Gritty Blues Sound

[g&lplayer]

Hey guys,
So i'm gonna be playing a bunch of Blues gigs over the summer. Do you guys mix in a little distortion/fuzz when playing real dirty blues sometimes? If so what pedals? I play on a solid state ampeg head so I don't have tubes
Just wanna be able to mix it up a little and sound a bit gritty at times. I'm almost done building a blender pedal so I'll be able to dial it down to a more subtle level. Major plus if its ALSO a pedal that can double in a more funky and/or drum'n'bass kinda setting (i.e. with my filter and OC-2)...but i doubt that's possible.

[Kromwarp]

I'd say more overdrive/distortion, but not fuzz. Good pedals to try: Boss BD-2 Blues Driver, Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive, or try a preamp DI with distortion, like a Sansamp, MXR M-80, VT Bass or Hartke Bass Attack. The preamps will give you a tube like grittiness

[Smurf-o-Deth]

For a killer blues sound, I don't think it's possible to top a DHA VT-1 Bass, pedal-wise.

[Matt Dean]

I recommend the Catalinbread SFT for that low gain fur that puts some grit in the blues.

[Lemoore-on]

Tech21's VT Bass

[g&lplayer]

Yea i've heard a lot of good stuff about the Tech21 VT Bass. Its actually something I can go and try out locally which helps too. Problem is, if I actually somehow get the cash together to buy a head which IS a tube amp in a little while wouldn't it make the VT bass useless?

[bassboysam]

Originally Posted by g&lplayer

if I actually somehow get the cash together to buy a head which IS a tube amp in a little while wouldn't it make the VT bass useless?

See this Tube emulator in front of real tube?

[Ric5]

Line 6 bass pod. Model a tube amp like ampeg or marshall and turn up the drive.

[geezerjpj]

fuzz could work...frantone lo-tone .....a low gain mild fuzz

[Mudfuzz]

I use either light fuzz or OD, my self.

Check out the devi ever dark boost for starters.

[lowendfriend]

Just turn up the boost on my trusty GK700RB II....

[Mojo-Man]

I use a DHA VT-1, or a Fulltone Bassdrive (Mofet, with 18 volt adapter)

Both these pedals work great.

Have not tried the VT-pedal yet, but everyone loves them too.

A tube amp won't hurt either.

[standupright]

no effects ever for bass when i play blues, regardless of style. seriously.

[recreate.me]

You can get a EHX Big Bass Muff for cheap and it lets you blend the amount/intensity of fuzz with the dry signal of your amp. I keep mine on with a really low amount of low fuzz haha it pretty much makes it sound like an OD pedal.

[basslinejam]

Originally Posted by Lemoore-on

Tech21's VT Bass

This.

Although many, many guys I admire in the blues game have crystal clear, tweetered out sizzling bass sounds and bring it just as hard as the woofy flats P mud crew (like myself). So there you go.

[chicago_mike]

Vt bass would be fine. As for effects and blues gigs...thats another topic. Lets just say My pedal board is comming along nicely and I live in, well, Blues central.

[SoonerMatt]

VT Bass, Fulltone Bass Drive MOSFET on very, VERY low settings, Catalinbread SFT on low settings, etc. Gritty blues, IMO, requires very little drive - as in nothing above 9 or 10 o clock.