OD pedal + EQ pedal to fix bass attenuation?

[meursault42]

This might very well be a stupid question, but I'm wondering if this is one of those things that seems like a simple/easy solution that is going to cause some problems down the line. I bought an OD pedal from another TBer a few days ago. It's cool, I dig it, but.... like many other OD pedals intended for guitar, it does have a noticeable attenuation of bass frequencies. It's not TERRIBLE, but not ideal either. I figured why not just throw an EQ pedal after it and boost the frequencies that (I think) are being attenuated by the pedal. The result seems to be pretty good. Of course, it does change the character of the pedal ever-so-slightly, but not enough to be a game changer. Is there something I'm missing here, or is this something that a lot of bass players do in this situation?

[HolmeBass]

Then you need an effect looper pedal so you can turn both the od and eq on and off at the same time- unless you can take the eq on your normal tone. But in that case the soundman might cut the bass and then when you engage the od it's thin-city out front again. I'm not surprised that it works, but it sounds like more of a hassle than I'd want to deal with.

[steve_rolfeca]

Boosting a low end rolloff with EQ might work, but in some cases the result might not have as much impact as starting with a pedal that doesn't chop your lows off. Meanwhile, some dirt pedals are designed to pass a wider frequency range, like the Barber LTD SR. Could save you the cost of a loop pedal and an EQ...

On the other hand, an EQ after a dirt pedal can be great for shaping the distorted tone anyway. So you could get double benefit from running the disto/EQ pairing.

I would say let your ear and budget be your guide.

[bassbrad]

You need a loop or blender pedal and EQ will be pushed to make up for the lost frequencies.

[meursault42]

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

Meanwhile, some dirt pedals are designed to pass a wider frequency range, like the Barber LTD SR. Could save you the cost of a loop pedal and an EQ.

Ha, I actually have a Barber LTD SR and love it. I don't know why I can't just let well-enough alone ;-) Guess I can't help being curious about the vast array of overdrive 'flavors' out there....

[meursault42]

Originally Posted by bassbrad

You need a loop or blender pedal and EQ will be pushed to make up for the lost frequencies.

Yeah, I own a blend/loop pedal. If I decide to keep the pedal, I'll definitely use it.

[meursault42]

So I guess what I'm hearing here is, "yes, this is something people do (for better or worse)."