The Xotic Bass BB has a hard switch. How could it not stay in whatever state without user interaction?
- John
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Overdrive, mild distortion pedal?
- Thread starter Alex_H
- Start date
- John
I missunderstood what the OP meant. I always switch off all my effects before powering off. When I power them back on, the Bass Juice (and the Cali76) is the only one that powers up in "on" status. I guess that if I leave the BB on before powering off it would stay on, but I never tried. I thought the OP was looking for something like the Bass Juice situation.
I recommend either Heaven or Hell 
:
Creation Audio Grizzly Bass
Damnation Audio MBD1 or MBD2
Both are awesome, and I recommend them highly. FWIW I sold Grizzly and kept MBD1 because
1) Easier for me to dial in
2) Feature set works better for me
3) Clean blend is amazing
P.S. Both pedals will deliver heavy distortion, even fuzzy tones, but as others have said, they also do light/transparent overdrive beautifully.
:Creation Audio Grizzly Bass
Damnation Audio MBD1 or MBD2
Both are awesome, and I recommend them highly. FWIW I sold Grizzly and kept MBD1 because
1) Easier for me to dial in
2) Feature set works better for me
3) Clean blend is amazing
P.S. Both pedals will deliver heavy distortion, even fuzzy tones, but as others have said, they also do light/transparent overdrive beautifully.
Quick trick that so far has worked to change a pedals default power on state for all pedals I've tried it on.
It may be specific to True Bypass... I seem to vaguely remember something like that, but not 100% positive. If anybody knows, please reply here.
Step One- While pedal is powered up, set it to the desired state, on or off.
Step Two- Remove all power from the pedal. Unplug any battery and power supply cable from the pedal.
Step Three- Reapply power to the Pedal. ie. Plug the Battery or Power Supply cable back in.
Step Four- Make sure pedal is set how you want it to power on the next time you remove power.
At some point you may choose to pick things up a bit. This is my vote, it does EVERYTHING! Kind of like throwing a can of Gas on the Grill!
First I have to thank the following users of this great forum: “https://reverb.com/shop/dpfxs-shop”, “40Hz”, “Adam Wright”, “bearhart74”, “BillMasont”, “carrythatweigh”, “cnltb”, “crabbybassman”, “Dave the Bass”, “dave64o”, “Dr Zee”, “dramatwist”, “Dudaronamous”, “Element Zero”, “FrenchBassQC”, “Fuzzbass”, “Gibson Victory”, “GMC”, “halech54”, “hennessybass”, “JamasC”, “jdch28”, “Jephmo”, “jj4001”, “JRMK”, “Kukulkan61”, “La Faro”, “Lowbrow”, “Marihino”, “Matt Dean”, “Matty Koff”, “monsterthompson”, “NoSlapForYou“, “oo_ee_oo_ah_ah”, “OptimalOptimus”, “pbass2”, “Phil60”, “RexxRokket”, “Rojd”, “skyline_01”, “socialleper”, “soundsupport1”, “Steve88”, “SunByrne”, “tommyeadg” and “WillyWonka”. Without their help, this list would not be.
This list is grouped into two classes. One with an option to blend the original signal into the mix and the other one without. For me is only the first class of interest, but I will list pedals from the second class too. Maybe they are of interest for other bass folks. For pedals in the second class additional information like reviews and such can be sparse.
I want to use the pedal as an overdrive. Because of that, only pedals are of interest, where the gain can be dialed down low enough. That is why you will find mostly overdrive pedals here, but there are some distortion and even fuzz pedals too.
The pedal will be part of a gain stage, consisting of combined a low and high pass filter (Link Removed) and several other pedals. This overdrive will sit in the low pass filter loop and it’s job is that subtle growl of the low notes.
The complete distortion section will be switched on or off with the frequency splitter pedal. The pedals inside both loops will be permanently switched on. That is why a Boss OBD-3 or Behringer BOD400 is no option. In other words, the pedal should use a switching system which will keep the pedal engaged after powering them off and on again. For me it does not matter, if the switching system is a simple mechanical switch or some electronic wizardry. The first pedal on my pedal board is a TC Electronic Polytune 3 with a switched on buffer, so I don’t care about true or buffered bypass of that overdrive pedal.
I will only list here pedals, which can be bought new. So no pedals, which are out of production.
Furthermore the price will be considered in the final selection. Why spent 400 when you can get the same effect for 75? I’m not saying a fine hand build boutique pedal is not worth that much. But for my application I won’t notice the subtle differences, those pedals can deliver.
And the last point in the final selection is the availability in Europe. We have here strong customer rights and a huge common market without any import taxes. If a pedal has no dealer in Europe it’s not an option for me. For example if I would order a pedal from the US and it does not fit the sound I am going for, I would already have spent a lot of money on shipping and taxes. When I had chosen a good dealer, I could sent it back. But the costs of shipping and import taxes would be on me. We are talking about shipping in both directions and tax for both countries. For that kind of money I already could get some of the cheaper pedals.
About the dealers, when possible I chose Thomann from Germany. I have some very good experience with them and being in the same country helps for shipping stuff back.
Class 1: Has an option to blend to original signal back into the mix.
Ampeg Scrambler Bass Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: Ampeg: Pedals - SCRAMBLER
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/ampeg_scrambler_bass_overdrive.htm
Price: 75 EUR
Coment: The user “Wito” recommends this pedal. The user “Cutter8” prefers the Electro Harmonix Battalion Nano over this pedal. In the reviews it sounds for me like and old overdriven SVT tube amp.
Reviews and demonstrations:
Broughton Audio Terraformer
Manufacturer URL: https://www.broughtonaudio.com/product-page/terraformer
Price: 165 CAD
Comment: The users “carrythatweight” and “And I” is recommending this pedal. I would have to order from Canada as there are no dealers in Europe.
Crazy Tube Circuits Locomotive Tube Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: Crazy Tube Circuits Locomotive online kaufen Webshop
Price: 255 EUR
Comment: Uses a 12AY7 preamp tube. Circuit is influenced by the fender tweed bass amp design.
Reviews and demonstrations:
Damnation Audio MBD-1
Manufacturer URL and Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 249 USD
Comment: Bigger then the MBD-2. No dealer in Europe for this pedal. The users “Bass4bros” and “Hundred proof” are recommending this pedal.
Damnation MBD-2
Manufacturer URL and Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 229 USD or 209 GBP
Comment: Only dealer in Europe is sold out. The users “40Hz”, “Adam Wright” and “bearhart74” are recommending this pedal.
Darkglass Alpha-Omega
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_alpha_omega.htm
Price: 313 EUR
Comment: Contains two distortion circuits, which can be blended. The user “BillMason” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “carrythatweigh” is recommending this specific series of pedals.
Darkglass Alpha-Omega Ultra
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 399 EUR
Comment: Based on the Alpha-Omega and adds a six band EQ. The user “cnltb” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “crabbybassman” is recommending this specific series of pedals.
Darkglass Alpha Omicron Bass Distortion
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_alpha_omicron_bass_distortion.htm
Price: 219 EUR
Comment: The first pedal in the line of dual blend able bass distortion pedals. The distortion is the same as on the Alpha-Omega but it lacks the tone control. The users “Dave the Bass” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “dave64o” is recommending this specific series of pedals.
Reviews and demonstrations:
Darkglass Microtubes B3K v2 Bass Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_b3k_v2_bass_overdr.htm
Price: 199 EUR
Comment: The basic model of the overdrive pedals from darkglass. The user “Dr Zee” is recommending pedals of this company.
Reviews and demonstrations:
Darkglass Microtubes B7K v2
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_b7k_v2_bass_overdr.htm
Price: 289 EUR
Comment: Based on the Microtubes B3K and adds a five band EQ with the lowest and highest bands being parametric and a XLR direct out. The user “dramatwist” is recommending pedals of this company.
Darkglass Microtubes B7K v2 Ultra
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleic...tubes-b7k-ultra-v2-darkglass-electronics.html
Price: 383 EUR
Comment: Based on the Microtubes B7K v2 but has an additional master knob among other stuff. The user “Dudaronamous” is recommending pedals of this company.
Darkglass Microtubes B7K Ultra with Aux in
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_b7k_ultra_v2_aux.htm
Price: 399 EUR
Comment: Based on the Microtubes B7K v2 . Beyond the overdrive it contains a lot more: DI-Box, single user loadable cabinet simulation impulse response, micro-USB B port to connect to PC/Mac, Headphone-Out with Cabinet-Simulation Impulse-Response. The user “Element Zero” is recommending pedals of this company.
Darkglass Microtubes X
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_x.htm
Price: 219 EUR
Comment: More modern sounding compared the microtubes vintage model series. Offers from subtle overdrive, to something close to a fuzz. The user “FrenchBassQC” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “Fuzzbass” is recommending pedals of this series.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/29319-darkglass-microtubes-x-review
https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/darkglass-microtubes-x-test.html
Darkglass Microtubes X7
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_x7.htm
Price: 304 EUR
Comment: Based on the microtubes X. Five band EQ with the lowest and highest bands being parametric. DI-Box feature. The user “Gibson Victory” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “GMC” is recommending pedals of this series.
Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_x_ultra.htm
Price: 419 EUR
Comment: Bases on the Microtubes X7 but adds a six band graphic EQ, cabinet simulation with impulse response, USB, DI-Box and headphone out. The user “halech54” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “hennessybass” is recommending pedals of this series.
Darkglass Vintage Deluxe V3
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleic...intage-deluxe-v2-0-darkglass-electronics.html
Price: 289 EUR
Comment: Based on the Vintage Microtubes and adds a four band EQ with two switchable bands. The user “JamasC” is recommending pedals of this company.
Darkglass Vintage Microtubes Bass Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_vintage_microtubes_bass_overd.htm
Price: 199 EUR
Comment: The era-knob lets you chose the era from your emulated amp or preamp. From a real vintage 60ties sound to a more and more modern sound. The user “jdch28” is recommending pedals of this company in general. The user “Jephmo” is recommends this pedal as it can “do both a sexy af vintage overdrive and a decent distortion”.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/darkglass-microtubes-vintage-test.html
Darkglass Vintage Ultra V2
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleic...773_-vintage-ultra-darkglass-electronics.html
Price: 329 EUR
Comment: It lacks the aux-in but has Micro-USB, DI-Out, switchable cabinet simulation. The user “jj4001” is recommending pedals of this company.
Darkglass Vintage Ultra with Aux in
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_vintage_ultra_v2_aux.htm
Price: 439 EUR
Comment: Beyond the vintage overdrive it contains a lot more: DI-Box, single user loadable cabinet simulation impulse response, micro-USB B port to connect to PC/Mac, Headphone-Out with Cabinet-Simulation Impulse-Response. The user “JRMK” is recommending pedals of this company.
dpFX pedals FuzZ-2 Bass aka dpfx (silver)
Manufacturer URL: http://www.dpeffects.com/fuzz-2-bass.html
Shop: Kukulkan61
Price: 125 EUR
Comment: They are a Greek company and sell their pedals on their reverb store. This pedal is not subtle at all. It’s a great fuzz but you can’t dial the gain so low to only give your lows only a slight bit of growl. It’s too much for my purpose. The user “La Faro” is recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.pedal-of-the-day.com/2019/10/16/dpfx-pedals-fuzz-2-bass-fuzz-octave/
EBS Billy Sheehan Ultimate Signature Drive
Manufacturer URL: https://ebssweden.com/content2/effects/ebs-billy-sheehan-ultimate-signature-drive/
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 239 EUR
Comment: Inbuild Compressor but only three settings (off, mid or high) on the outside (internally you have threshold and compression too). Has it’s own loop for the distortion path, so you can add an additional effect. For the effect loop it does have a switch to flip the phase, should one of the pedal in the loop flip the phase. Looks like a great pedal, but overkill for my needs.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwSpQ9a-3Lk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RQI427VUg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehpVGSQS7PA
EBS Micro Bass 3
Manufacturer URL: https://ebssweden.com/content2/effects/ebs-microbass-3-professional-outboard-preamp/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/ebs_micro_bass_3.htm
Price: 369 EUR
Comment: Dual channel Preamp with mix and gain.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDG8ByotkQE
Electro Harmonix Bass Soul Food
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/bass-soul-food
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_bass_soul_food.htm
Price: 95 EUR
Comment: The pedal was recommended by the users “Lowbrow”, “Marihino”, “Matt Dean”, “Matty Koff”, “monsterthompson”, “NoSlapForYou”,“oo_ee_oo_ah_ah”, “OptimalOptimus”, “pbass2” and “Phil60”. The user “RexxRokket” prefers the Electro Harmonix Battalion Nano over this pedal. I like the subtle overdrive, I heard in the demonstrations and reviews.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4JbifSX9VY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZQ7vBE8hdE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5fmd2lYOqg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xgA_OjzuQo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTZJX13NHmQ
Electro Harmonix Battalion
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/battalion
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_battalion.htm
Price: 142 EUR
Comment: A full preamp including a compressor. This pedal was recommended by “Rojd”.
Electro Harmonix Battalion Nano
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/nano-battalion
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 88 EUR
Comment: The nano version lacks the compressor feature of the bigger normal version. You can get a balanced output signal from it, if you are using a TSR-connector (TSR = tip-ring-sleve / normally used for stereo). This pedal was recommended by “skyline_01”. He prefers it over the Bass Soul Food, Ampeg Scrambler and Ibanez Bass Tube Screamer.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev2O39ZpGJI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go91c9LeS0k
Electro Harmonix Deluxe Bass Big Muff Pi
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/deluxe-bass-big-muff-pi
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_deluxe_bass_big_muff_pi.htm
Price: 119 EUR
Comment: One of the electro harmonix muff pedals with a blend knob. The normal version does not have one. Gain is called “sustain” and the settings are very versatile going down to no gain at all. Furthermore it does bring it’s own noise gate. Additionally to the blend it does have a unique crossover switch and a setting for the high pass filter (HPF) and low pass filter (LPF). It has a XLR DI output and a direct output.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPq4fOFTrgU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA_y7tGQP6k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc40Y0HDn6M
Electro Harmonix Hot Wax
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/hot-wax
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_hot_wax_dual_overdrive.htm
Price: 125 EUR
Comment: Combination of Cayon and Hot Tubes. The pedal was recommended by the users “socialleper“, “soundsupport1” and “Steve88”.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO_wP_VdA6s
Electro Harmonix Sovtek Deluxe Big Muff Pi
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/sovtek-deluxe-big-muff-pi
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_sovtek_del._big_muff_pi_fuzz.htm
Price: 146 EUR
Comment: One of the sovtek based muff pedals with a blend knob. Additional it brings a noise gate and a sophisticated tone control. The user “SunByrne” is recommending pedals of this series.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX1QtTakWAo
Hamstead Soundworks Subspace
Manufacturer URL: https://www.hamsteadsoundworks.com/subspace
Shop: https://www.loopersparadise.de/en/index.php?p=2963
Price: 305 EUR
Comment: The blend knob to bring the clean signal into the mix is called “parallel”. The pedal is recommended by the user “tommyeadg”.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coYF1t_vkMI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX7WAHFzNVI
Ibanez Bass Tube Screamer
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ibanez.com/usa/products/detail/ts9b_99.html
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/de/ibanez_ts9b_tube_screamer_bass.htm
Price: 169 EUR
Comment: Based on the most famous overdrive of all times and has a blend knob. The user “WillyWonka” prefers the Electro Harmonix Battalion Nano over this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBX1xSxCvxA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEQVtryIgEo
KHDK Abyss
Manufacturer URL: https://www.khdkelectronics.com/products/detail/abyss/
Shop: https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/KHDK-Abyss-Bass-Overdrive/art-BAS0009204-000
Price: 155 EUR
Comment: It’s a signature pedal from Kirk Hammett and can do metal sounds real nice. But the distortion can be dialed back real low for a very subtle overdrive effect.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1VZVOl7F-U
Lehle RMI Basswitch Enhanced Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: Wito
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 189 EUR
Comment: Lehle is famous for their transparent switching systems, splitters, hum cancellation and DI options. The Basswitch-Series is designed by the company RMI (Ruppert Musical Instruments) from Luxembourg and build by Lehle in Germany.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVpElrICpcw
https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/lehle-rmi-basswitch-enhanced-overdrive-test.html
MXR M80 Bass DI Plus
Manufacturer URL: https://www.jimdunlop.com/mxr-bass-di/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/mxr_m80_bass_di_plus.htm
Price: 199 EUR
Comment: It is a complete preamp with DI out and a noise gate. The user “Cutter8” is recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrj8EGe4aHY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdkBaC3XXm8
MXR M85 Bass Distortion
Manufacturer URL: https://www.jimdunlop.com/mxr-bass-distortion/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/mxr_bass_distortion_m_85.htm
Price: 189 EUR
Comment: Wet and dry signal have their own knobs.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJXXePJLE2U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnzluXHLib0
MXR M89 Bass Overdrive Unit
Manufacturer URL: https://www.jimdunlop.com/mxr-bass-overdrive/
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 169 EUR
Comment: The knob to blend in the original signal is lettered “clean”.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98qYu7RQbfc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qm7j2iK6Kw
OKKO FX Basstard Bass Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: http://www.stompbox.de/
Shop: https://www.musicstore.com/en_LV/EUR/OKKO-FX-Basstard-Bass-Overdrive-/art-BAS0007483-000
Price: 219 EUR
Comment: Discontinued but still available.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8u_OcH4MUQ
Providence Brick Drive BDI-1
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 245 EUR
Comment: It’s a preamp with a DI-out. The overdrive can be switched on with a foot knob.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF5er3RyuTM
Source Audio Aftershock
Manufacturer URL: https://www.sourceaudio.net/aftershock-bass-distortion.html
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/source_audio_aftershock_bass_distortion.htm
Price: 179 EUR
Comment: It’s kind of overkill. That thing has lots and lots of distortion magic in it. It’s completely digital but the DSP are so fast, you don’t notice any lag. You can program the pedal with the NeuroHub App. In the app you can set if it should be in bypass mode or if it’s engaged when powering on again. The pedal has internally about 30 parameters, over 20 distortion engines and can be controlled via Midi. Out of the box you can use Midi over USB. With the NeuroHub you get two normal Midi connectors (In, out or through. Depending on setup). Without computer, smartphone or tablet this pedal can be used, but you need one of those to use the full potential. Via community and cloud based presets you can simply put another preset on the pedal, without being a wizard with the Neuro Desktop app. The users “carrythatweight” and “And I” are recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUmZwEV8yVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o3YUgzVDOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8UnQDrlFAk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT5Xr0ZY-Cc
https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/source-audio-aftershock-test.html
T-Rex Bass Juice Pedal
Manufacturer URL: https://www.t-rex-effects.com/bassjuice
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 69 EUR
Comment: From a slight overdrice to full blown fuzz. Identical to the TC Electronic Vintage Bass Distortion Pedal. It does have a lot more gain, compared to the electro harmonics bass soul food. Gain at three o’clock is at the level to the gain at full off the bass soul food. The users “Bass4bros” and “Hundred proof” are recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcfdMLpDZQk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-77mVj2Vjs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=853Ap4rwXHw
Tech 21 Steve Harris
Manufacturer URL: Invalid Link Removed
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/tech_21_sh1.htm
Price: 399 Euro
Comment: Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) Signature effect pedal. It has a XLR DI out and a direct output. It has a speaker simulation too. The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dhFMKsJTJI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8WXs11nOCQ
Tech 21 SansAmp Character VT Bass DI
Manufacturer URL: Invalid Link Removed
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/tech_21_sansamp_character_vt_bass_di.htm
Price: 239 EUR
Comment: Preamp with XLR and additional direct out. Speaker simulation. The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tppzh-jBLU4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmVOUso6EgI
Shiftline A+ Buzz Bass Drive V2
Manufacturer URL: [This invalid link has been removed]
Shop: https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_fro...iftline)+(buzz,bass+drive,bassdrive)&_sacat=0
Price: 175 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal. Sadly I would have to order from Russia as there are no dealer in European Union.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdIfLBuRyC0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fzZS02pK2g
Two Notes Le Bass
Manufacturer URL: https://www.two-notes.com/le-bass
Shop: Invalid Link Removed
Price: 283 EUR
Comment: It’s a preamp with DI, Midi and cabinet simulations. Furthermore the preamp uses a tube which is used in a high voltage application as it would in a classic tube amp. The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdjhTSIWjh0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZvYqhE48SA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx7_3T9WUJY
Class 2: No option to blend in the original signal
AmpTweaker Tight Drive
Manufacturer URL: https://amptweaker.com/tightdrive/
Shop: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Typ/854707008025.html
Price: 270 EUR
Bearfoot Blueberry
Manufacturer URL: https://www.bearfootfx.com/store/archives/blueberry-bass-overdrive/
Price: 179 USD
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” recommends this pedal. Sadly no dealer in the European Union.
Creation Audio Labs Grizzly Bass
Manufacturer URL: https://www.creationaudiolabs.com/grizzlybass
Price: 225 USD
Comment: The users “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal. Sadly no dealer in the European Union.
Durham Sexdrive
Manufacturer URL: https://www.durhamelectronics.com/sexdrive
Price: 189 USD
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” recommends this pedal. Sadly no dealer in the European Union.
EAE Model feT
Manufacturer URL: http://www.electronicaudioexperiments.com/model-fet
Price: 235 USD
Comment: No dealer in the European Union.
EarthQuaker Devices (EQD) Plumes
Manufacturer URL: https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/plumes
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/earthquaker_devices_devices_plumes_signal_shredder.htm
Price: 124 EUR
Comment: The users “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal.
EarthQuaker Devices (EQD) Westwood
Manufacturer URL: https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/westwood
Shop: Invalid Link Removed
Price: 209 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” recommends this pedal.
EBS MD Multi-Drive Basseffekt
Manufacturer URL: https://ebssweden.com/content2/effects/ebs-multidrive-studio-edition/
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 149 EUR
ElectroFoods Germ Warfare
Manufacturer URL: https://www.electrofoods.space/germ-warfare
Price: 180 USD
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal. It’s a low gain germanium pedal. No dealer in the European Union.
ElectroFoods Rad Sickness
Manufacturer URL: https://www.electrofoods.space/rad-sickness
Price: 180 USD (sold out at the moment)
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal. It’s a silicon boost. No dealer in the European Union.
Electro Harmonix Green Russian Big Muff
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/green-russian-big-muff
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_green_russian_big_muff_fuzz.htm
Price: 85 EUR
The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending pedals of this series.
Fairfield Circuitry The Barbershop
Manufacturer URL: https://fairfieldcircuitry.com/products/the-barbershop
Shop: https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/Fairfield-Circuitry-The-Barbershop/art-GIT0046879-000
Price: 219 EUR
Comment: The users “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal.
Fulltone OCD Overdrive V2
Manufacturer URL: https://www.fulltone.com/products/ocd-v2
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/fulltone_ocd_v2.htm
Price: 163 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal. He has only used the Joyo Ultimate Drive, which is supposed to be a copy of this pedal. This pedal got very favorable reviews and you won’t clone a pedal if it’s not excellent. The user “Invalid Link Removed” is using this pedal for low to mid gain. For him the blend knob is not needed with that kind of gain.
Hudson Broadcast
Manufacturer URL: https://hudsonelectronicsuk.com/product/broadcast/
Shop: https://www.loopersparadise.de/en/index.php?p=2507
Price: 225 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
JHS Color Box
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/jhs_pedals_colour_box_v2_preamp_eq.htm
Price: 489 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal. For all practical purposes it is a neve mixing console including output transformer in a pedal format. It has enough headroom and gain to drive the signal into deep distortion if needed but can be as clean as a pedal could possible be.
Joyo Ultimate Drive
Manufacturer URL: https://www.joyoaudio.co.uk/JOYO-JF-02-ultimate-overdrive-pedal
Shop: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/ProductCategory/6037.html?q=Joyo+Ultimate+Drive
Price: 26,- EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Mosky Golden Horse
Manufacturer URL: https://www.moskyaudio.com/product/product-22-912.html
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 28 EUR
Comment: Based on Klon Centaur. The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Musician Sound Design Silverstone Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: https://www.silvermachine.de/en/effekte.htm
Shop: https://www.loopersparadise.de/de/index.php?p=1663
Price: 172 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
MXR EVH5150 Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: https://www.jimdunlop.com/mxr-evh-5150-overdrive/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/de/mxr_evh_5150_overdrive.htm
Price: 259 EUR
Proco Rat 2 Distortion
Manufacturer URL: Link Removed
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/proco_rat2.htm
Price: 78 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Rowin Dumbler LEF-315
Manufacturer URL: Link Removed
Shop: https://www.musicstore.com/en_LV/EUR/Fame-LEF-315-Dumbler/art-GIT0040242-000
Price: 31 EUR
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Q5C0HdVBE
Southampton Fifth Gear
Manufacturer URL: https://www.southamptonpedals.com/products/fifth-gear-overdrive
Price: 220 USD
Comment: The users “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal. Sadly no dealer in the European Union.
SolidGoldFX (SGFX) Beta
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 165 USD
Comment: The users and “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal. Sadly no dealer in the European Union.
TC Electronic MojoMojo Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/tc_electronic_mojomojo.htm
Price: 45 EUR
Comment: Delivers a more dirt then the TC Electronic Spark. Lots of good reviews and the users “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIy3C9wGU8
TC Electronic Spark
Manufacturer URL: https://www.tcelectronic.com/Categories/Tcelectronic/Guitar/Stompboxes/SPARK-BOOSTER/p/P0DDN#googtrans(en|en)
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/tc_electronic_spark_booster.htm
Price: 42 EUR
Comment: Excellent reviews and the users “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2CoJ5aRJ4
Walrus Audio 385 Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 199 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Wampler Tumnus
Manufacturer URL: https://www.wamplerpedals.com/products/distortion-overdrive/tumnus/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/wampler_tumnus_overdrive_v2.htm
Price: 145 EUR
Wampler Tumnus Deluxe
Manufacturer URL: https://www.wamplerpedals.com/products/distortion-overdrive/tumnus-deluxe/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/wampler_tumnus_deluxe_overdrive_v2.htm
Price: 219 EUR
Way Huge Green Rhino Overdrive MkIV
Manufacturer URL: https://www.jimdunlop.com/way-huge-green-rhino-overdrive-mkiv/
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 169 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Wren & Cuff Suppa Phat Phuk (Germanium Boost)
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 194 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Xotic California Bass BB
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/xotic_effects_xotic_bb_preamp_v1.5.htm
Price: 179 EUR
Comment: The users “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal.
Class 3: Out of build
When I began this list I sorted out pedals, which were out of build. But some of them are recommended from users around here, so I guess they are something special. I personally don’t want a used pedal for this application, but that is me. Maybe you are not so picky and there is a decent market for used stuff at your location. That is, why I list here such recommendations.
Tech 21 – Red Ripper
Manufacturer URL: http://www.tech21nyc.com/archive/red-ripper/
Price: around 165 EUR
Comment: Pedal is out of build! It was recommended by the user “Invalid Link Removed”.
Way Huge Pork Loin
Pedal URL: Invalid Link Removed
Price: around 170 USD
Comment: Pedal is out of build! It was recommended by the users “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed”.
This list is grouped into two classes. One with an option to blend the original signal into the mix and the other one without. For me is only the first class of interest, but I will list pedals from the second class too. Maybe they are of interest for other bass folks. For pedals in the second class additional information like reviews and such can be sparse.
I want to use the pedal as an overdrive. Because of that, only pedals are of interest, where the gain can be dialed down low enough. That is why you will find mostly overdrive pedals here, but there are some distortion and even fuzz pedals too.
The pedal will be part of a gain stage, consisting of combined a low and high pass filter (Link Removed) and several other pedals. This overdrive will sit in the low pass filter loop and it’s job is that subtle growl of the low notes.
The complete distortion section will be switched on or off with the frequency splitter pedal. The pedals inside both loops will be permanently switched on. That is why a Boss OBD-3 or Behringer BOD400 is no option. In other words, the pedal should use a switching system which will keep the pedal engaged after powering them off and on again. For me it does not matter, if the switching system is a simple mechanical switch or some electronic wizardry. The first pedal on my pedal board is a TC Electronic Polytune 3 with a switched on buffer, so I don’t care about true or buffered bypass of that overdrive pedal.
I will only list here pedals, which can be bought new. So no pedals, which are out of production.
Furthermore the price will be considered in the final selection. Why spent 400 when you can get the same effect for 75? I’m not saying a fine hand build boutique pedal is not worth that much. But for my application I won’t notice the subtle differences, those pedals can deliver.
And the last point in the final selection is the availability in Europe. We have here strong customer rights and a huge common market without any import taxes. If a pedal has no dealer in Europe it’s not an option for me. For example if I would order a pedal from the US and it does not fit the sound I am going for, I would already have spent a lot of money on shipping and taxes. When I had chosen a good dealer, I could sent it back. But the costs of shipping and import taxes would be on me. We are talking about shipping in both directions and tax for both countries. For that kind of money I already could get some of the cheaper pedals.
About the dealers, when possible I chose Thomann from Germany. I have some very good experience with them and being in the same country helps for shipping stuff back.
Class 1: Has an option to blend to original signal back into the mix.
Ampeg Scrambler Bass Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: Ampeg: Pedals - SCRAMBLER
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/ampeg_scrambler_bass_overdrive.htm
Price: 75 EUR
Coment: The user “Wito” recommends this pedal. The user “Cutter8” prefers the Electro Harmonix Battalion Nano over this pedal. In the reviews it sounds for me like and old overdriven SVT tube amp.
Reviews and demonstrations:
Broughton Audio Terraformer
Manufacturer URL: https://www.broughtonaudio.com/product-page/terraformer
Price: 165 CAD
Comment: The users “carrythatweight” and “And I” is recommending this pedal. I would have to order from Canada as there are no dealers in Europe.
Crazy Tube Circuits Locomotive Tube Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: Crazy Tube Circuits Locomotive online kaufen Webshop
Price: 255 EUR
Comment: Uses a 12AY7 preamp tube. Circuit is influenced by the fender tweed bass amp design.
Reviews and demonstrations:
Damnation Audio MBD-1
Manufacturer URL and Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 249 USD
Comment: Bigger then the MBD-2. No dealer in Europe for this pedal. The users “Bass4bros” and “Hundred proof” are recommending this pedal.
Damnation MBD-2
Manufacturer URL and Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 229 USD or 209 GBP
Comment: Only dealer in Europe is sold out. The users “40Hz”, “Adam Wright” and “bearhart74” are recommending this pedal.
Darkglass Alpha-Omega
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_alpha_omega.htm
Price: 313 EUR
Comment: Contains two distortion circuits, which can be blended. The user “BillMason” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “carrythatweigh” is recommending this specific series of pedals.
Darkglass Alpha-Omega Ultra
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 399 EUR
Comment: Based on the Alpha-Omega and adds a six band EQ. The user “cnltb” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “crabbybassman” is recommending this specific series of pedals.
Darkglass Alpha Omicron Bass Distortion
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_alpha_omicron_bass_distortion.htm
Price: 219 EUR
Comment: The first pedal in the line of dual blend able bass distortion pedals. The distortion is the same as on the Alpha-Omega but it lacks the tone control. The users “Dave the Bass” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “dave64o” is recommending this specific series of pedals.
Reviews and demonstrations:
Darkglass Microtubes B3K v2 Bass Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_b3k_v2_bass_overdr.htm
Price: 199 EUR
Comment: The basic model of the overdrive pedals from darkglass. The user “Dr Zee” is recommending pedals of this company.
Reviews and demonstrations:
Darkglass Microtubes B7K v2
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_b7k_v2_bass_overdr.htm
Price: 289 EUR
Comment: Based on the Microtubes B3K and adds a five band EQ with the lowest and highest bands being parametric and a XLR direct out. The user “dramatwist” is recommending pedals of this company.
Darkglass Microtubes B7K v2 Ultra
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleic...tubes-b7k-ultra-v2-darkglass-electronics.html
Price: 383 EUR
Comment: Based on the Microtubes B7K v2 but has an additional master knob among other stuff. The user “Dudaronamous” is recommending pedals of this company.
Darkglass Microtubes B7K Ultra with Aux in
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_b7k_ultra_v2_aux.htm
Price: 399 EUR
Comment: Based on the Microtubes B7K v2 . Beyond the overdrive it contains a lot more: DI-Box, single user loadable cabinet simulation impulse response, micro-USB B port to connect to PC/Mac, Headphone-Out with Cabinet-Simulation Impulse-Response. The user “Element Zero” is recommending pedals of this company.
Darkglass Microtubes X
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_x.htm
Price: 219 EUR
Comment: More modern sounding compared the microtubes vintage model series. Offers from subtle overdrive, to something close to a fuzz. The user “FrenchBassQC” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “Fuzzbass” is recommending pedals of this series.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/29319-darkglass-microtubes-x-review
https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/darkglass-microtubes-x-test.html
Darkglass Microtubes X7
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_x7.htm
Price: 304 EUR
Comment: Based on the microtubes X. Five band EQ with the lowest and highest bands being parametric. DI-Box feature. The user “Gibson Victory” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “GMC” is recommending pedals of this series.
Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_microtubes_x_ultra.htm
Price: 419 EUR
Comment: Bases on the Microtubes X7 but adds a six band graphic EQ, cabinet simulation with impulse response, USB, DI-Box and headphone out. The user “halech54” is recommending pedals of this company. The user “hennessybass” is recommending pedals of this series.
Darkglass Vintage Deluxe V3
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleic...intage-deluxe-v2-0-darkglass-electronics.html
Price: 289 EUR
Comment: Based on the Vintage Microtubes and adds a four band EQ with two switchable bands. The user “JamasC” is recommending pedals of this company.
Darkglass Vintage Microtubes Bass Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_vintage_microtubes_bass_overd.htm
Price: 199 EUR
Comment: The era-knob lets you chose the era from your emulated amp or preamp. From a real vintage 60ties sound to a more and more modern sound. The user “jdch28” is recommending pedals of this company in general. The user “Jephmo” is recommends this pedal as it can “do both a sexy af vintage overdrive and a decent distortion”.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/darkglass-microtubes-vintage-test.html
Darkglass Vintage Ultra V2
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleic...773_-vintage-ultra-darkglass-electronics.html
Price: 329 EUR
Comment: It lacks the aux-in but has Micro-USB, DI-Out, switchable cabinet simulation. The user “jj4001” is recommending pedals of this company.
Darkglass Vintage Ultra with Aux in
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/darkglass_vintage_ultra_v2_aux.htm
Price: 439 EUR
Comment: Beyond the vintage overdrive it contains a lot more: DI-Box, single user loadable cabinet simulation impulse response, micro-USB B port to connect to PC/Mac, Headphone-Out with Cabinet-Simulation Impulse-Response. The user “JRMK” is recommending pedals of this company.
dpFX pedals FuzZ-2 Bass aka dpfx (silver)
Manufacturer URL: http://www.dpeffects.com/fuzz-2-bass.html
Shop: Kukulkan61
Price: 125 EUR
Comment: They are a Greek company and sell their pedals on their reverb store. This pedal is not subtle at all. It’s a great fuzz but you can’t dial the gain so low to only give your lows only a slight bit of growl. It’s too much for my purpose. The user “La Faro” is recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.pedal-of-the-day.com/2019/10/16/dpfx-pedals-fuzz-2-bass-fuzz-octave/
EBS Billy Sheehan Ultimate Signature Drive
Manufacturer URL: https://ebssweden.com/content2/effects/ebs-billy-sheehan-ultimate-signature-drive/
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 239 EUR
Comment: Inbuild Compressor but only three settings (off, mid or high) on the outside (internally you have threshold and compression too). Has it’s own loop for the distortion path, so you can add an additional effect. For the effect loop it does have a switch to flip the phase, should one of the pedal in the loop flip the phase. Looks like a great pedal, but overkill for my needs.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwSpQ9a-3Lk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RQI427VUg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehpVGSQS7PA
EBS Micro Bass 3
Manufacturer URL: https://ebssweden.com/content2/effects/ebs-microbass-3-professional-outboard-preamp/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/ebs_micro_bass_3.htm
Price: 369 EUR
Comment: Dual channel Preamp with mix and gain.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDG8ByotkQE
Electro Harmonix Bass Soul Food
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/bass-soul-food
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_bass_soul_food.htm
Price: 95 EUR
Comment: The pedal was recommended by the users “Lowbrow”, “Marihino”, “Matt Dean”, “Matty Koff”, “monsterthompson”, “NoSlapForYou”,“oo_ee_oo_ah_ah”, “OptimalOptimus”, “pbass2” and “Phil60”. The user “RexxRokket” prefers the Electro Harmonix Battalion Nano over this pedal. I like the subtle overdrive, I heard in the demonstrations and reviews.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4JbifSX9VY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZQ7vBE8hdE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5fmd2lYOqg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xgA_OjzuQo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTZJX13NHmQ
Electro Harmonix Battalion
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/battalion
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_battalion.htm
Price: 142 EUR
Comment: A full preamp including a compressor. This pedal was recommended by “Rojd”.
Electro Harmonix Battalion Nano
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/nano-battalion
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 88 EUR
Comment: The nano version lacks the compressor feature of the bigger normal version. You can get a balanced output signal from it, if you are using a TSR-connector (TSR = tip-ring-sleve / normally used for stereo). This pedal was recommended by “skyline_01”. He prefers it over the Bass Soul Food, Ampeg Scrambler and Ibanez Bass Tube Screamer.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev2O39ZpGJI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go91c9LeS0k
Electro Harmonix Deluxe Bass Big Muff Pi
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/deluxe-bass-big-muff-pi
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_deluxe_bass_big_muff_pi.htm
Price: 119 EUR
Comment: One of the electro harmonix muff pedals with a blend knob. The normal version does not have one. Gain is called “sustain” and the settings are very versatile going down to no gain at all. Furthermore it does bring it’s own noise gate. Additionally to the blend it does have a unique crossover switch and a setting for the high pass filter (HPF) and low pass filter (LPF). It has a XLR DI output and a direct output.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPq4fOFTrgU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA_y7tGQP6k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc40Y0HDn6M
Electro Harmonix Hot Wax
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/hot-wax
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_hot_wax_dual_overdrive.htm
Price: 125 EUR
Comment: Combination of Cayon and Hot Tubes. The pedal was recommended by the users “socialleper“, “soundsupport1” and “Steve88”.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO_wP_VdA6s
Electro Harmonix Sovtek Deluxe Big Muff Pi
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/sovtek-deluxe-big-muff-pi
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_sovtek_del._big_muff_pi_fuzz.htm
Price: 146 EUR
Comment: One of the sovtek based muff pedals with a blend knob. Additional it brings a noise gate and a sophisticated tone control. The user “SunByrne” is recommending pedals of this series.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX1QtTakWAo
Hamstead Soundworks Subspace
Manufacturer URL: https://www.hamsteadsoundworks.com/subspace
Shop: https://www.loopersparadise.de/en/index.php?p=2963
Price: 305 EUR
Comment: The blend knob to bring the clean signal into the mix is called “parallel”. The pedal is recommended by the user “tommyeadg”.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coYF1t_vkMI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX7WAHFzNVI
Ibanez Bass Tube Screamer
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ibanez.com/usa/products/detail/ts9b_99.html
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/de/ibanez_ts9b_tube_screamer_bass.htm
Price: 169 EUR
Comment: Based on the most famous overdrive of all times and has a blend knob. The user “WillyWonka” prefers the Electro Harmonix Battalion Nano over this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBX1xSxCvxA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEQVtryIgEo
KHDK Abyss
Manufacturer URL: https://www.khdkelectronics.com/products/detail/abyss/
Shop: https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/KHDK-Abyss-Bass-Overdrive/art-BAS0009204-000
Price: 155 EUR
Comment: It’s a signature pedal from Kirk Hammett and can do metal sounds real nice. But the distortion can be dialed back real low for a very subtle overdrive effect.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1VZVOl7F-U
Lehle RMI Basswitch Enhanced Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: Wito
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 189 EUR
Comment: Lehle is famous for their transparent switching systems, splitters, hum cancellation and DI options. The Basswitch-Series is designed by the company RMI (Ruppert Musical Instruments) from Luxembourg and build by Lehle in Germany.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVpElrICpcw
https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/lehle-rmi-basswitch-enhanced-overdrive-test.html
MXR M80 Bass DI Plus
Manufacturer URL: https://www.jimdunlop.com/mxr-bass-di/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/mxr_m80_bass_di_plus.htm
Price: 199 EUR
Comment: It is a complete preamp with DI out and a noise gate. The user “Cutter8” is recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrj8EGe4aHY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdkBaC3XXm8
MXR M85 Bass Distortion
Manufacturer URL: https://www.jimdunlop.com/mxr-bass-distortion/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/mxr_bass_distortion_m_85.htm
Price: 189 EUR
Comment: Wet and dry signal have their own knobs.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJXXePJLE2U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnzluXHLib0
MXR M89 Bass Overdrive Unit
Manufacturer URL: https://www.jimdunlop.com/mxr-bass-overdrive/
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 169 EUR
Comment: The knob to blend in the original signal is lettered “clean”.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98qYu7RQbfc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qm7j2iK6Kw
OKKO FX Basstard Bass Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: http://www.stompbox.de/
Shop: https://www.musicstore.com/en_LV/EUR/OKKO-FX-Basstard-Bass-Overdrive-/art-BAS0007483-000
Price: 219 EUR
Comment: Discontinued but still available.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8u_OcH4MUQ
Providence Brick Drive BDI-1
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 245 EUR
Comment: It’s a preamp with a DI-out. The overdrive can be switched on with a foot knob.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF5er3RyuTM
Source Audio Aftershock
Manufacturer URL: https://www.sourceaudio.net/aftershock-bass-distortion.html
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/source_audio_aftershock_bass_distortion.htm
Price: 179 EUR
Comment: It’s kind of overkill. That thing has lots and lots of distortion magic in it. It’s completely digital but the DSP are so fast, you don’t notice any lag. You can program the pedal with the NeuroHub App. In the app you can set if it should be in bypass mode or if it’s engaged when powering on again. The pedal has internally about 30 parameters, over 20 distortion engines and can be controlled via Midi. Out of the box you can use Midi over USB. With the NeuroHub you get two normal Midi connectors (In, out or through. Depending on setup). Without computer, smartphone or tablet this pedal can be used, but you need one of those to use the full potential. Via community and cloud based presets you can simply put another preset on the pedal, without being a wizard with the Neuro Desktop app. The users “carrythatweight” and “And I” are recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUmZwEV8yVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o3YUgzVDOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8UnQDrlFAk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT5Xr0ZY-Cc
https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/source-audio-aftershock-test.html
T-Rex Bass Juice Pedal
Manufacturer URL: https://www.t-rex-effects.com/bassjuice
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 69 EUR
Comment: From a slight overdrice to full blown fuzz. Identical to the TC Electronic Vintage Bass Distortion Pedal. It does have a lot more gain, compared to the electro harmonics bass soul food. Gain at three o’clock is at the level to the gain at full off the bass soul food. The users “Bass4bros” and “Hundred proof” are recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcfdMLpDZQk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-77mVj2Vjs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=853Ap4rwXHw
Tech 21 Steve Harris
Manufacturer URL: Invalid Link Removed
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/tech_21_sh1.htm
Price: 399 Euro
Comment: Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) Signature effect pedal. It has a XLR DI out and a direct output. It has a speaker simulation too. The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dhFMKsJTJI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8WXs11nOCQ
Tech 21 SansAmp Character VT Bass DI
Manufacturer URL: Invalid Link Removed
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/tech_21_sansamp_character_vt_bass_di.htm
Price: 239 EUR
Comment: Preamp with XLR and additional direct out. Speaker simulation. The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tppzh-jBLU4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmVOUso6EgI
Shiftline A+ Buzz Bass Drive V2
Manufacturer URL: [This invalid link has been removed]
Shop: https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_fro...iftline)+(buzz,bass+drive,bassdrive)&_sacat=0
Price: 175 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal. Sadly I would have to order from Russia as there are no dealer in European Union.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdIfLBuRyC0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fzZS02pK2g
Two Notes Le Bass
Manufacturer URL: https://www.two-notes.com/le-bass
Shop: Invalid Link Removed
Price: 283 EUR
Comment: It’s a preamp with DI, Midi and cabinet simulations. Furthermore the preamp uses a tube which is used in a high voltage application as it would in a classic tube amp. The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdjhTSIWjh0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZvYqhE48SA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx7_3T9WUJY
Class 2: No option to blend in the original signal
AmpTweaker Tight Drive
Manufacturer URL: https://amptweaker.com/tightdrive/
Shop: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Typ/854707008025.html
Price: 270 EUR
Bearfoot Blueberry
Manufacturer URL: https://www.bearfootfx.com/store/archives/blueberry-bass-overdrive/
Price: 179 USD
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” recommends this pedal. Sadly no dealer in the European Union.
Creation Audio Labs Grizzly Bass
Manufacturer URL: https://www.creationaudiolabs.com/grizzlybass
Price: 225 USD
Comment: The users “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal. Sadly no dealer in the European Union.
Durham Sexdrive
Manufacturer URL: https://www.durhamelectronics.com/sexdrive
Price: 189 USD
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” recommends this pedal. Sadly no dealer in the European Union.
EAE Model feT
Manufacturer URL: http://www.electronicaudioexperiments.com/model-fet
Price: 235 USD
Comment: No dealer in the European Union.
EarthQuaker Devices (EQD) Plumes
Manufacturer URL: https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/plumes
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/earthquaker_devices_devices_plumes_signal_shredder.htm
Price: 124 EUR
Comment: The users “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal.
EarthQuaker Devices (EQD) Westwood
Manufacturer URL: https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/westwood
Shop: Invalid Link Removed
Price: 209 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” recommends this pedal.
EBS MD Multi-Drive Basseffekt
Manufacturer URL: https://ebssweden.com/content2/effects/ebs-multidrive-studio-edition/
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 149 EUR
ElectroFoods Germ Warfare
Manufacturer URL: https://www.electrofoods.space/germ-warfare
Price: 180 USD
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal. It’s a low gain germanium pedal. No dealer in the European Union.
ElectroFoods Rad Sickness
Manufacturer URL: https://www.electrofoods.space/rad-sickness
Price: 180 USD (sold out at the moment)
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal. It’s a silicon boost. No dealer in the European Union.
Electro Harmonix Green Russian Big Muff
Manufacturer URL: https://www.ehx.com/products/green-russian-big-muff
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/electro_harmonix_green_russian_big_muff_fuzz.htm
Price: 85 EUR
The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending pedals of this series.
Fairfield Circuitry The Barbershop
Manufacturer URL: https://fairfieldcircuitry.com/products/the-barbershop
Shop: https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/Fairfield-Circuitry-The-Barbershop/art-GIT0046879-000
Price: 219 EUR
Comment: The users “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal.
Fulltone OCD Overdrive V2
Manufacturer URL: https://www.fulltone.com/products/ocd-v2
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/fulltone_ocd_v2.htm
Price: 163 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal. He has only used the Joyo Ultimate Drive, which is supposed to be a copy of this pedal. This pedal got very favorable reviews and you won’t clone a pedal if it’s not excellent. The user “Invalid Link Removed” is using this pedal for low to mid gain. For him the blend knob is not needed with that kind of gain.
Hudson Broadcast
Manufacturer URL: https://hudsonelectronicsuk.com/product/broadcast/
Shop: https://www.loopersparadise.de/en/index.php?p=2507
Price: 225 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
JHS Color Box
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/jhs_pedals_colour_box_v2_preamp_eq.htm
Price: 489 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal. For all practical purposes it is a neve mixing console including output transformer in a pedal format. It has enough headroom and gain to drive the signal into deep distortion if needed but can be as clean as a pedal could possible be.
Joyo Ultimate Drive
Manufacturer URL: https://www.joyoaudio.co.uk/JOYO-JF-02-ultimate-overdrive-pedal
Shop: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/ProductCategory/6037.html?q=Joyo+Ultimate+Drive
Price: 26,- EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Mosky Golden Horse
Manufacturer URL: https://www.moskyaudio.com/product/product-22-912.html
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 28 EUR
Comment: Based on Klon Centaur. The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Musician Sound Design Silverstone Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: https://www.silvermachine.de/en/effekte.htm
Shop: https://www.loopersparadise.de/de/index.php?p=1663
Price: 172 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
MXR EVH5150 Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: https://www.jimdunlop.com/mxr-evh-5150-overdrive/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/de/mxr_evh_5150_overdrive.htm
Price: 259 EUR
Proco Rat 2 Distortion
Manufacturer URL: Link Removed
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/proco_rat2.htm
Price: 78 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Rowin Dumbler LEF-315
Manufacturer URL: Link Removed
Shop: https://www.musicstore.com/en_LV/EUR/Fame-LEF-315-Dumbler/art-GIT0040242-000
Price: 31 EUR
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Q5C0HdVBE
Southampton Fifth Gear
Manufacturer URL: https://www.southamptonpedals.com/products/fifth-gear-overdrive
Price: 220 USD
Comment: The users “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal. Sadly no dealer in the European Union.
SolidGoldFX (SGFX) Beta
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 165 USD
Comment: The users and “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal. Sadly no dealer in the European Union.
TC Electronic MojoMojo Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/tc_electronic_mojomojo.htm
Price: 45 EUR
Comment: Delivers a more dirt then the TC Electronic Spark. Lots of good reviews and the users “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIy3C9wGU8
TC Electronic Spark
Manufacturer URL: https://www.tcelectronic.com/Categories/Tcelectronic/Guitar/Stompboxes/SPARK-BOOSTER/p/P0DDN#googtrans(en|en)
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/tc_electronic_spark_booster.htm
Price: 42 EUR
Comment: Excellent reviews and the users “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal.
Reviews and demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2CoJ5aRJ4
Walrus Audio 385 Overdrive
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 199 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Wampler Tumnus
Manufacturer URL: https://www.wamplerpedals.com/products/distortion-overdrive/tumnus/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/wampler_tumnus_overdrive_v2.htm
Price: 145 EUR
Wampler Tumnus Deluxe
Manufacturer URL: https://www.wamplerpedals.com/products/distortion-overdrive/tumnus-deluxe/
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/wampler_tumnus_deluxe_overdrive_v2.htm
Price: 219 EUR
Way Huge Green Rhino Overdrive MkIV
Manufacturer URL: https://www.jimdunlop.com/way-huge-green-rhino-overdrive-mkiv/
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 169 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Wren & Cuff Suppa Phat Phuk (Germanium Boost)
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Price: 194 EUR
Comment: The user “Invalid Link Removed” is recommending this pedal.
Xotic California Bass BB
Manufacturer URL: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Shop: https://www.thomann.de/intl/xotic_effects_xotic_bb_preamp_v1.5.htm
Price: 179 EUR
Comment: The users “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed” are recommending this pedal.
Class 3: Out of build
When I began this list I sorted out pedals, which were out of build. But some of them are recommended from users around here, so I guess they are something special. I personally don’t want a used pedal for this application, but that is me. Maybe you are not so picky and there is a decent market for used stuff at your location. That is, why I list here such recommendations.
Tech 21 – Red Ripper
Manufacturer URL: http://www.tech21nyc.com/archive/red-ripper/
Price: around 165 EUR
Comment: Pedal is out of build! It was recommended by the user “Invalid Link Removed”.
Way Huge Pork Loin
Pedal URL: Invalid Link Removed
Price: around 170 USD
Comment: Pedal is out of build! It was recommended by the users “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed”, “Invalid Link Removed” and “Invalid Link Removed”.
I viewed and read a lot of reviews and demonstrations and these six pedals were my favorites:
The pedal contains two independent gain stages with separated in and outputs. Yes, you could run two different basses or guitars into that pedal and then into two different amps. For me this is interesting because I can route both, the low pass and the high pass loop from my frequency splitter (Link Removed), into this pedal using two completely different settings for the two gain stages of that pedal. For example I could use a mild overdrive for the lows tones and a fold back fuzz for highs. The pedal has around 50 different types of distortion per stage, so it’s very flexible.
Furthermore I have very good experiences with pedals from Source Audio and this pedal integrates nicely into my setup. It should be noted that you need a computer, tablet or smartphone to get the most out of this pedal. It’s nice right out of the box with it’s default settings but at the moment there are 204 presets in the cloud from Source Audio, artists and users available. And you can easily create your own presets.
- Ampeg Scrambler Bass Overdrive
- Electro Harmonix Bass Soul Food
- Electro Harmonix Battalion Nano
- Electro Harmonix Hot Wax
- Source Audio Aftershock
- T-Rex Bass Juice Pedal
The pedal contains two independent gain stages with separated in and outputs. Yes, you could run two different basses or guitars into that pedal and then into two different amps. For me this is interesting because I can route both, the low pass and the high pass loop from my frequency splitter (Link Removed), into this pedal using two completely different settings for the two gain stages of that pedal. For example I could use a mild overdrive for the lows tones and a fold back fuzz for highs. The pedal has around 50 different types of distortion per stage, so it’s very flexible.
Furthermore I have very good experiences with pedals from Source Audio and this pedal integrates nicely into my setup. It should be noted that you need a computer, tablet or smartphone to get the most out of this pedal. It’s nice right out of the box with it’s default settings but at the moment there are 204 presets in the cloud from Source Audio, artists and users available. And you can easily create your own presets.
Very cool how your choice integrates into your setup. I wasn't aware that the Aftershock supports two signals. I'm growing to like the idea of getting an Aftershock, more and more.
Even though you've made your choice, I'll suggest checking out Dr Scientist The Elements for your possible future needs.
It is available in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey, and the UK — and of course elsewhere in the world, but hopefully one of the aforementioned places works for you.
It is extremely versatile, yet easy to dial in a sound, goes from mild OD to Distortion bordering on fuzz and has a clean blend. It also has an expression-pedal input to dial in/out as much saturation as you want on the fly whilst playing.
Continuously underrated, this pedal should get more attention. It gets good reviews [This invalid link has been removed], but the only reviews I've seen on bass are in these forums. Also, the fellow who makes them is a stand-up guy, not some subsidiary owned by a mega-corp.
Looks like a lot of knobs and switches, but actually fairly standard knobs and easy to figure out the toggles. Can do 18v. Not many dirt boxes have expression in (MIX) for dry to full on distortion... Really great pedal.
