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Moderate OD that doesn't lose low bass?

morgan138

morgan138

Dec 10, 2007
812
694
Boston
#1
I know OD pedal threads are a dime a dozen, but I've got a pretty specific question: I'm looking for an overdrive pedal that'll do "warm and saturated" but without breaking up on low notes or fuzzing out on high ones. And I don't want it to cut too much of the low frequency content. Some extra midrange is totally fine, but I've played with OD pedals that almost sound high-passed if that makes sense (looking at you, Guv'nor/Drivemaster).

Right now I'm in between a Joyo Ultimate Drive (holds onto the low end, but the overdrive/distortion sounds like it's sitting on top of the clean signal) and a Fuzzrocious Demon (good overdrive, but it kills my Rickenbacker's deep bass). I guess I do like that OCD-type of overdrive though...
 
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#4
The Grizzly sounds interesting, but also falls in the heartbreaking category of "expensive and/or hard to find pedals." The Dunwich ODB is at the top of that list, as well.

Fifth gear sounds promising! Is it low bass-friendly?


If it helps to narrow things down, I don't usually like "gritty"-sounding overdrives (i.e. the tubescreamer family pedals I've tried, and also the proverbial "Rat with the gain zeroed" that people sometimes suggest). To my ears the UD and Demon sound more..."gravelly" than gritty, if that makes sense?
 
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#11
morgan138 said:
The Grizzly sounds interesting, but also falls in the heartbreaking category of "expensive and/or hard to find pedals." The Dunwich ODB is at the top of that list, as well.
Click to expand...

Well I kinda see what you're saying. A new Grizzly is $225 and readily available direct or from eBay or Reverb. You won't find them heavily discounted so you won't find them at Prymaxe for half price like some other pedals.
But even at the full $225 price that's much less than a lot of top notch overdrive pedals and about the same as other pedals that have less functionality. Go price a good overdrive from JHS, Empress, Bearfoot, Pike, etc. Heck, even a Barbershop is $175.

Also consider that the Grizzly is four pedals in one (actually more, but we'll concentrate on the dirt aspects only right now). It has separate overdrive and distortion engines, it has a Funkulator built in, and it has a Low Pass filter pedal built in. You'll pay $130 just for a Low Pass filter from Broughton. Plus if you're like me, you'll waste more money on inferior pedals trying to find something that sounds like the Grizzly. However I did enjoy trying out those hundreds of pedals first :)

But I do understand, if you buy a pedal for $225 and it doesn't work out you'll never get your money back. So, at least keep your eye out for a used one down the road so you can replace whatever pedal you end up buying right now.
 
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#14
mmbongo said:
But even at the full $225 price that's much less than a lot of top notch overdrive pedals and about the same as other pedals that have less functionality. Go price a good overdrive from JHS, Empress, Bearfoot, Pike, etc. Heck, even a Barbershop is $175.
Click to expand...
Haha yeah, I hear you. I could see happily paying $225 list if I knew the pedal would be awesome! But I guess I'm instinctively wary about going that high when I'm doing the buy/try/(flip?) thing.

Barbershop looks interesting but I'm also wondering if it'll be too far into "overdriven power amp" territory (i.e. pushed midrange, ragged bass). This'll be running into a D-180 so I can get plenty of tube push (I guess I should have mentioned that this ideal OD will have plenty of boosting headroom)...


Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions everyone! Lots of research for when work gets slow.
 
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#15
jmattis said:
Smallsound/Bigsound Mini.
Click to expand...
I use the Ss/Bs exactly like you describe it. With the bias as 1 or 2 o'clock, and set the gain at about 11. Then, if I play softer it sounds relatively clean but if I attack harder, it starts breaking up to beef up the bass. I love this pedal.

EDIT: I'm using a Tone Hammer pre and when I engage the ags with the gain at lower settings it also does what you look for.
 
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#16
morgan138 said:
I know OD pedal threads are a dime a dozen, but I've got a pretty specific question: I'm looking for an overdrive pedal that'll do "warm and saturated" but without breaking up on low notes or fuzzing out on high ones. And I don't want it to cut too much of the low frequency content. Some extra midrange is totally fine, but I've played with OD pedals that almost sound high-passed if that makes sense (looking at you, Guv'nor/Drivemaster).

Right now I'm in between a Joyo Ultimate Drive (holds onto the low end, but the overdrive/distortion sounds like it's sitting on top of the clean signal) and a Fuzzrocious Demon (good overdrive, but it kills my Rickenbacker's deep bass). I guess I do like that OCD-type of overdrive though...
Click to expand...

Southampton Fifth Gear is brilliant, as long as you aren't wanting much gain. No low end loss, and it makes your mids as rich as a dessert at a Michelin Star restaurant.

That said, I think the ss/bs Mini might be the choice for you. So much range, so many fantastic sounds.

Barbershop isn't a bad choice either.
 
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#18
The fifth gear does rule. Great low end. Really tightens it up and keeps your high end nice n shiny. Major mojo.

I use the pork loin. Mines modded but the new newer ones are supposedly supposed to have the mod done to them as it was so good that they decided to make it a normal thing on them. That pedal completely killed my OD GAS in one swoop. Low end is awesome on it.
 
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#20
mmbongo said:
Also consider that the Grizzly is four pedals in one (actually more, but we'll concentrate on the dirt aspects only right now). It has separate overdrive and distortion engines, it has a Funkulator built in, and it has a Low Pass filter pedal built in. You'll pay $130 just for a Low Pass filter from Broughton.
Click to expand...

Great, now you've talked me into getting a Grizzly also!
 
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