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Good overdrive or preamp for 250 bucks tops

H3R3T1K

H3R3T1K

Nov 4, 2013
329
68
Düsseldorf, Germany
#1
I'm fed up with trying to find a decent overdrive for under 100 bucks. I have the Hartke VXL bass attack and it's good because it makes my cheap amp sound more expensive but it's not nasty and I want something to dirty up my sound like a overdriven tube amp. The EHX Muff does dirty for cheap but it's fuzz and I need overdrive. I want to go from polite to a heavy, gritty tone. It should not be distortion, just dirty up my signal.

Cheaper guitar overdrives always sucked bass for me but I see there's some pricier ones that are very popular on here. I do like a blend knob but it's not a must if the pedal retains bass and I don't have to EQ it back in with an EQ that only works for guitar and makes the lows sound artificial. I also dig preamps because my Kustom KXB500 really was just a quick and cheap replacement because my Warwick said goodbye.

Most importantly: No boutique/hard-to-get-outside-of-US-stuff. I will have to import that to Germany and I can't afford the customs fees if they go on top of the 250 bucks (US dollars that is). I'm looking for something that I can get in Europe.

Looking forward to your recommendations! I see the Fulltone OCD gets some love here.
 
#4
Aguilar Agro
Darkglass B3K
Can't think of a reason to look beyond those for overdrives that are not fuzz or distortion or is not too dark.

The Agro is a little more raunchy with more of a tubey overdrive sound. Tons of bottom end, nice soft overdriven top end that is not harsh.

B3K is a tighter, sharper overdrive with a bit of fizz on top. It's sharper and harder with a massive punch. The Agro is a little looser sounding.

To be honest, the OCD is probably my least favorite pedal. Couldn't get a good sound from it at all, huge disappointment for me.
 
#5
I don't have one *yet* but the Blower Box from Idiot Effects sounds perfect for what you want.

They ship direct to Europe and the all in cost will be MUCH less than $250. Another idea would be a Darkglass VMT that you could get direct from Thomann.
 
#13
crapusername said:
Hardwire cm2. I picked one up on eBay for £40. WIN!
Click to expand...

No, no and no. I sold mine today actually. One of the ODs for guitar that I mentioned that suck bass. It's a quality pedal but no good for bass IMHO because the lows you EQ back in sound nothing like the lows of the bypassed pedal. Sorry. If you like it that's great though.

I shot the guy from Idiot Box a mail to inquire if it can do overdrive too.

I see the Tech 21 SansAmp Character VT Bass V2 gets recommended quite often. It can be used as a preamp too I think. At 200€ it maxes out the budget.
 
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#14
I would not recommend the Blower Box as an OD, for two reasons: it sounds best when it gets some roar going (it is a rat, after all), and it doesn't have enough volume on tap to run at low gain without being below unity. Awesome distortion, but a poor choice for your stated needs.
 
#18
Sorry to hear that's your experience.
In my situation ( 400w Marshall DBS rig into 810, and/ or 15k foh pa rig), I've gone through many drive pedals including some of the ones mentioned here, which either didn't cut through in a band mix or definitely lost low end. Cost is no indication of quality of sound.
Whilst I still enjoy my vmt, b3k, blueberry etc. etc. at home, the cm2 is the most natural and punchy gentle gritty pedal I have found.
 

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