Overdrive, Not Distortion pedals

[opivy3056]

It's labeled "distortion" but I use the Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra for light amp-like drive.

 

[Deleted member 132197]

As over drives go, my goto is the "tube overdrive" model on my Source Audio Aftershock. It's the most transparent, clearest and touch sensitive OD that I've yet tried.

1. Damnation Audio MBD-2
2. Way Huge Pork Loin

View attachment 4131518

Another vote for the AfterShock and MBD-2. Both have some great OD!

 

[vvvmmm]

In the order I'm most likely to choose to use them:

EHX Bass Soul Food
EHX Green Russian Muff (just roll gain and EQ down)
Blackstar LT Boost
EHX Hot Tubes
EHX Bass Muff
Digitech Boneshaker
Tubeworks Blue Tube

 

[MdC64]

In the order I'm most likely to choose to use them:

EHX Bass Soul Food
EHX Green Russian Muff (just roll gain and EQ down)
Blackstar LT Boost
EHX Hot Tubes
EHX Bass Muff
Digitech Boneshaker
Tubeworks Blue Tube

Great list. I really like my Bass Soul Food.

 

[808State]

I think what the OP was mostly asking about is if there are any distortion pedals out there with more of an "overdrive" characteristic I.E. wide frequency range, low gain, something that would make your ears think of an overdriving tube amp without necessarily being an overdriving tube amp. IME there's quite a few pedals out there that can do it, but without the context of a band mix there is potential to sound harsh or have that "artificial grind".

figured as much, but didn't want terminology to stop people from just using a pedal that actually works. and not have terminology make something its not and otherwise work.

As mentioned Marshall Guv'Nur or a SansAmp Gt2 were the originals to get the sound.
It takes basic filters to make any "overdrive" sound decent. Then you get the " Bass drop" which makes people
say its not " transparent"
SansAmp covered it with the active EQ to boost back everything. Guv'Nur did as well.
Not to worried about a zillion 300 to 400 dollar pedals that do the same thing. Distortion then EQ....
no diodes.
SansAmp Gt2 had the somewhat gimmicky labels, but it was the first to use better filters and selectable gain stages to get anything from...." overdrive" to " distortion" and be " transparent"

 

[HolmeBass]

Damnation Audio MBD1 or MBD2.
View attachment 4131757

Do you prefer the 1 or the 2? Or do they sound the same and the 2 just has a better form factor? The MDB is one of the few ODs that tempt me now.

 

[Smooth Operator]

I'm new to the Pedal world. I've owned about 10 different OD/Distortion pedals and my favorite by far is the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes. Yes it can get into full distortion, but I keep the blend knob below noon, the drive about 2 o'clock, and the ERA(tone) at 9 o'clock gives a great vintage inspired OD.

 

[Planespotter]

Darkglass Vintage ultra is my favorite.

 

[cusar5]

In my experience, stacking multiple low-gain stages together is the best way to get a thick, harmonically-rich overdrive. So far, no single pedal I've tried has sounded as good as multiple pedals combined.

 

[Ryan L.]

Do you prefer the 1 or the 2? Or do they sound the same and the 2 just has a better form factor? The MDB is one of the few ODs that tempt me now.

They're the same, just different form factor, and the -2 adds the +20db switch on top, along with a soft switch.

I'm using the 1 for light overdrive, and the 2 for heavy distortion. The settings pictured aren't dialed in yet, that pic was just after putting the new board together.

 

[808State]

In my experience, stacking multiple low-gain stages together is the best way to get a thick, harmonically-rich overdrive. So far, no single pedal I've tried has sounded as good as multiple pedals combined.

Agreed stacking is very useful.
Actually just a Big Muff Op Amp gets a good stacked tone, but it lacks EQ.
So you still stack it with a EQ pedal after.
Tone Bypass is useful, turn tone control off and use a EQ pedal.

Way more advanced tone shaping then relying on pedals with built in tone control

 

[Matty Koff]

P.S. - Overdrive = distortion. Specifically overdrive pedals emulate cranking the input gain on a tube amp and driving the tube/tubes into breaking up/clipping, aka distortion.

And there are distortion pedals that can emulate overdrive alongside heavier distortion and fuzz. Like the SA ABD, various Darkglass pedals. Etc etc. Just as well as there are pedals dedicated to fuzz (Big Muff Pi), distortion, or "overdrive".

 

[arepa_funk]

+1 Pork Loin, even without the mods. Also really enjoy the Keeley Super Phat Mod. Gritty and touch responsive. Fantastic pedal.

 

[Cazman]

My mainstays:
SGFX Beta
sfx Red Dragon
Depending on which bass I'm using at the time.

 

[cosmicevan]

sticking to the definition of overdrive and not suggesting distortions or fuzzes...

easily obtained (and can be had at a steel around $130 - $150) - Smallsound/Bigsound Mini
tougher to find but my fav (based on OCD) - Dunwich ODB Olde Dirty Bass

Tube unobtanium - Broughton Sunray

 

[HolmeBass]

They're the same, just different form factor, and the -2 adds the +20db switch on top, along with a soft switch.

I'm using the 1 for light overdrive, and the 2 for heavy distortion. The settings pictured aren't dialed in yet, that pic was just after putting the new board together.

Thanks, great to know I don't have to chase down a used mdb-1!

 

[crapusername]

I've tried soo many pedals at different price points, including some of the ones that get lauded and lusted over on here and other forums.
However I've found that I prefer the gritty tone of a slightly gritty 'base tone' which is boosted by a low gain specific drive pedal, and not some of the fuzz and distortion pedals I've seen mentioned here already.
Current favourites here include-
caline orange burst
Bass soul food
Orange getaway driver
Mosky b box- seriously underrated
Joyo orange juice
Danelectro transparent overdrive v1 or 2
Hardwire tube overdrive
Tc spark (larger version)
Bass tube screamer

 

[vvvmmm]

I didn't see the Joyo Ultradrive mentioned, and I like that as well, and better than the Orange Juice.

 

[NorthTexasBass]

The Two Notes Le Bass has he best natural tube break up sound I've ever heard. I use it in cold fusion mode 80% of the time for a good natural sound with a hint of breakup that will get dirty when you dig in. You can do anything from clean tube punchiness to full on chaos with this pedal. The demo in this video starts around the 10 min mark. All About The Bass - Two Note Le Bass Preamp Pedal - YouTube

 

[HolmeBass]

I have also tried (and still have) a few OD pedals like Pork Loin, SS/BS Mini (more on the distorsion side), MXR, Fifth Gear, and Barbershop. This last is my favorite. I run it at 18Volts to avoid over clipping due to my active bass. Also, I cant use any OD pedals without using my Wounded Paw Blender. I like the harmonics that arise from the Barbershop. It is on the subtile side, so an always on pedal. I have found that it let shine the preamp tubes in my SVT 3PRO. I also like to have a compressor before the OD. I use an Opti-FET that fits very smoothly with the Barbershop.View attachment 4131724

I had and sold my Barbershop because it would never clean up enough with my Warwick. But I never tried it 18 volts, which I regret, and is so arbitrary on my part as I found running my EB "clean" boost at 18 cleaned that up enough for me. Oh well, my guitarist buddy was extremely geeked when I sold him the Barbershop, and I think it's an MBD-2 for me next.