Bring on some dirt

[Marky P]

I'm looking to add a little dirt to my Modulus Q4. Any suggestions?

 

[JimmyM]

Wait a couple weeks and get an Ampeg Scrambler when they come out. Absolutely brilliant and idiot-proof dirt pedal that's under $100.

 

[Marky P]

I was thinking more along the lines of pups or preamp. I just don't know what options I have with this route. I started researching a little which lead me to TalkBass

 

[Snaxster]

I'm looking to add a little dirt to my Modulus Q4. Any suggestions?

Hello Marky, and welcome to TalkBass. Since you didn't say, can we assume that your Modulus has EMG pickups now? Whether or no, what size are the pickups? Also, what preamp is in your bass?

Saturation (drive) generally is not an intentional feature of onboard bass guitar preamps. Some may exist, but I can't think of any that tout the feature.

That said, I do own a mid-1990s Bartolini preamp that definitely has a slightly driven and muffled sound, at least with some settings. I remember that when I replaced it with an Audere Classic preamp (admittedly an especially clean and clear sounding circuit), my immediate impression was of a heavy wool blanket being lifted from the audio. So if you can find a 20-year-old Bartolini NTBT 2-band bass preamp, that might do the trick.

For pickups in EMG sizes, you might try a custom set from Nordstrand Pickups. Tell them your sonic goal, and ask whether a set of Jazz Bars can be custom wound for you, of if there are any stock pickup models they recommend. They can make pickups for you that sound wooly and driven, I'm sure.

Good luck.