Crunchiest Distortion Pedal - Pick One

FingerDub

FingerDub

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Jan 8, 2016
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#1
Hello, hoping someone can help me out here. I'm basically an effects beginner.

I am looking for high gain, clean sounding, ultra crunchy pedal, that works well with bass. What I mean by that is sometimes the distortion seems to "bleed" or mesh notes together too much in some of the YouTube samples of some pedals I've listened to. Here is what I am considering that fits into my budget so far. Any other suggestions are most definitely welcomed.

Tech 21 XXL - sounded good, but made for guitar, will it be as good on bass?

Digitech DDM Death Metal Distortion - Ultra High gain, I figure I can just turn it down.

Danelectro Cool Cat CM1 Metal Distortion - cheapest of the 3 and has bass, mid and high controls, which seems like a good idea since I've been reading that sometimes the bottom falls out when you run distortion, so I could seemingly adjust for that.

I see anything 'Muff" by EHX is popular, but all the ones I listened to are fuzzy, and not crunchy. I need edge.

Thanks.
 
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#2
Sounds like your looking for a b3k... Though some people don't like its sound... My other suggestion would be a dod boneshaker as the eq means you can dial in clean yet edgy distortion.
Also depends on your budget and whether you want something that will be bass specific / known to sound good on bass, or dabble into something that may cut the low end a bit but can still sound awesome... Some people Love the Proco rat and its various clones for that...
 
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#3
theunknowndude said:
Sounds like your looking for a b3k... Though some people don't like its sound... My other suggestion would be a dod boneshaker as the eq means you can dial in clean yet edgy distortion.
Also depends on your budget and whether you want something that will be bass specific / known to sound good on bass, or dabble into something that may cut the low end a bit but can still sound awesome... Some people Love the Proco rat and its various clones for that...
Click to expand...

+1 on the B3K. OP's explanation of a crunchy tone sounds just like it. I miss mine for sure.
 
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#6
I've been listening to demos for months now, trying to pick a new distortion much like what you described. Crunchy, clean, clear, distinct notes, etc.

I'm basically on the fence between the B3K and the MXR M89 overdrive right now. Check out some demos on youtube!
 
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#8
FingerDub said:
Hello, hoping someone can help me out here. I'm basically an effects beginner.

I am looking for high gain, clean sounding, ultra crunchy pedal, that works well with bass. What I mean by that is sometimes the distortion seems to "bleed" or mesh notes together too much in some of the YouTube samples of some pedals I've listened to. Here is what I am considering that fits into my budget so far. Any other suggestions are most definitely welcomed.

Tech 21 XXL - sounded good, but made for guitar, will it be as good on bass?

Digitech DDM Death Metal Distortion - Ultra High gain, I figure I can just turn it down.

Danelectro Cool Cat CM1 Metal Distortion - cheapest of the 3 and has bass, mid and high controls, which seems like a good idea since I've been reading that sometimes the bottom falls out when you run distortion, so I could seemingly adjust for that.

I see anything 'Muff" by EHX is popular, but all the ones I listened to are fuzzy, and not crunchy. I need edge.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
The pedals you have listed will be much less than desirable.
Also, the EHX Muff series is the sound of disappointment.

So far, I agree with the mentions of: Darkglass B3K, Dunwich Volt Thrower, Joyo California.

Also, look into Fuzzrocious. @rratajski can help you find exactly what you need.
 
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#9
theunknowndude said:
Sounds like your looking for a b3k... Though some people don't like its sound... My other suggestion would be a dod boneshaker as the eq means you can dial in clean yet edgy distortion.
Also depends on your budget and whether you want something that will be bass specific / known to sound good on bass, or dabble into something that may cut the low end a bit but can still sound awesome... Some people Love the Proco rat and its various clones for that...
Click to expand...
FaithNoMan said:
+1 on the B3K. OP's explanation of a crunchy tone sounds just like it. I miss mine for sure.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I heard it but way out of my budget right now.
 
#10
El-Bob said:
I've been listening to demos for months now, trying to pick a new distortion much like what you described. Crunchy, clean, clear, distinct notes, etc.

I'm basically on the fence between the B3K and the MXR M89 overdrive right now. Check out some demos on youtube!
Click to expand...

Darkglass for sure. That MXR is a terrible pedal if you ask me.
 
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#12
FingerDub said:
Yeah, I heard it but way out of my budget right now.
Click to expand...

If there's something on the market that you really want, I would suggest saving up for it or looking for it used. Maybe borrow a distortion pedal from a friend for a bit while you save up. If you spend $80 on a cheap pedal now and you're not happy, you might only get back $50 for it, then you'll still have to shell out mucho bucks for the pedal you still want. Put that $30 or so you would lose and save it for a great pedal you'll love.

Don't rely on youtube demos because the chances the demoer is using your bass/amp/cab/style is really rare. Your best shot is to try something in your home or in a shop.

Based on your description, it sounds like you want a ProCo RAT or something RAT-based.
 
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#14
Driven Crane said:
I vote for two. They are different but i use them a lot for a similar result. Z.Vex Distortron (when i need a mid boosted crunch) and MXR Bass Distortion (when i need mid boosted clean and a bit of dist).
Click to expand...

There's no tone filtering on the dry/clean blend on the MXR, but you will hear a higher mids focus on the wet/distorted side of the MXR Bass Distortion.
 
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#15
rratajski said:
If there's something on the market that you really want, I would suggest saving up for it or looking for it used. Maybe borrow a distortion pedal from a friend for a bit while you save up. If you spend $80 on a cheap pedal now and you're not happy, you might only get back $50 for it, then you'll still have to shell out mucho bucks for the pedal you still want. Put that $30 or so you would lose and save it for a great pedal you'll love.

Don't rely on youtube demos because the chances the demoer is using your bass/amp/cab/style is really rare. Your best shot is to try something in your home or in a shop.

Based on your description, it sounds like you want a ProCo RAT or something RAT-based.
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot for taking the time to respond. I'm gonna look at the rats, maybe I can get the wife to spring for the BK3 over the holidays.
 
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#16
rratajski said:
There's no tone filtering on the dry/clean blend on the MXR, but you will hear a higher mids focus on the wet/distorted side of the MXR Bass Distortion.
Click to expand...
I know about the fact of absence for filtering, but the fact is that - in my chain of effects MXR BD clean signal is not the same as my clean signal - but it is not bad, it is very good! i don't know why... i just like this fact.
 
#17
FingerDub said:
Hello, hoping someone can help me out here. I'm basically an effects beginner.

I am looking for high gain, clean sounding, ultra crunchy pedal, that works well with bass. What I mean by that is sometimes the distortion seems to "bleed" or mesh notes together too much in some of the YouTube samples of some pedals I've listened to. Here is what I am considering that fits into my budget so far. Any other suggestions are most definitely welcomed.

Tech 21 XXL - sounded good, but made for guitar, will it be as good on bass?

Digitech DDM Death Metal Distortion - Ultra High gain, I figure I can just turn it down.

Danelectro Cool Cat CM1 Metal Distortion - cheapest of the 3 and has bass, mid and high controls, which seems like a good idea since I've been reading that sometimes the bottom falls out when you run distortion, so I could seemingly adjust for that.

I see anything 'Muff" by EHX is popular, but all the ones I listened to are fuzzy, and not crunchy. I need edge.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
New Friedman pedal is amazing
 
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#18

I have one of these, it's pretty damned crunchy. If you contact Tom from Fuzzhugger FX he can make you one with a blend control (I find the controls are enough stock) or something suited to what you need. Great pedal, the looks are a bonus.
 
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