I heard good reviews of Ibanez PD-7 Phat-Hed Bass OD. Anybody know how it fares to other options?
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Best distortion pedal for keeping low end?
- Thread starter bassface_SGC
- Start date
I sold mine and got a VT, they're very different. Overall I much prefer the VT.
The PD7 I really liked for a good while...then began to notice it sounded too 'nu metal' and cold for what I wanted. It has a nice grit, but the grit and zing seem to sit on top of the sound rather than being involved in it, sounds slightly plastic-y.
The VT is much warmer and natural sounding when dialed in the same way as I did with the PD7. Still nicely crunchy and gritty but as part of the tone while keeping more warmth in the bottom range.
The interesting part I've found is: I use these pedals generally for the more up-tempo lines of mine that I use a pick for. I definitely prefer the VT for this but whereas I used to like the tone of the PD7 if I happened to go to fingers, I don't find the VT as pleasing...maybe BECAUSE the PD7 was almost too sharp and zingy so required the duller touch...
Anyway overall I'd say the VT.
Keeping the low end: MXR Blow Torch.
Not a typical distortion though, it's more of a synthy fuzz... still has a very usable range of sounds between overdrive and fuzz.
Not a typical distortion though, it's more of a synthy fuzz... still has a very usable range of sounds between overdrive and fuzz.
The VT pedal is superb for grit, but if you're looking for some kind of heavy stoner distortion you'd be better off finding a dedicated bass distortion pedal.
IMO, the optimum would be a dist pedal going in to a VT pedal.
IMO, the optimum would be a dist pedal going in to a VT pedal.
How do you guys feel about the aguilar agro? Sounded pretty versatile on youtube.
Or the new ibanez tube screamer that has a blend for bass? Heard some negative reviews, but anyone like it?
Or the new ibanez tube screamer that has a blend for bass? Heard some negative reviews, but anyone like it?
Blended Black Russian Muff does it for me, although I do have a few others as well.
Are you blending with an LS2 or some kind of mod? I have a black russian muff and would love it if i could add a blend. For now I don't really use it.
You wont find a better bass dirt pedal for the price. Its one of my first pedals and after 3years, the fact that it is still on my pedalboard speaks volume about its performance.
It can, and is very likely to sound nu-metal if you dial it in a certain way. Just switch off the attack option, flip to distortion mode, crank your gain = awesome smooth dist/fuzz tone.
The only reason people claim it sounds nu-metal is due to the fact that they favour the treble boost with the attack switch. It sounds too artificial imo. The o/d is okay, nothing to go crazy over....I dont use it at all. The pedal shines in distortion mode with the gain cranked. It gets into fuzz(high gain) territory but doesnt get too hairy and retains note definition and low end.
You wont lose ANY low end at all, infact you can even dial in additional low end according to ur taste. But if you wanna cut through more, just cut the bass and treble and increase the signal volume. This acts as a mid boost and can giv u an edge in a band mix.
Its better than alot of pedals out there that costs more than twice its price. Get one, you wont regret it....if all else fails you can sell it to me since I can use a backup ; )
I have tried lots of muff-type pedals but I keep going back to the pd-7.
If you want just mild o/d just go with really popular vt bass, it really lives up to its hype imo.
BrandonBass, thanks man. I'm a little new to this but I keep hearing raves about PD-7 and am convinced I should try it. I don't exactly know what I'm looking for, just in the process of defining my sound in our new trio. I just got an MXR M80 and now the list has PD-7, too. Hope they work well together, let me know if anyone has tried them together.
That's pretty much the way I go - only I use Xotic BB preamp rather than full-on distortion. I loop it through a Boss LS2 for a clean/OD mix, then into the VT.
Aguilar AGRO, shockingly, is my suggestion.
I should probably just put it in my signature at this point.
I should probably just put it in my signature at this point.
Guys - I keep seeing the VT thrown out, but nobody has mentioned thus far, that it is meant to emulate an Ampeg.
Word of caution: If you like the tone of your setup now, and don't care to necessarily color it too much (just want to add some overdrive here and there), the VT in my opinion is a horrible offer. It's a good pedal - but it's good at that - emulating Ampeg. I've seen some people get burned (myself included) because the talk of the VT is the "cure all" for tone. I liked the more overdriven tones in the clips, but found that I lost my tone on my amps when combined.
Food for thought....
Word of caution: If you like the tone of your setup now, and don't care to necessarily color it too much (just want to add some overdrive here and there), the VT in my opinion is a horrible offer. It's a good pedal - but it's good at that - emulating Ampeg. I've seen some people get burned (myself included) because the talk of the VT is the "cure all" for tone. I liked the more overdriven tones in the clips, but found that I lost my tone on my amps when combined.
Food for thought....
the m80s pretty is pretty bad, especially on high gain. Its pretty good if you just set it for low-gain grind. PD-7 beats it for high gain stuff thats for sure
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