Looking for my first OD pedal

[Maynjo]

There are a million bass overdrive pedals out there, but from what I’ve seen, for a nice tubey overdrive, the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes does a really good job, and it can do a subtle overdrive. My other pick would be a Way Huge Pork and Pickle.

 

[coronado3]

Sansamp vtdi or regular vt?

 

[NativeBobcat]

I’ve bought and built a lot of dirt for bass. But my first dirt was an EHX Soul Food. And honestly I don’t think it’s good standalone dirt pedal. I use mine as a dirty treble boost into other dirt pedals and for that - it rocks! But by itself... nah.

I would recommend something more versatile like an Aftershock or Pork&Pickle.

 

[obimark]

After reading countless threads, I've come to some conclusions about the sound I'm after. Please keep in mind that I'm still a bass effects rookie.

1. Must be able to do subtle OD well. I don't need a very heavy OD, just something with a little grit. I play a bass with flats, so anything that can help add some upper frequencies would be cool.

2. Must sound natural (or as natural as an OD pedal can I guess). For reference, I've owned a Boss ODB-3. It sounded very digital and not at all what I'm looking for.

My price range is $150 US, and I am open to used pedals. I'm probably going to have to order online, so please keep that in mind. The two pedals I'm considering are the Source Audio Aftershock and the Electro Harmonix Bass Soul Food. Darkglass sound kind of cool, but I've never really heard them used outside of a metal/hard rock type setting.

Appreciate the help!

Edit: Forgot to add the Mad Professor Blueberry OD to the list.

My advice- work on dialing in what you want with your rig- I wasted almost a thousand dollars trying all the recommended OD pedals on here, only to be disappointed in ALL of them. They just made my bass disappear in the mix playing live.

 

[Zirilan]

$0,02: Give the MXR bass overdrive m89 a try. It's a small grey pedal with four knobs: clean, tone, volume and drive.

The volume allows you to match the output volume of the pedal with your amp, so you don't get those annoying jumps in volume difference once you step on the pedal. With the clean knob all the way up and tone and drive knobs all the way down, the pedal will just simply send your clean tone through your amp. Tweaking the clean and drive knobs allow you to to find the amount of grit you're after. I find it the most versatile and natural sounding overdrive pedal for the price range you mention. It doesn't color your tone, it just wraps a nice layer of drive around your clean signal.

 

[RissKippery]

My go-to recommendation is the Raygun FX Soda Bass Drive. It was my first OD and has stayed in my board since getting it. Give it a look.

 

[And I]

Mad Prof Blueberry doesn't do subtle / lo-gain. Check out the SolidgoldFX Beta.

 

[kleinenenten]

Tube sounding OD:
Fifth Gear
Grizzly
Barbershop
Blueberry
FEA Transboost

Solid State sounding OD:
Big Game Solace State
Tronogaphic Rusty Box
JohnK GK Rails

I'd recommend the Transboost if you can find it used (might be a bit over $150 though). Otherwise, the Barbershop would be my pick. Both are quite versatile (subtle to full on OD), clean (relatively flat frequency response), touch sensitive, and have a knob dedicated to how tight or loose the OD sound will be. They also add some harmonics that would bring out some ~3kHz sparkle to your pbass. Fifth Gear is also a good choice but doesn't offer the tightness/looseness aspect.

While I heavily agree with the Rails and Transboost Pedals, good luck finding them, especially in that range! I have two Rails and a Transboost, and they’re not going anywhere...

That being said, if you can find one of either of those pedals (or have one made! - I believe schematics are on both threads as they were developed via TB threads), they are simply some of the best ODs out there. Ditto for the Gamma Bass OD, but again, mine’s not going anywhere...

 

[nilorius]

This is a question where you should answer yourself. Choices are so much and different and opinions, too.

 

[jthisdell]

Another vote for the DG Vintage Microtubes, easy to get a mild warm sound out of it, I use it as an always on, I have a Fifth Gear for more dirt and especially more gain, I also just got a tube Valve Caster. To be clear, I am not a fuzz OD guy but I seem to now own three OD pedals!

 

[ruju]

Earthquake Westwood pedal is the one you are looking for

That or TC spark booster...full size pedal,not mini..

 

[Ric5]

After reading countless threads, I've come to some conclusions about the sound I'm after. Please keep in mind that I'm still a bass effects rookie.

1. Must be able to do subtle OD well. I don't need a very heavy OD, just something with a little grit. I play a bass with flats, so anything that can help add some upper frequencies would be cool.

2. Must sound natural (or as natural as an OD pedal can I guess). For reference, I've owned a Boss ODB-3. It sounded very digital and not at all what I'm looking for.

My price range is $150 US, and I am open to used pedals. I'm probably going to have to order online, so please keep that in mind. The two pedals I'm considering are the Source Audio Aftershock and the Electro Harmonix Bass Soul Food. Darkglass sound kind of cool, but I've never really heard them used outside of a metal/hard rock type setting.

Appreciate the help!

Edit: Forgot to add the Mad Professor Blueberry OD to the list.

Link Removed

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

here's what I use

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/effects.htm

 

[Ric5]

 

[vvvmmm]

There's a ton, as said. But since no one gave the cheaper ones mention, I, as I do, will

Joyo Ultimate Drive
EHX Hot Tubes
Blackstar Blue OD

I use all 3 on various boards.

 

[estimated_eyes]

Not sure if it’s been stated yet, but...

Pork Loin

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

 

[wncBass]

I've tried many and still like the bearfoot blueberry the best. Very natural sounding od.