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smooth blues overdrive

#2
I'd try using a clean blend. Otherwise, you might want to look into pedals like the Sansamp BDDI, Barber LTD, Fulltone Bassdrive, and the EHX English Muff'n. They're all pretty popular around here, and I'm sure you will find a nice subtle drive that you'd like out of at least one of them.

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out. :D
 
#6
SpankyPants said:
I'd try using a clean blend. Otherwise, you might want to look into pedals like the Sansamp BDDI, Barber LTD, Fulltone Bassdrive, and the EHX English Muff'n. They're all pretty popular around here, and I'm sure you will find a nice subtle drive that you'd like out of at least one of them.

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out. :D
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+1 a clean blend is where it is at for this. HAve to just dial enough enough dirt to taste, but keep it nice and clean overall. Also helps keep you from getting lost in the mix.
 
#8
One of those, or one of the hundred or more available out there. OD is one of the most common pedals, everybody and their cousin makes one. The ones Spanky listed are just a few of the more popular units on this forum. Some of them have a clean-blend option built in, some benefit from using an external clean blend unit, and some don't need to be blended.

Another thing to note is that blues guitarists get a large percentage of their OD tone in this high buzzy range that sounds totally natural on the higher notes of a guitar, but which can sound "meh" or even crappy on bass (depending on the specific pedal, and your tastes). I've sold probably over a dozen different OD/dist pedals and rack units because the "blues guitar" sound wasn't working for bass in a way I liked. That's not to say it can't be done- right now I'm really happy with an OD pedal called the BJFE Blueberry, but it's expensive new, and hard to find. A lot of us pedal fiends buy and sell OD pedals like they were burning our hands.
 
#15
anyonefortennis said:
Given the suggestions of blending, are there any bass overdrives with a blend knob ?
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The Depth Charge.

Made by a great little company known as Prescription Electronics who are slightly out of their minds. This is a good thing. (I don't think I'll ever get tired of recommending this awesome pedal)

Anyway...this pedal is a fuzz , not overdrive and it has a true blend knob that helps retain ALL of your low end. It can go from a slight crunch to rip your head off fuzz. One of the few fuzz boxes that works great with both passive and active basses.
 
#16
For the tone you're looking for, I'd suggest looking at (in no particular order):

1. VoodooLabs Sparkle Drive - Tube Screamer clone with blend.
2. EHX English Muff'n - Real tube driven OD. Can go from subtle to wild.
3. SansAmp BDDI - Does a great job simulating classic tube amp sounds (among other things) like the Ampeg SVT and B15 "Fliptop". The SABDDI does have a blend.

Another suggestion for a "blues" bass sound is to use flatwound strings, or at a minimum, roll off the tone on your bass a bit to take out some of the top end bite and keep things smooth.
 
#17
I use my Fulltone Bassdrive on the Flat Mids setting for minimal overdrive, works great. Sounds like the original signal, just slightly dirty:

Link Removed
 
#19
funkalicious101 said:
is it even possible to get a nice "clean" but still lightly overdriven sound on bass? whenever i hear overdriven or distorted bass it always seems to be very very heavy.

if it is indeed possible, what kind of pedals can get me a sound like it?
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A low power tube amp with the power amp sections overdriven. My '66 Bassman does this kind of sound extraordinatily well.
 

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