Mildest Distortion Pedal

[crapusername]

4 knob tc spark. 3 modes, decent eq and nice gain sweep.
silly cheap pedal but one of those pedals everyone should have tried

 

[Tassieviking]

I have not had the pleasure of trying any of Sushi Box FX pedals yet, but I have 2 I am building at the moment.
I am sure he has something that will be suitable for the job and it will be all tube driven at HV.
Have a look at his stuff, he is a fellow TB'er as well. (Keep it in the family).
Sushi Box FX – High quality tube pedals built with unbridled sass.
Conspiracy to Commit Electronics
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-sushi-box-fx-secret-society.1484792/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/conspiracy-to-commit-electronics-megathread.1640493/
Sushi Box FX

 

[amper]

What I am using for "hint of impending saturation" tones:

tc electronic Spark booster
tc electronic MojoMojo overdrive
Boss BB-1X Bass Driver
One Control BJFe Blackberry Bass Overdrive

What's on my shopping list:
Tech21NYC SansAmp Bass Driver DI v2

 

[Pilgrim]

Don't get me wrong, I love distorto bass but that's not what I'm looking for. I want just a hint of distortion like when you're just approaching the zone on an SVT or something, except I have an Ampeg RB 12. Will be playing 5-string and 4-string fretless. Recommendations?

It has been said, but a mild distortion is simply an Overdrive pedal. I went from SuperFuzz to Distortion to OD, where I stayed.

 

[G.Bisson]

View attachment 5425025

Any opinions on this one? Looks intriguing.

Crayon us a good pick for mild OD. Hot Wax is an even better choice. Hot Wax is Crayon and Hot Tubes combined with added clean blend and two band EQ. I prefer to use the Hot Tubes side for light drive and Crayon side for medium grit.

 

[Sternodox]

Crayon us a good pick for mild OD. Hot Wax is an even better choice. Hot Wax is Crayon and Hot Tubes combined with added clean blend and two band EQ. I prefer to use the Hot Tubes side for light drive and Crayon side for medium grit.

Thanks. I have 5 other E-H boxes and have no complaints with any of them. Go with what ya know.

 

[arepa_funk]

Big fan of the Xotic BB as well. I read that Invalid Link Removed is actually based on it, though I don't know how that applies to the Bass BB.

Preamps/overdrives are also great for these kinds of tones, some of the ones I enjoyed:
Sushi Box Slampegg
Sushi Box Underground/Particle Accelerator (thio it's better for clean imo)
Analog Alien Bass Station
Broughton SV-PRE
Broughton Fliptop
Mozztronics DI-2 (pre/DI)
Way Huge Pork Loin
SSBS Mini
Wren & Cuff Phat Phuk B

 

[ebo]

I have a 4 knob TC spark. I like it, it does what you’re looking for and more, but it’s not getting used. Been thinking about listing it in classifieds…

 

[Haricary]

@ sternodox ... I love the new (ish) MBD. it can get pretty effing heavy though. Also, has great low end to dial in, and a Boost that really works well. My Rusty Box loves it as well... But if you dial it down, it can go to barely-break-up. maybe lol!

 

[jbybj]

I feel a little silly at this point, with what seems like 38 or 39 excellent suggestions, but I’ll add the Recovery effects Revere to the list. It’s a recent release from them, and it’s wonderful.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I feel a little silly at this point, with what seems like 38 or 39 excellent suggestions, but I’ll add the Recovery effects Revere to the list. It’s a recent release from them, and it’s wonderful.

Seriously; the Trickfish OD is a crazy good consideration, especially as an entry level choice.

 

[jbybj]

Seriously; the Trickfish OD is a crazy good consideration, especially as an entry level choice.

I have no doubt about your recommendation, it’s just that I’m confident that any of the recommendations would make the OP very happy.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I have no doubt about your recommendation, it’s just that I’m confident that any of the recommendations would make the OP very happy.

True. Distortion remains the most subjective effect. No doubt.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I perceived some low end loss and didn't like where the EQ points were with the Spark. If I'm the only one maybe I didn't give it a fair shot though.

You’re not the only one. I aggressively dislike the Spark. Beyond your complaints, I find the drive character to be mushy and lacking in attack, which is a deal breaker for me.

 

[superblues]

Big fan of the Xotic BB as well. I read that Invalid Link Removed is actually based on it, though I don't know how that applies to the Bass BB.

IIRC, the only difference between the BB and Bass BB is that the treble frequency is centered one octave higher on the BB. I could certainly be misremembering this thoughh.

 

[OnlyFlats]

You’re not the only one. I aggressively dislike the Spark. Beyond your complaints, I find the drive character to be mushy and lacking in attack, which is a deal breaker for me.

I found the same with my TC electronic mojo mojo. Mushy and sluggish. Fine for slow to medium finger style playing but not suitable for higher tempos or pick playing. I found the eq points on the mojo fine and still keep it around.

 

[Sternodox]

I ordered the Crayon. Thanks for everyone's help. I'll post my thoughts here after a trial run.

 

[lomo]

Any distortion pedal that has a good gain control and / or blend should dialed in as mild as desired.

 

[Sternodox]

I ended up getting the Crayon. It's just great. The bass and treble frequency knobs are brilliant. Many more tonal variations than I thought possible. The OD goes from the ultra-mild that I was searching for to "pencils through the cones" distortion. Combined with a compressor, one can dial in some beautiful sounds. And some pretty ugly ones.

 

[Sternodox]

Here's how I incorporated it.