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Tone Warmth

#7
If you want a clean signal but warmer, you said your clean tone doesn't fit but you don't really want to add gain, then just turn your tone down some and play with a softer finger style.
Otherwise your just spending money on a pedal that you'll only use occasionally and takes up space on your board.
 
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#9
I was using the B3K for this exact reason and was getting great results, but after listening to some of the effects guys I got a VMT to try out. I was very impressed, the VMT warmed everything up very nicely and allowed me to use the B3K for grind. If warmth is what you are looking for and you want to go the Darkglass rout, I would start with the VMT.
 
#10
I could suggest the same as some, Darkglass makes some really good stuff that is really versatile. The VMT sounds like it may be more what you are looking for. But, if that doesnt strike your fancy, and I cant speak from exp on this one, maybe look into the Fairfield Barbershop. That is supposed to be a very transparent OD that is barely they even when dimed. It adds just a little grit. I also think the Beta drive may get you there too if youre looking to stay on the darker side of OD. I can tell you that the Blower Box by Idiot Box is a Rat clone of sorts. BUT, it does a light OD extremely well. That one I have exp with. Ive also heard the Nobels ODR1 is a nice, transparent OD that sounds great as well.

The only ones Ive had actual exp with are Darkglass and the Blower Box. The others Ive heard plenty about. Have you thought about a VT bass by Tech 21? Nice Ampeg type sounds and drive. The Joyo American is a much cheaper version of that of sorts. I also dig the Boss ODB3 for aggressive and gritty tones. Then you have the Source Audio OFD that will go every which way as far as dirt is concerned. Or even an EBS valve drive or BK Blue Tube...... Its endless man!! ;)
 
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#12
The Fairfield Barbershop is really good at adding varying levels of warmth. For subtle stuff, the SFX Micro Red Dragon is really great. The Fairfield Accountant is also a good choice if you want to add a bit of compression and warmth. The SolidGold FX Beta is also a great more vintage sounding choice.

The WH Pork Loin is another nice pedal but it can be muddy for some people's tastes. The SA OFD can definitely nail some BlueTube tones if you want something like that, it can also do OCD like tones, and a bunch of tube tones, to varying degrees.

Then you have the B3K/B7K/VMT/VMT Deluxe. Those are all very nice but I think they really depend on what you are looking for. They seem to be hit or miss depending on people's tastes, but far more Hit than miss.

Honestly, all of those and the ones that were mentioned by the others are all great choices. You just have to go down the proverbial OD rabbit hole to figure out what you want in the end. JohnK's site and MrExcane's demos can help you a lot.
 
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#13
I'm going to recommend probably the cheapest alternative that is completely beyond anyone's radar here. I use one for a bit of low end beef and additional gain, but you can dial the gain back as well...

The Ibanzez BB9 Bottom Booster.
That's right, I just recommended an Ibanez pedal.

It's actually a great sounding pedal that really does add a nice bit of round oomph, and has a very musical gain stage to it. I've only found one pedal that is as musically comparable to its tone IMO, and that is the MojoHand DMBL. That one retails at $180, whereas you can get the BB9 for $50. I highly recommend giving it a spin if you can.
 
#15
The Darkglass B3K defintely has the sound I'm looking for and a lot of extra features that I like, but it's really out of my price range right now. I'm thinking I'm gonna go with the Aguilar Tone Hammer that blindrabbit mentioned, it sounds really nice plus I need to start EQing my basses better. Gonna check out that P-oddz's Ibanez BB9 first though since it's only $50, figure that's an extra $120 that I'll have for gas if it does what I need it to do. Thanks everyone, you really helped me out a lot!!
 
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#17
P-oddz said:
I'm going to recommend probably the cheapest alternative that is completely beyond anyone's radar here. I use one for a bit of low end beef and additional gain, but you can dial the gain back as well...

The Ibanzez BB9 Bottom Booster.
That's right, I just recommended an Ibanez pedal.

It's actually a great sounding pedal that really does add a nice bit of round oomph, and has a very musical gain stage to it. I've only found one pedal that is as musically comparable to its tone IMO, and that is the MojoHand DMBL. That one retails at $180, whereas you can get the BB9 for $50. I highly recommend giving it a spin if you can.
Click to expand...

If you want options, I'd suggest the SA OFD. TONS of options and EQ. Plus it has about 5 different OD selections on it that could help you get to where you'd like to be. Unless you need the DI in the tone hammer that is. Plus the OFD is $170 new. Cheaper than a TH I think. Could he wrong there.


Killing gods
 
#18
gregmon79 said:
If you want options, I'd suggest the SA OFD. TONS of options and EQ. Plus it has about 5 different OD selections on it that could help you get to where you'd like to be. Unless you need the DI in the tone hammer that is. Plus the OFD is $170 new. Cheaper than a TH I think. Could he wrong there.


Killing gods
Click to expand...

Heck keep an eye on the classifieds here. People are selling it for $110... I'd be mad because resale's shot if I ever wanted to sell it, but I'm never going to sell it, so...
 
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#20
P-oddz said:
OP - you never mentioned your amp/gear or settings.
Before you go spending money... maybe you don't necessarily need a pedal to fix your tone, but rather could learn some EQ tricks(?)
Click to expand...

I know someone just said it earlier, but this is a good point. This could all be moot if you have an Ampeg SVT or something like that. Ive learned tons the last few months about EQ and its done nothing but good.
 

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