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Warm OD, small form factor recs

edr

edr

Mar 28, 2019
263
310
#1
I’m starting to feel like my pedal board isn’t full enough, so it’s time to ask the GAS hive mind:

I want an OD pedal. I already have a TAFM for my fuzz needs, and occasionally I use the distortion on my MXR M80 as an OD with the gain set all the way down, but I’d rather get a dedicated OD that does the job better. Then I can use the distortion as... you know. Distortion.

I’ve looked through several tb threads, but then every time I think I narrowed it down, I suddenly don’t.
I find the OD world to have an overwhelming number of options, so I’m a little paralyzed.

Hard Requirements:
  • Small form factor. Mini pedals are good, so are “normal size” pedals with top jacks. Not considering anything larger.
  • Capable of a “warm” type of overdrive.
  • Plays nice with hot signals. My basses are passive, but my main bass has two humbuckers and runs hot. I’d still want to have subtlety available.
  • 9V dc powered
  • $150 usd max (new or used)
Stuff that would help me narrow it down, since there’s a billion options:
  • Is it monochromatic (black, white, bare metal, etc)? I’ve got a color scheme going here. :D
  • Alternatively, is it one I get to build myself? like BYOC or Mad Bean Pedals. I enjoy doing that, plus then it’s whatever color I want. if there’s a diy project that meets the other requirements I’ll probably prioritize it over fully assembled pedals, as long as I don’t have to etch a PCB myself.
  • Analog preferred.
Also, dirty boosts, tiny preamps (ex: sonic silver peg) that sort of accomplish the same thing are fine too.

Let the information overload begin!
 
#2
I've got two that I'd personally go for.
Now, new, they're both above your max, but used should fall within that range.

1) Way Huge Pork & Pickle. Incredibly flexible. I prefer the clean volume/tone set to noon, internal curve/presence trims maxed, and drive control set to add a bit of "hair". For me, it makes an excellent tone sweetener.

2) Spaceman Effects Saturn VI. While called a "Harmonic Booster", this is capable of light overdrive, that never gets out of control, even with the drive maxed. The drive and tone control are very interactive. One of my favourite pedals for light overdrive, and I own an MBD2.


I love both the Saturn VI and P&P, and are on the list of "replace immediately if stolen or broken."
 
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#8
SSBS Mini, can give you everything from clean boost to warm tubey overdrive, to distortion to fuzz. I'm currently using it as an overdrive and it's perfect. The EQ is very usable as well.

Big fan of the Pork Loin as well (same circuit as the Pork section of the Pork & Pickle), very close second to the Mini.
 
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#9
edr said:
I’m starting to feel like my pedal board isn’t full enough, so it’s time to ask the GAS hive mind:

I want an OD pedal. I already have a TAFM for my fuzz needs, and occasionally I use the distortion on my MXR M80 as an OD with the gain set all the way down, but I’d rather get a dedicated OD that does the job better. Then I can use the distortion as... you know. Distortion.

I’ve looked through several tb threads, but then every time I think I narrowed it down, I suddenly don’t.
I find the OD world to have an overwhelming number of options, so I’m a little paralyzed.

Hard Requirements:
  • Small form factor. Mini pedals are good, so are “normal size” pedals with top jacks. Not considering anything larger.
  • Capable of a “warm” type of overdrive.
  • Plays nice with hot signals. My basses are passive, but my main bass has two humbuckers and runs hot. I’d still want to have subtlety available.
  • 9V dc powered
  • $150 usd max (new or used)
Stuff that would help me narrow it down, since there’s a billion options:
  • Is it monochromatic (black, white, bare metal, etc)? I’ve got a color scheme going here. :D
  • Alternatively, is it one I get to build myself? like BYOC or Mad Bean Pedals. I enjoy doing that, plus then it’s whatever color I want. if there’s a diy project that meets the other requirements I’ll probably prioritize it over fully assembled pedals, as long as I don’t have to etch a PCB myself.
  • Analog preferred.
Also, dirty boosts, tiny preamps (ex: sonic silver peg) that sort of accomplish the same thing are fine too.

Let the information overload begin!
Click to expand...
There's a mini tube screamer
 
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#11
mmbongo said:
Just beware, the Pork & Pickle did not get along...AT ALL...with my higher output basses. Otherwise I'd still have it as it sounds great but I had to lower my volume knob down to about 3 to keep it out of fartation territory.
Click to expand...
I played my MFD equipped G&L basses thru it, with the Pork volume trim (internal) set to about 10 o'clock.
It showed no issues.
Did you make any internal adjustments?
 
#12
The One Control Crimson Red, Silver Peg, or Hooker's Green are good choices for warm IMO. Silver Peg provides a little more grit on the higher settings. The Hooker's Green even more so.







edr said:
Alternatively, is it one I get to build myself? like BYOC or Mad Bean Pedals. I enjoy doing that, plus then it’s whatever color I want. if there’s a diy project that meets the other requirements I’ll probably prioritize it over fully assembled pedals, as long as I don’t have to etch a PCB myself.
Click to expand...

Check out AionFx for DIY pedals. I've built a few of theirs already and they're great sounding pedals.
 
Last edited:
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#16
Thank you for the input!

i still need to measure my space, but I spent some time watching bass demos.

Im definitely interested in these:
  • Spaceman Saturn VI (size tho)
  • One control SSP (this was on my radar the longest)
  • Tube screamer / clone kits. Madbean, BYOC, and AIONfx all have versions of it that can be built with top jacks. I’m assuming if I like the vanilla tube screamer sound, I’ll be happy building one that has extra stuff crammed in, like BYOC’s green pony.
  • Xotic bass BB (size tho)

Still need to spend more time looking at the pork n pickle.
And I love SS/BS (The TAFM has been so much fun), but I don’t see the Mini being subtle enough for my needs. Sure sounds nice though.
Tumnus would be on the list too... if it came in black :p
Edit: I want a foot switch for the overdrive. But the normal barbershop is a bit large...
 
#19
edr said:
Tube screamer / clone kits. Madbean, BYOC, and AIONfx all have versions of it that can be built with top jacks. I’m assuming if I like the vanilla tube screamer sound, I’ll be happy building one that has extra stuff crammed in, like BYOC’s green pony.
Click to expand...
For overdrives, I've also got the Green Rhino MkV from Way Huge, which is a tricked out Tube Screamer type circuit.
I left it off of my recommendations because, even with the drive at a minimum, is still fairly "gritty" to my ears.
It's still a fantastic pedal, but not what I would go for when I want a "warm/subtle" overdrive.
 
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