Overdrive/Distortion/Muff/Fuzz

[Scotch11]

A guy asks for help and this devolves into a childish argument...thanks, guys, for reminding me why I'm around here much less.

Ya no kidding, I feel bad for even commenting. Just chiming in on my experience with OD pedals that retain the original bass tone. No need for negativity.

 

[dannster]

Wren and Cuff Pickle Pie B. About 3 mins into the 2nd video clip here, he starts doing some of the lower gain settings.
wrenandcuff Too dirty?

I recently picked up one of these and it does a blended mild od fuzz better than anything I've tried so far. Mild to wild and everything in between while not sounding stacked.

 

[willbassyeah]

and you can totally see the elitism of some of us here (i am guilty as charge sometime), a guy who have no experience in effect and we are recommending him like a 200+ dollar bass distortion effect. Anything that is mainstream like boss and ehx are deemed to sucks no matter which famous people play it.

 

[friendlybass]

Due out soon is the Aguilar Fuzzistor. There isn't much out there as far as clips go, but this has some sounds I look forward to getting my hands on

Dude now that's a fuzz! I swear sometimes my dream board is like 90% dirt pedals. Also worth mentioning are the malekko diabolik and B:assmasters, this kind of made me think of them for that smoother fuzz

 

[bassmusic17]

I just think it's funny how the dude wanted a little transparent dirt and everyone is just throwing fuzz pedals at his face.

Then when someone doesn't like a pedal some fanboy gets his dick twisted for no reason. I love you talkbass.

 

[Feral Feline]

I don't have one, but from what I've read I'd recommend the OP get a Joyo Ultimate Drive & or Joyo American to stack with. That will be something that has pleased many for very little dinero — perfect punk aesthete.

Dr. Scientist The Elements covers all those elements from ultralow low gain to fuzz, while retaining the original tone.

+1
This pedal isn't for everyone, nothing is, but I'm amazed at how this underdog continues to be overlooked when it offers so much versatility.
It's kinda spooky-strange how something this good continues to be ignored.

Hey, good enough for Tony Levin.. Good enough for me!



Marc

I loved when Levin turned off the fuzz and just messed with the crossover settings; all too short of a demo at that point, I wish he'd continued and brought his house down! I heard potential there for a cool sound of just a messed up crossover.

 

[waveman]

Oh yeah, this would be a great choice for the OP IMO. Its not the BEST dirt pedal around, but for what it is and what the OP needs it for, its pretty damn good. This way, you can dial in two presets of two different dirts and be good to go. Great 3 badn EQ, blend and gate as well. Great suggestion.

There is a lot of fuzz and distortion, which is part of the choices. Really the Tube Drive setting is the best one, heavy on the clean mix for that light OD. I haven't really looked at the sound bytes for that.

 

[gregmon79]

There is a lot of fuzz and distortion, which is part of the choices. Really the Tube Drive setting is the best one, heavy on the clean mix for that light OD. I haven't really looked at the sound bytes for that.

I owned and used this pedal for about a year. It has plenty of OD options to choose from and mess with. And I mean plenty.

 

[monsterthompson]

OP asked for an conundrum. I want to sound like bands using fuzz, but I want a light overdrive.

I've posted the more subtle, transparent, lower gain, clean blend able fuzzes I am aware of, based on my recent fuzz quest.

I wouldn't expect something like a B:assmaster to be transparent enough. It seems to have a pretty strong voice. Similarly an Iron Ether Oxide or a Duality or a You're Doom would be farther away from the OP requested sound.

There have been tons of light overdrive threads lately. Barbershop, BBBOD, and Darkglass pedals set on low gain with the clean blended in seem to be the general go-to answers. Joyo pedals seem to pop up in the suggestion list frequently, too.

To the OP - have you checked any clips of these suggestions yet? Which are closer to what you envision? Hopefully we can fine tune suggestions once we get some feedback.

 

[FretNoMore]

Dr. Scientist The Elements covers all those elements from ultralow low gain to fuzz, while retaining the original tone.

I'm trying so hard not to order this pedal, but it's getting more and more difficult to resist.

 

[monsterthompson]

Got to admit, I just listened to a Dr Scientist Elements demo and it could do the job. It's pretty flexible and goes down to a pretty transparent setting, and also goes crazy fuzzy too.

 

[Brainfour]

Due to time zone differences, I just returned to the TB, and BOOM. 4 pages to read, with all the recommendations, descriptions, and a little mosh here and there
I read all the posts and saw that my unclear expectations resulted in 20+ different models to examine, 3 different websites to read (one of them having hundreds of overdrives explained).
Thank you people, honestly...
But there are a few problems here. I live in Turkey, so I'm sure I cannot find most of the pedals you recommended in local shops. So not much of "try before you buy" option here. Also, there're lots of bureaucracy and high taxes on customs for items over $100 bought abroad. So "try and sell it if you don't like it" is not much an option either.
But having an opinion is better than having nothing at all I have a huge list and a huge resource to read to.

 

[monsterthompson]

Ah. Including budget and geography are helpful

 

[gregmon79]

Due to time zone differences, I just returned to the TB, and BOOM. 4 pages to read, with all the recommendations, descriptions, and a little mosh here and there
I read all the posts and saw that my unclear expectations resulted in 20+ different models to examine, 3 different websites to read (one of them having hundreds of overdrives explained).
Thank you people, honestly...
But there are a few problems here. I live in Turkey, so I'm sure I cannot find most of the pedals you recommended in local shops. So not much of "try before you buy" option here. Also, there're lots of bureaucracy and high taxes on customs for items over $100 bought abroad. So "try and sell it if you don't like it" is not much an option either.
But having an opinion is better than having nothing at all I have a huge list and a huge resource to read to.

Ah. Including budget and geography are helpful

Yeah, this wouldve helped immensely.

Anyhow, what do they sell at your local shops?? Maybe we can help in recommending what they actually carry..... Do they have a website maybe?? I can imagine that most pedals you order are going to be very expensive especially if you ordered say a Darkglass pedal. Im not sure if Doug and the boys have distributors over there.

Given your circumstances, I would def go for the Joyo Ultimate Drive. Its inexpensive and it rocks. It will also give you slight hair to OD to mild dist. That way you can try all three and see what youre after and you wont have spent a small fortune on one pedal.

 

[Fingerpickingood]

Due to time zone differences, I just returned to the TB, and BOOM. 4 pages to read, with all the recommendations, descriptions, and a little mosh here and there
I read all the posts and saw that my unclear expectations resulted in 20+ different models to examine, 3 different websites to read (one of them having hundreds of overdrives explained).
Thank you people, honestly...
But there are a few problems here. I live in Turkey, so I'm sure I cannot find most of the pedals you recommended in local shops. So not much of "try before you buy" option here. Also, there're lots of bureaucracy and high taxes on customs for items over $100 bought abroad. So "try and sell it if you don't like it" is not much an option either.
But having an opinion is better than having nothing at all I have a huge list and a huge resource to read to.

Once again, +1 on the Joyo. It can be had on eBay for under 30 US dollars. As previously stated, I own and love this particular pedal.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Yeah this thread got kind of nasty lol.

What makes me laugh is how with several products people just say "not for me" or "isn't my sound", yet people often want to go into detail to bash the BBM Deluxe. That poor crossover is so misunderstood, it's the awkward artsy girl with weird taste in music at the dance. She's great when you spend some time with her!! If people don't like them, meh, I spent $115 and found a pedal I love. Spend whatever you want, it's your money.

 

[bassmusic17]

WHAT MAY WORK FOR SOME MAY NOT WORK FOR OTHERS!

How does anyone take offense to that!?

Isn't this whole community based on people giving their opinions on gear from real world personal experiences? If I don't like how a pedal sounds I will be sure to keep my mouth shut. I am sure that will help people out more than giving an honest opinion on gear I have used. I don't take offense to anyone who doesn't like a pedal I love.

 

[Moosehead1966]

There's a difference between saying you don't like a pedal and saying it's a P.O.S. I think that line was crossed I.M.H.O. Marc

 

[KevInDaBassment]

WHAT MAY WORK FOR SOME MAY NOT WORK FOR OTHERS!

How does anyone take offense to that!?

Isn't this whole community based on people giving their opinions on gear from real world personal experiences? If I don't like how a pedal sounds I will be sure to keep my mouth shut. I am sure that will help people out more than giving an honest opinion on gear I have used. I don't take offense to anyone who doesn't like a pedal I love.

lol, did I say I did? I'm not offended by your point of view, I just found it interesting that people (meaning not just you) often go into details. Maybe it's because there are lots of features on the BBM Deluxe, idk and idc. Like I said...your money, your call. I do appreciate contrasting views on here, especially when I'm looking to make a purchase. Stepford Wives reviews agitate me beyond belief, believe it or not we both need each other for a forum like this to work.

 

[bassmusic17]

So OP did ya learn anything? I learned that if you ask what a transparent dirt pedal that can add some grit to your clean tone leads into a debate on whether the EHX BBMD is a good pedal or not.

Pretty stupid huh?

So anyway have you found a pedal you like yet? I really hope it's the EHX BBMD. That would just make me so happy right now.