Overdrive pedal suggestions (again)

[Aqualung60]

 

[SunByrne]

Tc mojo mojo gets rave reports here especially for more ‘traditional’ overdrive sounds.
The vmt gets into the same territory.

I have both. Based on the OP’s description, of the two I would recommend the Darkglass VMT here. The MojoMojo is a fine (and budget-friendly!) option but the VMT does old-school a little better and has a blend control. My first thought when reading OP’s description was the VMT.

 

[monsterthompson]

There is this thing to consider with dirt.
What you're doing is pushing your signal through a component so it becomes overloaded and spits loads of harmonics as a result.
Since harmonics are 1+ octaves above your signal, the first consequence of using dirt is a massive hump in the midrange, which is perceived as a lack of lows.
Even if your pedal doesn't cut lows per se, to avoir feeling a lack of lows it has to use some kind of trick. It can be a boost in lows, a clean blend or lowering the output level of distortion as the input gain gets higher.

That is definitely a factor in perceived low end loss. There's also some compression as a byproduct of clipping. That said, I've seen a few things on distortion pedal design that indicate it is common to have a low frequency cut built into the circuit before the clipping stage in order to shape the behavior and sound of the clipping. There will then be some post clipping EQ adjustment as well.


As for the OP, my gut reaction to this based on boxes I've owned would be the Blueberry Bass Overdrive
BlueBerry Bass Overdrive (BBBOD) - BJFe-inspired

I haven't followed the update for the Blackberry, but I have a feeling I might need to go look that up.

 

[rafitoprtx]

Way Huge Pork and pickle or pork loin! Low end for days. Candy do vintage OD

 

[SaucyJackBass]

Having tried almost all of them. For a subtle overdrive I recommend Genzler 4 on the Floor Classic Bass Guitar Overdrive Pedal.

For a little more "meat", you can't beat the EBS Billy Sheehan Ultimate Signature Drive Pedal

 

[guitarflinger]

I use mostly subtle, mild overdrive pedals. Current ones on my board are:

Ampeg Scrambler
Two Notes Le Bass
and my favorite - Fulltone OCD

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Creation Audio Grizzly

 

[pbass2]

Sounds like you're lookin' for an Xotic Bass BB, IMHO: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[oneillmp]

You said no Source Audio because of app\computer options but the AfterShock is still a good choice. While you cant get anything good out of their C4 without the App, I never touched it with the AfterShock and love it. The default sounds it has are great. You can switch it to overdrive, fuzz and distortion with just a switch . I mostly use the overdrive at gigs but I do switch it to Fuzz for few songs to get a synth like sound with a octave pedal.

The other one I used was a TC Mojomojo, but on bass that has more of a fuzz sound to my ear.

 

[coy garcia]

I like the simple boss blues driver pedal. It's responsive to dynamics in playing and can also double as a boost.

 

[moon-bass]

I've been on a dirt kick as of late and I've tried a bunch of the pedals listed and a few more. Of the ones that you've listed, I have owned/own all but one.

One Control BlackBerry - Great tone, very thick, no loss of low end. Does color the tone.
Catalinbread SFT. If you like SVT-style O/D you will like this. Colors the tone to be Ampeg-like
SolidGoldFX bass overdrive. Haven't tried this, but it's on my GAS list
Fairfield Barbershop. Very transparent, but not sure if this will suite your needs. This is a definite "tube break-up" type of drive pedal.
Sushi Box Underground Accelerator, Space Heater. Tubes, hmmm. - All good - the UA is definitely more preamp than dirt, but it can get pretty crunchy. The space heater is more transparent, smooth and tubey OD
Ampeg bass scrambler overdrive pedal. See above on the SFT
Tech21 SansAmp VT Bass. Same as SFT but also more versatile. Perhaps a little smoother than the other two.

I'm also surprised that the Grizzly Bass is off your list - zero loss of low and, and I find the OD to be grunty, growly and aggressive, not fuzzy (although it can do fuzz if you dime it). It's very touch sensitive as well.

Of some of the other ones mentioned - the Crazy Tubes Locomotive is crazy good - smooth tube OD, and a clean blend.

Free the Tone Bass Blaster - my favorite OD. So much goodness there - can go from barely there to full on dirt. Zero low end loss, and a very natural sounding OD.

AMT Brick A bass if you are looking for something compact is great. The Tech 21 YYZ is my current favorite all-in-one dirty to clean preamp. Way more versatile than I had anticipated. Also, the MXR M85 might be worth a look - clean blend and a few different clipping options.

 

[hieronymous]

I feel like I can recommend the Way Huge Smalls Pork & Pickle. I'm impressed with the clean blend/tone. I had the SolidGoldFX Beta Germanium, and it had too much of a baked-in bass-bump for me.

I made a video review of the Pork & Pickle - I feel like I've learned more about it since then - my impression is that the "clean tone" almost gives a little "bump" in that frequency (which should be controllable with the clean blend) - I plan to experiment with it more soon.

 

[Raoul_Duke]

Jam Pedals Lucydreamer Bass. Very mild with an option for boost via a second footswitch. Retains low end very well and is very touch sensitive at all settings. It is one of the few OD pedals I’ve found for bass where the clean blend is optional instead of essential.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, I've got a Tech 21 Sans Amp NYC (not the VT).
It's pretty flexible for tone and overdrive.
Good Luck with your search.

 

[bigshiny]

Barbershop.

 

[cnltb]

Normally, this would be my first choice but as an always-on peripheral...it sounds that good. For kicking OD in & out, I’d go with a programmable Tech 21 VT.

Riis

one could just get the always on barbershop. its tiny and sounds just as good as the on / off version does.

 

[H K]

Sorry, I know this is an overdone thread concept…

Looking for an overdrive pedal, some clues:

1. Shouldn’t cut bass when clicked on. I think in terms of a normal clean tone then pop on the OD pedal as needed. Doesn’t have to be transparent though, a tonal color is OK perhaps. A blend or bass eq control might help here.

2. Not too fuzzy, fizzy, buzzy. I shied away from MXR and Boss OD because of this, also maybe the Creation audio grizzly bass. Not sure if this textural thing is really a thing though. Maybe just dial back the gain or treble a bit?

3. Kinda retro. But not necessarily. Really like Entwistle and Jack Casady’s sounds. Also that boomy Noel Redding thing.

4. Probably not a whole preamp/DI thing. Shouldn’t really need all that, just something to go in front of a Fender Rumble to click on as needed. Also, probably not a whole computer connect programming thing (Source Audio etc.).

Based on reviews and YouTube I have a short list:

One Control BlackBerry.
Catalinbread SFT.
SolidGoldFX bass overdrive.
Fairfield Barbershop.
Sushi Box Underground Accelerator, Space Heater. Tubes, hmmm.
Ampeg bass scrambler overdrive pedal.
Tech21 SansAmp VT Bass.

Anyone have some experience with these?


I have tried:
EHX Bass Soul Food. Kills your low end. You can kind of get around it with blend way over to the clean side, then drive way up to compensate, but still…. Also it adds a really harsh high mid spike. Would be good for some 80s punk?
Darkglass Vintage Microtubes. Pretty much spot on. Maybe could use some more bass end. Darkglass X7. Nice, can dial in a huge clean, maybe compressed, low end with some high end drive. Maybe a little modern sounding. Metal? I’m pretty happy with the Darkglass ones but looking to give some other a chance.

My favourite and go-to these days is Hot Wax. 2 OD pedals in one, each one with EQ and separate switch. Best pedal I've used in a long long time

 

[NKBassman]

Catalinbread SFT.
SolidGoldFX bass overdrive.
Fairfield Barbershop.

I've used these ones and each one will do what you're after, more or less.

Honestly from your descriptions at the top of the post the SGFX Beta was my first thought before even reading your short list. It's got an extremely phat low end though, and can be kinda too much sometimes when/if that's not what you want. I liked the Beta though and would consider buying another one.

The Barbershop was probably my least favourite and the least flexible of that bunch. I found it kinda farty and uninspiring. However, I think they're relatively inexpensive.

Been a while since I had the SFT but I remember liking it a lot.

I've also used several Sushi Box pedals and can confirm they sound great, but never used any of the specific ones you mentioned..

I hated the VT Bass way back when it first came out, but lots of people like it. Maybe it's gotten better since V1.

You might also like a Broughton Azure Drive, if you can manage to snag one whenever the next batch gets released. Everything he releases sells out instantly.

 

[rratajski]

Fuzzrocious lil fella with the gain/drive around 1/3 of the way up should get you there.

Agreed!

 

[torinodeathride]

I think the damnation audio mbd-2 is a good choice too.