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Distortion Pedals with low end?
- Thread starter Chuck Meyer
- Start date
If you want to stay in the "budget" section, the Digitech Bass Driver has the clean blend, and also a "morph" knob to go through several modeled distortion pedals. Pretty flexible.
My trusty Boss OD-3 distortion seems to not eat up much low end; I'm pretty impressed with this pedal also.
My trusty Boss OD-3 distortion seems to not eat up much low end; I'm pretty impressed with this pedal also.
Another Dunwich fan here, Volt Thrower for distortion, ODB for overdrive
Simple solution - get a Rane DC-24, split your signal, add FX 'fur' and any other 'sauces' to taste, combine the signal and to the amplifier. Girth and grit... no low end distortion.
Bigger venue/bigger rig? Take the two signals out of the DC-24 and send to two different amps and/or different FOH channels. Same result.
Works every time... did it for years.
RC a/k/a 'notrt'
Bigger venue/bigger rig? Take the two signals out of the DC-24 and send to two different amps and/or different FOH channels. Same result.
Works every time... did it for years.
RC a/k/a 'notrt'
Anything from Darkglass or the KHDK Abyss. Both have great bass distortion tone and blend features.
I've found most anything made by Fuzzrocious will give you plenty of dirt & grit but no low end loss. I like the Cat Tail for distortion or the Demon for overdrive. Builder is a bass player so all of their pedals are voiced a bit lower for use on bass or guitar.
EHX Deluxe Bass Big Muff. You got your tone control, you got your blend control, you even got your HPF/LPF section to dial in your specific sound.
Alternately, running 2 amps (1 always clean) does wonders and let's you use basically anything you want without sacrificing low end and clarity.
Alternately, running 2 amps (1 always clean) does wonders and let's you use basically anything you want without sacrificing low end and clarity.
I would try out the LR Baggs stadium. For me, it has one of the most integral mix of drive, gain and "growl" which really nails any distortion needs that I may have, without compromising the nature and quality of my bass.
I’ve used the Ashdown Nate Mendel double distortion pedal for a few years. Sounds great.
I’ve also used and like the Darkglass Alpha Omega. Great as well.
I’ve also used and like the Darkglass Alpha Omega. Great as well.
I came here to talk Boss, but specifically the ODB-3!
It's a dependable pedal. The bass version of their overdrive features an EQ for low/high. I use this paired with my Deluxe Bass Big Muff for some pretty gnarly tones, but also to return some low end to the signal after the fuzz takes some away. Gotta love the blend knob as well!
I've got a few different pedals, but the Boss ODB-3 is still my go-to when I need bass distortion without having to futz around with much.
I found the ODB-3 to be rather more a fuzz than a distortion... no gutsy grind, just high fizzle. Anyone else feel that way?
I think it's right between distortion and fuzz - definitely past overdrive territory.
It's not super easy to dial in something subtle, but it's there (I've found it once or twice). I usually go for the full-on craphammer when I'm using it, however, so I probably shouldn't talk!
I wonder what everyone else thinks!
@PGold I have the exact same pedals.
From a ‘Keeping the Low end intact’ perspective, do you agree that the Dark Glass does a better job?
Switched from guitar to bass in 2013. Went 3 years burning through one pedal to another. Literally, probably tried at least around 30-40 some odd bass (some guitar) OD/distortion pedals (too many to name, but the usual mainstream Boss, Tech 21, Digitech, MXR, Fulltone, EH, Ibanez, Ashdown etc...)
Last year I bought the Darkglass B7K Ultra. ZERO regrets.
I never received one compliment on my "tone" before this pedal...since this pedal I have not played one show that I haven't received numerous over the top compliments on my bass tone.
I also own the Darkglass Alpha/Omega...haven't really used it. It's in theory more versatile tone wise (offering a range of OD-Distortion-Fuzz), but the base tone I'm seeking doesn't seem to be there. May work great for some folks.
The menacing grind with no lack in low-end, ability to blend, bass/low mid/hi mid/treble controls and attack & grunt always engaged on the B7K Ultra is just so amazing.
Last year I bought the Darkglass B7K Ultra. ZERO regrets.
I never received one compliment on my "tone" before this pedal...since this pedal I have not played one show that I haven't received numerous over the top compliments on my bass tone.
I also own the Darkglass Alpha/Omega...haven't really used it. It's in theory more versatile tone wise (offering a range of OD-Distortion-Fuzz), but the base tone I'm seeking doesn't seem to be there. May work great for some folks.
The menacing grind with no lack in low-end, ability to blend, bass/low mid/hi mid/treble controls and attack & grunt always engaged on the B7K Ultra is just so amazing.
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Some options that come to mind are Two Notes LeBass, Tech21 VT Bass DI, Darkglass B7K Ultra, Darkglass Vintage Ultra. I depends on the character or voicing you are after, but from the above I have endless drive options, from subtle overdriven tones to totally in your face aggressive tones.
If on a relatively tight budget, the VT is a very good option, approx €211 currently. The LeBass has a nice tube presence due to the 12AX7 it has, approx €299. The Darkglass are a little more on the aggressive side, but the ultras have plenty of shaping options, these are approx €419.
Hope it helps.
If on a relatively tight budget, the VT is a very good option, approx €211 currently. The LeBass has a nice tube presence due to the 12AX7 it has, approx €299. The Darkglass are a little more on the aggressive side, but the ultras have plenty of shaping options, these are approx €419.
Hope it helps.
I had one. Buzz saw city. Not big on that sound.
Then one day I strolled into the world of Dunwich Amps and got a Volt Thrower.
A few years ago I bought a cheap Chinese distortion pedal from ebay with no expectation of any value, but remember I did say it was cheap. And the top looked like it was moulded out of Lego bricks. So plugged it in on my guitar (as it was supposed to be a guitar pedal) and WOOAH! What is that? Great tone, great range of tones. Hmm. So tried on a bass. WOOAAHH! Even better! Everything from a light growl to full-on metal-cutting buzz. And at the less heavy settings, it allows the tone of the bass to come through. Found out later that it is actually an Ibanez Tube Screamer clone. So, there you have it, get a Tube Screamer.
