Gritty, dynamic, yet defined Distortion - Overdrive or Fuzz?

tbassist4 · #1 08-13-2010, 02:38 AM

Hey everyone,
I've just been getting into pedals, and I was wondering what would best get me this sound. Essentially, I think the tone that I want is right on that dividing line between overdrive and fuzz, where I could still change the amount of distortion a little bit depending on how hard I played as with overdrive, but also where the sound is at the higher end of overdrive, so it starts to gain a little more consistency and "smoothness" as with fuzz.

Something in between seems right where I want to be - right at the point where that gritty overdriven sound starts to smooth out just a little from the beginnings of hard clipping.

Sorry about the vagueness, heh heh...

Thanks for the help,
Tyler

theunknowndude · #2 08-13-2010, 02:45 AM

do you have any clips or anything in mind???

to me most fuzz's by definition are wildly 'non smooth' though there are a few with that creamyish characteristic...

all I can think of though may be wildly misguessing your tone, is the Ibanez PD7 set to overdrive mode with alot of gain...

I find this gives me a lot of buzz without the excessive lo fi/unclarity mode the distortion mdoe has... and I like most of my fuzz's blended but thats cos I usually play in a loud guitar/drums mix...

not sure if that helps any tho!

blastjv · #3 08-13-2010, 07:07 AM

What you're describing sounds like what I would characterize as 'distortion' like a high gain guitar amp, which is the type I really like. My Aguilar Agro gets exactly what I want, and what I think you are describing. I'd expect an Agro set with the saturation at about 3 or 4 o'clock is just what you're describing...

-John

chrisisnotevil · #4 08-13-2010, 07:26 AM

Fulltone OCD? Never owned one, but I think it may work for you?

anyonefortennis · #5 08-13-2010, 07:35 AM

Maybe an Xotic Bass BB preamp would work for you.

gus1894 · #6 08-13-2010, 07:36 AM

EVERYONE will tell you different things, and rightly so - opinions will vary. I have been through numerous distortions, fuzz and OD's, often finding that I don't end up with the same opinions other people had - it typically comes down to different gear, settings, your own ears and expectations... Unknowndude is definitely right - clips would help.

I'd recommend checking out Bass Fuzz - lots of info at this site - and he has done a lot of demo work for different stomp boxes, could help you pinpoint some pedals you may like. The "Big List" is helpful. For each link, there is a drop menu at the top of the page - has overview, photos, the all important video overview, etc.

Good site, may be helpful.

Good luck.

takfar · #7 08-13-2010, 08:04 AM

Yea, it sounds like you'd need something in the "distortion" range of the OD-distortion-fuzz scope. I recommend you try out the Tech21 XXL Bass, it might be just what you need.

bongomania · #8 08-13-2010, 09:43 AM

Two thoughts:
Try before you buy. (Or at least listen to samples, e.g. on Bassfuzz.com or on Youtube)
Fuzz is like the opposite of "defined".

**TheMutt** · #9 08-13-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Two thoughts:
Try before you buy. (Or at least listen to samples, e.g. on Bassfuzz.com or on Youtube)
Fuzz is like the opposite of "defined".

Total +1 to this, except for the case of gated fuzz IMO.
Also, if you can't try before you buy take advantage of return policies. Such as ToneFactor's super awesome year long return policy. Abuse the holy bajesus out of that and order a/some pedal(s) that you want to try.

Kosko · #10 08-13-2010, 11:12 AM

I was a little surprised that the bass fuzz site listed didn't have the VT or Fulltone listed. I know they're not exactly "fuzz", but because they seem so hot on the market right now and he did have some other non-fuzz pedals reviewed.

BassBrass · #11 08-13-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kosko

I was a little surprised that the bass fuzz site listed didn't have the VT or Fulltone listed. I know they're not exactly "fuzz", but because they seem so hot on the market right now and he did have some other non-fuzz pedals reviewed.

Making up for the popular and/or missing pedals are the ones you can't get anymore...oh wait...never mind.

dannybuoy · #12 08-13-2010, 11:43 AM

Try an overdrive into a fuzz with blend, or an overdrive and fuzz in parallel (Wounded Paw Battering Ram?). I like the sound of a BB going into a BBM in dry mode but it's too loud due to the stupid blend design of the BBM!

tbassist4 · #13 08-13-2010, 01:28 PM

Thanks for all of the responses so far. I was incredibly naive to think I could get some good recommendations without posting a clip!

Here's a clip from a recent thread on modding a Boss DS-1. The sound that I want is pretty close to the 3rd example in this clip (there's five total, starting with totally clean, and moving up to fully distorted). However, I don't like this pedal in particular because its a little too harsh, or high-endy for my tastes, and it appears to lose more low end as the distortion settings go up. Perhaps something similar, but rounder overall? Sorry, I'll continue to look for more clips.

Thanks for the recommendation on that Bass Fuzz site!

RickenBoogie · #14 08-13-2010, 03:37 PM

I'll just say it, EBS Valve Drive. No blend needed, just pure, sweet, overdriven bass that gets right to the edge of losing control. But it never does. Can also ADD low end, if you desire.

paradigm_shift · #15 08-14-2010, 12:50 AM

Makes me think of a HOTCAKE, by crowther. But as everyone above said..