Fulltone owners: bass-drive original vs. mosfet version?

[JES]

Hi Folks,

I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with both versions of the pedal and can tell me about the tonal differences. I'm especially interested in the following:

--does the non-mosfet setting sound like the original bassdrive, especially without the compression? (equivalent to pulling the knob up on the blue version)
--how different does the mosfet setting sound? What effect does the comp-cut switch happen in the mosfet mode?

Any other comparisons would be appreciated. I have an early blue bass-drive with the toggle knob and I know that pedal well. Just wondering what I would get or lose with the mosfet version.

Thank you.

[mpdd]

i hope somebody replies to this, because i was wondering the same thing

[mattq]

this probably won't help much, so i apologize in advance. i had the grey non-mosfet and it got stolen. while shopping around to re-buy gear i played with the mosfet version, but not extensively. i couldn't tell you why, but i just didn't like the way it sounded. something just felt wrong. like over or under compressed or something. felt less natural to me. totally subjective though.

[iamdenialNJ]

I don't know the difference since I have never played a non-mosfet but I can tell you that I put my mosfet bass drive up for sale about 15min after receiving it in the mail.

[scotch]

I've actually owned both models & a-b'ed them.

I think that the mosfet version with flat mid option is far superior to the original in every way.

For one thing, the original circuit is included (just flip the switch to "standard", it's the same exact circuit as the original). With the mosfet engaged, the lows are better and there is a touch more clean headroom available.

The 'flat mid' option helps to level off the eq, resulting in more net lows as well. A lot of folks decry the Bass-Drive for losing low end, but I'm not sure that's an entirely fair observation. Taking the inherent mid-bump of a tube-screamer circuit into account with gain & volume staging results in an entirely useable sound. The Bass-Drive isn't really the best choice for a bedroom warrior, it's more geared for a band performance. However, for the record, I've found that using the Bass-Drive Mosfet in conjunction with an Xotic X-Blender has resulted in a far more versatile effect (I add in a touch of additional lows & like to be able to blend on the fly....).

If the original Bass-Drive has anything on the newest version, it's that the led's were mounted better and in a better place on the pedal (in my opinion). Given the increased voice options of the latest generation- I see no reason to favor the older pedals overall.

[Crabby]

The Fulltone OCD has more low end, a nicer overdrive tone, is smaller and less costly then the bass Drive. Its better as a bass overdrive in pretty much every way. I had both to compare at one point and there was no contest. The OCD preserved the lows better and just simply sounded much better then the bass drive.

[MrMeacham]

I had the mosfet. I found that the 18 volt power supply made a huge difference in the sound. It sounded like a different pedal. I thought the 18 volts gave it a a fuller and warmer tone.

[Mark Olson]

Originally Posted by JES

Hi Folks,

I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with both versions of the pedal and can tell me about the tonal differences. I'm especially interested in the following:

--does the non-mosfet setting sound like the original bassdrive, especially without the compression? (equivalent to pulling the knob up on the blue version)
--how different does the mosfet setting sound? What effect does the comp-cut switch happen in the mosfet mode?

Any other comparisons would be appreciated. I have an early blue bass-drive with the toggle knob and I know that pedal well. Just wondering what I would get or lose with the mosfet version.

Thank you.

The MOSFET doesn't have anything to do with the Comp Cut mode in case no one as told you that already. The Comp Cut is the same on all the Bass Drives as far as I know (and I've owned 4 of them). If you do feel like straying from the Comp Cut I did like the MOSFET better than the standard Bass Drive however.