Best bass overdrive?

[gh0st42]

Every TS variation I have tried doesn't work well for me, but I have a friend that has like three of some TS variant on his board as he biamps and his sound insane. I could never get it to work for bass.

Tube Screamers can be tricky on bass.

The signature Mid hump in the TS EQ curve at around 720hz, and bass and treble cute associated with it, isn't always awesome on bass depending on other EQ stages.

Usually takes some adjustment in the Mid center freq, some other creative eq-ing elsewhere (Amp, other pedals, stacking other drives), or a clean blend of some kind.

This is likley why stacking the combo of a Big Muff and Tube Screamer on bass can be a big help. It brings back some of the mids the Muff circuit naturally cuts.

 

[_Obra_]

Depends of how many have You tried, and how experienced You are.
My answer Would be JPTR FX Jive, but that's just me.
I think every single one of TB members would give You a different answer on this one.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

Be hard to argue that the Tech21 Bass Driver isn't the most recorded "overdrive" for rock.

Darkglass nipping at it's heels pretty hard, but probably!

 

[coy garcia]

My favorite in order is tube preamp gain, tech 21, boss blues driver

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

I'm not sure what you're specifically after, but to my ears, you just can't beat the articulate CRUNCH of Darkglass pedals. You could be looking for something a bit more distortiony or fuzzy and these things are capable, but the EQ is just so useful. You'll want something else for DIRT dirt. I use a Maxon 808 for that.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

Tube Screamers can be tricky on bass.

The signature Mid hump in the TS EQ curve at around 720hz, and bass and treble cute associated with it, isn't always awesome on bass depending on other EQ stages.

Usually takes some adjustment in the Mid center freq, some other creative eq-ing elsewhere (Amp, other pedals, stacking other drives), or a clean blend of some kind.

This is likley why stacking the combo of a Big Muff and Tube Screamer on bass can be a big help. It brings back some of the mids the Muff circuit naturally cuts.

Honestly, for me, if I am playing through a particularly muddy/wooly rig (most backline at small clubs), the TS circuit will rip the 'blanket' off it.

 

[Raoul_Duke]

The JPTR FX Jive and the Jam Pedals Lucydreamer Bass OD are the two I’ve kept. I’ve tried at least a dozen. The EAE Model FET is one I kinda regret selling and would buy again.

I don’t think there is a “best” anything as far as effects go. This is basically just another example of everyone posting about what they’re currently enjoying, which is super useful when exploring your options. I’m also not one to get super precious about OD or distortions because I think most of the well regarded examples will work perfectly well for most bassists in a mix. I’m much more particular about envelope filters and compressors.

 

[GMC]

Ok so I know this is a loaded question, but just trying to get a general consensus here… if you all had to pick only ONE bass overdrive, which would it be? Just looking to add some grit for the more rockin’ songs.

For me it would be a Source Audio Aftershock, it easily has the best Overdrive that I’ve used. It’s also got a ton of other distortion engines and you can select any 6 as presets. The Source Audio Ultrawave would come a close 2nd for me too.
I used to have a ton of analogue dirt pedals, Woolley mammoth’s, Titan II fuzz, stinky Cheese, rats, gherkins, clay Jones screamer, Ezekiel, expandora, wampler tripple wrecker, ecstasy, MXR overdrive, El Grande fuzz, ocd, Klon, zen, Joyo American, BFJ blueberry and honey bee, Timmy…you name it, I’ve tried it, built it, modded it or bought it and used it on bass. If I was going to choose just 2 dirt pedals, a Dam Ezekiel and a Titan II or Mammoth would cover most analogue needs.

These days I just use 2 dirt pedals, the Ultrawave and the Aftershock. They can pretty much nail all of the above and more.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Ok so I know this is a loaded question, but just trying to get a general consensus here… if you all had to pick only ONE bass overdrive, which would it be? Just looking to add some grit for the more rockin’ songs.

Trust me, there would be no consensus even if you post a sound clip and say "EXACTLY LIKE THIS".

You said "add some grit for rock", and that's rather vague, but I think we can assume that you only want some grit with minimal tone coloration. For that, first thing that comes to mind is the Damnation Audio MBD (1 or 2). I own it, have gigged it thoroughly.

For RAT-style distortion, the Idiotbox Blower Box: it'll do barely-there to total meltdown, and allows you to keep your low end.

The Tech 21 SH-1 (Steve Harris signature) is a versatile pedal, NOT just for metal. It's a little tricky to use, but not rocket science.




FWIW my personal favorites are the Tech21 DP-3X and Darkglass B7K. I'll also mention the Tech 21 BDDI, the granddaddy of bass overdrive... used that one for decades starting in the early 90s. The caveat for all of these is that they have significant tonal flavors.

 

[GMC]

Honestly, for me, if I am playing through a particularly muddy/wooly rig (most backline at small clubs), the TS circuit will rip the 'blanket' off it.

I’ve found this too with Screamers on bass, too nasally and shrill sounding. I like the Clay Jones Screamer best (it’s bufferless and more open sounding). I used to have an EQD screamer with a 3 band EQ…I still couldn’t dial out the Screamer backed in mid assault.

 

[REV]

I have tried a number of overdrives for my bass but I keep coming back to my Bearfoot Blueberry. It goes from grit to insane. I am curious about the Genzler 4 on the floor.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

A dude in New Jersey has my Peavey Dirty Dog. Other than being a GINORMOUS pedal, it was pretty sick with a P and steel rounds.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

How about the Creation Audio Labs Grizzly bass, or the TC Spark.

 

[nofretsplz]

Aiming at a mild grunge growl, I have a Sansamp YYZ always on, just a nice bit of grit without sucking the bottom out, extremely versatile EQ. Backup would be an old Rat.

 

[Hypocrite]

Favourite OD for a "rock" tone? Darkglass B3K.

 

[capnjagg]

Aiming at a mild grunge growl, I have a Sansamp YYZ always on, just a nice bit of grit without sucking the bottom out, extremely versatile EQ. Backup would be an old Rat.

I'm also an always on user of the YYZ, it really adds just enough of everything I've been looking for in an OD. I especially love the "Tight" button. My second choice however would likely be a Pork Loin.

 

[LowActionHero]

Don't know if it's cheating, but...

Source Audio Aftershock, a million over drives in one box,

6 at a time...

 

[bassbrad]

Hard to say what is the best as there are so many great choices these days and too many variables and expectations. Most often suggested are their latest squeeze, long time lover or that unobtainable one, I try to suggest something more reasonable. Like @GMC my suggestion is the Source Audio Aftershock that out of the box comes with 6 great drive sounds and hundreds you can sample and save from the Neuro Cloud created by other users or you can digitally circuit bend your own sounds. Aftershock Bass Distortion

My odd ball favorite suggestion is the Moody Sounds Hjart Muller Overdrive if only for the Klang!
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[Kevnn4]

I've had pretty good luck with the following:
Sansamp Bass Driver, Sansamp VTDI and EHX Battalion. MXR M80 DI+ has worked in a pinch.

YMMV

 

[T Bassman]

Tech 21 ‘British’ guitar pedal, basically a Marshall emulation has always worked well for me. Having the 3 band eq and character controls always ensure I never lose bottom and can really cut through the mix. For a non fuzz distortion, this is my go to.