Why do you dislike OD/dist/fuzz

[Rayjay]

I love a little light grind and I love the way my Sansamp and my VMT do that. But, I typically play at lower volumes in a band with quieter songs. Even if that tone theoretically fits some songs, it still doesn't sound great at lower volumes that we use. It sounds more like a buzzy dying battery. It sounds great at higher volumes though. So, I do love it but I'm still finding my way with it.

 

[gln1955]

I like the idea to change from song to song. I personally tend to set it and forget it because I'm lazy. I should probably work on that.

I'm curious, what are your thoughts on changing in the middle of a song?

It has certainly been done effectively, kicking up a chorus or bridge for example. What genre are you playing?

 

[Rayjay]

I like the idea to change from song to song. I personally tend to set it and forget it because I'm lazy. I should probably work on that.

I'm curious, what are your thoughts on changing in the middle of a song?

I don't think I ever NOT do that. But more in a JPJ kind of way; I don't change the knobs during the gig, unless its on my bass to roll up a huge amount of eq for a reggae song or something along those lines (those times are rare). More often, I change my technique to make tonal adjustments. Or, I'll do it with effects to highlight song sections.

 

[Moosehead1966]

I play a 100 watt tube amp. There is no way I could be chasing a clean tube-tone within a rock band context. Can't happen and never gonna happen. Quite honestly, it's often hard to distinguish a certain level of dirt & drive within the band mix. I think it helps the tone ' bloom' with overtones and all, depending on the instrumentation, type of music etc. of course.

Marc

 

[MrLenny1]

It's not needed for the stuff I play.

 

[Kmonk]

I've seen plenty of reasons to use overdrive, but I have not been able to find explanations for why it can be a bad thing in certain situations.

I'm not looking for people to tell me about how overdrive should never be used on bass. There are obviously good reasons to use it, so please don't be a troll. That being said, if you can explain why you don't think it is right for YOU I would like to know why you feel that way (without insulting others for using it)

I'm basically asking because I've noticed that I like to leave overdrive or fuzz on all the time and I'm worried I might be putting my personal taste above what is best for the mix as a whole.

I see absolutely no reason to use overdrive and have never found as you say " obviously good reasons to use it". It sounds like crap on bass mainly because most players do not use it properly. I have always liked a clean punchy sound, sometimes a little fuzz is ok. The problem with distortion on bass is that too many people use it because they think it sounds cool without thinking about whether or not is necessary. Bass is the link between rhythm and melody. When you add distortion, it takes away from that. If I wanted to use distortion I would have stayed with guitar.

 

[skulletwhip]

I see absolutely no reason to use overdrive and have never found as you say " obviously good reasons to use it". It sounds like crap on bass. I have always liked a clean punchy sound. The problem with distortion on bass is that too many people use it because they think it sounds cool without thinking about whether or not is necessary. Bass is the link between rhythm and melody. When you add distortion, it takes away from that. If I wanted to use distortion I would have stayed with guitar.

So many bass players have been playing wrong all these years.... Hell, since Jamerson at least, because they don't play with the tone that you like.

Thanks. I'm gonna throw away my drive boxes first thing tomorrow, right before my morning cup of Joe... Is black coffee acceptable?

 

[aens_wife]

I see absolutely no reason to use overdrive and have never found as you say " obviously good reasons to use it". It sounds like crap on bass. I have always liked a clean punchy sound. The problem with distortion on bass is that too many people use it because they think it sounds cool without thinking about whether or not is necessary. Bass is the link between rhythm and melody. When you add distortion, it takes away from that. If I wanted to use distortion I would have stayed with guitar.

Well, I think it sounds cool, therefore it is absolutely necessary if I am playing my own music, because I write for me.

 

[76jazzbass]

I see absolutely no reason to use overdrive and have never found as you say " obviously good reasons to use it". It sounds like crap on bass. I have always liked a clean punchy sound. The problem with distortion on bass is that too many people use it because they think it sounds cool without thinking about whether or not is necessary. Bass is the link between rhythm and melody. When you add distortion, it takes away from that. If I wanted to use distortion I would have stayed with guitar.

You list Jack Bruce as an influence.... have you heard his tone?

 

[skulletwhip]

You list Jack Bruce as an influence.... have you heard his tone?

And Entwistle!!

 

[JimmyM]

I see absolutely no reason to use overdrive and have never found as you say " obviously good reasons to use it". It sounds like crap on bass. I have always liked a clean punchy sound. The problem with distortion on bass is that too many people use it because they think it sounds cool without thinking about whether or not is necessary. Bass is the link between rhythm and melody. When you add distortion, it takes away from that. If I wanted to use distortion I would have stayed with guitar.

James Jamerson used to say the same thing:



Hardly.

 

[76jazzbass]

James Jamerson used to say the same thing:



Hardly.

But Jimmy, what did he know about rhythm and melody??

 

[SamJ]

why??

Because every good heavy metal band I've liked has a guitarist who goes into OD for the "Crunch" and a clean bassist and to my ear that sounds better... with real low end.. going into fuzz on a bass totally thins it out and add to that pick playing and you end up with practically no low end.

Plus I also agree... bass is (primarily) rhythm not melody... we aren't guitarists. If you want to play the guitar, put down the bass and hit the OD to your hearts content.

 

[JimmyM]

Bass is whatever I or anyone else who plays it thinks it should be at any given time. If I think it should be rhythm, it's rhythm. If I think it should be a lead instrument, it's a lead instrument. But that notwithstanding, this business about us not being guitarists and that's why we shouldn't use distortion...again, tell it to Jamerson. Or McCartney:



Or Entwistle:



Or JPJ:

 

[Unemploid]

on bass, i dislike distortion. the new mxr bass distortion and dod boneshaker seems good.

 

[hintz]

A few months back I got the Swell Bpro for the 2nd time( this is a medium gain 12AX7 real tube pedal for those who don't know), I've come to the realization that I really like touch responsive overdrive so the first channel is set as just a hair of grind when I dig in, but warm and clean when I play normal(which I usually a lighter touch), 2nd channel is just a bit more where I can get that same grind which a light touch, for faster sections especially!!



I *dont* want dirt all the time, but since I switched to solid state amps I still want some of that natural compression sound that only tubes can provide

It's actually surprising how dirty some of my favorite bassists tone were on iconic recordings (flea, duff mckagan and mike starr come to mind), so that's what I aim for to both sit in *and* stand out of the mix....

 

[blindrabbit]

Daniel Lanois has been quite clear in his preference for using filthy dirty bass tones on albums he engineers and produces. I'm quite sure that part of it had to do with the fact the dirt lends some natural compression to the tone. Also, it just sounds amazing. Driven tones have been used by iconic players in virtually all genres. I think a bassist would be remiss to not have at least the option of a dirt pedal available to them.

 

[ashtray]

I gotta say - for a LONG time I just didn't "get" overdriven bass. To me it sounded like those songs from the 60's and 70's were just lacking today's modern equipment that can create low frequencies at loud volumes while staying clean.

A clean bass just has a punch to it. Every note can be percussive. Adding overdrive compresses that attack and smooths the notes out. It just wasn't ever for me - in any band I had played in. And for context, I would play keys for some songs and use a Wurlitzer sound that overdrives when hit hard - and I'd play it through guitar speakers for even more lo-fi sound!

BUT - now I get it. I used to consider an overdriven bass just lost in the mix of noise, but I totally see how an overdriven bass can sound good and why you would prefer it to clean. It did take a while for me to wrap my brain around it and if I tried overdrive in a band, I'd probably get my bandmates approval first.

If overdrive is something you can't understand why someone wouldn't ever want, look at drums. Now imagine using a torn bottom skin *on purpose* for each drum - or having the drums mic'd and overdrive added! If that sounds crazy, then welcome to the mind of some bassists who would never consider overdrive. And that said, I think over driven drums could sound just as cool as bass or keys.

 

[FretNoMore]

I see absolutely no reason to use overdrive and have never found as you say " obviously good reasons to use it". It sounds like crap on bass. I have always liked a clean punchy sound. The problem with distortion on bass is that too many people use it because they think it sounds cool without thinking about whether or not is necessary. Bass is the link between rhythm and melody. When you add distortion, it takes away from that. If I wanted to use distortion I would have stayed with guitar.

And on the flip side you could say too many people don't use it because they think it does not sound cool without thinking about whether or not it is necessary. It can make the bass sit right in the mix - but why care about the band's overall sound as long as your solo sound is to your own liking?

There's no absolute "one size fits all", keep an open mind people and maybe you will aquire more useful tools as a musician. The drive pedal can always be turned off for songs where a clean sound is better.

 

[Nev375]

I'm really not sure that I understand the question. I don't hate overdrive but it all depends on the song or the sound you're going for. If you leave it on all the time then you risk the distortion becoming part of the band's signature sound and then you can't really get away from it.

A lot of the things i play would sound horrible with any kind of distortion. Other things just wouldnt sound as good without it.

Its just another tool in your arsenal. Use it where it fits. But i certainly wouldnt chain myself to one sound as a musician.