overdrives for guitar dont work for bass?

JaneBass1 · #1 10-10-2008, 09:53 AM

I wanted to add some overdrive to my bass and of the band members gave me an OD for a guitar

When I connected it, yikes what a feedback i almost go deaf.

The volume knob was only at 12 o clock, I had to turn left almost all the way off.

Then I was fine, but when I was playing I lost a whole bunch of volume in my bass. So I just unplugged it and put it aside.

So my question is overdrives for guitar are made only for guitar? Do you have to buy OD specifically for bass?

Nick Kay · #2 10-10-2008, 09:58 AM

You probably had the gain and tone knobs up WAY too high. Start with everything at noon and work from there.

Guitar-centric overdrives technically work fine on bass, but a lot of them cut out the low-end that is so essential to us. If you're just playing an upper-register solo, that's fine, but if you plan on using overdrive as the texture for a regular groove or an entire song, you need to find something that doesn't cut out the bottom end (either through voicing or clean blending).

Delta_Petra · #3 10-10-2008, 10:02 AM

I have a Danelectric overdrive pedal and it works fairly well on my bass. I would say it has some trouble tracking the higher notes, but that could be the way its set. I would say the guitar overdrive should work somewhat for you.

rratajski · #4 10-10-2008, 10:06 AM

What brand of OD pedal did they give you?

What kind of OD do you want? Heavy OD? Just a smidge of OD?

There are some different routes we could direct you to take...

JanusZarate · #5 10-10-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneBass1

So my question is overdrives for guitar are made only for guitar? Do you have to buy OD specifically for bass?

Technically, no. Any pedal will work on either guitar or bass. But most guitar overdrive pedals don't work well on bass, usually because they cut low end.

Most other pedals (chorus, delay, phaser, flanger, etc.) work fine on both instruments. But when it comes to overdrive, distortion, and fuzz, you have to be picky. Beyond the ones designed for bass, there aren't a lot that work well on both.

IME, it's less of a problem with fuzz, and more of a problem with overdrive and distortion pedals.

stevellss · #6 10-10-2008, 10:16 AM

Some work, some don't. A big muff or boss metal zone, although mostly used by guitarists, can work really well on bass.

TimWilson · #7 10-10-2008, 10:27 AM

The real trick to ODing a bass is to split your signal into clean and OD paths. Let your clean side keep the bottom and chop the low end off the OD side BEFORE you get to whatever you're using for OD. Low frequencies turn to shite when they're OD'd.

Sheehan's been teaching this for years. His Ampeg SVP-BSP preamp does all that for you in one rack space. I HIGHLY recommend that unit for bassists who OD.

JanusZarate · #8 10-10-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimWilson

The real trick to ODing a bass is to split your signal into clean and OD paths.

I would argue that this isn't necessarily the "best." I think it's a subjective matter, because I've used enough OD pedals and amps to come to the opinion that the clean/dirt mix isn't necessarily better, but different. It also has some versatility advantages in some circumstances.

However, I do agree that it's an excellent option regardless, and it would even let you make full use of OD pedals that cut low end.

F0URwordLETTER · #9 10-10-2008, 10:43 AM

Yea i tried the OCD by fulltone and i didn't like it to much on the bass

René_Julien · #10 10-10-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

IME, it's less of a problem with fuzz, and more of a problem with overdrive and distortion pedals.

My experience too.

Take the latest BOSS fuzz FZ-5. I find it even shines more on bass then on my guitar.

On guitar the FZ-5 is great for some solo stuff, but too dull on chords. On bass it is good overall. Depending on setting off course.

I think it also has to do with what is generally accepted by the bassist & guitarist community.

It seems to me hard overdrive is used more by guitarists and mild overdrive is more preferred by bassists.

IMO very heavy distortion works well either way, bass or guitar, it's unisex.
Although the use of heavy distortion on bass is more frowned upon by musician, even by some bassists.

EricF · #11 10-10-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F0URwordLETTER

Yea i tried the OCD by fulltone and i didn't like it to much on the bass

Interesting...The OCD one of my favorite pedals for bass. To each their own.

MatticusMania · #12 10-10-2008, 01:02 PM

I use a Nobels ODR-1 Natural Overdrive, made for bass. I have the gain and drive, or whatever the settings may be, dimed, and the volume around 11 o'clock and I love the overdrive I get with it.

SteveMcB · #13 10-10-2008, 01:07 PM

Another way around it is to biamp.

I use a Peavey BAC-2 chorus pedal to split my signal into high and low frequencies, then use a guitar OD (usually Digitech Bad Monkey) on the highs only. Then the 2 signals go back into a mixer before the amp. Not what most people do, but best of both worlds IMO.

Steve