I want to get a heavy "distortion" with pitch and rhythmic definition, and the ability to sound good at low gain if possible. Versatility is nice too. Which of these three would fill the bill best? Hard to judge from youtube videos. Thanks!
Haven’t tried the ODB, but I’ve had the VT 125B and still have the WF 125B. Even though the wizard is a fuzz, the combo of blend, EQ, and depth controls make it crazy versatile. I assumed it would be fuzz only, but it does low gain well. You’ll get more clipping options from a VT, but the WF wither clean blend may be the most versatile from low grit to total madness. Having said all that, the VT with clean blend is/will be a thing. So that may be the ultimate.
Big box Volt Thrower (not the 125b) is still one of my favorite distortions ever. Only trumped by the range knob on the Broughton Locust Star. I love it on no-clipping mode where only the Lm-308 distorts. Transparent yumminess.
A bit different. The mids dial changes the eq curve a bit and it loses some transparency. I prefer the big box.
My Wizard Fuzz is actually currently doing a more overdrive type duty - at lower Depth and Gain it's actually got some of the same grunt as my Rumble's OD but with more crunch. I'm still contemplating sending it to Nick for a clean blend but I feel like I can find settings that negate that desire, too. Plus, if I want I can crank it up to molten and even into crackly gated territory. So that's nice.
I have all three of these devices. I would never make them fight each other, or force myself too choose one over the others.
I have an VT and ODB and use them together, not an either or scenario. Fuzz I would classify outside of either of the others, it's a unique enough sound on its own.
Interesting... I actually just ordered a used Volt Thrower 125b from Reverb. And I don’t have space on my board for the big box. I like mids. In the online demos I liked the punch I heard from the OCD. Hopefully I can get from the VT when needed.
i had a 125B volt thrower and still have the ODB, which makes it kinda obvious that i prefer the ODB.
@dunwichamps would know best I only own the Cthulhu fuzz so far but might need an Olde Dirty Bass for my baseline level of dirtbagginess. Now that my tube amp is fixed, it doesn’t break up nearly as easily
I don’t know! I’ve heard demos that I’ve liked, but it’s of course different to play it yourself. Until now I’ve always used very low gain dirt, just to warm and fatten.
I don't think I would be able to give you the best answer. The people in this forum have a much better grasp for what works best on bass. Also can ask on the dunwich subthread.
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