Low(er) gain, dynamic response OD pedal

[srcTW]

The Grizzly Bass does precisely what you are after.

Creation Audio Labs

 

[mmbongo]

If you've used the Mojomojo, how would you compare its low-gain OD to the Spark? I have a Mojomojo on the way which I'm hoping to use for subtle overdrive. Wondering if the Spark would be better or different enough to also get one.

Definitely different. The MojoMojo is never transparent and you know when it's on, even at bare minimum. The Spark can do a lot more because of the voicing switch but overall the Spark is thicker and fuller while the Mojo is higher gain. You can dial in the Spark to only overdrive when you dig in or you can dial it in for full on OD. Crank the bass and cut the treble and you're in Blueberry territory. The MojoMojo is an awesome pedal for $50 though, I keep mine on my secondary board.

 

[Bubby Brown]

I think an objective shoot out between a vintage micro tubes, grizzly bass and a sonic spark would be interesting. Anyone with experience between the three?

 

[Hobobob]

Alright, I have 4 pedals on the way...

Lehle Sonic Spark
TC Electronic Spark Boost
Bearfoot BBBOD
Fairfield Barbershop

Of these 4, I expect to keep one and return the rest...

The only other one I'd like to try is the Catalinbread WIIO, but I'm not chompin' at the bit for another Catalinbread...

Thanks for your input fellas!

I'll post updates with my impressions once I get to checking them out.

Oh man, clips please!

 

[Hobobob]

I just got the TC Spark. It has less gain on tap than I originally expected, but I've found that diming the gain and both eq controls on the mid-boost setting gives a very satisfying old-school tubey breakup. On the clean setting with eq knobs at noon, even with the gain all the way up it never actually overdrives - but it gets warmer and purrs a bit.

Maybe I need to raise my pickups up a little closer to the strings.

 

[Wasnex]

Take a listen



This pedal is more transparent and exhibits less compression than my other ODs. By transparent, I mean every instrument I play through it retains a unique sonic signature. In contrast, some ODs sound great, but make every axe sound essentially identical.

 

[TripleDouble]

+1 on the Spark Boost. Picked one up used for $75, I think on mmbongo's advice. It just sounds right and blends in and connects with both the bass and amp. Nifty for guitars too.

 

[Matt Dean]

The Wampler Euphoria is an amazing transparent OD. I've owned the barbershop, 3BOD, SFT, Bass BB, and VMT, among others and the Wampler trumps them all in touch sensitivity, tone and versatility.

 

[DavC]

tried/replaced ... just lately ;

B7K
Maxon Bass OD
Barbershop
BETA
Spark full size

currently fiddling with;

Wampler Low Blow ... has 3 band EQ , blend , different OD's , lots of useful adjustments ... bought used

 

[BaileyMan]

Oh man, clips please!

I ought to be able to get some audio clips for sure, doing a proper demo with video of the settings, etc probably won't happen. I don't have the right gear or tons of time. I'll see what I can do with garage band and my cell phone though...

 

[Hobobob]

I ought to be able to get some audio clips for sure, doing a proper demo with video of the settings, etc probably won't happen. I don't have the right gear or tons of time. I'll see what I can do with garage band and my cell phone though...

Awesome thanks!

 

[Turn Em Loose]

I'm going to chime in and suggest the Broughton Audio Azure Drive. I really like its mild OD tone. IMO it lets the tone of a particular bass come through and is not "effect-y" at all.

 

[Hobobob]

I'm going to chime in and suggest the Broughton Audio Azure Drive. I really like its mild OD tone. IMO it lets the tone of a particular bass come through and is not "effect-y" at all.

I keep trying to find this pedal, and I can't find anything online about it. Got a link?

 

[Feral Feline]

@Hobobob You won't find the pedal online in the normal sense, but here's the link you need: Azure Skies. Azure Skies is the TBer behind the pedal, you'll have to search TB for info about it and/or PM him to order or get more info. Azure has also got a wicked Tube DI based on the Ampeg B-15 plus some cool utility pedals such as a HPF/LPF. Thus far, all reports on him and his stuff have been stellar.

 

[Hobobob]

@Hobobob You won't find the pedal online in the normal sense, but here's the link you need: Azure Skies. Azure Skies is the TBer behind the pedal, you'll have to search TB for info about it and/or PM him to order or get more info. Azure has also got a wicked Tube DI based on the Ampeg B-15 plus some cool utility pedals such as a HPF/LPF. Thus far, all reports on him and his stuff have been stellar.

Thanks! It's good to see another TB'er making awesome gear for the rest of us forum nerds!

 

[BaileyMan]

Here's 16 minutes worth of demos with the Catalinbread SFT, Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop, and TC Electronic Spark Booster...I'm no pro when it comes to gear demos, but y'all asked for it...so it is...

Fender P-Bass with Custom Shop '62 pickup and DR flatwound strings, recorded straight into GarageBand. No effects or eq applied.

Here's what I have so far. I haven't received all the pedals yet. This certainly not the full range of what these pedals can do, but these are settings that I would use (or start from as I dial in the sound I want). Remember, I'm looking for a tubey kind of edge when attacking the strings harder, while keeping a clean sound when attcacking the strings more gently. When I dig in harder in these clips, I'm playing harder than I typically would, but it accents what the pedals can do. In all of the clips (except the clean) the pedals are on all the time. You can really hear the touch sensitivity of these pedals.

Clean - no effects - For Reference


Catalinbread SFT 1, 18v, vol on bass @ 100%



Catalinbread SFT 2, 18volt, vol on bass @ ~80%



Catalinbread SFT 2, 9volt, vol on bass @ ~80%



Catalinbread SFT 2, 18volt, vol on bass @ 100%



Catalinbread SFT 2, 9volt, vol on bass @ 100%



Fairfield Barbershop 1



Fairfield Barbershop 2



Fairfield Barbershop 3



Fairfield Barbershop 4


TC Electronic Spark Booster 1



TC Electronic Spark Booster 2

 

[cnltb]

I use and REALLY like the Barbershop.
There is an OD from Lehle(rmi) on the way too.
I think I'll get that even unseen once it's out.

 

[NortyFiner]

Just to throw an oddball in the mix: Danelectro Cool Cat Transparent OD. I used to have one and it worked great as a mild, clean OD on the cheap.

 

[BaileyMan]

So far, I'm liking the Barbershop a lot. Better low end than the SFT, nice overdriven tone, enough gain control for my liking. I might need to tweak my amp EQ settings a bit, but I think I'll be able to get the warm, full, overdriven tone I'm looking for, while also being to cut through the mix with the mids and highs.

Someone gave me the brilliant idea of lowering the volume on my bass in order to get more control over the gain on the SFT. I had some success with that, and could probably dial things in where I'd be happy, but I wish it didn't have the little bit of low end loss that it does. It could be easily made up for if there was a blend knob, or if I had some kind of blend pedal like the Boss LS-2, or even a separate EQ pedal, but that's more effort than is needed when other pedals exist. Don't get me wrong it's a great pedal, just not exactly what I'm looking for.

Likely you will be seeing my Catalinbread SFT up for sale soon...

Didn't like the TC Electronic Spark Booster. I liked how responsive it was, but the overdriven tone was not for me. I'll be returning it...

 

[dannybuoy]

If you like the SFT but want more low end and cleaner tones at low gain... I replaced mine with a Bearfoot Blueberry! The newer version of the SFT also has a bit more bass, treble and headroom.