DigiTech Bass Driver or Ibanez PD7

gregstj114 · #1 06-10-2011, 02:04 PM

I've made up my mind and I found these two bass OD pedals that I really like. Should I buy the DigiTech Bass Driver or the Ibanez PD7? I am on a budget and cannot afford anything crazy!

Crystalman85 · #2 06-10-2011, 05:08 PM

That depends on what type of sound do you want. if you want a fizzy metallic sound, the digitech bass driver would be a good choice for that. if you want a bluesy but fuzzy sound that has a lot of lows being preserved, the Ibanez pd-7 would be a good choice for that. I own a digitech bass driver and I totally dig this pedal for it's fizzy metallic sound. it also sounds pretty cool when I combine my digitech bass driver with my hartke bass attack pedal. I got myself a pretty killer sound with this combination.

gregstj114 · #3 06-10-2011, 11:39 PM

Decided that I am going to buy the PD7. It has a way better tone then the Bass Driver! And Crystalman85, you're right about what you said. The PD7 has a great sound when in the OD mode with the Attack on 1 I think. Found one dirt cheap at the Daddy's in Dartmouth MA! Also considering buying a used DigiTech Bass Synth Wah too.

**BullHorn** · #4 06-11-2011, 01:02 AM

Good choice, I like the PD7 too.

Crystalman85 · #5 06-11-2011, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregstj114

Decided that I am going to buy the PD7. It has a way better tone then the Bass Driver! And Crystalman85, you're right about what you said. The PD7 has a great sound when in the OD mode with the Attack on 1 I think. Found one dirt cheap at the Daddy's in Dartmouth MA! Also considering buying a used DigiTech Bass Synth Wah too.

The ibanez pd-7 bass overdrive sound great indeed. I use to own one. when I had it, I've set the pedal to DIST mode with the attack off. this setting(along with a few adjustments on the EQ controls) gives me a warm fuzzy distorted sound. I like the the digtech bass driver more than the Ibanez pd-7 because it has a more heavier than the pd-7. even though the Ibanez pd-7 is a great sounding pedal, I personally like the digitech bass driver more.

avvie · #6 06-11-2011, 11:16 PM

I'm all about the PD7 myself. Dialed in a pretty good Geddy Lee, and the tone controls allow me to keep all my lows when I kick it on.

kokoshmusun · #7 03-23-2012, 07:20 AM

Don't you guys have problems with the footswitch of PD7? I've read all around that it fails to switch, etc. I really like its sound and want to get it but I shy away because of this reason.

Toastfuzz · #8 03-23-2012, 07:34 AM

The PD7 is the one mass-produced pedal that no boutique fuzz or overdrive has been able to push off my board, I've had 3 or 4 $150 contenders vie for that position and the PD7 beats em out every time. I use it for my low-OD, and a Muff clone for my fizzy fuzz. The 2-band EQ is money, you can retain all the bass you want or dial in as much highs as you want. Usually keep the Drive at its bare minimum.

The footswitch does, indeed, suck. I always accidentally double-tap it, so when its off I'll double-tap it and its still off, or when its on I'll double-tap and it'll still be on. Can't explain why my foot/ankle does that with this pedal and no others. Also if its on your board too close to other pedals, you may find yourself nipping the corner and turning it on when you didn't intend to.

But it sounds sweet and can be had for cheap as hell, if mine broke I'd prob order 2 more.

tdub0199 · #9 03-23-2012, 07:41 AM

I like my PD7 as well....

Ibanezax · #10 03-24-2012, 11:23 AM

I have the PD7 as well and it has seen some action. The attack switch is busted and its stuck on one of them, not sure which one though. The on off switch is very stubborn. Usually takes a good pissed off stomp to get it to work. Overall it has quality sound for a bass distortion. Very little low end signal loss when in use

gregstj114 · #11 03-24-2012, 08:23 PM

I currently have the PD7 but there might be a flaw in the circuitry. The pedal doesn't produce any distortion, just a volume boost with a little grit. I'm going to eventually buy another pedal, like a fuzz.

PSYCHOTIC · #12 03-27-2012, 01:22 AM

digitech - +reliability, -sound
ibanez - +sound, -reliability
get the ibanez

kokoshmusun · #13 03-27-2012, 01:53 AM

From what I've heard I love the sound of PD7, but how can you have peace of mind using it on stage? How would you compare the Digitech Bad Monkey (modded for bass) to the PD7? I would go for the former since it would give me peace of mind?

And also, haven't some people tried to modify the PD7 to solve the switch issue (e.g., rehousing it). I vaguely remember seeing that on this forum.

NortyFiner · #14 03-27-2012, 05:47 AM

I love my PD7. Haven't found anything to replace it yet. I haven't had any issues with it (yet, knock on wood) but I also treat my pedals more carefully than many people do.

kokoshmusun · #15 03-27-2012, 06:03 AM

And another question: Can it be cloned if I take it to a pedalmaker?

NortyFiner · #16 03-27-2012, 06:13 AM

Probably. Almost any circuit can be reverse engineered. Patent infringements and such things could be an issue, but the PD7 is no longer in production, so perhaps not. After all, there are countless Muff clones and derivatives out there, and EHX isn't suing the whole pedal world over them. So maybe some pedal builder creating their own "PD7" wouldn't such a big legal deal after all. In fact, I bet if some pedal maker created a "modernized" PD7 with better mechanical reliability, true bypass, blinding blue LED light, and all the other things pedal junkies love these days, it'd probably sell like hotcakes.

NortyFiner · #17 03-27-2012, 06:18 AM

This Google search brings up some interesting results...

ibanez pd7 schematic - Google Search

kokoshmusun · #18 03-27-2012, 06:24 AM

I'm really interested in just getting a clone made for my own use solely. Of course, it'd be great if the clone maker could sell this awesome device to other people (he does clone and sell a lot of other stuff anyway). Thanks for the thoughts.

kokoshmusun · #19 03-27-2012, 10:54 AM

The second link from that google search is a thread at the freestompboxes.org forum. Apparently someone posted a schematic but it says the file is no longer available (even if you are registered and logged in to the forum). However, if you do a google search with the same file name, the first hit has a download link for the file.

I have it now and will take it to someone who can build it.

kokoshmusun · #20 04-04-2012, 01:21 AM

Blaaah, pedalmakers are too busy and don't have the time to develop the PCB. So I just snatched one from ebay, but I won't be getting it till october (had it delivered to inlaws in the US, and I'll visit them then).

The pedalmakers I talked to said, get the real thing instead of having us build it, and if you have a problem with the footswitch, bring it over and we can mod it. So that's what I'll do. I hope this will be my long term OD.