Best Fuzz/OD for Bass

[spufman]

A shout out for Smallsound/Bigsound. With the TAFM and Mini, one can cover a pretty broad range of awesomeness.

 

[monsterthompson]

Ah, The Internet. Where people who haven't tried everything come to proclaim the thing they have tried and like as the "the best."


I'm sure the pedal in the OP is pretty nice, as are many of the others mentioned in the thread.

 

[gjohnson441496]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...uality--dual-fuzz-engine-guitar-effects-pedal

$229 here

Why, why, why did you show this to me when I'm in the throes of pedal GAS???!!!! 1 WANT IT

 

[gjohnson441496]

Overdrives and fuzzes are different beasts entirely. While an Overdrive can push into fuzz territory...it's never quite the same as a dedicated fuzz pedal. One dirt pedal can't do it all and each one will respond very differently to different basses...so "the best" is very subjective.

You're right. I've actually combined my Superbadass OD with it and it's a totally different beast.

 

[gjohnson441496]

My choices are: Z.Vex Mastotron for a gated fuzz, Walrus Audio Jupiter - regular fuzz, Brimstone Audio Crossover Distortion - for OD/Dist/Pre.

Thanks. I appreciate these suggestions.

 

[gjohnson441496]

I have listened some YT videos of the Russian Pickle. I think I prefer the versability of the Swollen Pickle. But, Way Huge all the way

Yeah.. Way Huge all the way.

 

[gjohnson441496]

Check out the Mark Kendrick Design Furnace Bass. It's my new personal favorite for overdrive on a bass.
Tons of saturation without the loss of low end or clarity.
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I should buy one simply based on the look! They're gorgeous.

 

[gjohnson441496]

I recently have been trying a few and returned 2 because they just didn't quite hit the mark for me. Truly, I was looking for heavier OD with a splash of fuzz. I got the Ashdown NM2 and it hit it just right. I have a Big Muff Pi, which I think is along the Russian Fuzz line and it is quite nice too.

I was considering the Big Muff as well. According to what I read, the Russian Pickle was based off the Big Muff. I went for the RP based on the tone and the fact that it's a limited run.

 

[gjohnson441496]

Anything Darkglass. There are dissenters for any product because everyone is different but man its hard to believe that anyone who tries a Darkglass can't say it's the best.

I know. Haven't heard any bad reviews on them. I'm sure they're worth every penny.

 

[gjohnson441496]

I think that what fuzz/overdrive works best depends on the amp that you are using it with.

Fuzz/Overdrives such as the Russian Pickel are most effective going into a preamp where the first stage is a tube. Boosting the level of the input saturates the tube and produces a creamy distortion full of good harmonics. The pedal and the pre are working together to generate the effect. This allows you to have distortion both from the pedal and the first stage of the amp.

A solid state amp is different, overdriving can produce harsher tones and harmonics. In the case of a solid state amp, you want more of a distortion pedal that generates mostly everything within the pedal. The amp that you plug into amplifies it and provides EQ shaping.

Absolutely agree. I am going through tube preamp via effects loop.

 

[gjohnson441496]

Ah, The Internet. Where people who haven't tried everything come to proclaim the thing they have tried and like as the "the best."


I'm sure the pedal in the OP is pretty nice, as are many of the others mentioned in the thread.

Hahaha! I know, right. I'm so happy with this pedal I had to share my enthusiasm. Glad I did, though. More ideas are being suggested.

 

[monsterthompson]

I had a W&C Green Russian. I like that Green clone vibe.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Absolutely agree. I am going through tube preamp via effects loop.

It might be more effective into the amp's input. Worth a try to see if there's a difference. It's the tube amp's first stage, at the input, that you want to hit hard.

 

[Aidenn7]

best is subjective. My favor pedals. are MDB-1. thinman OD. Bedlam III. Gamma OD. Bluebeard. Hyperfuzz. Bassweet. Fran lo-tone. Alien hate Fuzz. Growlers the main sound. I'm still looking for a good Russian Muff equivalent.

 

[nice_hat]

Visual Sound Jekyll and Hyde, versions 1 or 2 (with the bass boost switch). I played a V1 with my Schecter Riot 5 and liked the od more than I like the big muff bass (I was doing a side by side at local store). Plus the distortion circuit, which is a tube-screamer-esque type fuzz that I really liked. I didn't buy the pedal because it was used and the case was damaged more than I was willing to pay for, but I really enjoyed the sound from both sides individually and combined.

 

[TheLowDown33]

Won't comment on what's best, but I currently have an Idiotbox Blower Box and a Darkglass Duality on my board. I can get that edgy barely-broken-up sound to incoherent wall of square wave nonsense with this pairing. I've cycled through a bunch of dirt and these two have really shined with my basses.

 

[devnulljp]

best?
D*A*M Ezekiel.

 

[Anders0nCouncil]

For Fuzz: Abominable Electronics Hail Satan Deluxe. This pedal has tons of low end. There's a toggle switch to go between the NYC muff sound or the Green Russian. Clean blend with optional buffer. Mids and highs knobs and a toggle to use Red LEDs for clipping. So much awesome in this box.

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[micguy]

I've tried about 20 overdrives, including all the usual suspects quoted here. Returned most of them, have a few to tide me over until I find "it". None of them are it. Once I find it, I'll let y'all know.

 

[nomeX]

Thanks, I'll try that out. Honestly, I can get really close to any sound I want with what I have already, especially when I start using them together. Unfortunately, this has not stopped my GAS whatsoever.

My dirt pedals off the top of my head:

Big John Hairy Balls
Seymour Duncan Lava Box
Fender Blender
Fender Sublime
GK Diesel Dawg
Amptweaker Bass Tight Fuzz
DOD PUnkifier
Ibanez PD7
Line6 M13

and then run through my tube amps.... they all have their different uses, that's it... The biggest improvement to my sound has been Biamping off a HPF into a guitar cab. Maybe I'll even run it through a guitar amp, then the cab.