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OD/Sparkle Recommendations

Systolic

Systolic

Nov 29, 2009
2,159
1,078
Madison,Wisconsin
#1
Currently running a SoldgoldFX BETA as my main OD/Sparkle box, but, in general, it adds a bit too much bass and rolls off a bit too much treble for my liking. I end up getting pretty lost in a busy mix.

Really just wanting a little something that adds a little bit of grit/sparkle to my tone while maintaining my general EQ signature and clarity.

What should I be looking at?

Current Rig:
MTD Kingston Z6
Lakland 55-01

Tech21 RPM preamp into a Crown XLS2002 power amp.

2 x Fender 115 Rumble cabs.
 
#2
Systolic said:
Currently running a SoldgoldFX BETA as my main OD/Sparkle box, but, in general, it adds a bit too much bass and rolls off a bit too much treble for my liking. I end up getting pretty lost in a busy mix.

Really just wanting a little something that adds a little bit of grit/sparkle to my tone while maintaining my general EQ signature and clarity.

What should I be looking at?

Current Rig:
MTD Kingston Z6
Lakland 55-01

Tech21 RPM preamp into a Crown XLS2002 power amp.

2 x Fender 115 Rumble cabs.
Click to expand...

A B3K, blended pretty dry would add sparkle/grit and not adversely affect your inherent tone. :)
 
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#4
I've always thought of my Way Huge Pork Loin almost exactly as you are describing. Just by looking at the pedal you can tell how it sounds. However, if you have considered an EHX Bass Soul Food, you could spend a bit more for the Wampler Tumnus. The character of the overdrive in the Tumnus is really interesting and it is what I'm using for my always on OD. It retains the low end, I wouldn't say it brings them up at all, and brings the mids up just a bit and the highs are nice and clear.
 
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#10
Deadsound said:
the Ictineo is totally clean; check out the Fifth Gear for light OD, also by Southampton

Phat Phuk B is another good one.
Click to expand...
Systolic said:
Currently running a SoldgoldFX BETA as my main OD/Sparkle box, but, in general, it adds a bit too much bass and rolls off a bit too much treble for my liking. I end up getting pretty lost in a busy mix.

Really just wanting a little something that adds a little bit of grit/sparkle to my tone while maintaining my general EQ signature and clarity.

What should I be looking at?

Current Rig:
MTD Kingston Z6
Lakland 55-01

Tech21 RPM preamp into a Crown XLS2002 power amp.

2 x Fender 115 Rumble cabs.
Click to expand...
Am in a similar situation and so far have a Barbershop and was looking for that upper register and tried it with a Basswitch Sonic Spark which is an option. The Basswitch Sonic Spark will give some mild overdrive and no tone loss even when used with the Barbershop. Currently experimenting with an Alpha Omega and Supa Phat Phunk. The Supa is Phat and have to play with the Phatness and Bias knobs to get your sweet spot it's a great pedal and I am working to get a mild overdrive that is full and so far so good. Next is Alpha Omega which is very verasatile and liking it as well. It covers a good range of overdrive light or heavy. Waiting on an Azure Drive any day. Fifth Gear might be to your liking as well.
 
#12
Dunwich ODB. I find it on the darker/warmer side of transparent, but not to the degree of the SGFX Beta. If you aren't looking for super transparent, then this could be an option. Three band EQ is nice, and it's tighter than my Beta experience. The enclosure is big for some, though a small enclosure run is on the horizon.

Pork Loin is also in similar territory, but I found it to be a little on the dark/warm side. Again, this might not be a big enough departure from the Beta, or it could be just enough of a change.

Hudson Broadcast? Never played one, but they sound good in demos. Seem hard to find. Reminds me of the Phat Phuk, but with a bit more range.

A B3K could work, particularly at low gain with a clean blend. I'm not a huge fan of the voicing, but it serves a purpose and is wildly popular. The B7 gets you more EQ control, but for more dollars. Edit - saw your post saying this isn't what you wanted after I typed this.

I've been curious about the COG 66 Mini. Pass filtered clean blend. Super small footprint.

There are several other nice options out there.
 
Last edited:
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#16
For a super versatile budget pedal I can't recommend the VHT V Drive enough, pretty much every dirt thread I see I feel compelled to mention it in as I almost never see it get any love and for the price I think it's easily one of the best dirt pedals around, as well as a great boost and even a decent EQ with all its controls. 50$ used 100$ or so new.

Another good option is the Voodoolabs Sparkledrive, cost a bit more and is simpler control wise but has a blend and the Mod versions have 4 clipping modes.

Here is the original sparkledrive on bass:

 
#17
Systolic said:
Currently running a SoldgoldFX BETA as my main OD/Sparkle box, but, in general, it adds a bit too much bass and rolls off a bit too much treble for my liking. I end up getting pretty lost in a busy mix.

Really just wanting a little something that adds a little bit of grit/sparkle to my tone while maintaining my general EQ signature and clarity.

What should I be looking at?

Current Rig:
MTD Kingston Z6
Lakland 55-01

Tech21 RPM preamp into a Crown XLS2002 power amp.

2 x Fender 115 Rumble cabs.
Click to expand...

I used a modded pork loin like this. That thing can get super sparkly post mod. That was one of the main reasons I liked it so much. It really help me stand out in the mix. And you have a B7KU so that will help it even more! I now use the Dunwich ODB though and it's even better than the PL. Talk about sparkle and presence. It's got it for days. I realize that it's more on the expensive side and not as easily accessible but man, it is SO worth it. I dont regret getting the ODB for a sec. What a wonderful bass OD. Probably my fav one of all time to date.
 
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#18
I second mmbongo, having been through the exact situation you described with the Beta in your OP. I'm also running a bass with an active pre - not insanely hot output, but certainly a few gears ahead of the passive electronics that play well with many OD pedals. I was having trouble getting anything nuanced or sparkly. The Beta was sounding muddy with too much baked in low-boost.

I went through the Beta and the Barbershop before splashing a few more bucks on the CAL Grizzly Bass, and I am thrilled with it. You've got more tonal variety with the added EQ features. The Grizzly has Gain, OD, and Distortion controls on the top, with the "funkulator" and treble knobs (i.e. mid-scoop & treble roll-off) underneath that. It plays extremely well with higher output active basses, and it is a workhorse in terms of the variety of sounds. I use it to scoop out the mids just a bit, round off the trebly end so it's not as sharp, and fatten/sparkle with a mix of the gain & od knobs. If I want to add some distortion, it's very easy to dial in on the fly. In your case, just leave the funkulator & hi-cut knobs on full for unity. You'll get transparent with as much or as little crunch as you like dialed in via the OD/Distortion.

He's going through some of the fatter sounds most of the video, but you can hear how it maintains the basses natural tone/clarity/fatness in the beginning...
 
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