• 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.

Recomendations for a light overdrive?

S

snogaws

Oct 25, 2008
630
3
Chicago
#1
I'm looking for an overdrive pedal that isn't too heavy on fuzz but still has a nice warm distortion too it. I hope that makes sense. I was originally thinking about going with the EHX bass blogger but I don't want to deal with the power issues it has.
 
#4
Maybe check out the Catalinbread SFT.

EDIT: I don't own one,...but I want to.

I use a Boss SD-2 Dual Overdrive for clean boost and slight dirt. I dig it, moreso for clean boost. You won't find very many clips for it on youtube or whatever,...so,...soundclips in this here thread.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=508525

There are 4 clips total,...two in the OP and a two more with less extreme settings a few replies down. My playing is a little sloppy but this was over a year and a half ago when I was an FX noob.

They weren't made for a long time so they are rare but pop up here and there. People who have them swear by them as one of Boss's best disto/OD and often overlook and underrated.
 
#5
I say Way Huge Pork Loin. I bought mine for the same reason you want a light overdrive. It's low noise, low gain and easy to dial in good subtle overdrive tones with. They're pretty common at guitar centers you should try one out.
 
#8
i tried the pork loin the other day and was extremely disappointed. the sound was just rubbish IMO (read - to my taste) whatever i tried.
the Bad monkey is worth a try. not a lot of money, but some great sounds to be found.
the cream pie will get you some 'hair' on your sound if that suits better - however they are extremely hard to find.
i find my ebs multidrive can do light OD very well.
The VT is certainly very capable of light od, but i find i use other things first, and rarely end up using the vt. They are fairly easy to find too.
 
#11
I have a Bad Monkey modified by Humphrey Audio into the "Badder Bass Monkey". It's the best bass overdrive I've ever used, and that goes back a looooong way.

One thing I really like is that it has a Level, High eq, Low eq, and Gain controls. You can change the volume of the pedal without directly affecting the gain, and vice versa. It'll change it minutely, but not as much as most. The High tone control and the Low tone control affect the overdriven sound (tone) differently, so you can really dial it in. (As opposed to just a "tone" control). Crank up the "High" and it sounds a little fuzzy. Crank up the "Low" and it sounds more like an overdriven tube head. Or anywhere in between. Bullet-proof, too.

Hope this helps. CD
 
#12
I finally got to play an VT, and I honestly think that much of the huzzah over it is hype. I have seen a lot of pedal "fads" come and go and the VT seems run in the same group as the POD, BDDI and a few others.

I am not trying to offend anyone here and I am not interested in debating it either...just offering my honest opinion

I would go for a more classic design. The Xotics seems to do well. I haven't tried the SFT, but there is a lot of good things about it. And admittedly, there are some who do not like these as I do not like the VT.

The Pork Loin was already mentioned.

There are some very expensive alternatives as well. The Bass Crowther Hotcake and Bass Blueberry as well as some offerings from Analogman.

Lots will depend on your bass as to what will work well though.
 
#14
Power issues?
If you want a passive pedal that doesn't need batteries, try the Cave Grunt Mark2. Mine is just want I need, a slight bit of grit with the ability to boost or cut the volume above/below unity.
It won't do full-on distortion though, but if light OD is what you're after, it's my choice over the VT.

If you want more heavy distortion, the VT would be a better choice.
 
#15
smo said:
Power issues?
If you want a passive pedal that doesn't need batteries, try the Cave Grunt Mark2. Mine is just want I need, a slight bit of grit with the ability to boost or cut the volume above/below unity.
It won't do full-on distortion though, but if light OD is what you're after, it's my choice over the VT.

If you want more heavy distortion, the VT would be a better choice.
Click to expand...

Always was curious about these.
 
#18
smo said:
Power issues?
If you want a passive pedal that doesn't need batteries, try the Cave Grunt Mark2. Mine is just want I need, a slight bit of grit with the ability to boost or cut the volume above/below unity.
Click to expand...
Really? Boosts volume without batteries? The only device I've ever seen (heard) do this is the Villex PRTB and it always sounds a bit magical, but if this also does a convincing OD, then it's even more so.

I finally got to play an VT, and I honestly think that much of the huzzah over it is hype. I have seen a lot of pedal "fads" come and go and the VT seems run in the same group as the POD, BDDI and a few others.
Click to expand...
Well, it's not necessarily going to be for everyone, but most people will genuinely like the sounds that are in there. Lots of people still like the BDDI, too - it seems the main reason it has fallen a bit is the release of the VTB, itself.
 
#19
takfar said:
Really? Boosts volume without batteries? ......... if this also does a convincing OD
Click to expand...

It does manage to boost the volume a little above unity - but I couldn't tell you by how much in terms of dB's.
The amount of dirt you achieve with it can be dependent on the strength of the signal going into the grunt.
The OD is a slight effect with low output basses.
But don't take my word for it, look up the samples on the site.
Mark's demo's are with flats and a passive bass btw.
Invalid Link Removed
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back