• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Distortion/Fuzz for Bass VI leads?

FromTheBassMent

FromTheBassMent

Those who can, play bass.
Jan 19, 2010
1,531
48
66
Providence, RI
#1
So, I've done a headache-inducing amount of reading of threads on distortions here on TB, but I'm not getting my very specific quesiton answered. So... new thread time!

I have a Fender PS Bass VI, stock pups, StayTrem wide bridge. I have a MarkBass rig (class D 500w into 1x12 and 1x15), and I run the PSVI through a Tech21 Blonde set up to sound like a vintage Bassman for clean rhythm work (also using a MojoHand Dewdrop and Copilot Polypus for surf sounds, even though we don't really play surf music!).

I have the opportunity to play leads on this beast, and would like to put some kind of a drive in the chain that would give a saturated, guitar-like lead tone. I have a Cusack Screamer Bass that I use when I want some dirt on my EBMM Sterling, but it's not gainy enough to be of any use with the PSVI. I'm not super-concerned about losing bottom, because this would only be used for lead work up the neck. I'm not as concerned about the pedal being "transparent" as I am about it giving saturated, smooth and creamy sustain (so nothing like a B3K, that's not at all what I'm after). It doesn't have to be super dynamic either... I'd be willing to sacrifice some touch sensitivity to get some nice compression.

To further complicate matters, I'm looking for something with a small footprint... my PT-Jr has room for one more MXR-sized pedal, so something in that size family would be best.

None of the ODs I have or have tried are going to get me there, I need a distortion or possibly even a fuzz. But again, going for smooth warm tones, not crackly grind or soda pop fizz.

So, looking for your advice so that I can narrow down what to audition... cuz as y'all know, there are 1,473 dirt pedals out there, and I haven't got enough years left on this planet to try em all!

Thanks!
 
#5
My tip for leads on a bass instrument:

Take a fuzz with plenty of gain and mids (I use a Fuzzrocious Grey Stache with the mids knob dimed) and run that into some type of subtle pitch-shifter/chorus/vibrato that has plenty of high end (I use the Iron Ether Polytope at mild settings). My Polytope adds a subtle hint of high-octave that really helps upper-register parts to jump out when distorted, but it doesn't sound synthy or overbearing as might be the case with a dedicated high-octave pedal.
 
#7
FromTheBassMent said:
That's kind of what I was thinking. The EHX bass muffs are WAAAY too big for my board, so I'd be looking for some kind of variant. Or possibly, not even a bass-oriented muff (Mojo Hand Colossus? Earthquaker Hoof?).
Click to expand...

Wren & Cuff Tall Font Russian
MojoHand BMP-1
DMB Bumble

The Hoof is great, but does not do that creamy sustain like the above pedals.
 
#9
sunbrother said:
Mojo Hand Iron Bell
Turn up the color knob a bit. That pedal is just asking to be played on a bass vi
Click to expand...

Ha! I had one of those and sold it! It was on my guitar board, absolutely GORGEOUS tone, but I play hollowbody electrics and all that gain was just too much to control when the pedal was dialed in to its sweet spot. That was before I had the Bass VI... never thought to try it on my EBMM!

It's definitely a good idea. Anybody use one or know where I could find sound clips?
 
#10
Love that Wren & Cuff post sound clips of all of their pedals with BASS... that's very considerate of them!

Reading up on W&C led me to Stomp Under Foot. Man, those pedals sound GREAT on guitar! I know a couple of TBers swear by the Civil War. Wondering if anyone around here has tried the Civil Unrest (basically the Civil War with an added control for mids emphasis). That might be just the ticket right there.
 
#11
If I could try out a Stomp Under Foot, I think it'd be the (violet?) Rams Head.
The gearmandude video sounds incredible.

Iron Bell: I can see it being tough on a semi-hollow, I can feedback with the gain to high on my solidbody basses (though they're all MFD pickups...) but the tone is beautiful. Think muff with a more open top and a mid sweep in the colour knob. It's got definition that other muffs lack.

Really want to try it on a bass vi...
 
#12
The gearmandude video of the Civil Unrest starting right around 2:55 is really getting at what I'm after... ridiculously high gain, but smooth as butter.

Kinda wondering whether Matt's stuff is unobtainium though... his pedals seem to be listing on eBay for $50-150 more than he charges for them, which does not bode well for availability.
 
#17
FromTheBassMent said:
That's kind of what I was thinking. The EHX bass muffs are WAAAY too big for my board, so I'd be looking for some kind of variant. Or possibly, not even a bass-oriented muff (Mojo Hand Colossus? Earthquaker Hoof?).
Click to expand...

I have the Colossus. Previously I was using the Crosstown. For bass, the Colossus is superior to the Crosstown. Personally, I really like it a lot, although I would not describe it as "warm", although I do have the gain run up a fair amount. I've tried lots of overdrives and fuzz pedals and for me the Colossus is the best one for the sound I like. You can really get a lot of different levels, although it takes some patience, like any pedal, to find what you are looking for.

JMO, but I would probably be hard pressed to part ways with this pedal.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back