Looking for advice on Bass Distortion

#45
Thanks for all the input. I guess I need overdrive and not fuzz. I might return the bass big muff nano since I can't see myself using much fuzz, except if we play "around the world" (rhcp).

The best bet seems to be to get an overdrive/pre-amp/DI like the sansamp VT or ampeg SCR-DI. I don't have a DI so that would solve two problems, but they're expensive which is why I haven't gotten one.

The next best option would be to get an overdrive pedal. The most recommended were the Aftershock, hot wax, Agro, darkglass, and boneshaker. Maybe the boss or digitech for a cheaper alternative. One thing I thought of is just using the overdrive built into the amp head, so I might borrow our guitarists switch to try that out. Any thoughts on that?

Just curious, but no one had opinions on the EHX Bass Soul Food? There's a used one on GC that I might exchange the big muff with. As for the envelope filter, I'd get a bass balls because they're cheap used. I like the MXR, but $$$.
 
#46
You’re going to get recommendations for some expensive gear here. If you’d like some inexpensive but solid recommendations:
Overdrive:
- Joyo Orange Juice, Joyo California Sound, or Joyo American Sound
- Behringer BDI21
- Behringer Tube Overdrive

Distortion:
- Joyo Ultimate Drive (really an overdrive, but nasty)
- used Boss DS1

Fuzz:
- your Bass Big muff, or if you’re able to return it, exchange it for a Green Russian reissue - try it with Sustain all the way down, and before your overdrive in the effect chain
- Biyang Super Fuzz
- Behringer Super Fuzz

I’m not here to tell you how to live your life, but IMHO there’s no reason to spend $300 on one effect unless your gigs and recording sessions are paying for your gear, and your first gig money will be much better spent on a new amp - again, IMHO.
 
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#47
allintime said:
Hi, first post here. I'm relatively new to playing bass seriously after messing around for 8 years. I've joined a cover band playing 90s rock, and I could use some help getting a solid distortion sound. Some of the songs we're playing have bass distortion (I think), and I want to get close to the tone on the recordings. The songs are Desperately Wanting (Better than Ezra), All Over You (Live), and Lump (The Presidents of USA).

I grabbed a used Bass Big Muff Nano from the local GC, but was disappointed. The sound lost a lot of low end and it was difficult to find a good balance between level and gain. It just sounds too fuzzy, and not like the deep distorted bass sound of the songs I mentioned. Specific questions I have are:
Do you have any tips for dialing in the big muff to get the tone I'm after?
Is this the right type of pedal I should be using?
Is there other pedals that I should replace it with or add to the chain?

My gear: Brand new Cort B4 Plus MH (sounds awesome!), an old Gallien-Krueger Backline 210 Combo Amp. Pedal chain: korg pitch black tuner > Bass Big Muff Nano > Behringer BLE400 limiter enhancer > amp. I also have a boss BD-2 I can throw in, but it doesn't help the low end at all. Maybe I can do more with that? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Id also put the Limiter/Enhancer before the Big Muff.

Bassballs is cool - I haven’t gigged mine, I just got it myself. So far I dig it.
 
#50
I got a Big Muff Russian Pi (or whatever it's called) for my Telecaster, and at this point I use it more for my Thunderbird. It sounds great, nice thick sound. Doesn't lose lows IMO. I got mine for like $80. Might be good to look at.
 
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