dannybuoy

That's the one. Hard to beat for D&B with the built in distortion and hot hand control ring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C6ol6syUJo

Have you tried the Idiot Box Blower Box? I would start there, it's a good take on the rat sound with immense low end. Absolute bargain too! Also there is the MXR Bass Distortion that's been recently announced, designed in conjunction with Ryan from Fuzzrocious - it looks like a smaller Rat Tail with a clean blend.

In that case I would definitely check out the Manta as well then!

I had the original (non-super) Fatman a few years ago. I felt the range control was too narrow - I could set it so that it had a nice low end sweep but then it didn't sweep high enough. It sounded great for low subby 'womp!' style noises for electronic music / jungle / dubstep though. The Super Fatman has a similar control but no idea how similar it is in operation.

Yes I will be modding it for sure, when time permits! I did a master volume mod to a Bass Big Muff so shouldn't be too much different to that. I plan to put the mode switch inside permanently set to LP then re-use the same hole and knob for the volume pot!

Yes, unless the preamp also inverts phase when in bypass. Phase cancellation won't be so bad if the bypass volume is much much lower than the effected volume though.

It's a GR1. Not sure which serial number yet, but apparently after #144 they were modded to have extra resonance (which is why some claim they prefer the wetter sound of the GR2). So hoping it's a later model, if not I may contact Spencer for mod instructions!

The Epiphone Classic Pro is almost identical to the Gibson, same pickups and similar construction. The cheaper model has a bolt on neck and different pickups.

I'm on a bit of a filter quest at the mo, having recently tried the following:[list] [*][b]Zoom B1Xon:[/b] I'd always loved the 'Z-Tron' model of the Q-Tron in this - this was my benchmark. For £39 for the B1on, I think this is the best value envelope filter going and I prefer it to everything else I've gone through except a real Q-Tron! [*][b]MXR M82:[/b] Sounds great but not as fat as the Mutron/Q-Tron lowpass filters. Clean blend makes it great as a subtle filter or for letting the original attack through with slap. [*][b]Keeley Neutrino: [/b]I thought this would be the one, but I found it wasn't as fat and squelchy as the Zoom, and the sensitivity control is actually a gain control that affects output volume, meaning when you turn it down to suit a hot bass, you result in a volume drop when engaging the pedal. [*][b]3Leaf Proton: [/b]A nice filter, just not as juicy or expressive as what I was used to from the Zoom. [*][b]3Leaf Wonderlove:[/b] I found this hard to dial in a good sound, and it just didn't float my boat. [*][b]EHX Enigma:[/b] Big volume spike with this at the low part of the sweep, plus a volume boost when turned on. Again not as fat as the Q-Tron model in the Zoom unit. Very versatile though with lots of control on offer. [*][b]EHX Mini Q-Tron:[/b] Not the current Micro Q-Tron but the older one, ironically the biggest pedal I own so not what I would call 'mini'! I saw one of these on Ratman's board in the post-your-pedal-board thread which peaked my interest, and after some research it seems this particular model gets a lot of love, some even preferring it over the original Mutron. Searched for one of these yesterday and was lucky enough to find one on the Gumtree, and it arrived this morning. It has everything I loved about the Zoom but sounds even deeper and fatter, so it's the current king for me. It does suffer from a volume boost so I will be modding it to fit a standard power connector and master volume control, and maybe even true bypass depending on how the bypass is (still need to test that out yet). [/list] The Neutrino and Enigma are going to be returned (I got the Enigma as B-stock from Thomann at a good price, so if anyone wants to try it for the same price I paid they are welcome). The M82 and might be going up for sale also. The only other combatant to enter the battle is the 3Leaf Groove Regulator which I nabbed from the classifieds which should hopefully be with me soon!

Jizz Pistol

I received a Neutrino today but I am returning it. It does cop the Mutron sound very well but the only way to control sensitivity is a gain control that also affects the output volume. Therefore with a hot output bass, you have to lower the gain, and end up with a volume drop when you engage the pedal. Not sure if the TruTron also behaves like this (it has two controls for the preamp so hopefully you can balance it unlike the Neutrino), but it's a deal breaker for me I'm afraid. On another note, the Q-Tron model from my Zoom B1Xon still sounded even better and is my current favourite filter, so far beating out a Proton, Wonderlove and Neutrino. It might also kick my MXR M82 out of the house, to be decided. I have an Enigma and Groove Regulator incoming, and perhaps also outgoing depending on the results of my shootout!

7-10 days usually.

Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz (£18) - crazy sounds, not as much low end as the Diabolik though, but cheap and fun to mess around with: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn3t9CCchEg Mooer Fog (£40): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnVPj3CNPEE Or just order the Diabolik, you can get it for £91 delivered today from Prymaxe with the 20% discount they are running today!

When it comes to usability issues like you describe, there are no real differences between mass produced or boutique - there are only good and bad designs (and designers). I wouldn't be surprised if some MXR pedals are designed by one guy, just like a boutique shop. Taking another factor into account which you didn't mention - build quality. I have seen good and bad examples from both camps also. There are only good and bad builds (and builders!).

Yep, Vintage Deluxe is perhaps more suitable than the B7K, just checked out the OP's band which is 70s rock covers!

[quote name='elephantgrey' timestamp='1424895544' post='2701726'] You can get the B1On fo £50. Newer modling, 5 fx at once. Seams the better option to me. [/quote] ^ This. I have the B1Xon (with the added expression pedal), I don't actually use it much but it sounds pretty decent and has most of the same models/fx as the B3 plus a few more that the B3 lacks. Plus a tuner, drum machine and looper, it's a bargain. The B3 has a USB audio interface and XLR output though.

No tone suck from my new Phase 90 either.

Model P was my thought also given the description: http://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/bass/standard-bass/dimarzio-model-p

The maple one sounds too thin, I prefer the rosewood in that video!

I can't recommend this little box enough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEsOlOX993A

I replaced my Small Stone Nano with an MXR Phase 90 - I much prefer it, it sounds brighter and you can hear more of the natural tone of the instrument coming through. I always felt like the Small Stone sounded better with some clean blended in as it takes over the tone too much. I listened to lots of demos of MXR phasers and found I preferred the more prominent slightly distorted midrange of the modern block logo Phase 90 to the classic script logo version. Every boutique clone of the MXR I could find was a clone of the script version (because older is cooler), so I assumed the Mooer would be too, hence going MXR. The modern ones are true bypass too, which was a relief as tone suck was a widely reported issue with the earlier models. The other great thing about the MXR is the single knob with the rubber surround makes it really easy to tweak the speed with your foot as you play. But I doubt you'd be disappointed with the Mooer, plus it has the benefit of being cheaper and smaller!

Given that you play metal - Darkglass B7K.

Lots of bands started where the bass player had never even picked up a bass before becoming the band's bassist - Black Sabbath spring to mind!