Mild overdrive recommendations?

[mjcarp79]

Since this is the first time a question like this has ever been asked on TB........

Anyway, I am looking for something very specific.

1. A mild low gain overdrive. Something that simulates a "pushed" tube amp. The idea is for use as an "always on" type tone enhancer, not deliberate dirt, per se (though it still would likely see occasional use...)

2. Something with a small footprint.

I have a Genzler 4 on the Floor, which I like tone wise. It just has a larger footprint than I like. It also has more options than I really need. What would be ideal for me is something that sounds a lot like the 4OTF in 1st gear, but in smaller pedal format. I not a big distortion user, this isn't really a "need." I am usually totally happy with my clean tone. (Just dreaming a little....)

Just wondered if anyone knows of something like that out there.

Thanks!

 

[Ggaa]

EHX Bass Soul Food.

 

[Jeff Scott]

tc electronic MOJOMOJO.

 

[kalmar]

The MoJoMoJo is very dynamic, you can control it with the Vol-pot or your fingers. The Soul Food just overdrives.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I think that EHX Bass Soul Food is a tweaked Klon as is the MXR "something" Sugar?

The pedal I would like to try is the Benson Germanium Boost thing?...that may or may not be the correct name either. But, I would like to try it for a light always on type of deal.

OR

that Catalinbread SFT V2 with the Stones setting engaged. Probably this one would be the keeper due to having the other heavier setting, too.

 

[GMC]

There are literally So many options these days.
Personally, i would bag a Source Audio Aftershock. it's a brilliant fusion of digital control and Analogue sounding dirt. You name it, it can do it...in a box with 6 presets and 4 knobs. it's digital....not that you would know it when you hear it.

 

[GrowlerBox]

I can hardly believe it, the first post in one of these threads to recommend the Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop …

It does exactly what you specify, and the always-on Modèle B version is in a small enclosure, lacking a footswitch. It's the one I have on my board, and I wouldn't turn it off if I could.

 

[MrClassicMetal]

Since this is the first time a question like this has ever been asked on TB........

Anyway, I am looking for something very specific.

1. A mild low gain overdrive. Something that simulates a "pushed" tube amp. The idea is for use as an "always on" type tone enhancer, not deliberate dirt, per se (though it still would likely see occasional use...)

2. Something with a small footprint.

I have a Genzler 4 on the Floor, which I like tone wise. It just has a larger footprint than I like. It also has more options than I really need. What would be ideal for me is something that sounds a lot like the 4OTF in 1st gear, but in smaller pedal format. I not a big distortion user, this isn't really a "need." I am usually totally happy with my clean tone. (Just dreaming a little....)

Just wondered if anyone knows of something like that out there.

Thanks!

How much are you willing to spend on such a pedal?

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

'The idea is for use as an "always on" type tone enhancer, not deliberate dirt, per se'

*** Vintage Microtubes ***

 

[triviani]

As the usual Aftershock recommendation pop ups I'd add a different opinion. Got one recently and, as is, the pedal sounded terrible to me. You will probably need the time to tweak the infinite number of parameters on it (which I don't have the patience for). It was also very cumbersome to use, I had to try 3 different combinations of cable/devices until I found one that worked, and the app is very confusing. I gave up very quickly on that pedal. YMMV.

Spaceman drives are usually good for what you want to achieve. Vintage Microtubes as well if you don't mind a grain of Darkglass in the mix. There's a lot of love for the DCX Bass around here, and it's the pedal I've been using as a combo with the 4OTF (I'm using the 4th mode with the drive maxed and 50% dry). The dirt mode of the DCX sounds very good in a band mix. Other compact option could be Jam Pedals (LucyDreamer Bass or Bass Rattler)

 

[Zooberwerx]

1. A mild low gain overdrive. Something that simulates a "pushed" tube amp. The idea is for use as an "always on" type tone enhancer, not deliberate dirt, per se (though it still would likely see occasional use...)

2. Something with a small footprint.

I have a Genzler 4 on the Floor, which I like tone wise. It just has a larger footprint than I like. It also has more options than I really need. What would be ideal for me is something that sounds a lot like the 4OTF in 1st gear, but in smaller pedal format. I not a big distortion user, this isn't really a "need." I am usually totally happy with my clean tone. (Just dreaming a little....)

Just wondered if anyone knows of something like that out there.

Thanks!

Fairfields Barbershop....that's the stock-in-trade. It emulates a tube preamp pushing a tube preamp to the rails. A ModeleB would serve the purpose well. Stick a PEQ on the tail-end and you'll be good to go.

Riis

 

[Chris Chong]

Using a small Aguilar Stormking for light overdrive only.

 

[klattman]

I've tried many. Some are not transparent and some are not responsive (gives you dirt even when not digging in)

Fairfield is good for this, so is the CAL Grizzly. The grizzly has tone shaping also.

I'm surprised about the lack of threads on the Grizzly, especially recently. I guess it's been around for a decade or so… anyone else using the grizzly anymore? I'm impressed with it.

 

[BaltBass5]

I've been through a million dirt pedals.
Seriously though...hundreds. The best at doing this are:

1. Greer Amps Lightspeed (100% transparent but can add some grit if you really want to. NO low end loss. I use it as an always on "push")
2. Way Huge Pork Loin (Older Purple)
3. Darkglass Microtubes B3K

You are going to get tons of suggestions for things like the Barbershop and Soulfood as well as the TC Spark, etc... While these may be some people's idea of the tone in their head, I found that they were lacking in one way or another. YMMV.

It's also worth noting that pedals that work great on passive basses most likely aren't going to act the same way with active basses.....AND that your playing style (hard/soft, pick/fingers) is going to also be a factor.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Darkglass Vintage Microtubes

 

[Bassdirty]

'The idea is for use as an "always on" type tone enhancer, not deliberate dirt, per se'

*** Vintage Microtubes ***

THIS ^^^^^^

 

[Nunovsky]

I've tried a lot of pedals and the ones that I think should get what you're aiming are:

1. Aguilar Tone Hammer with ags on at lower settings - this is one of my favourite always on tube driven tones. The Aguilar Storm King is based on the AGS circuit of the Tone Hammer so it may give you that vibe also.
2. Origin Fx DCX Bass overdrive - this pedal on eq mode with a slightly pushed gain gives a great mild overdrive tone. In fact this pedal does a lot of great tones and ha become one of my favourite overdrives for bass.
3. Spaceman Saturn VI - it sounds so good on lower gain settings, so creamy.
4. Way Huge Pork Loin - It sounds really good at lower gain settings and you can blend your clean to to get that nice balance between note articulation and driven tones. I haven't tried the Pork n' Pickle but it should do a similar job.

 

[FugaziBomb]

Where we at with the ODR-1? That thing keeps ending up on my board to do exactly what the OP wants. The Timmy can also fill that role, too. Probably not boutique enough for the TB crowd, but I think they're both killer.

 

[Rocksolid]

Surely the TC Spark Booster (full size version) deserves a mention!

 

[el murdoque]

-Fairfield Barbershop or Modele B.
-Origin Effects Bassrig
-Origin Effects DCX Bass
-Xotic Bass BB Preamp
-BJFe Blueberry
-Audio Kitchen Fake Plastic Trees


....those would be my go-to pedals for that kind of thing.

I've written a few reviews, mostly focused on low gain bass overdrive sounds. You can see them here: The Dirt Jounal – A deep dive into one man's obsession with bass overdrive