable debates on that?

May I propose the wild theory that many Bassists may think that the Diesel Dawg has beautiful, perfect voicing, just the way it is? OK - lets look at a definition of "distortion" - especially "harmonic distortion"; especially-specially "harmonic distortion, as it applies to enhancement of tone in electric stringed instruments" - Part of the very definition of distortion itself is "an increase in midrange and/or treble harmonics". SO: why would one process their signal through something which PURPOSE, even by the definition of it's name, is to create a dense series of new midrange harmonics - to increase mids and highs - then complain that it reduces lows?

Next: I have yet to find a pedal which better produces rock-solid subharmonics on double stops. Thunderous very-VERY low frequency subhamonics. The dawg is quite capable of outputting the very-lowest audio frequencies.

You don't have to like it - but it is not right or even reasonable to report incompetent engineering on the part of a company who has quite proved themselves to be the bassists faithful advocate, friend and helper.

Joe