The Quest for the Holy Grail of Overdrive (HGO)

[johnk_10]

i've been using one of my own pedals lately for my OD/distorted tones and it's working great. it actually knocked my Origin DCX bass off of my set up and i LOVE the DCX bass. here's pic of it:

 

[cnltb]

I say what I always say...


Barbershop is still what I use every day.

 

[cnltb]

i've been using one of my own pedals lately for my OD/distorted tones and it's working great. it actually knocked my Origin DCX bass off of my set up and i LOVE the DCX bass. here's pic of it:
View attachment 5323384

That looks 'fancy' !

 

[BassBrass]

For jazz bass or any bass where you roll off the high end I'd use a solid gold Beta (the newer one looks great) or the Grizzly--it's upper mid roll off is right where you want it, also the high end cut. But I found these over 10 years ago, so they are less mentioned here. Add the Wounded Paw Black Sheep with 3 seperate bands of overdrive, and I'm fairly content.

 

[Lowbrow]

Try the Broughton Scorpion. You’ll be able to control how much the low end is affected by the OD.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I use Two Notes Le Bass channel 2. It's a real tube overdrive and jaws drop open when I combine it with my Source Audio filter.
Id not call it an overdrive pedal but it functions as such.

 

[smo]

Been thru too many. Free the Tone Black Vehicle is where I'm done. Having the option of Volume Cut/boost & Pre/Post Gain on a 2nd switch is handy.
I play with flats & passives if that helps.

 

[Lammchop93]

that’s the ODR video that convinced me to buy a Wampler Belle. Haven’t turned back since! Love that pedal

 

[Erik Turkman]

If you like the Mojomojo but just want a little less, then try the TC Spark Booster (full size). The Spark and Mojomojo are on the same continuum, with the Spark on the lighter end and MM on the heavier end, and they play well together.

 

[31HZ]

Live, I don't really care for any OD/distortion pedal unless I'm pairing it with a crossover pedal (to leave the low end unaffected). Here's a good thread: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/cross-over-crossover-or-splitter-pedals.1416054/

 

[guitarflinger]

I use Two Notes Le Bass channel 2. It's a real tube overdrive and jaws drop open when I combine it with my Source Audio filter.
Id not call it an overdrive pedal but it functions as such.

I second this wholeheartedly!

 

[Phe]

If you like the Mojomojo but just want a little less, then try the TC Spark Booster (full size). The Spark and Mojomojo are on the same continuum, with the Spark on the lighter end and MM on the heavier end, and they play well together.

I don't know. I had Mojomojo and liked it, now I have the Spark Booster, but I just can't get myself to like it. Maybe I haven't had the time to try it out properly. I fell in love with Lightspeed (clone) instead.
I will keep trying to get SB, though.

 

[HolmeBass]

I am still using my CAL Grizzly Bass for this. Love it.

Another past fave on TB was the MDB-1 and MDB-2, I tried a friend’s and did not like it! OD is a very personal thing, and your bass and rig all factor into what works for you.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop is my almost-always-on OD but I've also taken a shine to my Fulltone CS-Ranger (Rangemaster clone). Set the Ranger to "full" setting and get some instant grind. Cheers!

 

[LivingRoomBass]

i've been using one of my own pedals lately for my OD/distorted tones and it's working great. it actually knocked my Origin DCX bass off of my set up and i LOVE the DCX bass. here's pic of it:
View attachment 5323384

I hadn’t been out to your site in a while, but just did so. Good grief that Bassman tube preamp looks awesome.

 

[LivingRoomBass]

To the OP - check out John K’s site. His take on popular pedals are almost always better than the original.
forsale6

 

[johnk_10]

I hadn’t been out to your site in a while, but just did so. Good grief that Bassman tube preamp looks awesome.

it not only looks awesome but it also sounds great. i sold it locally to a friend yesterday but immediately regretted it so i'm going to build one more to keep for myself.

 

[David McIntire]

Holy Grail? Of Overdrive? SWR Interstellar Overdrive. Best overdrive and most verstatile recording and live preamp available, in my opinion. As far as a pedal, Tube Works Blue Tube. Basically a Bassman in a box, it has a 3 band Fender Tone stack. Bass can be a bit strong for its input, depending on attack style. I use amps with parallel effects loops with it, drive it hard then mix it in. My SansAmp is a very good tool for some things, tho. But if I had to use just one? The Interstellar is it.

 

[NMonBass]

Damnation Audio MBD v3.

 

[IPA]

Don't sleep on the ODB-3