Is a Swollen Pickle mk II right for me?

eyvindwa · #1 01-25-2011, 10:53 AM

Sooooo, I've been wanting a muff-ish sound, but have found that the EHX Little Big Muff that I own is not working for me. To begin with, it is only (barely) usable on the absolute minimum gain level; it seems that my 18V Warwick's output is way too hot for it. Secondly, it seems to scoop the mids more than I'd like.

I have been listening to some clips of the Pickle mk II, and it sounds good, but does anyone have experience with it combined with hot output active basses? Also, would anyone like to comment on the amount of control one has over the mids?

Thanks!

NortyFiner · #2 01-25-2011, 02:44 PM

Just curious: have you tried simply turning down the volume knob on your bass, so you aren't sending a full blast hot signal to the pedal? Let your amp do the heavy lifting at the end of the chain, and your pedals will thank you.

As for the mid scoop, that is a characteristic common to most of the Muff family and its many clones. If you want more mids, look for a pedal that isn't a Muff.

I don't know if the Pickle is related to the Muff family or not, but I do know this from trying it in the store: it does not do "subtle" fuzz well at all. Quite frankly, it is best suited for making your local geologists issue earthquake warnings. If that suits your purpose, then great. If you want more subtlety or versatility, then look elsewhere.

Hope that helps.

krafty · #3 01-25-2011, 02:54 PM

Check out Grygrx's review here:
http://bassfuzz.com/2010/08/14/fuzz-...n-pickle-mkii/
He uses the phrase "high gain monster" and he's right. I really like mine but it is a completely different beast than my other fuzz pedals (green russian pi and 2 variants of the woolly mammoth circuit). The scoop control is very nice and helps bring up the mids.

rob_thebassman · #4 01-25-2011, 04:00 PM

mate theres all sorts of good fuzz pedals, just need to find the one that suits your playing, I played with a swollen pickle and thought it were awesome, but theres still others that can do better

sillyfabe · #5 01-26-2011, 06:50 AM

the WHSP is an awesome pedal! I 've had mine for close to 2 years now and it is perfect for doomy type bass fuzz. its not on the light side thats to be sure!

eyvindwa · #6 01-26-2011, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NortyFiner

Just curious: have you tried simply turning down the volume knob on your bass, so you aren't sending a full blast hot signal to the pedal?

Yes, I have. I normally turn the volume on the bass up to about 3/4, and the LBM is still unusable. If I turn my volume any lower than that, I find that the rest of my setup does not sound as good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NortyFiner

As for the mid scoop, that is a characteristic common to most of the Muff family and its many clones. If you want more mids, look for a pedal that isn't a Muff.

Well, I was under the impression that the Swollen Pickle was a muff variant without the notorious mid scoop, but please correct me if I'm wrong, as that is part of why I am asking this in the first place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NortyFiner

it does not do "subtle" fuzz well at all.

That's all right, I'm not looking for "subtle"

eyvindwa · #7 01-26-2011, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob_thebassman

I played with a swollen pickle and thought it were awesome, but theres still others that can do better

Some specific suggestions would help here. I have lots of other dirt boxes, but I am looking for a muff-ish variant (I think). I already own EBS MultiDrive, EHX LBM, MXR Blowtorch, B:ASSMASTER, Hematoma, Soundblox Bass Dist Pro, Boss ODB-3, 3xFx Fatman (for sale!) and probably some others. Yeah, I like dirt...

eyvindwa · #8 01-26-2011, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sillyfabe

the WHSP is an awesome pedal! I 've had mine for close to 2 years now and it is perfect for doomy type bass fuzz. its not on the light side thats to be sure!

Great! Would you care (if possible) to comment on my specific questions with regards to (1) active basses and (2) the mid control?