Swollen Pickle v Multiwave bass distortion

Floyd Eye · #1 12-25-2011, 09:37 AM

So, I got a little Christmas cash and a few gift cards for the music store and I was thinking that it would be nice to supplement my EBS MultiDrive with a ridiculously devastating bass distortion/fuzz pedal. I've been watching YT demos of the Swollen Pickle and the SA multiwave bass distortion. Both seem to be in my price range. I am in a 3 piece hard rock/alternative band. We cover a lot of stuff like RATM, Tool, Godsmack, etc.. Any opinions on these 2 pedals?

Thanks.

Hopkins · #2 12-25-2011, 09:55 AM

The Swollen Pickle is great If you are going for that sound. It was a bit to much for the music I play, but it sounds great at what it is meant to do. My vote would be Way Huge, I love my Green Rhino and Pork Loin.

G3Mitch · #3 12-25-2011, 11:40 AM

swollen pickle is devestatingly awesome

DeltaPhoenix · #4 12-25-2011, 12:19 PM

IME I didn't like or keep the MultiWave. I just don't like digital clipping.
I have not used the Swollen Pickle but I would rock it.

CopperheadLXXIX · #5 12-25-2011, 12:35 PM

Although I love the SA Multiwave, I wouldn't describe it as "ridiculously devastating bass distortion/fuzz pedal"-It's strong points are more overdrive and synthy style distortions.

BassNeo · #6 12-25-2011, 12:41 PM

I love my Swollen Pickle. Devastatingly awesome distortion would be a good description.

Neighbors calling the cops, children crying and livestock falling dead when you turn it to 11 is fitting as well.

But that's just me.

rsmith601 · #7 12-25-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaPhoenix

IME I didn't like or keep the MultiWave. I just don't like digital clipping.
I have not used the Swollen Pickle but I would rock it.

The digital clipping is not in this pedal. Some day I need to post a video of it so you will know what I am talking about!!

rsmith601 · #8 12-25-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CopperheadLXXIX

Although I love the SA Multiwave, I wouldn't describe it as "ridiculously devastating bass distortion/fuzz pedal"-It's strong points are more overdrive and synthy style distortions.

+1

Kwesi · #9 12-25-2011, 01:44 PM

You know, I wouldn't have put the MWBD into "devastating" territory a few weeks ago but I was messing around with a certain preset and my opinion has officially been changed. I'll post it here when I go look at my board. It sounds so MEAN!

Kwesi · #10 12-25-2011, 01:54 PM

Just to clarify, my definition of devastating tone is right here:

Barker AssMaster Distortion Pedal - YouTube

Dunno how I forgot about the B:assmaster considering it is still (after years and years) the only other dirt pedal I could ever want. If you've got the cash, it's most definitely worth a look.

vegas532 · #11 12-25-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Just to clarify, my definition of devastating tone is right here:

Barker AssMaster Distortion Pedal - YouTube

Dunno how I forgot about the B:assmaster considering it is still (after years and years) the only other dirt pedal I could ever want. If you've got the cash, it's most definitely worth a look.

It's still my go-to! How can you go wrong? Paul Barker is the king of devastating bass tones, after all.

CopperheadLXXIX · #12 12-25-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

You know, I wouldn't have put the MWBD into "devastating" territory a few weeks ago but I was messing around with a certain preset and my opinion has officially been changed. I'll post it here when I go look at my board. It sounds so MEAN!

I will say that the very, very last octave up, single band distortion #22, if set properly (EQ, drive, etc.) definitely gets into Brassmaster territory and can sound pretty narly (in a very good way).

Floyd Eye · #13 12-26-2011, 08:05 AM

I gotta say at this point I am leaning towards the Pickle. A lot of folks seem to dig it. I am getting suggestions from several friends for these pedals like the Assmaster and something called The Creepy Fingers Fuzznugget. They all sound real good, but they are also all pushing the $300 range, whereas I can get a Pickle right now used for about $80. Then again, I hate to spend $80 only to turn around a month from now and feel the need to drop $300 anyway.

DeltaPhoenix · #14 12-26-2011, 08:46 AM

I would do the B:assMaster over the other 2. There are some used for 225 on here.

DeltaPhoenix · #15 12-26-2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsmith601

The digital clipping is not in this pedal. Some day I need to post a video of it so you will know what I am talking about!!

I had an Iron Ether FrantaBit and it did digital clipping that was cool. Still I don't know exactly what it was about the MultiWave Bass Distortion, just wasn't my cup of tea.

To the OP also checkout Smallsound/Bigsound TeamAwesome! Fuzz Machine, it is my favorite high gain fuzz. This pedal is handy when trying to destroy music.

jwr · #16 12-26-2011, 10:17 AM

I've had both pedals and they are COMPLETELY different. In fact, not even close to comparable. Just get both.

For real though, I'd get the Swollen Pickle over the Disto though. But I dig on fuzz a lot more.

rsmith601 · #17 12-26-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaPhoenix

I had an Iron Ether FrantaBit and it did digital clipping that was cool. Still I don't know exactly what it was about the MultiWave Bass Distortion, just wasn't my cup of tea.

To the OP also checkout Smallsound/Bigsound TeamAwesome! Fuzz Machine, it is my favorite high gain fuzz. This pedal is handy when trying to destroy music.

It certainly has its own sound, and it is not for everyone. Almost all the sounds have a hint of synthiness in them. This video by Pete Thorn is probably the best way to get a good sense of what makes multiwave distinctly different (guitar and bass).
Soundblox Pro Multiwave Distortion demo, by Pete Thorn - YouTube

willsellout · #18 12-26-2011, 01:26 PM

I love the MWBDP because it's more of a synth type distortion. IT can get very very mean though. The one I had seemed to have these weird random glitchy moments though, so I got rid of it. I bought it used though so who knows who had it before me and what they did to it.

I'd like to give it another shot and probably will one day.

Floyd Eye · #19 12-26-2011, 01:44 PM

Well, I have been talking to Behndy, so as you can imagine I have several other ideas now. lol

One question though, I understand the usefulness of a blend knob, as in the Pickle Pie B, but if I were to opt for the Swollen Pickle, which is significantly cheaper, how much would I miss having a blend knob?

vegas532 · #20 12-26-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

One question though, I understand the usefulness of a blend knob, as in the Pickle Pie B, but if I were to opt for the Swollen Pickle, which is significantly cheaper, how much would I miss having a blend knob?

With the Swollen Pickle, a blend knob is pretty unnecessary. It does a more than sufficient job of retaining low end.