Which OD? - what I got, what I want

HolmeBass · #1 12-04-2011, 08:14 PM

Hello all! First before reflexive flaming begins, I've been searching for 4 hours, and reviewing and reading the effects forum for months. But to fill you in, so you can help me most, here is where I'm at right now.

Now I currently have the FullTone Bass-Drive Mosfet and a Bad Monkey.

I really like the Fulltone, especially the Comp-Cut setting for light OD that adds some sparkle and harmonic edge to my tone, especially with other effects. Problem: loses to much low end to be a stand-alone OD, and the problem gets worse as I got into distortion (or more distorted).

I thought I liked the Bad Monkey because it solved the "loses low end" problem, but it turns out I don't. It's murky, even w/ the treble knob cranked, doesn't have good character on-stage, and the biggest problem is it's sludgy, slow, and too "note-bloomy". By itself I'd didn't notice the sludginess, it just sounded rounded and "warm". But with a band, the notes bloom so slowly that for eighth and sixteenth note parts I have to turn the volume up to be heard, then if I hold a note it's almost like bass feedback. Mixing some dry in when I used it standalone helped, but I just don't really love it. Soooo...

Given my likes/dislikes above, which of the following do you all think would be the best for me to try? I don't have a budget limit, and I'd actually prefer a boutique pedal, but will consider the following. Note the SansAmp VT pedal isn't in the list; I don't want that sound. I haven't liked most Ampeg amps I've tried, and I don't really like the SansAmp BDDI I've had for over 10 years. So don't suggest any SansAmp pedals. I'm really looking for your feedback on these re: my desires as expressed above: something that will do light OD, is quick and dynamic, adds nice color, doesn't lose low end, and can also be cranked into mild distortion.

xotic Bass BB

WH Pork Loin

WH Green Rhino - I tried this out when I was shopping for fuzzes, and it didn't really knock me out, but I was running the gain all the way, so really a different application this time. I did but the WH Swollen Pickle as my fuzz.

Fulltone OCD - I actually brought this one home and tried it at a gig, and I liked it ok, but it seemed more heavy distortion than OD. Again, I was using it more as a fuzz, and returned it in lieu of the SP. I wonder how well it would do light OD, and if it really keeps the bass. I'm leery of single "tone" knobs... but I do remember liking the dynamic response and the immediacy of this pedal, and how well it sounded with other effects.

Darkglass B3K - This one's getting a lot of love here on TB lately. The sound samples on their site sound good, but I play finger style more than pick style, and no "tone" knob, just two toggle switches...

b:ASSMASTER - I don't know that much about this one, but it seems like it would not really do light OD, would it?

VHT V-Drive - Very flexible looking, and some good support here on TB. But where do you buy them from? No dealer near me.

Hematoma Bass OD - This one seemed popular a year ago or so on TB, but I don't see it mentioned much anymore.

markkoelsch · #2 12-04-2011, 08:18 PM

While not on your list, I can strongly recommend the Frequency Central Bass Overdrives. Rick makes a great product, and it will easily do what you are talking about with no low end cut.

HolmeBass · #3 12-04-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markkoelsch

While not on your list, I can strongly recommend the Frequency Central Bass Overdrives. Rick makes a great product, and it will easily do what you are talking about with no low end cut.

Thanks, I'll check that out.

bigchiefbc · #4 12-04-2011, 08:55 PM

When you say not to mention any sansamp pedals, do you have a problem with all Tech 21 pedals, or just the ones that are Ampeg-themed? The reason I say that is that I have a Leeds, which is modeled after a Hiwatt amp, and it's fantastic. Holds the low-end great, isn't dark at all, has some great high-mid clank to it as well.

HolmeBass · #5 12-04-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

When you say not to mention any sansamp pedals, do you have a problem with all Tech 21 pedals, or just the ones that are Ampeg-themed? The reason I say that is that I have a Leeds, which is modeled after a Hiwatt amp, and it's fantastic. Holds the low-end great, isn't dark at all, has some great high-mid clank to it as well.

I really am referring to the "Ampeg" sound; I'm surprised the Leeds holds the bottom end well, as it's a guitar pedal. I have noticed you really love the Leeds, as you have mentioned it in many other posts. Didn't you recently find something else you liked? Was it a B3K? (I just remember seeing you recently suggest something else along with the Leeds...)

Anyway I will try out the Leeds if I can find one at GC/Sam Ash. Thanks for the input.

jewbageled · #6 12-04-2011, 09:11 PM

If you can get your hand on a big box rat you can get this sound:

Breather Resist // Died To Be Famous - YouTube

Just listen to the first ten seconds.

This is my absolute favorite bass tone ever.

beggar98 · #7 12-04-2011, 09:19 PM

Look into an HAO Rust Ride. They used to be very popular on here, but are no longer the flavor of the month. I almost went with one, but decided I like an Ampeg-type tone, so I got an OLC Flipster. Also, check out some of the other OLC pedals, especially the Thor.

BBKINGBASS · #8 12-04-2011, 09:20 PM

Fuzzrocious Dark Driving. Really nice OD. Gives you more of a natural tube overdrive sound. This replaced my modded bad monkey

JamesHommersen · #9 12-04-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBKINGBASS

Fuzzrocious Dark Driving. Really nice OD. Gives you more of a natural tube overdrive sound. This replaced my modded bad monkey

I second this.

bikeplate · #10 12-04-2011, 09:24 PM

HI

What is lacking, IMO, with overdrives for bass is the ability to blend clean tone with distorted tone. Ive found that most lose bottom and mids when engaged. I use a Voodoo Labs Sparkle drive. Lets me get some good fuzz tones but also stays in the mix when I engage it. A Sansamp is another you might wanna try for the same reasons

Rob

HolmeBass · #11 12-04-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jewbageled

If you can get your hand on a big box rat you can get this sound:

Breather Resist // Died To Be Famous - YouTube

Just listen to the first ten seconds.

This is my absolute favorite bass tone ever.

That's certainly sharp and punchy, but not very bassy or warm. But what is a big-box rat (as opposed to the current ones, the white-on-black vintage ones; I'm not expert in ProCo Rats)? Would the fuzzrocious Rat Tail cover this tone? Here is his copy:

"The RAT TAIL is based on the vintage ProCo RAT with changes to make the circuit more usable on both bass and guitar! "

Full disclosure: I've never tried a Rat of any sort, but have played with guitarists who use them and I am disinclined to try one, but... if some other compelling sound samples came around I might consider it. That sample is not really what I'm looking for, but thanks for posting.

HolmeBass · #12 12-04-2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBKINGBASS

Fuzzrocious Dark Driving. Really nice OD. Gives you more of a natural tube overdrive sound. This replaced my modded bad monkey

I'm wondering if this would be too dark. Like the humorous Behndy thread where he confessed he should not have been surprised that it's tone was... dark...

I'm going more for the sparkle of the FullTone Bass Drive but without any bass loss, than something in the Bad Monkey's tone realm. In fact, after the Bad Monkey, and trying the new bass Tube Screamer in the store, I am shying away from TS clones. Thus sort of another strike against the Green Rhino.

HolmeBass · #13 12-04-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beggar98

Look into an HAO Rust Ride. They used to be very popular on here, but are no longer the flavor of the month. I almost went with one, but decided I like an Ampeg-type tone, so I got an OLC Flipster. Also, check out some of the other OLC pedals, especially the Thor.

All new info for me- thanks! I will look into it and search for sound samples on YouTube.

BTW off-topic: Found an old thread where you posted your settings for the Swollen Pickle; I had already opened it up to tweak inside (a must) and was getting some cool stuff. But then I found the old thread you had posted in and decided to keep exploring. I tried the Dunlop-suggested settings (also posted in the same old thread) at my last gig, and "meh", sort of made it almost like a wooly OD. I am trying your suggested settings next...

BBKINGBASS · #14 12-04-2011, 09:31 PM

I can tell you the dark driving definitely doesn't lose bass or mids for that matter. Anything Fuzzrocious will sound great on bass. I know that the rat tail can go from OD to distortion. What you need to decide is if you like the mid hump of tube screamer clones (bad monkey, sparkle drive) or if you want to go a different route. I can tell you the DD has a bright switch which gets me close to the mid bump of my bad monkey, a little bit different but added cut.

Rumblefisher · #15 12-04-2011, 09:32 PM

Spaceman Gemini.

[/tonesearch]

BrandonBass · #16 12-04-2011, 09:33 PM

vt bass of course, its e best

HolmeBass · #17 12-04-2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikeplate

HI

What is lacking, IMO, with overdrives for bass is the ability to blend clean tone with distorted tone. Ive found that most lose bottom and mids when engaged. I use a Voodoo Labs Sparkle drive. Lets me get some good fuzz tones but also stays in the mix when I engage it. A Sansamp is another you might wanna try for the same reasons

Rob

Voodoo labs sparkle drive = intriguing, although it's a guitar pedal and not often mentioned on TB.

Sansamp, if you read my OP, has been tried and REJECTED.

The idea of a clean blend on an OD pedal is a nice-to-have feature for me. I have a clean blend in my effect loop (see OP, above) and that helped the Bad Monkey out quite a bit, but on the pedal is even better.

HolmeBass · #18 12-04-2011, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

vt bass of course, its e best

Thanks for not reading my op- I am not considering the VT or the Sansamp BDDI. I will try a Leeds out in a store when I get a chance.

Grrface · #19 12-04-2011, 09:40 PM

F*** Overdrive.

products

HolmeBass · #20 12-04-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBKINGBASS

I can tell you the dark driving definitely doesn't lose bass or mids for that matter. Anything Fuzzrocious will sound great on bass. I know that the rat tail can go from OD to distortion. What you need to decide is if you like the mid hump of tube screamer clones (bad monkey, sparkle drive) or if you want to go a different route. I can tell you the DD has a bright switch which gets me close to the mid bump of my bad monkey, a little bit different but added cut.

I have to admit the Fuzzrocious offerings are mighty tempting. The Grey Stache is a definite "thing to try" if/when the SP has lost its luster in my eyes.

So Darkdriving is on the listening list, thank you for your persistence. The whole "mid-boost" thing can be so subjective- are you like 400-650 mids or 900 1500 mids? I think the clarity of the latter might be more what I'm looking for... not that I've put all of this under the ol' oscilloscope or anything.