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Stombox Always-on Overdrive vs Preamp Always-on Drive

G

gordonfreemanjr

Dec 30, 2018
77
27
The European Union
#1
So, I'm re-setting up my rig to include an always-on overdrive (next to a regular fuzz pedal, in this case: Big Muff Pi). I'm already using a preamp pedal, which I consider surprisingly solid for my needs, however it's drive sucks elephant balls.

I see two options:
Route A: an always on overdrive pedal (already tried bunch, including Ibanez Bass Tube Screamer, I like none of them);
Route B: a new preamp pedal with a good drive.

Can you recommend any of the B? (I like that Hartke Bass Attack 2 has a separate overdrive switch, however the sound doesn't seem that convincing).

Thanks!
 
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#11
EHX Bass Battalion is a neat preamp pedal that has a compressor and distortion sections. The distortion section is pretty adjustable, so getting a slightly overdriven sound is not a problem. Recently thy released a nano version of this pedal, the main differences are lack of DI out and less EQ control on the nano.
I'm not a tone junkie, but I liked how its distortion sounds.
 
#15
hintz said:
This/\. The vintage is amazing
Click to expand...
Third this, I have the darkglass 900 and the VMT section is pretty much always on with the drive around 9-10 o’clock, it just breaks up enough to get a great slightly overdriven tone, I use it as the foundation of my sound, you pay the price for darkglass stuff but it’s definitely worth it. I also use a VT bass sometimes and a way huge pork loin for even more options. Those are both good options, the VT bass for me only has one usable sound on my pedal board which is a very bottom heavy slightly overdriven sound, pretty much it’s the Timmy C pedal for rage against the machine tone, Ampeg isn’t my cup of tea though, so I admit it is good but I just have limited taste for it.
 
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#16
While I can't recommend a preamp with a good drive section, one thing I often recommend is getting a Boss LS-2 or something similar to give you a dedicated wet/dry blend. Then you can have your choice of any overdrive pedal without having to worry about losing low end. A surprisingly good, cheap overdrive is the old Danelectro Transparent Overdrive. I use it to add just a little break up, and I think it excels at that, but I have the benefit of running a wet/dry blend. YMMV
 
#17
gordonfreemanjr said:
So, I'm re-setting up my rig to include an always-on overdrive (next to a regular fuzz pedal, in this case: Big Muff Pi). I'm already using a preamp pedal, which I consider surprisingly solid for my needs, however it's drive sucks elephant balls.

I see two options:
Route A: an always on overdrive pedal (already tried bunch, including Ibanez Bass Tube Screamer, I like none of them);
Route B: a new preamp pedal with a good drive.

Can you recommend any of the B? (I like that Hartke Bass Attack 2 has a separate overdrive switch, however the sound doesn't seem that convincing).

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'd go with the VT Bass (as many have stated), the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes, Two Notes Le Bass, or even the MXR M80 (although I run mine into a SansAmp in order to tame the fizziness).

Philly Watts
Check out my blog
 
#18
gordonfreemanjr said:
Thanks. I'll ask a different question now:

any good preamp pedals with good drive? (Apart from Le Bass)
Click to expand...

It really is going to depend on the flavor you want. But here are a few that come to my mind:

-Rusty Box- has a boost too. It can be clean or dirty. The dirt is awesome but not for everyone. It's a solid state kind of drive. But I love it myself.
-DG B7K/Alpha Omega/Vintage Ultra or X7- IMO, these just plain rule. The alpha omega ultra will probably be the one that reacts to a broader sound/genre. But the X7 is pretty damn versatile itself. As is the B7K and Vintage
-Tone Hammer- Never had one but I know a lot of guys that love it.
-Joyo- pretty much any of that character series- the Cali, British, American, they all have nice EQ's and the low gain drives are great. I would refrain from anything high gain on these though cause they can get loud.
-Tech 21- either the VT or the BDDI are great choices if you are wanting that Ampeg sound. Both have nice drive tones too.
 
#20
I was recently in a similar position, and finally discovered that the EHX Nano Battalion is my always-on overdrive of choice. With about 40% blend and moderate drive, it's fat, full, great midrange, with just a bit of hair. Obviously everybody's tone goals are different, but I was blown away with the sound I got, and found "the sound" in only about 30 minutes of playing around.
 
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