Grit

I'm still a little confused about what exact sound you're trying to get. Could you post a link or two with clips of the sound, or name some tunes we might have heard that contain it?

 

That's a job for a Sansamp if I've ever heard one.

 

What's your reason for not wanting an EHX English Muff'n?

The reason I ask is because that replicates it pretty accurately. But you said you didn't want one.

 

I thought the same thing, but you can't change someone's mind... Plus it sounded like he already wants a Sansamp.

 

BJFE Blue Berry Bass Overdrive

http://www.boogeresque.com/mp3samples/3BOD01.mp3
http://www.boogeresque.com/mp3samples/3BOD02-01.mp3
http://www.boogeresque.com/mp3samples/3BOD02-02.mp3

Lots of pedals out there do tube enough, but this one completely nails it. Expensive and hard to track down, but it does the tube overdrive thing so well I sold my Sunn amp.

We're talkin' power amp tube overdrive, not the lousy preamp variety.

 

True, but if you have a wah pedal of any kind, you're used to large pedals already.

It's 12VAC, actually. Which only means it's that much harder to power, since you have to use its own adapter.

They're tougher than you think.

Do you know how often those tubes get replaced? It's a once-every-few-years sort of thing! I wouldn't call that an inconvenience at all. In fact, you can change its sound and range of overdrive by changing those tubes for a different type - that's a bonus of flexibility!

Anyhow... for what you're looking for, ditch that M-80 and replace it with a SansAmp Bass Driver DI (we usually call it the BDDI, for short) or an English Muff'n. The only real drawbacks about the Muff'n are its size and power requirements... otherwise, it's an amazing pedal.

The SansAmp in particular was designed to nail that Ampeg SVT all-tube sound. For more flexibility, consider the Programmable SansAmp Bass Driver (or PBDDI, as we call it around here).

 

It's too bad you are pre-disposed to hating the English Muff'n. Its sound is worth the size and power annoyances, and it's not as fragile as you make it out to be. You do know it sounds NOTHING like the other Muff pedals, right? However, since that's the case, I'd say your next best bet might be a SansAmp or a Fulltone Bass Drive.

 

Heh... now you're getting into the range of more expensive tube-emulating pedals.

From what I've seen and heard of them here on TB and on the EBS website, they're expensive but worthwhile contenders for tube-amp-like overdrive.

The MicroBass has more features than one could possibly expect to fit on an enclosure that's the same size as the regular SansAmp BDDI!

I haven't tried the ValveDrive, but it's tube-loaded like the Muff'n, and designed with bass in mind. The Muff'n works great on bass, but I'd imagine the ValveDrive has a different voice to it.

 

if you want a 9V tube overdrive check out

www.davehallamps.co.uk

 

As far as EBS stuff goes, I didn't like the Multidrive (just not enough flavor for me) but I did like the Valve Drive. I've played it and the Muff'n but not in a short enough time span to really A/B them. If not for the price, I might have bought one. I've never tried the MicroBass II.

I don't think the XXL is what you're looking for. I've got one and while I've looked at other heavy distortions, it's still on my board. So it's served me well. But it is a HEAVY overdrive, not a "grit" adding pedal, though it can add some growl at very low settings. Still, I think there are better pedals for adding just a touch of dirt. The XXL is best at higher gain settings.


Here's the link to the Basstasters samples.

 

I also was looking for "just a little grit". After owning 5 different O.D.'s and auditioning probably 10 different boxes I finally found what I was looking for in the EBS Valve Drive. I was lucky to get mine for under $200 used, but I'd buy it new in a heartbeat! You do need the 12v ac adapter, however. The Valve Drive is true-bypass and it has an input pad for active instruments. A very versatile preamp/od.

The Fulltone Bass-Drive can get close to what I think your going for. Although it is a little too "edgy" with active basses IME. If you use the comp-cut feature it really opens up the headroom. The only thing I don't love about it is that it accentuates the mids a little. It's a great pedal, though. A keeper. It also can run off a 9volt.

The English Muff'n has a pretty dedicated following here on TB. I have yet to try one, but it looks promising to me as well.

The SansAmp stuff is capable of adding just a little grit. They aren't the most transparent units in the world, but you get an indispensable tool at the same time. If your real amp ever dies, you're still in the game with a SansAmp. Be ready for your tone to totally change with it engaged - which is either a good or bad thing, depending on who you are!

 

I just got my Analog.man modded TS9DX in today, and if there's a pedal that can do it all, it's that one.

Every one of the 4 modes sound great, even though you have to adjust the drive and level if you switch.

Don't regret letting my Fulltone go at all.

 

Perhaps a Barber LTD SR would work for you.

 

I have both of these units. For 'grit' distortion, the SansAMp BDI rules...and it's a preamp and an amp/speaker cab emulator!

 

YOU HAVE AN EHX English Russ-ican metal pi muff'n shizzle?!!!

 

you should check on the MXR Bass BlowTorch