Durham Electronics Sex Drive vs some other OD's...

blastjv · #1 10-03-2010, 06:09 AM

Hi,

Lately I've been GAS'ing for a Durham Sex Drive.

You can see my setup in my signature. Basically, I was finding that my rig sounded great, but could use a little compression because in order to get the tone of the 3 higher strings the way I wanted them, the 4th string was too overpowering in it's lows. Backing off on the lows left the other strings sounding thin.

In my experiments, I tried a BBE Opto Stomp and it wasn't that helpful, though I had used it and liked it before. Then I happened to try a Bad Monkey (not really to solve this problem, but just to hear what it sounded like) and it helped a lot.

I just grabbed an Xotic Bass BB preamp/OD because this was an old favorite of mine which I had sold a while ago because I didn't need it. I will check this one out at practice tomorrow.

In the meantime, I'm also very tempted to try out the Durham Sex Drive. It's not a terribly common pedal, so I'm unlikely to be able to try it without buying a new one...

Basically I'd want it to provide a very slight push, a very small amount of 'hair', and a bit of compression. This sounds like just what the Sex Drive was made to do.

Other OD's I've tried and liked (though not with this rig) are:

Catalinbread SFT
Way Huge Pork Loin
Aguilar Agro (I have one in my chain now, but it's for real over the top distortion, but I really do like the light OD sounds, too. Actually I haven't tried this one in the role I'm describing...I will)

How do those of you who've tried the Sex Drive think it would work for me?

-John

Fab Savage · #2 10-04-2010, 02:18 AM

Hey John

Haven't tried the sex drive, however a while ago I posted a thread looking to compare the sexdrive vs cream pie vs phat phuk. Basically I was looking for a really nice phat boost rather than compression as I own a multicomp for that job (which is a bit redundant now!)

I ended up with the phat phuk as Matt gave me a good deal, however I would be keen to hear others comments on this. I know Bongo has experience with this pedal and has posted several positive reviews.

FWIW I too have the agro and although I use it at higher saturation, it does do the low OD grit well also, but I prefer my Pork Loin for this purpose. Both do add a bit of compression that is inherent as gain is increased.

Oh and you own a wicked rig mate I m gasing for a VR..I reckon the agro would sound amazing driving that thing into grindville.

Cheers

Mike

blastjv · #3 10-04-2010, 02:38 AM

Yeah, that's why I'm liking the idea of the Sex Drive. The compression I want is with only very slight OD, so I'm not sure that any OD pedal is going to do it with the gain so low. I was thinking the Sex Drive could be set low, but with the comp on.

Oh, and yes, the Agro cranked through this rig is truly awe-inspiring!!!

-John

bongomania · #4 10-04-2010, 09:13 AM

FWIW, the Sex Drive does show up used with some regularity over on TGP. That's where I bought both of mine.

Another pedal to have on the radar is the Celmo Sardine Can. Unfortunately it's a lot more uncommon and hard to find used than the Durham, but IF you see one at a fair price, give it a try. You should be able to flip it pretty easily without taking much of a hit.

blastjv · #5 10-04-2010, 09:19 AM

Bongo,

In your experience and with your knowledge, does it sound like the Sex Drive is a good idea for the purposes I described?

Also, I was surprised that the Opto Stomp wasn't doing it for me. I had owned and used one a while ago and liked it, but changed my rig around and didn't feel any benefit with the new gear. I bought another used one to try with this rig and it seemed to change my tone slightly for the worse and didn't really benefit my sound at all. Any idea why? (other than me just being a tool, which is a given)

-John

bongomania · #6 10-04-2010, 09:30 AM

Well, as far as the BBE not working out with the new gear, that's just "one of those things", not really explainable. Some gear just doesn't sound as good with certain other gear, it happens. It may be that the way your new rig sounds has caused you to subconsciously change the way you attack the strings, and this change in attack didn't work so well with the BBE.

To fix the 4th string being too loud or boomy, I'd say raise it up a bit at the bridge. Or lower that end of the pickups slightly, at least the neck pickup.

That said, since I've found the Durham does turn down the low end a bit, it may be the perfect solution for you. Whether it gets you the tone you want across all strings is something you'd have to find out by experimentation yourself.