Hi Talkbass. I am seeking advice on getting a new overdrive pedal. Since there are a number of threads dealing with suggestions for overdrives already, I'll try to be specific about my situation and my preferences.
I have an unmodded Bad Monkey Overdrive that I got very cheap used. I have not been dabbling in pedals for long, and didn't want to invest a whole lot before I had some experience with different effects. I think I have now learned how to work the Monkey as well as I can, and while it is a very decent OD for bass, the nature of the clipping isn't really doing it all for me. I dig the dynamic response and the slightly boosted mids, so I figure a different tubescreamer might be in order.
I have tried several different OD pedals, some that I have liked and some that were not for me. Considering my experience and local availability, I think I have narrowed my choices down to three options, and would like some input on what to look for in those models. The three overdrives are the Ibanez TS9b (bass tubescreamer), Mad Professor Little Green Wonder (factory version of boutique guitar 'screamer) and the EBS Multidrive (not really a 'screamer). All are roughly similarly priced.
All three fit my board with regards to size and power requirements, the TS9b is the only none-true bypass. Proper bypass is a priority, as the Monkey didn't really behave around my booster, but proper doesn't have to mean 'true'. I have tried the TS9b and liked it very much, and was surprised to read some very mixed reviews.
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I have also tried the Multidrive and liked that too, but wasn't exactly blown away. I think my beef with it was that it stayed pretty dark, whereas a real 'screamers mid-hump pushes definition of the notes a bit forward without needing additional volume.
EBS Sweden AB - Professional Bass Equipment
I have yet to try the LGW, but from the description it might suit my needs very well. I am very happy with my Mad Professor compressor, and was slightly disappointed when the Blueberry didn't do anything for me. Their products are very high quality, creatively designed, well thought out and look stunning, IMO, so I'm kinda' hoping this one works well with bass. The fact that it is designed to work well in complex chains leaves me curious, if somewhat skeptic.
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I will be using the pedal for hard rock originals with some prominent bass lines, including pretty fast runs and harmonics, and so my sound needs to be clear and punchy. My primary bass is a G&L L1500, which is fairly mid-heavy already, and I usually cut drastically below 30hz for focus, boost around 125hz for depth and punch, usually cut a little around 500hz and 1khz so as not to be overpowering in those areas, and boost ultra high treble to hell and back. I use this pedal board:
into an Eden WT800a and an Ampeg 810pro. The 'screamer is one of three sounds I use, the others being the ToneHammer on a deep, tube-like setting with some AGS grind, and a clean boost from the EHX LPB1.
I hope I've been clear enough on my needs, so if anyone has any opinions or info on these three pedals, I would love to hear what you have to say. I will soon be dragging my bass and pedals to a shop where I can A/B/C the Monkey with the TS9b and the LGW, but I know from experience that there might be things about the pedals that I won't really be aware of after this test run, so all input is welcome. Thanks guys.
Martin
EDIT: Oops, tiny picture. In essence, the signal path is tuner, compressor, modulation (mostly bypassed), OD, boost, 10 band EQ, preamp/DI.
I might switch OD and boost, depending on the OD's bypass.
I have an unmodded Bad Monkey Overdrive that I got very cheap used. I have not been dabbling in pedals for long, and didn't want to invest a whole lot before I had some experience with different effects. I think I have now learned how to work the Monkey as well as I can, and while it is a very decent OD for bass, the nature of the clipping isn't really doing it all for me. I dig the dynamic response and the slightly boosted mids, so I figure a different tubescreamer might be in order.
I have tried several different OD pedals, some that I have liked and some that were not for me. Considering my experience and local availability, I think I have narrowed my choices down to three options, and would like some input on what to look for in those models. The three overdrives are the Ibanez TS9b (bass tubescreamer), Mad Professor Little Green Wonder (factory version of boutique guitar 'screamer) and the EBS Multidrive (not really a 'screamer). All are roughly similarly priced.
All three fit my board with regards to size and power requirements, the TS9b is the only none-true bypass. Proper bypass is a priority, as the Monkey didn't really behave around my booster, but proper doesn't have to mean 'true'. I have tried the TS9b and liked it very much, and was surprised to read some very mixed reviews.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I have also tried the Multidrive and liked that too, but wasn't exactly blown away. I think my beef with it was that it stayed pretty dark, whereas a real 'screamers mid-hump pushes definition of the notes a bit forward without needing additional volume.
EBS Sweden AB - Professional Bass Equipment
I have yet to try the LGW, but from the description it might suit my needs very well. I am very happy with my Mad Professor compressor, and was slightly disappointed when the Blueberry didn't do anything for me. Their products are very high quality, creatively designed, well thought out and look stunning, IMO, so I'm kinda' hoping this one works well with bass. The fact that it is designed to work well in complex chains leaves me curious, if somewhat skeptic.
Invalid Link Removed
I will be using the pedal for hard rock originals with some prominent bass lines, including pretty fast runs and harmonics, and so my sound needs to be clear and punchy. My primary bass is a G&L L1500, which is fairly mid-heavy already, and I usually cut drastically below 30hz for focus, boost around 125hz for depth and punch, usually cut a little around 500hz and 1khz so as not to be overpowering in those areas, and boost ultra high treble to hell and back. I use this pedal board:
into an Eden WT800a and an Ampeg 810pro. The 'screamer is one of three sounds I use, the others being the ToneHammer on a deep, tube-like setting with some AGS grind, and a clean boost from the EHX LPB1.
I hope I've been clear enough on my needs, so if anyone has any opinions or info on these three pedals, I would love to hear what you have to say. I will soon be dragging my bass and pedals to a shop where I can A/B/C the Monkey with the TS9b and the LGW, but I know from experience that there might be things about the pedals that I won't really be aware of after this test run, so all input is welcome. Thanks guys.
Martin
EDIT: Oops, tiny picture. In essence, the signal path is tuner, compressor, modulation (mostly bypassed), OD, boost, 10 band EQ, preamp/DI.
I might switch OD and boost, depending on the OD's bypass.
).
