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mild saturation pedal recommendations
- Thread starter boilingTheDead
- Start date
TC Spark - 4 knob in FAT mode, then dial in the desired grit.
I am surprised no one has mentioned Dark Glass Vintage Microtubes. I like OD’s that have a Blend so you can control the grit. I like my Fifth Gear but it gets distorty real quickly whereas the Blend on the VMT gives you a lot more control.
This can do that sound really well, but I use my SV-Pre for a tone that’s more overdriven than my slightly warmed up, just a touch of hair tone (which I get from my Broughton FlipTop). But I do love the SV-Pre!
Darkglass Vintage Microtubes.
this is my always on pedal. low gain. warms things up nicely.
this is my always on pedal. low gain. warms things up nicely.
Broughton- Studio Boost Mini
JPTR FX- Jive
Night Owl- Edison Preamp
*Ive never tried the Edison but I have the Parabellum which has the Edison at its core*
JPTR FX- Jive
Night Owl- Edison Preamp
*Ive never tried the Edison but I have the Parabellum which has the Edison at its core*
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Another that is out of print, but is available to buy. A great, purpose built bass pedal.
Free the Tone BASS BLASTER BB-2
SUSHI BOX
I recently got a Sushi Box Space Heater and swapped out for a 12AU7 and I like it much better. Adjusted just short of grit, it gives a nice subtle warmth and fatness.
Is there any difference between the sound of the Space Heater and the Edison? They look like the same thing….
I recently got a Sushi Box Space Heater and swapped out for a 12AU7 and I like it much better. Adjusted just short of grit, it gives a nice subtle warmth and fatness.
Is there any difference between the sound of the Space Heater and the Edison? They look like the same thing….
For a simple pedal that does what the OP is asking for, I’ve been using the Donner Dumbal lately. It’s not really designed as a bass pedal, but it does the job admirably. It sits somewhere between the TC Spark and the TC Mojomojo and has similar controls.
For more extensive control, I use a Genzler 4 on the Floor, which can go from slight thickening to pretty hairy.
As has been mentioned, an Aguilar Tone Hammer pedal can get you there too.
For more extensive control, I use a Genzler 4 on the Floor, which can go from slight thickening to pretty hairy.
As has been mentioned, an Aguilar Tone Hammer pedal can get you there too.
Dark glass x7, frequency selector let you choose how much and where the dirt is present in your tone. Low end compressor has the same option… has eq built in… DI. It’s pretty much always on for me.
You might want to try a good compressor like the cali76 instead. “Subtle” overdrive normally just ends up just sounding like clean bass in a full band mix. With overdrive you have to go pretty far over the top before it’s very noticeable in a band mix.
let's review
PREAMPS & TONE ARCHITECTS
| Pedal | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sushi Box FX Underground Accelerator | Tube-based warmth + footswitchable drive. Full preamp character. |
| Jad Freer Capo | Studio-grade preamp. Rich mids, low-end clarity. Gold standard. |
| Aguilar Tone Hammer (AGS on) | Mid-pushed, touch-responsive drive. Modern grit. |
| SansAmp Para Driver V2 | Parametric mid-sculptor with useful DI grind. |
| Night Owl Edison | 12AU7 tube preamp. Subtle harmonic warmth, expressive. |
| SushiBox Space Heater | More subtle than UA, ideal for sweet glue. |
| Origin Effects DCX Bass | 610-style color with deep control. Big, hi-fi tube sheen. |
| SV-Pre (Broughton) | Ampeg-inspired. Gritty, vintage, deep tone sculpting. |
| Beta-V Pre (SolidGold FX) | Low-mid warmth with gain. Excellent for foundational bass tone. |
| Broughton Flip Top | B15-inspired warmth. Very natural, lush. |
| Niche Humboldt | Studio-ready, cleanish headroom saturation. Quietly elite. |
| Xotic BB Bass Preamp | Clean + dirt blend, wide EQ, musical across styles. |
| Hamstead Subspace | Deep, responsive, studio-style tone control. |
BOOST & TONE SHAPERS
| Pedal | Notes |
|---|---|
| Durham Sex Drive | Clean-ish with rich touch sensitivity and EQ clarity. |
| Xotic EP Booster | Classic sparkle, slight mid push, always-on enhancer. |
| Xotic RC Booster | Transparent EQ with clean gain — perfect into fuzz. |
| Lehle RMI Basswitch Classic Boost | High-headroom clarity boost. Surgical feel. |
| TC Spark | Budget king of dynamic EQ’d clean boost. |
| Spaceman Atlas III | High-end boost with EQ nuance. Classy touch. |
OVERDRIVES (Mid-Gain & Touch-Sensitive)
| Pedal | Notes |
|---|---|
| Southampton Fifth Gear | Touch-reactive OD with subtle warmth. Favorite among players who feel their tone. |
| Bearfoot Blueberry | Dynamic low-gain, mids-forward, transparent bloom. |
| Fairfield Barbershop V2 | Sag + touch-sensitive gain. Amp-like in the best way. |
| SGFX Beta V | Bass-first, low-mid focused, thumpy and warm. |
| SolidGold FX Beta | Thick, chewy low end. Vintage feel. |
| Way Huge Pork Loin | Subtle blend of clean/OD. Underrated for bass. |
| TCE MojoMojo | Budget sleeper. Dark, but useful in parallel. |
| Plumes (EQD) | Tubescreamer revoiced. Best for guitar in parallel lanes. |
| Special Cranker (EQD) | Great guitar drive with useful treble control. Pairs well into fuzz or mod. |
DISTORTION / FULL SATURATION BEASTS
| Pedal | Notes |
|---|---|
| Damnation Audio MBD-1/MBD-2 | Absolute kings of bass-preserving grind. MBD-2 = more versatile. |
| Broughton Scorpion | Blended distortion, more surgical than MBD. |
| Creative Audio Labs Grizzly Bass | Mid-sculpted blend of OD and distortion. |
| JPTR FX Jive | Wild, chaotic saturation with amp-like bloom. |
| SSBS Mini | Legendary gated/controlled chaos in a compact box. |
| Noise Space Audio Piggy | Heavy, weird, fuzzy in a pleasing way. Glues in center bus. |
COMP-LIKE / TUBE-LIKE BLOOMERS
| Pedal | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spaceman Saturn VI | Clean boost with tube character — warmth + glue. |
| EHX Bass Soul Food | Klon-style, touch-reactive and soft clipper. |
| Phat Phuk B (Wren & Cuff) | Germanium/FET magic. Very unique feel. |
| EBS Multicomp (TubeSim) | Thickens without distorting. Ideal as a comp-sat hybrid. |
