The 9 best distortion pedals for bass in 2025?

[Deleted member 271037]

While I'm personally not a fan of all their pedals, the total absence of Darkglass makes this list a joke IMO.

In my opinion they haven't even managed to choose the best EHX Muff for bass. The EHX Green Russian is a much better sounding Muff for bass than the EHX Bass Muff. At least for my taste.

 

[MrDinsdale]

EAE make by far my favourite drive pedals at the moment.

1) 0xEAE Bass Driver
2) EAE Dagger
3) EAE Longsword
4) Tronogaphic Rusty Box

Every time I try any others I always fallback to these.

I’ve yet to try the Damnation MBD other than captures but curious.

 

[BaltBass5]

Let’s hear your list

1. Greer Lightspeed
2. Darkglass B3K
3. Way Huge Pork Loin (Original Purple “Soft Clip Injection”)
4. Hamstead Subspace
5. Way Huge STO
6. Spaceman Redstone
7. Damnation MBD

 

[Zooberwerx]

The candidates are all over the map IMO but, then again, I'm always fuzzy on what constitutes break-up / OD / dirt / fuzz. Not listed but a favorite of mine: Sonicake B Factory which is based loosely on the BDDI but includes an effective optical comp. If the big brother, the Boom Fly-Rig, had some addt'l useful features, I'd snag one in a hot minute.

Riis

 

[Clark W]

Did they just list their best selling pedals and forgot the word 'selling' in the text?

Probably, but don't tell anyone

 

[2saddleslab]

I have a combo and head with the SGT circuit. It’s pretty darn great, yes.

The SGT-DI delivers the dirt I've always wanted but up until now could never find.

 

[HueyFreeman]

This list is not an honest assessment.

It's paid advertising.

 

[Thundar]

The only one I own is the Dug Pinnick DP3X...and its the only one I will ever need. No fuzz, no buzz...pure chunk and overdrive/grind....love it!

 

[BadMonk]

I'm surprised that the Ampeg SGT-DI is an OD pedal. I have one and it's a great pedal but ... no, it is not an OD pedal.

 

[G-Viking]

the total absence of Darkglass makes this list a joke IMO.

Agreed. At least one of the three should make the list: B3K/B7K, vintage microtubes, alpha omega

 

[SunByrne]

Maybe I’m splitting hairs here but I I think of OD/distortion/fuzz as not all quite the same. I love the Pork & Pickle but it’s not really a distortion, it’s a an OD and a fuzz. Big Muff is a good pedal (and very cheap) but also a fuzz. So I think those both have to go.

As noted, while not everybody’s personal taste, gotta have Darkglass on the list. Something from the BK family for sure (B1k, B3k, B7k all the same circuit, but different stuff around it).

And personally I’m a huge fan of the Damnation MBD-2. Have not heard the MDB-3 in person, though, so that might be even better.

 

[JimmyM]

I'm surprised that the Ampeg SGT-DI is an OD pedal. I have one and it's a great pedal but ... no, it is not an OD pedal.

Not entirely. But it has an OD in it, and a good one at that.

 

[Clark W]

These lists will typically focus on manufacturers whose sales the list-maker is trying to boost - whether it’s a dealer or an industry magazine. Best to get reviews from Talkbass, or develop your own.

I don't go by any lists from Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, Guitar Center, etc... Just curious as to SW's list compared to what most bassists here are using. Of course those articles are like the end caps in Walmart, manufacturers pay to have their products placed there.

And while the Pork & Pickle did make the list, I bought mine in July last year because of Youtube videos, Talkbass comments and I had some rewards from GC burning a hole in my pocket.

My Sushi Box "More", again, I got it because of end user's info posted here on TB, and it didn't make the list, but SW also doesn't sell that pedal either.

And my current compressor, I really just took a chance on, Laney Black Country Customs "The Custard Factory", but I also had some rewards at Musician's Friend that I used on it as well.

The combination of all 3 pedals, compressor > OD/Fuzz > 2 tube preamp, has worked really well for me the past several months, almost a year now. For me, finding a great sounding pedal is one thing, finding a great sounding pedal that works well with others is a whole other beast to tackle and fortunately I have found 3 that work really together and work well with my amp, D-800+.

I have decades of chasing tone and have never really been happy with pedals before. But that combination has changed my whole attitude about using pedals, at least those 3 in combination. They're on all the time with an occasional tweak here and there to get more or less dirt out of my tone. Matter of fact, the OD part of the Pork & Pickle works so well for me that I have yet to flip the switch and try out the Fuzz side of things on it and I've owned that pedal for almost a year now. I meant to try the Fuzz out this past Friday night and just forgot to. I keep meaning to try it, but then when I do think about it I also think, if it's not broke, don't fix it.

 

[Clark W]

Maybe I’m splitting hairs here but I I think of OD/distortion/fuzz as not all quite the same. I love the Pork & Pickle but it’s not really a distortion, it’s a an OD and a fuzz. Big Muff is a good pedal (and very cheap) but also a fuzz. So I think those both have to go.

As noted, while not everybody’s personal taste, gotta have Darkglass on the list. Something from the BK family for sure (B1k, B3k, B7k all the same circuit, but different stuff around it).

And personally I’m a huge fan of the Damnation MBD-2. Have not heard the MDB-3 in person, though, so that might be even better.

Yeah the lack of Darkglass is shocking really, I was expecting to see their stuff at the top of the list just based on some of the popularity their stuff has here on TB.

 

[aero58]

I’ve been quite content with the CAL Grizzly Bass pedal.

 

[klattman]

“These are the best profit margin pedals that we have too many of and need to sell”

 

[Mastiff_5]

MBD!
MBD!
MBD!
MBD!

 

[Clark W]

“These are the best profit margin pedals that we have too many of and need to sell”

Absolutely

 

[shon]

Here's my list:

1) Origin DCX bass
2) Hamstead Subspace
3) SGFX Beta V
5) Broughton Scorpion
6) Fairfield Barbershop
7) SS/BS mini
8) One Control Blackberry
9) BB Bass Preamp
10) Jam Pedals Bass Lucydreamer

 

[MrAB4003]

I can say mine made the list indirectly. I have a V1 Aguilar Agro and it's a special pedal for me. It's not only my first ever effects pedal, but it's a big part of my sound.

I haven’t played the v2 Agro but based on my experience with the v1 I wouldn’t call it a bass heavy box, so I hope something got updated for Sweetwater to make that claim. My v1 was a struggle to keep the low end from vaporizing.

This is what I love about my V1 Agro! It has lots of midrange that works well with my Rickenbackers and P Bass. OK, it's not as bass heavy as other pedals. But you can add some bass (and treble) or make the sound more scoopy if you turn the Contour and Presence knobs in the right directions. Go the other directions and there's only midrange, which is great for getting Lemmy's tone with my Rickenbackers!