Help me find a modern distortion/overdrive pedal that i like.

As I mentionned in the other similar thread, the Empress MultiDrive is totally worth its dirt, IMO.

 

Find a Sansamp GT-2 to try out. It's not going to be for everybody (hence the test run), but it's extremely versatile.
It's been a staple of my pedal collection since about '96 or so.

 

You're gonna hear "B3K" a lot in this forum but if you're not looking to spend a small fortune on your OD pedal, I'd suggest giving the MXR M89 Bass Overdrive pedal a spin. The M89 is covering all of my overdrive needs quite nicely.

 

A Grey Stache was the best I've had.

 

I don't like/need overdrives at all, but the b3k is sincerely the best and only one I have ever liked.

/cliche

 

I can confidently endorse the Fulltone Bass Drive and the JHS Low Drive. Got both of them. I'll run them independently and/or stacked. Sweet glory to my ears!

 

Was not crazy about any of the pedals you tried for an overdrive. Love the Rat, but it needs a clean blend or a mod to make it more bassy, plus it's pretty intense.

There are a lot of really good ones out there. Just not those. Read around on this forum, listen to clips, try a few more pedals...I'd suggest the Tech 21 VT as a good way to get mild-medium OD that won't break the bank.

 

The list above kind of sums up my experience with those pedals too.
Currently 'in stock' I have an ebs multidrive, dod bass overdrive, hardwire tube od, darkglass b3k and vmt, ashdown lomenzo, and others, but these are the ones I keep returning to dependant on band, style, sound etc....
I assume you're looking for a full on drive sound.
In short when I tried the b3k, I kicked myself asking why I had waited so long to try it. It covers pretty much most things well and sits beautifully in a full band mix.

 

B3K.

It is a modern bass drive, and designed to sound like one.

 

I always recommend this and I'll do it just once more

Musiciansounddesign 'Silverstone' is the best I have heard by a country mile!
A great sounding Pedal and not to expensive either.
http://www.silvermachine.de/

 

When I think of a modern distorted bass sound I think of stacked OD's/ Distortions/ Fuzzes. You should put off selling pedals you acquire and experiment stacking effects in series and parallel. Your ultimate sound might come from a combination of pedals that don't quite work in isolation but sound great together.
If I had to chose my favourite single fuzz pedal that sounds great with all my basses I would chose my Wren and Cuff Tall Font Russian.

 

I agree with everything here.The TFR is my favorite fuzz, and stacking it through the B3K is very satisfying.

Currently I'm looking to stack a transparent drive with the B3K as well. I've tried a few non-transparent drives, but nothing has satisfied yet, though the EQD Monarch came really close. I think the Euphoria by Wampler is next on my list.

So yeah, I too recommend drive stacking.

 

Don't forget that stacking overdrive can also occur with amps. I used to record direct a lot with my B3K, but it didn't sound great by itself. In front of my Tech21 Oxford or Liverpool, it was awesome.

Now, I put in front of my Gallien Krueger 800RB with the boost turned up to where it sounds "warm" and it sounds even better.

When you use two types of OD the tone becomes more complex; even if you are only using a small amount on the last stage of the chain(Tech21 pedals, GK800RB)

 

Might try a sparkle drive, pork loin or other that will let you mix in a clean signal.

 

It's kind of hard to find a happy medium and sometimes people don't even know what they are looking for exactly until they hear it. I'm partial to the Colorsound Tonebender Fuzz, but it's CRAZY expensive. (like $200-300 expensive). Do you know if you want distortion, fuzz, or overdrive? You may be able to beef up your rat with an EQ pedal after it or a preamp like a VT Bass or the M80 to restore some low-end thump. My VT bass has done wonders for my DS-1, can't wait to try running my soon to be Rat 2.

 

or run your favorite od with a boss ls-2 or other blender and you'l be able to remove mud or add lows from your clean to your sound...

 

I have a Nobels ODR-1 I use for overdrive, but its pretty subtle.
I almost got rid of my Big Muff, but then I hooked it up after having not used it in 2 years and I loved it more than ever, though its a bit more fuzzy than an overdrive.