Overdrive without distortion?

[funnyfingers]

I like the overdrive on the Fender Rumble 350 for the playing. It lets me play really fast and hear every note clearly. What can give me this without any distortion? Another example of the sound is like the intro to the Primus/Ozzy NIB where there is a riding on a harmonic. The overdrive brings this note out very loud and clear, but I want that without the distortion.

 

[godofthunder59]

I like the Ibanez Bass Tube Screamer.

 

[funnyfingers]

Can you describe it for me or does it just simply match what I described?

 

[Laurent]

I think what you are looking for is a clean boost.
My favorite is the HBE Bajo Mos but there are many other options.
The boost from EH is generaly well liked for its good tone and value.

 

[Ron Now]

I think what you want is a compressor. When set properly you can make it so that it brings out notes loud and clear, but without distortion.

The idea of overdrive without distortion is an oxymoron since well, it's purpose to to drive or distort your signal.

check out Caeman's thread about serial compression. It's sounds like he is acheiving what you are looking to do.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f36/serial-compression-experiment-905262/

 

[Lee Bruton]

Joemeek Floor Q

 

[funnyfingers]

My local shop only has a guitar compressor/sustain pedal. I forgot the maker. But I didn't like it. Is this a pedal that must be bass specific?

I could see boost possibly working by pushing the built in compressor on the Rumble 350, but not sure I would get that very loud harmonic without distortion like the gain circuit on the amp brings out.

Will read that thread now.

 

[funnyfingers]

This reall sounds like what I am after!

http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/dualband.shtml

 

[45acp]

I like the Ibanez Bass Tube Screamer.

This. I keep mine with the drive turned down and the level about 60%. Nice thick warm sound. Makes harmonics come alive.

 

[Bur]

Try drive setting on the edge of clean and distorted sound.