Finally, I won't put it off any longer...

[AlexanderB]

I have only tried and/or owned a few OD pedals, but think the VT Bass works very well for my needs. Controls interact, but not at a mind-numbing level, has good bypass, wide range of very usable OD settings. Seems durable, too.

 

[knumbskull]

OK, so I'm going to recommend a UK pedal builder. But he has distro in the US so hopefully still possible without too much hassle...

Dave Hall Amps VT1-EQ-DI - now on Mk2 (I have a Mk1)

Link Removed

I'll tell you for why:

- vintage tone - check. Very warm and gently fuzzy.
- clean blend - check.
- readily available in US - I think so... EDIT ok not sure he has a US website anymore. Have a look anyway
- actual valve. Uses a 12AX7.
- boost? no. But if you put a simple clean boost before it, this might work. Alternatively Dave H might be able to build you something with this, but then you'd have to wait.

Not on your list, but he is very professional and accommodating to deal with.

 

[40Hz]

I settled on the TC Electronics fullsize Spark Booster.
Transparent, (so no need for a blend) warm tubey tone. Low gain, just like a warm tube amp. The gain knob all the way up on this thing is where most "low gain OD's" actually start. It's beautiful.
If i want a more lo-fi old school tone, i roll down the treble knob. If i want it to sound like i'm playing with a pick (when i simply forgot to bring one), i engage the midboost voice. Gain is at noon, volume at 9. Super useful, and sounds great.


IMO, you only start to need a blend when you get into higher gain drive and distortion.
Part of the point of a low gain drive is that you want it to be subtle and natural.
Blend on low gain is like blending between your amp with gain on 2 & your amp with gain on 3.
If you want the sound of the amp on 3, then put the gain there.
When you start vacilliating between gains 2 & 7, then a blend starts being useful.
Again, IMO.

Agree. The TC Spark is a gem. One of the best sounding boosts out there.

 

[Thumper]

The Phat Phuk isn't too bad either, the popping can be annoying with in-ears though.

 

[opivy3056]

Oh god you've opened the biggest can of worms in the effects world...your OD quest begins! There are multitude of responses to this thread that I'm sure you would enjoy.

Everyone here always recommends the grizzly or barbershop for a transparent OD. I know it doesn't meet your initial requirements but I think they'd get you in the ballpark of the tone you seek. And for the price of some of the pedals people are recommending you could buy two. Or buy a TC spark booster mini as a second channel, ha

 

[Drucifer]

I started my search last night, here's my first pass (forgot to include my Fairfield Barbershop and didn't take my BBBOD off my other board.

 

[Drucifer]

I am looking for a tubey overdrive with small footprint and one that doesn't lose your lows, one that you could leave always on if you wanted to. None of these have two channels, so probably not super helpful to this thread, but I wanted to share my preliminary results:

Photon - most configurable, can get everything from mild tube warmth to fuzz, too big for what I am looking for, but this will likely hit one of my other boards
Vintage Mictrotubes - next most configurable, the Era knob influences the color of the overdrive, this could be the one
OnceControl Hooker's Green Bass Machine - the most subtle of the pedals, except for the Ginger
COG Effects Mini 66 - does great vintage sounds like Chris Squire, I didn't have enough time to fool with the switches and settings
ROG Ginger - Emulates an Ampeg Portaflex in a box, the most subtle of all these
Way Huge Pork Loin - I might try the modification suggested, this just doesn't pull my chain for some reason

 

[non]

i use a darkglass b3k and big muff bass deluxe love both but...
i just picked up a source audio aftershock bass distortion and this thing can easily replace both.
with the neuro app you change the under the hood parameters to.
it also has duel channels that you set to two different distortion/overdrive/fuzz then mix them. mono and stereo. you can configure it in some crazy ways.
the best part is when you get a distortion/overdrive/fuzz sound you like you have 6 presets to store them in.

 

[Honch]

You owe it to yourself to check out two fairly dissimilar pedals from the same brand; the EBS ValveDrive DI (true high voltate tube pre/OD) and EBS MicroBass II (dual channel swiss army knife for bass + well liked OD). And at least they USED to be made in Sweden.

Designed and developed in Sweden, it says on the box, and website. The actual manufacturing is made in ... Asia somewhere, split perhaps between a lot of countries. Indonesia, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Phillipines... you name it, we can't tell and we can't now...

But..

If there's one tube pedal that I even remotely can stand to like for a longer period of time, it's EBS' ValveDrive DI actually, but it should be the old version with 12v AC power supply. I would love them to make an 18v one. It converts to high voltage tube pre, but it isn't in no way "true" high voltage. True high voltage comes from that power supply. I generally don't like pedals with tubes in them that runs just on 9v power and fixes and pump charges up things inside. The things those tubes does to a bass signal isn't really enough. I'd rather like power tube amp "compression" and current feedback, from speakers to power amp, and such things that makes them all together breathe. I think pre amp tubes in amps too, are a tad...well... uneccessary but that's just me.

 

[HolmeBass]

It doesn't get much love on TB, in fact I think it has gotten some hatred, but I really dig the EHX Bass Soul Food. Very low gain drive so you have a lot of gradual gain settings, plus a clean blend.

 

[InnerBass]

OK ladies and gents of the effects world, let's do this. I have put it off for too long. In fact, I must admit that for the longest time I was one of those ignorant "I don't need no dang pedals cuz I can actually play" grumpy bastards.

I have gotten close, and probably started a thread about it before. But now I am ready to pull the trigger.

(Get to the point, dude.)

I need some grit. Some dirt. Some overdrive. Just a bit, nothing insane.

OK ladies and gents of the effects world, let's do this. I have put it off for too long. In fact, I must admit that for the longest time I was one of those ignorant "I don't need no dang pedals cuz I can actually play" grumpy bastards.

I have gotten close, and probably started a thread about it before. But now I am ready to pull the trigger.

(Get to the point, dude.)

I need some grit. Some dirt. Some overdrive. Just a bit, nothing insane.

Requirements.....as in deal breakers.
1) "Vintage" tone capability. Fat and warm, not rip your face off.
2) Blend. Gotta be able to blend clean and dirt.
3) Readily available here in the states. I'm sure there are amazing pedals all over the world, but I would rather not have to order from Lower Slombovia and wait for six months.

Wants.....not deal breakers but it would be neat.
1) Two channels? Like maybe two drives in one I could set differently? One just a little grit, the other with a bit more, and maybe the capability to stack them for as close to balls out distorted as I intend to get.
2) An actual valve or two? I'm not sure why but that seems like it would be cool.....and also allow some options for tunes that break up at different gains. If there are 400 good reasons not to go this route I can certainly be talked out of it.

Price is not a huge factor. Power supply (battery or power supply) is not a huge factor. Size isn't a factor at all as it will likely be my only pedal for the foreseeable future.

Help me dip my toe in the effects pool!

Requirements.....as in deal breakers.
1) "Vintage" tone capability. Fat and warm, not rip your face off.
2) Blend. Gotta be able to blend clean and dirt.
3) Readily available here in the states. I'm sure there are amazing pedals all over the world, but I would rather not have to order from Lower Slombovia and wait for six months.

Wants.....not deal breakers but it would be neat.
1) Two channels? Like maybe two drives in one I could set differently? One just a little grit, the other with a bit more, and maybe the capability to stack them for as close to balls out distorted as I intend to get.
2) An actual valve or two? I'm not sure why but that seems like it would be cool.....and also allow some options for tunes that break up at different gains. If there are 400 good reasons not to go this route I can certainly be talked out of it.

Price is not a huge factor. Power supply (battery or power supply) is not a huge factor. Size isn't a factor at all as it will likely be my only pedal for the foreseeable future.

Help me dip my toe in the effects pool!

Next you'll be saying, "I am your Father, Luke......"

 

[Driven Crane]

Thanks guys!

Are most of the presets "usable" or are most of them really "out there"? Again, this will be mostly a little grit but nothing that would knock the paint off a Chevy engine block.

you have to spend some time to tweak knobs in OFD. but if you know what you want - you'll get it then.

 

[kringle77]

I wanted to get the most bang for the buck/pedalboard space, so I just ordered a truesound J&H V3. Should cover everything.

 

[Perrygoround]

It doesn't get much love on TB, in fact I think it has gotten some hatred, but I really dig the EHX Bass Soul Food. Very low gain drive so you have a lot of gradual gain settings, plus a clean blend.

I love mine. For me, it gives the EXACT tone I was looking for in the overdrive camp. In my band´s context, through my current rig, it is just awsome.
I have also the Aftershock (only tried the stock sounds, tried to play with the app but couldn´t. Apparently there is a need for updating something somewhere, which I don´t know yet how to do, if you want to play with the app and chage the stock sounds), and although when playing at home, both pedals work exactly equally for overdrive, and I can get the tone I want from both. When I am rehearsing or playing live, the EHX bass Soul Food just works better for me. I don´t why is this, but is just what I am listening. I can get a great OD sound from both at home, but with my band, the Soul Food works much better. I guess is the way interact with the different amps I use at home (8'') vs rehearsal (15''). Then, I must say that for distortion, I love the Aftershock. In the OD camp I prefer the SF, but when I need heavier distortion, the Aftershock is what I use, its stock heavy distortion is fantastic (on the other hand I don´t like the stock fuzz).

 

[winterburn69]

Next you'll be saying, "I am your Father, Luke......"

The correct quote is "No, I am your father"

 

[40Hz]

If you're really serious you could always PM Josh Broughton of Broughton Audio (@Azure Skies ) here at TB, let him know what you're trying to get sound wise and see if he either has something or can do something up for you special. His prices are reasonable and his designs are top notch. I've got a preamp he did for me that is something I've wanted for years. And one of his hi-pass filters fixed a design flaw issue with an amp I own that I was considering scrapping until that HPF got put in the effects loop.

Check out the Broughton Audio Superthread on the Effects section of the forum to get an idea of what he does if you're interested.

 

[AlexanderB]

Designed and developed in Sweden, it says on the box, and website. The actual manufacturing is made in ... Asia somewhere, split perhaps between a lot of countries. Indonesia, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Phillipines... you name it, we can't tell and we can't now...

But..

If there's one tube pedal that I even remotely can stand to like for a longer period of time, it's EBS' ValveDrive DI actually, but it should be the old version with 12v AC power supply. I would love them to make an 18v one. It converts to high voltage tube pre, but it isn't in no way "true" high voltage. True high voltage comes from that power supply. I generally don't like pedals with tubes in them that runs just on 9v power and fixes and pump charges up things inside. The things those tubes does to a bass signal isn't really enough. I'd rather like power tube amp "compression" and current feedback, from speakers to power amp, and such things that makes them all together breathe. I think pre amp tubes in amps too, are a tad...well... uneccessary but that's just me.

I said that they at least USED to be manufactured in Sweden, and that is a fact. My EBss pedals have all been made in Sweden. The name of the (swedish) subcontractor is even printed on the circuit board.
Some tube pedals/amps use a single digit voltage power supply for tubes. Driving a tube like that will not really mimic how it behaves in a real all tube amp. EBS says there is a proper AC/AC transformer to boost the 12V into something much higher.

 

[AlexanderB]

It seems it runs at 130VAC...

 

[two fingers]

You guys are awesome! I'm not ignoring you. I promise. Even though you really narrowed it down for me, it's still a lot to take in. So I am pricing and researching and watching and listening using your input and suggestions.

Thank all!

 

[Nephilymbass]

OK ladies and gents of the effects world, let's do this. I have put it off for too long. In fact, I must admit that for the longest time I was one of those ignorant "I don't need no dang pedals cuz I can actually play" grumpy bastards.

I have gotten close, and probably started a thread about it before. But now I am ready to pull the trigger.

(Get to the point, dude.)

I need some grit. Some dirt. Some overdrive. Just a bit, nothing insane.

Requirements.....as in deal breakers.
1) "Vintage" tone capability. Fat and warm, not rip your face off.
2) Blend. Gotta be able to blend clean and dirt.
3) Readily available here in the states. I'm sure there are amazing pedals all over the world, but I would rather not have to order from Lower Slombovia and wait for six months.

Wants.....not deal breakers but it would be neat.
1) Two channels? Like maybe two drives in one I could set differently? One just a little grit, the other with a bit more, and maybe the capability to stack them for as close to balls out distorted as I intend to get.
2) An actual valve or two? I'm not sure why but that seems like it would be cool.....and also allow some options for tunes that break up at different gains. If there are 400 good reasons not to go this route I can certainly be talked out of it.

Price is not a huge factor. Power supply (battery or power supply) is not a huge factor. Size isn't a factor at all as it will likely be my only pedal for the foreseeable future.

Help me dip my toe in the effects pool!

I'm a big fan of darkglass electronics when it comes to dirt pedals. I highly recommend them especially if you play active basses and 5 string as there's a lot of "dirt" pedals that sound good with a passive p bass but terrible with an active bass.

Darkglass makes every type of dirt pedal.

Vintage drive (vintage microtubes, vintage deluxe, vintage ultra)

Modern drive (b3k, b7k, b7k ultra)

Duality (two fuzz circuits in one and you can blend clean signal and blend the two fuzz circuits. Basically it covers an almost synthy gated fuzz and cranked distortion/fuzz

If you want two channels and vintage flavor check out the vintage ultra demos and see it it's what you have in mind. Darkglass stuff is expensive. But worth it in my opinion.