Need help choosing a Bass Overdrive/Distortion pedal

[DaLaklandGroove]

Hey everyone,
Here's what I'm going for:
Bass Overdrive/Distortion Pedal w/True bypass
Price Range: Under $200.00

I'm not a big effects guy, but I have a couple songs I need a little fuzz/overdrive on and need some help finding a good sounding pedal. Currently, I had been using a Big Muff pedal from the 70's my guitarist owns, but it failed me once in a live performance (solo part) so never again will I use it until it's fixed. It's old and needs a makeover. I somewhat liked the sound of the Big Muff except it seemed to break up a little too easy.

I've had my eye on EBS, MXR, and a few others.

Again, true bypass is important.

Are there any pedals you all recommend in my price range ?

Thanks!

[gm jack]

The Fulltone bass drive is an incredible overdrive pedal. A very natural overdrive, and a decent range of overdrive sounds. Just don't expect it to sound like a fuzz. It is just an overdrive pedal.

[DaLaklandGroove]

Originally Posted by gm jack

The Fulltone bass drive is an incredible overdrive pedal. A very natural overdrive, and a decent range of overdrive sounds. Just don't expect it to sound like a fuzz. It is just an overdrive pedal.

Is it a true bypass pedal ?

[Jared Lash]

I have yet to find a pedal that could deliver good sounding overdrive all the way to fuzz. Your best bet might be split your budget and pick up an overdrive and a fuzz. I don't have one personally, but the Polish Love pedal would do mild to heavy overdrive. Also the DOD 250, Digitech Bad Monkey (especially the modded version) could work for you and leave you $100 or more to buy a fuzz.

Personally, I really liked the Messdrive Hybrid from Music Electronix. Versatile, well built and great sounding.

That would be my recommendation, though with more detail on the exact tones you're trying to cop would help us nail it down more precisely.

Hope that helps.

[varunkapahi]

have a listen i just recorded a minute back http://media.putfile.com/polish-love
polish love pedal

edit: was too excited then, this pedal wouldn't give you any fuzz though its a high gain od actually but is loved by many here.

[gm jack]

Originally Posted by DaLaklandGroove

Is it a true bypass pedal ?

Yes it is.

However, if you are a true bypass freak, and feel it constrains you, you may wish to consider a blender pedal, so you have a pure clean signal running all the time, so any bad buffers are balanced out.

[scotch]

Originally Posted by DaLaklandGroove

Is it a true bypass pedal ?

Yeah, the Fulltone is true bypass.

I think the Fulltone Bas-Drive Mosfet gives you the greatest range of od/distortion tones for the money. It's true bypass, reliable, and easy to find. For @ $180 it's really the best bang for the buck in terms of flexibility & sound quality. Is it the end-all-be-all? No, but for someone looking to expand past the Big Muff, I think it's the best pedal to try out first.

[kevteop]

The Wren & Cuff Pickle Pie 'B' might be worth a shot. It's a bass-voiced Muff, hand-made, looking at the guts of mine it looks like good work and I'd expect it to be reliable, certainly more so than a mass-produced box like a Muff. And yes it's true bypass.

Sounds great too.

That would eat your whole budget though, and I agree with the posters above me though who say you might want a separate overdrive (if you really do want both fuzz and overdrive available).

[scotch]

Technically, OD/Fuzz"Distortion are 3 different effect types. Sure, the net result is sort of the same - but you're not likely to find a great all-in-one solution.

I still stand by the Fulltone for variety, though. You can do clean boost to light overdrive to wall of sound, all with one affordable high quality pedal. It doesn't really do "fuzz" per se, but it definitely is one of the best od's and an admirable distortion as well. Just make sure it is the Mosfet version (a significant improvement over the original version, imo).

[DaLaklandGroove]

Originally Posted by scotch

Technically, OD/Fuzz"Distortion are 3 different effect types. Sure, the net result is sort of the same - but you're not likely to find a great all-in-one solution.

I still stand by the Fulltone for variety, though. You can do clean boost to light overdrive to wall of sound, all with one affordable high quality pedal. It doesn't really do "fuzz" per se, but it definitely is one of the best od's and an admirable distortion as well. Just make sure it is the Mosfet version (a significant improvement over the original version, imo).

Yeah,
I think I was kind of lost in for sure whether I wanted a fuzz tone or overdriven sound. I think what I'm look for after listening to that Polish Love Pedal or whatever it is, is an overdriven sound. Let me edit the OP.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Keep em coming! Does anyone have any clips of the Fulltone I can hear ?

[DaLaklandGroove]

Originally Posted by scotch

Yeah, the Fulltone is true bypass.

I think the Fulltone Bas-Drive Mosfet gives you the greatest range of od/distortion tones for the money. It's true bypass, reliable, and easy to find. For @ $180 it's really the best bang for the buck in terms of flexibility & sound quality. Is it the end-all-be-all? No, but for someone looking to expand past the Big Muff, I think it's the best pedal to try out first.

Thanks a lot! I'm definitely going to look at it closer!

Jason

[DaLaklandGroove]

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

have a listen i just recorded a minute back http://media.putfile.com/polish-love
polish love pedal

edit: was too excited then, this pedal wouldn't give you any fuzz though its a high gain od actually but is loved by many here.

I think this is the tone I'm going for. More overdriven that fuzz. Thanks for the clip! Sounds good

[scotch]

"Search" the final frontier..... From the FAQ's:
http://www.talkbass.com/wiki/index.p..._Clip_Database

Distortion Mega-Thread! User submitted Distortion reviews

[DaLaklandGroove]

Originally Posted by scotch

"Search" the final frontier..... From the FAQ's:
http://www.talkbass.com/wiki/index.p..._Clip_Database

Distortion Mega-Thread! User submitted Distortion reviews

Thanks!

[kaputsport]

I have got an MJM Britbender Fuzz Version 2 and I love it.

It is fuzzy, but warm and thick. Quiet, but cuts through the mix...

At least it does that with my Pedulla. I have it on a loop with an LS-2 to ckeep some clean mixed into the sound.

[godspeed68]

Originally Posted by gm jack

The Fulltone bass drive is an incredible overdrive pedal. A very natural overdrive, and a decent range of overdrive sounds. Just don't expect it to sound like a fuzz. It is just an overdrive pedal.

+1000, I never gig in my band w/o it.

[varunkapahi]

Originally Posted by DaLaklandGroove

I think this is the tone I'm going for. More overdriven that fuzz. Thanks for the clip! Sounds good

incase you need info on this pedal, and how to get it then let me know i'd type it here

[P_HAT]

Hematoma and good fuzz.

[scotch]

For the record, I think the "Polish Love" is a great pedal as well! I have both the Polish and the Fulltone on my board. I do maintain that any sound I can get out of my Polish OD, I can get 99% close with the Fulltone Bass-Drive Mosfet. The opposite is not true, however... there are a lot of things the Fulltone can do that the Polish cannot (of course the Fulltone costs 2x as much).

[DaLaklandGroove]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who responded for their help! Today, I ordered a Fulltone Bass Drive and an 18 volt power supply to go with it. I read the extra headroom brings it out quite a bit more.

Thanks again guys!

Jason