Overdrive?

Joshuadriller · #1 09-24-2011, 08:30 AM

I'm looking for an overdrive pedal that isn't too powerful, but just enough to where you can still here the actual bass playing and not just a bunch of distorted fuzz. What would you guys suggest?

rratajski · #2 09-24-2011, 08:34 AM

What's your budget?
What's your setup (bass, head, cab)?
What style of music?
Do you play bright or muddy?
Do you want warm or sterile?
Do you want something that you can buy at Guitar Center or are you open to boutique and online?

Joshuadriller · #3 09-24-2011, 08:46 AM

I would like to find something at guitar center.. So my budget would probably be no more than $150. I play a musicman stingray 4h through a gk 210 combo with a 115 chained. I'm not sure how to describe my playing, but I play with my treble and high-mids rolled off just a little bit.. I really like that warm tone

gjbassist · #4 09-24-2011, 08:52 AM

I don't like a heavily distorted overdrive tone. Several years ago I tried a number of pedals looking for what you are describing. I just wanted something warm with a bit of tube like grit. I went with the Digitech Bad Monkey. I have changed my gear a great deal over the years but have always had a Bad Monkey on my board. It's also a steal at under $50!

skysos · #5 09-24-2011, 08:52 AM

Bad Monkey. Can be found for about $40 on Craigslist. I don't particularly like the way it's made because there is a rubber piece inside that actuates the switch and it was falling out before I glued it, but it sounds great.

gjbassist · #6 09-24-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skysos

Bad Monkey. Can be found for about $40 on Craigslist. I don't particularly like the way it's made because there is a rubber piece inside that actuates the switch and it was falling out before I glued it, but it sounds great.

I beat you to it!

FWIW I have never had an issue with the build quality of the Bad Monkey.

joesgarage · #7 09-24-2011, 09:15 AM

Let me just say that I own the Digitech Bad Monkey and I think it's terrible. No offense to people who like it, but I would definately try before you buy. I have never been satisfied with a digitech pedal.

Joshuadriller · #8 09-24-2011, 09:50 AM

Thanks for the suggestion. Has anyone ever used the Aguilar agro pedal?

Sanchez83 · #9 09-24-2011, 12:32 PM

It really hasn't gotten a whole lot of praise or love on the TB forum, but I'm a pretty big fan of my Ibanez TS9B. That's exactly what I use it for. A subtle bit of overdrive.

DeltaPhoenix · #10 09-24-2011, 12:37 PM

Don't forget the tube based ODs. Valve Drive, Bottle Rocket, DHA stuff, Frequency Central stuff...there are more too. I have a DHA VT2-EQ STD being built for me right now.

jgroh · #11 09-24-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaPhoenix

Don't forget the tube based ODs. Valve Drive, Bottle Rocket, DHA stuff, Frequency Central stuff...there are more too. I have a DHA VT2-EQ STD being built for me right now.

Maybe get really lucky on a used one for max of $150, but I recommend a Pork Loin.

Joshuadriller · #12 09-24-2011, 01:08 PM

I like the Ibanez pedal a lot. Wasn't the pork loin created for guitar? And I haven't heard of the other pedal you guys were talking about.. I'll look it up

Duke21 · #13 09-24-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjbassist

I don't like a heavily distorted overdrive tone. Several years ago I tried a number of pedals looking for what you are describing. I just wanted something warm with a bit of tube like grit. I went with the Digitech Bad Monkey. I have changed my gear a great deal over the years but have always had a Bad Monkey on my board. It's also a steal at under $50!

Yes to Bad Monkey!! Cheap, nice OD tone, well build. It is based on the Tube Screamer, but cost much less.

Hyssar · #14 09-24-2011, 07:32 PM

Yeah, Pork Loin or Green Rhino, depending on which one you prefer. Both should be easy to find and try at GC.

bassplayerbob · #15 09-24-2011, 07:39 PM

I use a digitech hardwire overdrive. I like the bass/treble knobs that some don't offer,just a tone knob. That way I can dial out some harshness and add more bottom. Not fuzzy sounding either.

Snakeman1066 · #16 09-24-2011, 07:50 PM

Big Fan of the Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive.....is a modified TS808 clone with a clean boost built in...works great for subtle overdrive....sounds a bit like a tube amp breaking up....fantastic for putting a little hair on your tone....american made in california runs about $120.00 new

Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive is an overdrive pedal featuring a unique “clean” control. Its overdrive circuit provides the same tone as a vintage ‘808. Then the clean control blends back in a boosted direct signal. This restores the attack and feel which is lost in a highly compressed overdrive circuit.

The Sparkle Drive utilizes the same concept as layering two amps, one clean and the other saturated. Of course with the clean control turned down, you get a classic overdrive tone. All the way up, it provides a super transparent, 100% clean boost.

And just like every Voodoo Lab pedal effect, the Sparkle Drive features true bypass switching, a heavy duty metal switch and on/off status LED.

It’s hand built from the finest components available and is backed by a 5-year warranty.

I also dig the fulltone O.C.D. runs about 130.00 new....

IMHO two of the best O.D.'s out there

mpdd · #17 09-25-2011, 12:01 AM

just bought a joyo ultimate octave fuzz on ebay for 40 bucks, there is a review on tb, check it out you might like it

DeltaPhoenix · #18 09-25-2011, 12:15 AM

The Joyo is a fuzz though not an OD.

mpdd · #19 09-25-2011, 11:41 AM

sorry, i meant the blue tube 903
my od tone is a d180, so it's probably fuzzy sounding even though it's od

gastric · #20 09-25-2011, 12:10 PM

I have some OD and fuzz clips on my site. Just added some Pork Loin and Mesa Bottle Rocket clips. Should have an EHX Muff'n later in the week. What I didn't do was record any super low gain clips so you can hear them warm up the signal VS impart a fairly serious overdrive sound which is my preference.