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Mild overdrive with active high output basses : which pedal?

I

Inconnu

Nov 1, 2005
2,407
1,148
Montreal, Canada
#1
Hi!

I’m looking for a pedal capable of light overdrive, more specifically the kind that is touch sensitive and can be set to break up when you dig in.
No low cut (obviously) and a relatively neutral sound (not a big mid bump like the Bass Soul Food, for example). I’m looking for something that has a sweet driven tone without getting farty down to the low B.

All that, with high output basses. I mainly use a G&L L-2500 and an Ibanez Soundgear SR606E.

Oh! And easy to find (and return if ever…).

I’ve spotted the following (so far):

Earthquaker Devices Blumes (wonder if it’s capable of light drive?)

Earthquaker Devices Westwood (but will it cut lows)

Walrus Audio Ages (still wonder about the low end retained)

Joyo Tidal Wave (knockoff of a SansAmp but darker sounding, but I’m concerned about the quality and durability)

Any input on those? Other ideas? Under $250
 
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#4
+1 on the Underground Accelerator, as well as the Elementary. However, before even going there….take a look at the DCX Bass from Origin, literally checks all the things you mention… which is what I too was looking for, and the reason I’ve kept mine.
 
#5
On a Budget:
Wampler Belle, if you want a cheap and tiny pedal that does a mild drive and has heaps of bass (trust me, you will actually dial some out).

With patience and deeper pockets:
RMI Lehle Sonic Spark. It is meant to give bass a mild drive. It does exactly that, in a magical way. Looks, feels and sounds expensive.

BJFe Blueberry. This pedals does to the mids what should be done to the mids, yet it is the only pedal I ever encountered that does it. It's hard to describe. Instead of getting overpowered and pushy, which is usually perceived as a bass and treble drop and sounds a bit nasal, the mids get excited.
 
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#6
Inconnu said:
Hi!

I’m looking for a pedal capable of light overdrive, more specifically the kind that is touch sensitive and can be set to break up when you dig in. All that, with high output basses. Oh! And easy to find (and return if ever…). Under $250
Click to expand...

You don't ask for much, do you? :laugh:

One Control BJFe Blackberry Bass Overdrive. Done.

Someone (not me, not selling mine) has a 1st gen model on Reverb right now for $154 plus $20 shipping.

9ca72c_e0ed195d062743269cdf2eac8f8dd70b_mv2.jpg
 
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#8
Broughton Audio Scorpion

Handles hot signals. Has a ton of low end on tap. Can be used as a clean preamp, set to edge of breakup, or for more overdriven tones. I typically do not like overdrives, but I love the Scorpion.

I have several high output basses and have had no issues (G&L L2500, L5000, and Kiloton). Scorpion is not an easy return, but it is easy to resell if you do not like it (buy used and you breakeven, buy new and you might lose a little, but not much).
 
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#10
el murdoque said:
Wampler Belle, if you want a cheap and tiny pedal that does a mild drive and has heaps of bass (trust me, you will actually dial some out).
Click to expand...
The Wampler is an update of the Nobels ODR-1; an earlier update was the Visual Sound Open Road.

I had & loved the Open Road...enough so that I built and customized a pair of ODR-1 clones, and those clones have been my go-to overdrives for 7 years and counting.

Wampler Belle would be a smaller/easier way to get there.
 
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#11
I haven't used any of the pedals you listed, so I'll have to put out my own suggestion instead based on the sound you're describing... Broughton Scorpion. No returns, but Broughton pedals hold their value for resale really well.

My next suggestion is a Damnation Audio MBD2. Yes it's more of a distortion than a light overdrive, but it's touch sensitive, flexible, sounds great, and definitely does not cut low end.
 
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#17
The Creation Audio Grizzly is popular if you like your OD a bit more transparent, or not changing the sound of your setup too much. The gain range is really wide, and you can easily dial in just the right amount.

Two others is see posted here are the One Control Blackbery and Spaceman Saturn VI. I tried both, but they compress too much even at low gain for my tastes, and to me the Saturn wasn't as transparent to my ears as advertised and actually neutered my sound a bit. But the Blackeberry is great for recording and home practice in my opinion, as it overdrives the entire signal in a unique and satisfying way.

So if for live use: Grizzly. For home and recording: Blackberry.
 
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#19
Those MDF pickups can overdrive plenty of pedals and preamps, but you can always turn the volume down to like 70%. I run a Keeley Bassist at the front of my chain to control any gain issues, and recently bought a Broughton Azure Drive (also a blueberry type). Smooth with a light touch, gritty when I dig in. Blumes is affordable and good, and source audio aftershock is very customizable if you don't mind computer interfaces. I also have a Klon type on my board for kicked up solo sound, but it does cut lows. I disagree with the hivemind about drives that cut lows, because most of the time I'm trying to tame lows anyway.
 

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