Distortion Pedal Ideas

Zelphien · #1 12-21-2009, 06:36 PM

Hey guys, Sorry I haven't been on much. I been busy with stuff.

So recently, my drummer and I created a Bass & Drum metal/hard rock band, influenced by bands like Big Business, The Melvins, The Sword, and our own twist of creativity.

But let me cut to the chase...

I really think that our songs would be wonderful if I got a bass distortion pedal. It would give us more of a sludge feel to our heaviness and I would love to play with one. However, I am kinda poor at the moment due to X-mas being only a couple days ahead. I am planning on buying a distortion pedal with the X-mas money I get from my family.

I was hoping you guys could help me find a cheap distortion pedal that is good, it will get the job done, and i could use it for a while. I am looking to spend $100 or LESS. I am not looking for the best pedal around, but I am looking for a decent one in that price range given.

Thanks alot guys!

rratajski · #2 12-21-2009, 07:16 PM

EHX Bass Big Muff. /Thread.

Mudfuzz · #3 12-21-2009, 07:22 PM

Yup. ^ "/ed" the thread.

squashedOpossum · #4 12-21-2009, 07:23 PM

I'm not sure why it's hated so much around here, but I like the Boss ODB-3. It can go from mild overdrive to nasty-as-you-want distortion. It's got bass/treble controls, blend option, and can easily be had used for under $50. And it's Boss, so it'll be standing right along side the cockroaches after the nuclear holocaust.

EDIT: And I'm not saying it's better than the Big Muff, just different, and definitely an option in your price range.

Smurf-o-Deth · #5 12-21-2009, 07:24 PM

I hate it because it sounds like a bunch of farts to me, but that's just this man's opinion.

Mudfuzz · #6 12-21-2009, 07:25 PM

I hate it because it's yellow.

JMDT · #7 12-21-2009, 07:45 PM

Turbo rat fits in this price range.

sutarappa · #8 12-21-2009, 07:49 PM

here's to The Melvins!

the first two pedals mentioned are good places to begin a bass fuzz journey (ymmv).

the EHX Bass Big Muff: it has cool toggle-switch options and a wide range of usable distortions, more than the Boss. great value.

the Boss ODB-3: i started my fuzz addiction with this one. it retails at a higher price than the BBM, but can be found used for much less through eBay, talkbass, craigslist, etc. the ODB-3 can sound quite heavy, especially in projects where bass is the only stringed intrument.

Proco Rat: i have not yet tried one, so no comment thus far...

may the sludge find you.

Mudfuzz · #9 12-21-2009, 07:57 PM

In all seriousness I actually think the the ODB-3 isn't bad at all for getting a "guitar sound" mixed into the bass type of thing. Put a muff in front of it and you can do some damage.

Crystalman85 · #10 12-21-2009, 08:34 PM

Considering that you play metal, I would recommend either the digitech xbd bass overdrive/distortion pedal or the tech 21 xxl bass edition distortion pedal. if you like fuzz pedals, the mxr el grande bass fuzz would be an excellent fuzz pedal for metal.

theunknowndude · #11 12-21-2009, 08:49 PM

in all honesty I don't see why the ibanez PD7 is overlooked like the ODB3 either...

sure the attack switches are pointless but the OD mode whilst 'digital' has thundering lows and can go from mild od to fuzzy... distortion can go to all out fuziness too...

it cuts through my metal bands mix the best against black metal drummer and heavy distorted guitar

it didn't quite fit my 'tone' for that band but id also recommend the proco turbo rat,... loses a bit of low end with the filter on the treble side but on the bassy side is pretty good, wide range of gain and different tone,... if you mix it with a blended signal and downtune it is like THE hardcore bass sound (IMHO... but I swear this is what hardcore bands must use in the studio or something similar!)

only thing that put me off with the odb3 when I tested it was it seemed either not strong enough with blend or was too all out and fed back when I was expecting it not to at that range of gain/volume,... COULD be used to advantage tho, but for me it was just noisy and hummed far too much when the treble was turned even slightly past noon, your experiences could vary...

wdinc01 · #12 12-21-2009, 08:55 PM

I'm giving a +1 to the Boss ODB-3. I haven't had a chance to use a BBM, so my opinion probably won't hold much weight. But I really like the ODB-3, and I'm a fan of the Sword. So I suppose it depends on what you're looking for.

However, if you can find one because I think they go for around your price range in the used market, check out some 3xFX pedals. Seems like they'd fit well in your project.

christianharger · #13 12-22-2009, 01:29 AM

Get your hands on an ODB3 and mod it. I'm currently in the process of doing this myself and so far it is sounding amazing. And as for the whole disgusting color thing.. well, I'm changing that as well

Hopefully I'll get some sound clips within the next few days.

bassman1185 · #14 12-22-2009, 07:19 AM

Save a few bucks more and pick up a used Pigtronix Disnortion. They're typically avalable for about $130 used, and they are really, really versitile. They have an overdrive and a fuzz that are run in parallel, so you can get the big, thick, sludgy fuzz sound, but mix in the parallel overdrive and you get a lot of your attack back. In addition to the OD and fuzz, there is also a really cool octave-up feature that can give you some really unique, heavy sounds. I love mine.

If you are strictly stuck under $100, then the Bass Big Muff is a good choice. I would also put in a good word for the Digitech Bad Monkey. It can be had in its stock form for less than $50 new, and you can typically find the Humphrey-modded "Badder Bass Monkey" for $70-$80 used here in the TB classifieds. Personally, I don't really think that the pedal needs the bass-specific mod, but I'd be interested to hear the difference between the two.