overdrive vs volume pedal

mmjazzbass · #1 05-15-2010, 01:01 PM

Is it worth it to get both an overdrive pedal and a volume pedal? I'm thinking about using the overdrive as a quick way to alter my EQ mid-song (i.e. go into a snarly punk sound or a fat bassy sound) and keeping the volume pedal set at halfway so i can boost my volume for solos.

My question is that would this be a smart decision, or could one pedal fill both these criteria?

ps: if anyone has any recommendations for pedals, they are very appreciated.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #2 05-15-2010, 01:31 PM

Most volume pedals are passive, meaning they can't boost your volume at all. Which ones were you looking at.

FWIW, a pedal overdrive and volume (gain) boost usually sound pretty different, and if you have a solid state amp, boosting the gain to the point of distorting it probably isn't the best plan.

mmjazzbass · #3 05-15-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Most volume pedals are passive, meaning they can't boost your volume at all. Which ones were you looking at.

Sorry, I'm a bit new to effects, but if I adjusted my bass and amp with the volume pedal set in the lower part of its range and kept it that way, couldn't I use it to increase my volume for certain parts of a song? I'm only asking this because I saw an electric violinist doing this. The pedals I was looking at were the Boss one and a few of the Ernie Ball pedals. I have an active bass FWIW.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #4 05-15-2010, 04:45 PM

Sure, you could- the volume increase would only take your gain level to the preset amp volume, so there would be no distortion/overdrive. It would just alternate your clean volume, which is very useful on it's own for altering your dynamics. You get a natural overdrive sound when you increase the gain that the amp is taking in, at least with tube amps.

mmjazzbass · #5 05-15-2010, 07:12 PM

ok, that's what I thought. I didn't really expect one pedal to be able to perform both functions well, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't wasting money on something I really didn't need.

takfar · #6 05-15-2010, 10:29 PM

Why not get an actual boost pedal instead?

That, or try the Programmable BDDI (or, better yet, the VT Bass deluxe once it's out). YOu can have different EQ and gain settings with it.

TrevorOfDoom · #7 05-15-2010, 10:36 PM

Perhaps a Fulltone Bassdrive? It has a built in boost, seperate of the overdrive.