Fuzz, distortion, overdrive, or other?

[pejsaboy]

I've been checking in on effects recently since I don't love fully clean, straight-to-the-amp tone so much. I currently have a ds-1 that me and my guitard modded, and it's getting me by for the time being, but it isn't the sound I ultimately want. I've been listening to as many clips of as many pedals as I can on youtube and bassfuzz, but I'm having a tough time finding anything that I actually like. I don't have a reference sound to go by for recommendations, but what I'm after should be mild overall. I think the biggest issue I have is the difference in the amount of dirt that's comes out between lower and higher-pitched strings. There's some dirt that's apparent in the low end, which is good, but as you climb to higher pitches the tone seems to be far more effected.

I haven't found clips for many overdrive pedals, as most people seem to just want to flaunt how insanely fuzzy their new fuzz pedal is, so obviously most of what I've heard are the Muffs and dirtier distortions. How does an overdrive compare to a fuzz or distortion? I don't have a tube amp, so would an OD even be worth listening to for me?

Also, I've been considering a chorus as well as dirt. I haven't heard many so far, but I kinda like the T-Rex Sweeper chorus. Would a chorus be likely to give me a tone that I could use as an "always-on" sound if I weren't using a dirt pedal? It would be under mild settings of course...

[screaminglucy]

have you checked out a VT bass, flipster, or catalinbread SFT? these are all capable of adding a slight amount of "wool" without losing any low end.

[Mark Olson]

Overdrive is typically much more mild than a fuzz.

For a solid state amp for a balanced mild overdrive the EBS Multidrive is a very good option. That's one overdrive pedal that works well with solid state amps.

And yes, a chorus can work as an always on pedal to add some depth and dimension to your tone, and chorus also sounds very good after the Multidrive too for overdriven chorus tones.

[Thunderscreech]

Tech 21 XXL Bass Edition is the answer.

[crapusername]

with the internal trim pots, the pork loin can get really subtle drive wise.
with the factory settings i found it pretty meh, but after tweaking liberally i use it alot!

it does also play nicely with SS amps

[pejsaboy]

I'm definitely going to have to find some clips of all of these. For whatever reason, the only one mentioned that I've listened to is the catalinbread SFT, though I can't recall what I thought of it at the moment. Thanks for the suggestions so far!

[Eric!]

New amp!

But I'm a big proponent of fuzz, myself..

[bobulibobium]

I agree with Eric, try a tube amp or a solid state with a drive setting - I use a hartke hydrive, the drive setting is pretty cool, you can mix it as much as you like with your clean signal. The drive isnt screaming either, its quite mild and warm.

[pejsaboy]

Yeah, I'll go with a tube amp if I ever have to buy another one for sure. In the foreseeable future though, I won't be getting any new amp[s].

[Swift713]

Check out the clips of the BJFE Blueberry in the wiki. There's also a thread somewhere with clips of various Tech 21 Character Series pedals. I liked the sound of the Blonde best but of course the VT Bass is very popular, as are the British and Leads. Use the search and happy hunting.