Overdrive, worth it?

[Shagmeister]

Hey new to the forum and was wondering about getting an Ibanez TS mini overdrive since I was able to find one for around 60 USD.

I did some research and couldn't find much in the way of use on Bass, now I'm all for overdriven basslines, but I was wondering if anyone had experience with the TS mini and could help out with making the decision to purchase.

 

[cosmicevan]

what might be right for some may not be right for all.

A TubeScreamer...even a TubeScreamer mini should be easy to get to audition in a local shop (bring your bass with you to see what it sounds like with your bass). $60 is a good price, but if the sound isn't one you dig, any price is a bad price. Tube Screamers aren't known to be very bass friendly, but what you like and what works for your sound might be different than the popular opinion.

 

[RJ]

Tubescreamers can sound great but they do lop off some lows and highs, especially one not tuned for bass.

 

[Bassmike62]

Welcome to TB .

TSs are notoriously mids-heavy and I'm assuming one made for guitar would be short on lows as well. If you're into that, you'll be fine, if not, I suggest looking at Youtube bass overdrive videos to get an idea of what would work for you. And there are tons, just like threads on this forum. It's literally an endless subject of discussion.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

If it’s cost that attracts you to this pedal, have a look at a Nobels ODR Mini. Sounds great on bass, and is $80 new, around $60 used. The ODR is the “other green overdrive” but is very much not a tube screamer.

 

[jking138]

Get a Boss LS-2 (other brands are available) so you can mix your clean signal and the tube screamer together, it's help keep some lows.

 

[BeauZooka]

I’d recommend the TC Spark. The one with 4 knobs. It’s pretty cheap and is a very bass friendly overdrive due to the 2 band eq.

 

[Killing Floor]

What they said. Many OD, Fuzz and Distortion circuits drop bass. Many were specifically designed to do so in order to achieve popular lead guitar tones. That’s not a bad thing. But make sure you can try or just get one you know can accommodate a bass.
I personally have 20-something ODs and I’d say about 5 are really good on my bass but I play guitar too so I’m OK with that. Good luck.

I have not used a Spark but like Smurf-O said, Nobels types work on bass. So do many Bluesbreaker types. Some folks like K types (I don’t on bass) and some like D types too. I think BB and Nobels style are the way to go but that’s subjective.

Edit that Spark is a boost. Boost pedals create overdrive by ramming a really hot signal into your amp so sometimes the tone is really natural breakup. I use a Durham Sex Drive for that same reason quite often.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

If you just play on your own, it would probably be fine. If you play with other musicians, I don’t think you will like what it does to your tone in a band mix. I prefer my OD’s and distortion for bass with a blend, so I can keep some of the clean signal in the mix. Jking138’s suggestion would work also. It’s basically the same idea.

 

[micguy]

Tube screamers drop enough low end that you're not really playing bass anymore. There are scads of threads on Talkbass about overdrives - do a search. The cheapest way to get a good overdrive for bass is to buy the right one the first time, not the cheapest one - you'll end up buying another, then another, until eventually you realize you should have ponied up the money for a good one in the first place.

The 4 knob spark is relatively cheap and retains the low end. It doesn't get very dirty, which may or may not be OK - depends on what you're wanting. If you 're looking for a lot of filth, there are lots of fuzzes that hold low end - I'm not an expert in that, as it isn't my flavor of dirt.

 

[rylie]

most often, you get what you pay for
source audio is nearly 3 X more cost
it offers many dirt and blend options
if you're gonna have bass distortion
after shock delivers
Source Audio Aftershock Bass Distortion Pedal

 

[BeauZooka]

Edit that Spark is a boost. Boost pedals create overdrive by ramming a really hot signal into your amp so sometimes the tone is really natural breakup. I use a Durham Sex Drive for that same reason quite often.

TC have two versions of the Spark. One is a straight up single knob boost.
I am recommending the other, which is a 4 knob overdrive with a mode switch. Very versatile.

 

[vlsndgrdn]

It will eat your lows.

 

[DosiYanarchy]

I currently have the TS Mini and it haemorrhages lows. I also have the Nobels Odr-Mini and it has a really healthy bass response. Also in a similar price range are the TC Electronic Spark and MojoMojo.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Old thread, I know. But reading through it, I’m surprised nobody mentioed the actual Ibanez bass Tubescreamer. It’s actually pretty decent!