Durham Sex Drive

scubaduba · #1 05-23-2011, 12:10 PM

I need the low down on this one. Seems people swear by it. After searching I'm gathering that it is capable of being a clean boost but that's maybe not what its best suited for? Am I mistaken?

I'm looking for a good clean boost that can handle the hot output of my Zon and Spector basses. I need something to boost my sound for a couple lead lines or during certain lines where I need to be heard more.

I like the idea of being able to get a bit of dirt too though.

Please give me the low down.

BassMonstrum · #2 05-23-2011, 12:58 PM

I was actually scowering talkbass for more info on this. Bongo seems to like it quite a lot. Soundclips, anyone?

scubaduba · #3 05-23-2011, 01:38 PM

Yeah. Even Youtube videos all center on the guitar for this pedal.

carbonfold · #4 05-23-2011, 02:54 PM

I have one and it is exactly how Bongo describes it.

The compression is really simple...off.... kinda on... and on. Everything else on the pedal is a clean overdrive and adds a nice warmth. Highs get a little crispier and the lows get a little roll off but very very little.

I think if you're looking for a quality booster, this will get the job done. If you dig slight compression, you might finding yourself having two.

scubaduba · #5 05-23-2011, 03:01 PM

So aside from the compressor part it seems the Sex Drive is a lot like the Fatboost by Fulltone then. Clean boost capable of breaking up with the gain turned high. Thoughts?

bongomania · #6 05-23-2011, 08:37 PM

You got it. I happen to like the slight dirt of the Durham better than the Fulltone, but it's a similar thing.

scubaduba · #7 05-23-2011, 08:43 PM

Is the sex drive capable of being a totally clean boost though too?

Maybe this is a better way to ask the question:

In order of cleanest to dirtiest how are the following rated?

Fatboost - Sex Drive - Phat Phuk

bongomania · #8 05-23-2011, 08:56 PM

Depends on your definition of "clean". I'd say yes, but if you are in the camp of hunting for ultra perfect transparency, then there are "more perfectly transparent" boosts out there. But the very subtle coloration of the cleaner settings is quite pleasant.

scubaduba · #9 05-23-2011, 09:08 PM

Thanks. Could you add some comparative comments of the three above mentioned pedals?

bongomania · #10 05-23-2011, 09:11 PM

Sure. Mayo, mustard, pickle relish. I know that sounds sarcastic, but that's about the size of it.

BassMonstrum · #11 05-24-2011, 02:49 AM

But as a standalone compression-pedal, how is it?

carbonfold · #12 05-24-2011, 06:31 AM

Before this pedal, I used the Markbass Compressore. And what a fine compressor that is! However, the Sexdrive gives just enough compression to work for me. It is not a fully controlled compressor but it is a set it and forget it. It compresses just enough that I'm happy with it. But thats how I like my compression.... just enough. And.. I'm a fuzz nut so I enjoy some of the grit I get out of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMonstrum

But as a standalone compression-pedal, how is it?

scubaduba · #13 05-24-2011, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Sure. Mayo, mustard, pickle relish. I know that sounds sarcastic, but that's about the size of it.

Ha! Sounds like a good sandwich coming together there.

So I gather that in a lot of ways these three pedals are a different flavor of the same thing. Got that. I guess I'm hoping for maybe some compare and contrast detail to help.

Like Mayo, mustard, and pickle relish are all sandwich dressings. But pickle relish is decidedly different tasting than Mayo. Not to mention the texture differences. And mustard is certainly not for everyone with its bite.

I suspect the same is true of these three pedals. All are good in their own way. But one is going to "taste" better than another to some. So please help describe which sandwich dressing I'm looking for if I want a good clean boost to help solos and lead lines stand out but capable of adding a touch of light grit when I need it too. I'm not looking for the mustard pedal with its constant bite.

carbonfold · #14 05-24-2011, 06:58 AM

Sounds like you are looking for a Durham Sexdrive. If you want more grit, turn up the gain and reduce the level (main volume). If you want less grit and more clean boost, turn down the gain and up the level

Tweak the tone knob to adjust from dark to bright sounds.

If you like compression in your sound, you have a few options. On the hard setting you will get a smoother compressed sound and you will probably turn up the main a little more than normal to cut through. If set on the off or soft settings, your sound will be puncher and more volume will come through resulting in less needed in the main. My setting listed below:

Gain: 11:00 O'Clock
Comp: Hard
Level: 1:00 o'clock
Tone: 8:30

This setting is my setting for "always" on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubaduba; So please help describe which sandwich dressing [I

I'm looking for if I want a good clean boost to help solos and lead lines stand out but capable of adding a touch of light grit[/i] when I need it too. I'm not looking for the mustard pedal with its constant bite.

scubaduba · #15 05-24-2011, 07:10 AM

Thanks. Would it be true to say the Phat Phuk would be the dirtiest of the three?

Also, how well does the Sex Drive handle hot signals? I've found my Spector bass in particular can distort pedals directly.

carbonfold · #16 05-24-2011, 07:15 AM

I run my EBMM 5HH through it (5HH is already a bit aggressive), but seems to work well to me.

One this is certain with this pedal, it still has "drive" in its name

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubaduba

Thanks. Would it be true to say the Phat Phuk would be the dirtiest of the three?

Also, how well does the Sex Drive handle hot signals? I've found my Spector bass in particular can distort pedals directly.

scubaduba · #17 05-24-2011, 04:07 PM

So the Phat Phuk is the dirtiest of the three, yes?

Vlad5 · #18 05-25-2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubaduba

So the Phat Phuk is the dirtiest of the three, yes?

I have not used the SexDrive, but its on my list of 'must try out' pedals.

I have tried both the FatBoost and Phat Phuk B and think the Fatboost is the dirtier of the two. In fact, it sounded farty compared to the Phat Phuk B. I couldn't seem to tighten it up at all. I must have been using it wrong or something, though I don't know how.

The Phat Phuk B however was more adjustable, even with just one knob. Turn in down, less grit, turn it up, more grit, easy. I never messed with the internal trimpot, as is sugested you don't.

The PPB was tighter and more focused than the Fatboost. If that makes sense. The Fatboost was looser, less focused, dirtier, more of a distortion than an overdrive.

My own experience and impression of course...

Hope that helps.

carbonfold · #19 05-25-2011, 07:50 AM

Heads up:

I had no need to do this, but might be putting my Sexdrive up in the classifieds. Got to cover some tattoo sleeve expenses on my right arm haha.... Hit me up before I post it today or check the classifieds if you're interested in it.