Looking for Bass Overdrive pedal

[Squawk]

In looking for a bass overdrive pedal. Something that dirties up the sound but still has fat low end. Nothing to distorted. Mainly use it for like a dirty blues sound. Nothing to heavy.

Preferably something that can run between 12v-18v.

 

[DougParkinson]

Check out the Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive. Its mainly a guitar OD, but it has a blend knob on it that allows you to blend in your clean signal, Ends up getting a Really Great Gritty SVT type sound, but with that solid bottom end. And since its pre amp, if you di the signal coming out of your head (pre or post EQ doesn't matter) you will still get the OD going through the PA. Not a ton of Grit at your disposal but for what you are detailing sounds like it might be the perfect fit.

 

[silky smoove]

Based on your description I'd consider the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes, or Fairfield Barbershop. Those are my favorite for the "sounding like an amp pushed into clipping rather than full blown distortion" type sound.

 

[mzclark06]

I personally love the Way Huge Green Rhino. It has great low end with a few additional knobs that allow you to control the low end and mid content of your signal. Other than that, I'd take a look at the Fulltone OCD.

 

[mmbongo]

Catalinbread SFT is a nice pedal that excels when run with 18 volts.

 

[dannybuoy]

Solidgold FX Beta is perfect for this application. Unlike the others mentioned it actually boosts your low end. In a blues situation I would be using that or a first-gen Catalinbread SFT. Both take 9v - 18v too.

 

[AlexBassMP]

I like the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes (if you want a pedal) or the Darkglass Vintage Deluxe (is the same pedal but with an added 3 eq band and a XLR output)

 

[garmenteros]

I'd recommend the ebs billy sheehan overdrive. Lets you dial in how much of a distorted signal and a clean signal you get and can be quite verrsatile. I had a green rhino and it does the job done for what you're looking for.

 

[adivin]

I have a Wampler Euphoria in the classifieds now. It would be great for what you want.

 

[blindrabbit]

Mainly use it for like a dirty blues sound

For my "dirty blues" sound, I've successfully used (or still use) - Fairfield Barbershop, Wren and Cuff Phat Phuk B, ss/bs TAFM run at low gain, and Aguilar Tone Hammer. I've also used a Fulltone OCD and while I loved the tone, it did have some low end loss.

I would say that the Barbershop is probably your best choice. That pedal is just magic, you can't go wrong with buying or using one. Easy to flip too if you didn't want to keep it.

One last note about the Tone Hammer - I liked the sound of it so much I actually sold the pedal and bought a Tone Hammer amp, so now I have that dirty blues sound going on all the time!

 

[Squawk]

For my "dirty blues" sound, I've successfully used (or still use) - Fairfield Barbershop, Wren and Cuff Phat Phuk B, ss/bs TAFM run at low gain, and Aguilar Tone Hammer. I've also used a Fulltone OCD and while I loved the tone, it did have some low end loss.

I would say that the Barbershop is probably your best choice. That pedal is just magic, you can't go wrong with buying or using one. Easy to flip too if you didn't want to keep it.

One last note about the Tone Hammer - I liked the sound of it so much I actually sold the pedal and bought a Tone Hammer amp, so now I have that dirty blues sound going on all the time!

Went to GC and like the OCD and Tone Hammer so much, I bought them both.
I see a Markbass Combo in my near future as well.

 

[noahw1]

I'm a big fan of the Way Huge Pork Loin for what you say you need. Keeps all the low end and it seems to that it even adds some.

 

[Machine0808]

Try the billy sheehan drive. You can tweak it to get any type of distortion and it can be used as a compressor. 2 in 1 really. Personally I dislike the compression you lose that thick richness of the bass, but if you just use the drive you can keep it.

 

[zwkoch]

Catalinbread SFT is a nice pedal that excels when run with 18 volts.

SFT all the way.

 

[McFarlin]

The Sparkle Drive is great, and subtle, but it weakens the low end a bit. Just a bit. Not enough for me to toss it aside. Still my main grit pedal.

The Mad Professor Blueberry is pretty tube sounding to me, but probably too aggressive. The gain can dial low enough to function almost as a clean boost, and it is very touch sensitive (cleaner with a lighter touch, gritty when you dig in). Very low-end heavy, but to keep it subtle your drive knob is rolled waaay back. A ton of volume on tap if needed.

Barber Gain Changer does dirty great like the Sparkle Drive, good low-end (but with the tone rolled back enough to make it not as bright as the SD). Very warm sounding pedal. The only one I would call "pretty". Flip the top right switch and it gets aggressive as all get-out.

 

[Mrzonehead]

TH500. All the grind you need plus fat low end!!!
Both clean and dirty, great DI, amazingly useful and musical EQ,

and a great recording tool as well. I've used it on everything from a bass(obviously), guitar, keyboards...can't really go wrong.

Pretty much all you need!!!

 

[crapusername]

Ehx glove. £50. Great drive sounds, and no low end loss

 

[Squawk]

Well I bought the OCD and the love affair is over. It just doesn't have much low end. It is a v1.7 which is basically v1.4 from what I've read. I'm back on the market. Looking at Aguilar Agro but I have the Tone Hammer and since the AGS circuit is based on the Agro, might be a waste of money.

Have my eye on Bass Fat Drive by Pigtronix. Also Way Huge Pork Loin. I just got the MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe but didn't have time to mess with it before work.

I'm playing through a Markbass CMD JB Players School 200w 1x15.

More input please.

 

[mmbongo]

Well I bought the OCD and the love affair is over. It just doesn't have much low end. It is a v1.7 which is basically v1.4 from what I've read. I'm back on the market. Looking at Aguilar Agro but I have the Tone Hammer and since the AGS circuit is based on the Agro, might be a waste of money.

Have my eye on Bass Fat Drive by Pigtronix. Also Way Huge Pork Loin. I just got the MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe but didn't have time to mess with it before work.

I'm playing through a Markbass CMD JB Players School 200w 1x15.

More input please.

OCD was one of the most disappointing pedals I've ever owned. Usually if I don't like a pedal I can at least understand why some folks might. Not the OCD. I've had the Agro on my board for a while now. It also drops some low end unless you dial the saturation past 11 o'clock or so. It's a great pedal overall though for a little more aggressive sounds. It will not run with more than 9v though. The Pork Loin will deliver what you want, but I don't think it works with 12v either.

I'm sticking with recommending the Catalinbread SFT for you! If you want a 9v pedal get the Darkglass VMT.

 

[adivin]

Still have the Wampler Euphoria available in classified. John K's top five bass OD's for what that's worth.