I think I need a dirtier drive pedal

[FugaziBomb]

I'm currently using a Hardwire Tube OD pedal as my main OD. While I like it for what it is, it often is not crunchy enough to stand out in a mix with crunchy guitars. I have a parallel wet/dry set up via my amp, so I am open to any guitar or bass OD pedal, no blend necessary. An old Marshall Guv'nor is at the top of my list, but I'm interested to see what TBers are into right now as far as crunchy OD.

 

[mmbongo]

Source Audio Aftershock.

 

[gregmon79]

I'm currently using a Hardwire Tube OD pedal as my main OD. While I like it for what it is, it often is not crunchy enough to stand out in a mix with crunchy guitars. I have a parallel wet/dry set up via my amp, so I am open to any guitar or bass OD pedal, no blend necessary. An old Marshall Guv'nor is at the top of my list, but I'm interested to see what TBers are into right now as far as crunchy OD.

Maybe see how the Hardwire Valve SC2 if you like the CM2 already. I believe it has more gain on tap....maybe?

Other than that, I used to have a CM2 and I think something like an OCD type pedal would be good if you like the CM2 tone. A Fulltone OCD could do the trick for you, maybe a newer v2 so the low end response is better. Or a Big Game Bedlam drive. Then there's the Damnation Audio MBD1, that pedal is just amazing. It sounds great in the mix, awesome low end, great tone controls. I know a lot of guys on there are very fond of the Grizzly OD by Creation Audio LAbs. I've never played it myself.

 

[Callum_Carcass]

I would recommend the Ashdown Lomenzo Hyperdrive. Gives you a lot of gain to play with, distorts and gives you control over the mids and lets you blend the amount of distortion. I've used it for years and it always cuts through the mix.

 

[JimmyM]

I'm a nut about Rats, and I really love the MXR Bass Distortion for crunch since it's a Rat.

 

[FugaziBomb]

I'm a nut about Rats, and I really love the MXR Bass Distortion for crunch since it's a Rat.

The main reason I'm looking is because my RAT is going through some technical woes at the moment. Usually I use the Hardwire when I want to cut through the mix, and the Rat when I need to get really crunchy, but since the Rat is on the fritz, the Hardwire is doing double-duty and its coming up short on doing saturated crunch. I'm thinking in lieu of fixing the Rat, just moving on to something else. I put an LM308N in it, and while it sounded pretty good, I keep wondering what's over the horizon. There are so many purportedly great dirt pedals on the market right now...

 

[bassbrad]

You will get many suggestions, might I offer mine. Plus sometimes that answer is stacking pedals or cross blending different tones.

Fuzzrocious BDPG v2 is my go to super saturated drive with 2 gain stages

BrassMaster is a gated octave fuzz that might get you there

DanElectro Daddy O is based on the Guvnor circuit and much easier to find and cheap, not super fuzzy but it does offer a mid range control

Joyo British Sound is a Marshall based drive pedal with t the shape and mid control to help you cut. Also cheap.

 

[theunknowndude]

My gain order by pedal is pretty much, cog mini 66, if I need more then mbd1, if more then you're doom fuzz. Seems to have settled my acquisitions for some time!

 

[Beheroth]

The main reason I'm looking is because my RAT is going through some technical woes at the moment. Usually I use the Hardwire when I want to cut through the mix, and the Rat when I need to get really crunchy, but since the Rat is on the fritz, the Hardwire is doing double-duty and its coming up short on doing saturated crunch. I'm thinking in lieu of fixing the Rat, just moving on to something else. I put an LM308N in it, and while it sounded pretty good, I keep wondering what's over the horizon. There are so many purportedly great dirt pedals on the market right now...

Excuse me sir, do you have a moment to talk about the Dunwich Volt Thrower ?

 

[jazznrick]

My FAVORITE overdrive ever that isn't the Ezekiel is the Mountainking Behemoth. MAN that thing cut through and was too good.

 

[Matt Dean]

So many great overdrives... golden age of overdrives it is.

 

[jazznrick]

So many great overdrives... golden age of overdrives it is.

If you don't mind, Matt, I'm gonna write this in one of my notebooks. Too cool of a phrase. If it gets published anywhere you'll be credited. If you're cool with that?

 

[Matt Dean]

Cool...

 

[Crazy Otto]

Excuse me sir, do you have a moment to talk about the Dunwich Volt Thrower ?

seriously, if you like rats, this is the one.

 

[Swimming Bird]

Well, if you want a Rat or Guv'nor, this probably isn't helpful, but I've been liking muffs with the tone pretty trebly for crunch. Swollen Pickle does this really well and maintains lows.

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

Dunwich ODB

 

[rjovin]

I just traded my wife my cloven hoof for her bellows. The bellows sounds awesome on bass and the drive knob goes from a little break up to a nice moderate fuzz.

 

[Lammchop93]

DOD boneshaker

 

[FugaziBomb]

Well, if you want a Rat or Guv'nor, this probably isn't helpful, but I've been liking muffs with the tone pretty trebly for crunch. Swollen Pickle does this really well and maintains lows.

A fellow local bassist used to use a swollen pickle. His effect level was never loud enough for me to form an opinion on it, but I've heard nothing but good things on TB and other sources

 

[keatz]

Fuzzrocious rat tail(now known as cat tail)!!! Would not disappoint. With all the clipping and diode settings it is so versatile and definitely has that crunch you need.
I use the rat tail for crunchy od and joyo ultimate drive(extremely bass friendly OCD clone) for smooth OD, and stack them to create a monster(could likely change to A/Om duties next week)