Flatwound player looking for natural, low gain grit/bloom.... Blackberry?

#41
arepa_funk said:
I exclusively play with flats, mostly passive P style basses, tho also others. Here are some I dig a lot, * marks those I no longer have.

Analog Alien Bass Station
Pork Loin / Pork & Pickle
Xotic BB
Wren & Cuff PPB w. bias
SSBS Mini*
Sushi Box Slampegg*
Sushi Box Underground/Particle Accelerator
Broughton Fliptop
ROG Ginger

Out of these, I use the Analog Alien, Xotic, and W&C the most.
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↑ This is a great list. The Xotic BB is very underrated. I would add Walrus Ages. In modes 1-2 you'll get what you're looking for plus even more clipping options in modes 3-5. I have a feeling the Walrus 385+ drive would be great with flats, but I haven't gotten around to acquiring one yet.
 
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#43
@thedovewarlord the one control black berry is designed by B J. it is supposedly based on one of the first blueberries and tweaked for optimal performance. it sounds phenomenal with flats and a P bass. just the kind of subtle grit and smooth overdrive you're looking for, and it adds a really beautiful fatness that no other pedal i have does. its really a one pedal solution for sick tone. the other cool part is that its machined out a single piece of purple anodized billet aluminum. its quite a stunning piece of Scandinavian industrial design. you could throw it down the stairs and you'll have to call the carpenter before you call the electronics guy. yes surely all of the other pedals mentioned sound awesome (love my barbershop, pork loins) but if you're interested by the ocbb just get one, you won't be disappointed.
 
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#46
el murdoque said:
IMHO, the Origin DCX has this party trick where it cuts high end with more dirt. That does not really fly with flats, when you actually want to boost the high end a bit through the grit.
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When you set the voice to "flat", it doesn't touch your highs at all and the trick (adaptive circuitry) is off. That said, I use flats and love the voice set to "med", but I use it as an overdrive more than low gain. I love Jive for low gain.
 
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#48
I'll suggest my favorite next! :p
Some type of OCD variant might work. I use a Demon King from Fuzzrocious. I use it pretty dirty myself, but I love the tone and pretty much quit looking at OD when I got it 10+ years ago. I played a P with flats into a GK700rbii when I got it. Mostly metal and hard rock. I've used it with multiple amps since then and always got an OD tone I liked. I usually go for the cranked SVT type tones and beyond.
I tried a Darkglass Vintage Microtubes when it came out, pretty nice, might be a good option too. Or you can get an Aftershock and dial it in exactly to taste.
No experience on the Blackberry or the Blueberry. The Blueberry was on my short list at the time I was looking for OD.
 
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#50
Wow, I was away from the forum for a few days and see so many replies, I greatly appreciate them all. I'm still reading/parsing all the great advice and suggestions, but wondering how can I reply to everyone for their thoughtful posts.
 
#51
Broughton Scorpion Overdrive definitely, often described as versatile and so it is. I endlessly tinker with the knobs, in a good way, so much there and all so good.

I also like the Broughton SVpre (SVT sound) and SolidGoldFX BetaV (B15 sound). The overdrive sound is more one-dimensional, but these pedals are meant to be more than overdrive.

Now I’m becoming obsessed with the Fairfield Barbershop and Fairfield Accountant, struggling to read-talkbass myself out of ordering them.
 
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#52
I was able to get distortion that i like with VST plugin and stuff because of the crossover technique. Those thing can be done quite easily with plugins or with something like a HX Stomp. There is now a pedal for that: the XO variable crossover. XO Variable Crossover £229 (inc VAT) | Great Eastern FX Co.

But that is if you are really into pedals. Not sure how it would work with a Preamp like an Ampeg or sans-amp.

But anyway, the goal there is to only apply distortion on the upper signal and send either the lower end clean or compressed using a compressor. This tricks is used a lot by sound engineer on records.
 
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#55
thedovewarlord said:
Hi All --

Ive been searching for an "always on" overdrive pedal with that natural sounding break-up (grit).

My gear: various Fender Precisions usually strung with Chromes (50-105) amplified by either a Gallien-Krueger 700RBII or an Aguilar DB751 into a DB410 or DB412 cabinets. I run thru variety of effects, but I have my Tech 21 VT Bass sansamp character pedal usually on-- the drive is artificial or too harsh IMO so I mainly keep the drive low (between 9-10 o'clock), the EQ set and use the character knob to sweep my desired tone going from full counter clockwise (7) to approx noon (12) depending on what type of cut/mids, e.g, for deeper tone I'll roll it counter clock, if looking for Police, Janes Addiction I move it towards noon. My style: I mainly play with a pick but also play finger-style and play a wide range of music, but my band is a pretty heavy/loud.

I recently stumbled on the Blueberry (Im still not fully versed in all the iterations) Mark Herman's demo and it seems perfect. Since they are no longer produced I found the One Control Blackberry is produced by the original designer (I think).

Does anyone have any experience with this pedal who uses flats -- in any band context, or a better alternative please send your thoughts. Thank you!!
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I had a One Control Blackberry. Kind of nice but I sold it. Tends to distort low frequencies more than high, and not too flexible, weird but interesting. EHX Bass Soul Food is very harsh…probably better on guitar.

I’ve tried those and others trying to match old drive sounds, mostly with flats, and found the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes was actually the closest, defaults quickly to just the right sound. That’s e.g. Jethro Tull/Glenn Cornick, Jack Bruce in Cream, John Entwistle (using Rotosound rounds on that last…of course). Gibson, Fender or Guild Starfire.

Tech21 YYZ is good too, very flexible.

Haven’t tried but SolidGoldFX Beta sounds good if you want an airy dark classic amp overdrive sound.
 
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#56
Usually, I stay on top of threads I create and the reply to individual posts, I can't do that here do to all the replies.

I started looking at all the pedals mentioned, hard to find a good demo of the Fairfield Barbershop. Thus far there was a demo of the Beta where the guy did some Beatles (oh Darhling) and Bob Marley and I kinda dig that, but I'm not even sure where to start.

Finding relative demos is pretty tough to say the least. For starters everyone seems to dime the gain, or there playing monster 6 string basses with steel or alloy strings tuned to sub bass pitches where all I hear is clank (though I do dig the enthusiasm and dedication to the genres they are indulging). Finding someone playing Flats, is like 1 out of every 400 video.

Could I be bold & greedy enough to ask if someone could post a sound clip of their P w/flats thru their choice pedal set with the low gain, looking for creamy even bloom that glues to the mix (like reggae bass) I have a few aggro pedals already, duality, almighty bass, swollen pickle, big muff

Please call me out if that's going too far. Thank you!!!!
 
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#58
The Creation Audio - Grizzly is pretty awesome with flats, I have gone through a lot of overdrives over the years, I find it really nice as a preamp with light grit, sounds awesome when you crank it up too.

Whole band loves it, they ask for more drive at times!

Awesome pedal.
 
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