OVERDRIVE - NEED INFO/OPINIONS PLEASE

[lijazz]

Although it seems this general topic has been discussed countless times before, I still cannot decide on which road to take.

I am interested on getting an effect pedal that provides a nice mild overdrive. Not distortion, not fuzz. Just a pedal that has that nice "little extra something sound" when wanted. I have viewed countless clips on Youtube on many pedals, all of which seem to have been demo'd to their Max limits and therefore not displaying any characteristics I like.

I am playing a 2008 MIA Jazz Standard. My current amp is a small Ampeg BA115. I probably will upgrade/change that amp in the future, but not any time soon. The two pedals that actually have peaked my interest are the Way Huge Pork Loin and the Tech 21 VT. That being said, would the VT pedal be somehat redundant because I already have an Ampeg (albeit low-end) amp? Also, I kind of like the tone I get when I back off the neck pickup a bit on my bass. It sounds slightly overdriven to me, so I am looking to enhance that a bit more.

Any/all info/opinions are welcome as I am getting quite frustrated in my quest.


Thanks in advance!

[bobbertdole]

Tech 21 Sansamp bass driver is what you want. Even maxed out it doesnt get too nasty but it can still pack a punch. I dont own one but i have used several in different situations and it always impresses me. Clean tone settings with a wide range of options and probably the best overdrive tones ive heard/used.

[willbassyeah]

if you love the sound of your bass, get a pork loin, the bddi will change your overall tone, pork loin is very transparent, have bddi sold it, tried the pork loin and impressed going to puechase it soon hahz

[lijazz]

I was under the impression that the BDDI changes the tone more than the VT Bass. I really like the clips I have seen/heard of the Pork Loin, but then at almost the same price (new) as the VT Pedal I was thinking that for the same $$ the VT is more versatile. Not looking to change the tone of my bass, just add a little dirt most of the time. Still indifferent.

[bobbertdole]

I have only used the VT once and I was playing through a ****** bass and a ****** amp so I didnt get a good taste but there is a shootout video on youtube between the two sansamps and they sound the same but the BDDI has more features like the DI.

[Unrepresented]

It's been awhile since I've recommended the Fulltone Bass Drive. Still my favorite option so far for a transparent mild overdrive.

[Nomadskills]

I don't think you can go wrong with a VT bass if you like the Ampeg sound.

[BassBrass]

Originally Posted by lijazz

My current amp is a small Ampeg BA115. ...would the VT pedal be somehat redundant because I already have an Ampeg (albeit low-end) amp?

Solid state BA115 isn't anywhere near the tube grind of the classic SVT or other tube Ampeg, I used one as a trumpet monitor it's so clean. VT will really help it sound good, but there are better overdrives. My favorites are 1. Wounded Paw Black Sheep and 2. Zvex(tron) Distortron. The Black Sheep is simply the sound I've sought for years (as long as you have a high output bass) because it divides the bands low, mid and high. Maxing the Low, 1/2 on the mid and just a hint of the high makes a torn speaker rumble that is bliss. Has a built in clean mix too.
Pork Loin ain't bad too, the 100hz knob helps, but that isn't low enough.

[NelsonNelson]

Originally Posted by willbassyeah

if you love the sound of your bass, get a pork loin, the bddi will change your overall tone, pork loin is very transparent, have bddi sold it, tried the pork loin and impressed going to puechase it soon hahz

+100. I am in the market for the same as the op and I have to say the Pork Loin sounds the best out of the many different ones I've demo'd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZFt0NsjY-k

This is a terrible video as far as his playing is concerned, but it does show the Pork in use and how subtle it can be.

[bludog]

Consider the Analogman mod'd Ibanez TS9DX. Get the 808/Silver mod, no modes mod and tell Mike it's for bass. It's the best light OD I've tried and there's no (unwanted) coloration of your sound, very transparent with an ever-so-slight bass boost.

I've had the VT Bass V2, Wounded Paw Battering Ram, ODB3 and few others. The mod'd TS9DX was it for me. Once I got it I finally stopped looking for ODs altogether.

*Sorry, no sound samples. But, as I found out afterwards, Will Lee happens to use it. You can hear it on a few Fab Faux tunes, try "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

Also, here is more info: http://www.analogman.com/ts9dx.htm

[Pollinator95]

NelsonNelson, the uploader of that vid is on TB. Just sayin'.