Mediocre Pedals That Other People Seem to LOVE

SpankyPants · #1 06-25-2010, 12:35 PM

I've been noticing a lot lately that people seem to crap themselves over certain pedals... that just seem really unremarkable and underwhelming to me. Recently, most of said pedals have been countless vanilla fuzz pedals that sound just like the thousand other competing fuzz pedals on the market.

Are there any pedals that have a certain appeal that absolutely puzzles you??

gnasher1993 · #2 06-25-2010, 12:37 PM

EHX Bass Big Muff

vegas532 · #3 06-25-2010, 12:41 PM

A big +1. It's a good pedal, don't get me wrong, but best bass fuzz ever is somewhat of a stretch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

EHX Bass Big Muff

Fishyfan · #4 06-25-2010, 12:41 PM

just about every Muff variant ive tried does nothing for me. when it comes to fuzz i like mine with a healthy dose of treble and mids to it. and by a healthy dose i mean that i want to feel like my fuzz is really a collection of a few thousand 3 ton bees having a massive orgy that tunes itself to the notes i play into it.

**TheMutt** · #5 06-25-2010, 12:47 PM

I also really don't care much for muff variants for bass. Just doesn't do it for me. I like them alright on guitar however for a different blues tone than the standard tube screamer.

Spacelordmother · #6 06-25-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

EHX Bass Big Muff

+2. Lifeless and boring.

TheWoodShed · #7 06-25-2010, 01:17 PM

Well, I think folks are confused. The BBM isn't a great fuzz, but for the money it is hard to beat. It has a great "bang for the buck" factor.

If I were to pick one it would be the Malleko B:assmaster.

Edit: Also add the big Line 6 pedals.

bigchiefbc · #8 06-25-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

EHX Bass Big Muff

+3 - I really don't get the hubbub with this thing. Even by the standards of muff variants, I find it pedestrian and boring.

Also, all of the tubescreamer variants. Very meh. Even on guitar.

G.Bisson · #9 06-25-2010, 01:34 PM

+4 on the Big Muff

and I'll add EHX Bass Micro Synth XO. That filter sounds like garbage.

pretty much anything by ElectroHarmonix is underwhelming and over priced.

Deepak · #10 06-25-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.Bisson

pretty much anything by ElectroHarmonix is underwhelming and over priced and huge.

FTFY

Jonathan1990 · #11 06-25-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.Bisson

and I'll add EHX Bass Micro Synth XO. That filter sounds like garbage.

+1. Plus the "dry" signal sounds like B-stock horse crap.

The Lurker · #12 06-25-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpankyPants

I've been noticing a lot lately that people seem to crap themselves over certain pedals... that just seem really unremarkable and underwhelming to me. Recently, most of said pedals have been countless vanilla fuzz pedals that sound just like the thousand other competing fuzz pedals on the market.

Are there any pedals that have a certain appeal that absolutely puzzles you??

I really have to agree about the fuzz thing......

bongomania · #13 06-25-2010, 01:52 PM

Well, let's look at it from the other side--for example, I love the original DOD FX25, which is undeniably a mediocre pedal. It's poorly-made, breaks often, has lame bypass, uses reverse-polarity powering, blows speakers if you aren't careful, and is very finicky about the signal levels you feed into it. In fact, it's terrible. But I love the tone!

Then another angle, from up on toasted's pedestal: Once you've tried certain high-end, highest-quality pedals, the average Joe pedals seem mediocre by comparison. From my view, some of the most popular compressor pedals are "mediocre". But that doesn't mean those units aren't still very popular! All depends on your perspective, and frankly, your budget.

I will say though that sometimes the hype does confuse me, when I hear it from people who have the budget, tastes, and ability to enjoy "the best". At those times, I just have to chalk it up to personal, subjective tastes.

cheapbasslovin · #14 06-25-2010, 01:54 PM

SansAmp Bass Driver:

1001 tones that I don't like.

Edit: I'm not a big fuzz fan, but I chock that up to stylistic differences. I like EQ, I like overdrive, I don't like the BDDI.

BassJunkie730 · #15 06-25-2010, 01:59 PM

mediocre pedals aren't necessarily cheap stock big box company jobs. I had an OCD and while I dug it at first, I grew less and less enamored with it and realized it's just a good rat clone. I think the pedal is truly mediocre.

The rat I had - not mediocre. But I had a trade I couldn't pass up.

But then I build these little things and I still don't know why people get all wrapped up in effect pedaldom.

Then again, my Octron. Yeah. From my cold dead hands.

Bassmike62 · #16 06-25-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Well, let's look at it from the other side--for example, I love the original DOD FX25, which is undeniably a mediocre pedal. It's poorly-made, breaks often, has lame bypass, uses reverse-polarity powering, blows speakers if you aren't careful, and is very finicky about the signal levels you feed into it. .

Come on man, what's not to love ?!?

G.Bisson · #17 06-25-2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan1990

+1. Plus the "dry" signal sounds like B-stock horse crap.

and the 'true-bypass' is a tone sucking vacuum.

rcubed · #18 06-25-2010, 02:18 PM

Brassmaster clones, mainly the B:Assmaster. I don't know how you can use one without a volume mod.

It's such an unconventional sound that's more popular on here than I thought it would be (but I like that about the effect - the unconventional fuzz sound - and I guess others do as well).

jetofuj · #19 06-25-2010, 02:23 PM

But what exactly is wrong with B:Ass?

rcubed · #20 06-25-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetofuj

But what exactly is wrong with B:Ass?

Too much gain for my taste for the settings I want to use. I guess it's not a mediocre pedal per se, just not the best engineered one.