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The 9 best distortion pedals for bass in 2025?
- Thread starter Clark W
- Start date
Every tool is a weapon, if you hold it right.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!
Exactly! That's why I have nothing against those who wield Darkglass pedals (which should be on the list given their popularity on TB, but the list is more like a shill than anything). Their pedals can be used for so much more than modern metal.
No Darkglass detected - opinion rejected.
The X7 has not just kicked every other dirt off my board, but blown them clean out the water.
I'll agree on the Tonex though, that tiny little thing is amazing (as the nun said to the sailor). I just wish it had more bass-specific models.
I also run a RAT or Angry Swede (HM-2 clone) in parallel with the X7, but they're not "bass" pedals
The X7 has not just kicked every other dirt off my board, but blown them clean out the water.
I'll agree on the Tonex though, that tiny little thing is amazing (as the nun said to the sailor). I just wish it had more bass-specific models.
I also run a RAT or Angry Swede (HM-2 clone) in parallel with the X7, but they're not "bass" pedals
Here’s my list (for what it’s worth):
1. Kassleder jellyfish
2. CAL Grizzly
3. SushiBox Grand Slampegg (amp sim ish)
4. Tech 21 xB Driver
5. Origin Effects SV (technically an amp sim but fulfills overdrive functions) Usually not using the IR
6. Kassleder albatross (one of very few fuzzes I don’t hate)
7. Fairfield barbershop
8. Broughton fliptop
9 Jad Freer CAPO
Most of the time I’m looking for a dynamically responsive overdrive.
There are a few honorable mentions. The pork and pickle and the beta V are more like a blended fuzz but in a mix they still sound good. Two Notes LeBass is really nice, but takes up a lot of room. The drive circuit on the DSM Humboldt bass simplifier is quite good as well and blending on the parallel channel can be good. MBD in a mix sounds good though it’s got a ton more gain than I ever use.
1. Kassleder jellyfish
2. CAL Grizzly
3. SushiBox Grand Slampegg (amp sim ish)
4. Tech 21 xB Driver
5. Origin Effects SV (technically an amp sim but fulfills overdrive functions) Usually not using the IR
6. Kassleder albatross (one of very few fuzzes I don’t hate)
7. Fairfield barbershop
8. Broughton fliptop
9 Jad Freer CAPO
Most of the time I’m looking for a dynamically responsive overdrive.
There are a few honorable mentions. The pork and pickle and the beta V are more like a blended fuzz but in a mix they still sound good. Two Notes LeBass is really nice, but takes up a lot of room. The drive circuit on the DSM Humboldt bass simplifier is quite good as well and blending on the parallel channel can be good. MBD in a mix sounds good though it’s got a ton more gain than I ever use.
Thanks for the Le Bass Shoutout! Glad to hear you like it! Have you tried its successor ReVolt Bass?
My vote is 100% for JPTR FX Double Jive Saturator, with DOD Carcosa close behind it.
I realised that Darkglass drives are not for me after trying almost all of them.
Here is a video I made regarding this topic.
I realised that Darkglass drives are not for me after trying almost all of them.
Here is a video I made regarding this topic.
Damnation Audio MBD3 should be on the list, IMHO...
I'm still new to pedals in general but for dirt, so far I really like the Source Audio Aftershock and UltraWave, Genzler 4 On The Floor and I have a Genzler Crash Box on the way now. Im still figuring out what exactly is like in a distortion. It's a little overwhelming with so many choices out there.
Oh it's very good! First 30 seconds I knew it was a keeper. It does light OD to crazy dist/fuzz, all without losing the bottom end.
Reiner Gasoline
Lots of JohnK Pedals
Darkglass VMT
Rusty Box
Damnation Audio MBD-1
Seamoon Grind Machine
Alpha Omega(Omicron)
Oxford with a blend
And likely a lot of crossover pedals(like the standard offerings, XO Driver is a good one)
That list made me laugh on some. I had the Zoar for 3 days and sold it.(I even made an excited post before I got it and misled a few TBers)
SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE THE GASOLINE BY REINER AGAIN.
It has kicked every single pedal off my amp, except the JohnK Centurion, which it decided to partner with and go into a Damnation Audio Bloop together. The Seamoon Grind Machine and Rusty Box were its' closest competition, and the VMT is my choice for a regular easily-obtainable all around overdrive. If the MBD-1 was a little brighter it would surely make the top pick as well.
Lots of JohnK Pedals
Darkglass VMT
Rusty Box
Damnation Audio MBD-1
Seamoon Grind Machine
Alpha Omega(Omicron)
Oxford with a blend
And likely a lot of crossover pedals(like the standard offerings, XO Driver is a good one)
That list made me laugh on some. I had the Zoar for 3 days and sold it.(I even made an excited post before I got it and misled a few TBers)
SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE THE GASOLINE BY REINER AGAIN.
It has kicked every single pedal off my amp, except the JohnK Centurion, which it decided to partner with and go into a Damnation Audio Bloop together. The Seamoon Grind Machine and Rusty Box were its' closest competition, and the VMT is my choice for a regular easily-obtainable all around overdrive. If the MBD-1 was a little brighter it would surely make the top pick as well.
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Blackstone Mosfet
Origin DCX Bass
ZVex Mastotron
Chunk Brown Dog
Tronographic Rusty Box
Darkglass VMT
Darkglass Alpha/Omega
Wren & Cuff TFR
Tech21 Oxford
JohnK Centurion
Mostly used the first half of these in different combinations for a few years, but the others I keep around because they are great for certain things on occasion. Also honorable mention for the Master Effects Super 300 and Super 400 which I also still have and use, though often in cleaner capacities
Origin DCX Bass
ZVex Mastotron
Chunk Brown Dog
Tronographic Rusty Box
Darkglass VMT
Darkglass Alpha/Omega
Wren & Cuff TFR
Tech21 Oxford
JohnK Centurion
Mostly used the first half of these in different combinations for a few years, but the others I keep around because they are great for certain things on occasion. Also honorable mention for the Master Effects Super 300 and Super 400 which I also still have and use, though often in cleaner capacities
I think your current pork and pickle is a way better choice than any or all of the 9 listed here.
For me, I use a Source Audio Ultrawave and sometimes a Source Audio Artifakt. It's all the dirt, OD, fuzz and distortion I need.
For me, I use a Source Audio Ultrawave and sometimes a Source Audio Artifakt. It's all the dirt, OD, fuzz and distortion I need.
While an obvious shill list to sell, the Sweetwater list is also clearly casting a wide marketing net in that they have overdrives, distortions, fuzzes, and preamps listed. They all may be dirt, but its a lot of apples, oranges, bananas, and kiwi, not to mention the corporate shilling.
I’ll play along and break all the same dirt boundaries since they did it first:
1) 0xEAE Bass Driver
2) Mr. Black Bass OD (nothing I have found beats this for light to moderate overdrive - I own three of them)
3) Damnation Audio Retro Bass Distortion
4) Stomp Under Foot Vintage Mini Elk Big Mag Sustainar (though all of Matt’s vintage minis have their own charm)
5) Damnation Audio Business Card Bass Distortion - A DOD250 for bass which is hands down the best 250 circuit I have played
6) Night Owl Industries Cold Bear Distortion
7) JHS Punchline’s Drive Section isn’t enough to make the list on its own, but when used in conjunction with the rest of the pedal - especially the amp sim, it is vintage dirt vibe for days
I could keep going but I would be fine with only #1, #2, and #5 from here on and stay quite happy.
I’ll play along and break all the same dirt boundaries since they did it first:
1) 0xEAE Bass Driver
2) Mr. Black Bass OD (nothing I have found beats this for light to moderate overdrive - I own three of them)
3) Damnation Audio Retro Bass Distortion
4) Stomp Under Foot Vintage Mini Elk Big Mag Sustainar (though all of Matt’s vintage minis have their own charm)
5) Damnation Audio Business Card Bass Distortion - A DOD250 for bass which is hands down the best 250 circuit I have played
6) Night Owl Industries Cold Bear Distortion
7) JHS Punchline’s Drive Section isn’t enough to make the list on its own, but when used in conjunction with the rest of the pedal - especially the amp sim, it is vintage dirt vibe for days
I could keep going but I would be fine with only #1, #2, and #5 from here on and stay quite happy.
