JimBobTTD Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) For future reference, when folks look for fretless overdrive: EHX Soul Food Bearfoot Blueberry Wren & Cuff Phat Phuk B Solid Gold Beta Xotic BB Preamp Darkglass Vintage Microtubes DHA VT-1 Tritonlab FET Overdrive Catalinbread SFT MXR Micro Amp Thanks for the tips, kind people. Please keep them coming! I shall investigate and put up good product demos here when I find them. Edited March 27, 2017 by JimBobTTD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee650 Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) Does anyone know if the Cog 66 mini does a similar job at low settings? Edited March 27, 2017 by lee650 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I tried the non-mini 66, and found it good for adding an aggressive edge to pick playing but didn't like the tone of it as a touch-expressive fingerstyle drive so sold it on pretty quickly. I've tried almost all the pedals mentioned in here and made my own opinions on what I did and didn't like... someone else with different gear, playing styles and ears would probably choose a different set of pedals entirely. Some brief comments: [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]EHX Soul Food - sounded like a nasty cheap overdrive with the redeeming feature of a clean blend[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Bearfoot Blueberry - sounds like God playing through a cranked tube amp[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Wren & Cuff Phat Phuk B - more of a boost pedal, adds a very subtle warmth; this can be coaxed into overdrive by tweaking the trimpot but it sounds brittle and nasty when done[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Solid Gold Beta - creamy, dark/muffled, boosted bass; sounds a bit grainy like a tubescreamer with tweaked EQ[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Xotic BB Preamp - like a bass friendly tubescreamer, very touch sensitive and can go from clean to heavy drive by plucking strength alone. Come to think of it, this is what I used when playing [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]fretless in a rock band due to expressiveness and is worth a look.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Darkglass Vintage Microtubes - very nice but very different to the others in terms of feel; sounds like running your bass through a guitar amp and blending with your clean signal. If you think some other ODs are mushy, give this a go. I had one but replaced it with a Pike Vulcan as I found the VMT too dark and the Pike to have pokier upper mids.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]DHA VT-1 - lovely gooey warm tube drive, sounds a bit nasty/farty with the gain pushed past low-medium though[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Tritonlab FET Overdrive - not tried![/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Catalinbread SFT - this was my main OD for a long time until the Blueberry replaced it due to sounding very similar but just better. Note there are two versions, old one with the white knobs is much darker in tone.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]MXR Micro Amp - not tried this either but isn't this just a clean boost pedal?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Another one for your list - Rodenberg 808B, available for a good price from Bass Direct. Not tried it, but heard great things about it and seems similar to the BB Preamp.[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westenra Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Source audio aftershock? Has a lot of modes and you'll be able to find at least one setting you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 UK based Hudson electronics have the Broadcast "The Broadcast is a transformer coupled, discret Class-A germanium pre-amplifier based on the classic broadcast consoles of the 1960s. In the low-gain setting, the Broadcast can cover everything from sparkling clean boost through to transparent overdrive, all with a healthy dose of volume available to push your amp." Search you tube and there's Eli jack Cassidy (I'm presuming) with flats being demo'd Low gain sounds good!! I find myself in the same boat looking for just the right type of low gain with flats. The Broadcast sounds good to my ear in low gain mode Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I had the Catalinbread SFT for a while. Great sounding pedal but I found the amount of volume boost a bit uncontrollable. Had to have the volume on virtually zero for any kind of unity with the pedal engaged. Never thought to see if there were adjustable trim pots inside though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazWills Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 SSBS Mini - quite a good demo... [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BlU5kbCa70"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BlU5kbCa70[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landwomble Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Palmer Ubertreiber? They're great although not used mine much since i got my Tech21 Flyrig. It has a blend control which i think is essential for grind. Could be persuaded to part with it...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terocious Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 TC Electronic Spark Booster? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrkelly Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Add a Fulltone Fat Boost to the list. Not sure what the current version is like but I used to have a v1 that sounded epic with a p bass with flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlittle Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 I spent a long time looking for exactly that last year and git a Way Huge Pork Loin. Does exactly what you're after and does subtle very well. Definitely worth you checking that one out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Quite happy to record the BB-1X on flats if anyone's interested. Don't own a fretless, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted March 30, 2017 Author Share Posted March 30, 2017 [quote name='Vinny' timestamp='1490892447' post='3268899'] Quite happy to record the BB-1X on flats if anyone's interested. Don't own a fretless, though. [/quote] Yes please! I shall find good product demos for the others and link them all here. I have had to put my search on hold while I deal with an enormous workload this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Broadcast link https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r7_yGtYGU7w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 (edited) Here is my table of pedals and links to demos (with thanks to everyone here for participating!) Argh! The table has copied over but lost its formatting when posting. Make............................Model............................New Price............................From............................YouTube - with a Precision............................YouTube - with a Jazz Bearfoot.......................Blueberry............................£169............................Joe's.Pedals...................[url="https://youtu.be/13XHY7GlAXo"]https://youtu.be/13XHY7GlAXo[/url].....................[url="https://youtu.be/qEsOlOX993A"]https://youtu.be/qEsOlOX993A[/url] Catalinbread................SFT.....................................$180............................Catalinbread....................[url="https://youtu.be/yIZ0_nPRo1Y"]https://youtu.be/yIZ0_nPRo1Y[/url] COG.Effects................66.Mini................................£130............................COG.Effects....................[url="https://youtu.be/Oiywar9m618"]https://youtu.be/Oiywar9m618[/url].Unsure of bass. 2 mins into demo for low-gain stuff Darkglass....................Vintage.Microtubes............£215............................GuitarGuitar.....................[url="https://youtu.be/-flc87WFeiY"]https://youtu.be/-flc87WFeiY[/url].........................[url="https://youtu.be/LbrskGuZ2uI"]https://youtu.be/LbrskGuZ2uI[/url] Dave.Hall.Amps..........VT-1.EQ.DI.Bass.................£170............................Dave.Hall.Amps......................................................................................[url="https://youtu.be/cYpdDY3dMxo"]https://youtu.be/cYpdDY3dMxo[/url] Electro.Harmonix........Soul.Food...........................£75.............................GuitarGuitar......................[url="https://youtu.be/CTZJX13NHmQ"]https://youtu.be/RMt1qhQkqd4[/url] Fulltone......................Fat.Boost.............................$84............................Amazon.com.....................[url="https://youtu.be/sTKQVMzA0lY"]https://youtu.be/sTKQVMzA0lY[/url].(but.a.poor.demo) Hudson.Electronics...Broadcast............................£155..........................Hudson.Electronics...........[url="https://youtu.be/NaW5emu-MSc"]https://youtu.be/NaW5emu-MSc[/url]....................[url="https://youtu.be/r7_yGtYGU7w"]https://youtu.be/r7_yGtYGU7w[/url] MXR..........................Micro.Amp............................£94............................GuitarGuitar......................Couldn't find any demo that were worth sharing Palmer......................Ubertreiber............................£58............................Thomann...........................[url="https://youtu.be/1x1JisjscAk"]https://youtu.be/1x1JisjscAk[/url]..........................[url="https://youtu.be/GXJfNafgjG8"]https://youtu.be/GXJfNafgjG8[/url]................(First video on an unknown bass) Rodenberg...............GAS.808B............................€170............................Rodenberg........................[url="https://youtu.be/4gSG5Ll44jg"]https://youtu.be/4gSG5Ll44jg[/url].........................................................Video on a Spector P&J Smallsound.Bigsound.Mini...................................$160............................Smallsound.Bigsound......[url="https://youtu.be/1BlU5kbCa70"]https://youtu.be/1BlU5kbCa70[/url] Solid.Gold................Beta.....................................£160............................Thomann...........................[url="https://youtu.be/cYkEqBdQs3w?t=2m8s"]https://youtu.be/cYkEqBdQs3w?t=2m8s[/url].......[url="https://youtu.be/g2jGE5eRm3c"]https://youtu.be/g2jGE5eRm3c[/url] TC.Electronics.........Spark.Booster.....................£109............................GuitarGuitar.......................[url="https://youtu.be/Jf2CoJ5aRJ4"]https://youtu.be/Jf2CoJ5aRJ4[/url] Triton.lab.................FET.Overdrive......................€120............................Tritonlab.............................[url="https://youtu.be/wiekz6YPJpE"]https://youtu.be/wiekz6YPJpE[/url].Video is with other effects Way.Huge...............Pork.Loin..............................£177............................GuitarGuitar.......................[url="https://youtu.be/8PznTzNn0bU"]https://youtu.be/8PznTzNn0bU[/url] Wren.&.Cuff............Phat.Phuk.B.........................$170............................Wren.&.Cuff........................[url="https://youtu.be/Q_ZcaazhecI"]https://youtu.be/Q_ZcaazhecI[/url] Xotic.......................BB.Preamp..........................£203.............................Thomann............................[url="https://youtu.be/at_kXzb0uY4"]https://youtu.be/at_kXzb0uY4[/url]... Prices were sourced from GuitarGuitar, then Thomann, then the maker, then other on 2 April 2017 For the DHA VT1, the price is for the MkII version. MkI has been discontinued Edited April 2, 2017 by JimBobTTD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osiris Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 (edited) OK, so not a pedal, but check out the drive channel on the Genzler Magellan 800 amp. Like you, I've been searching for ages for the perfect low gain drive that sounds smooth without low end mush or a nasty fizzy top end. I'd tried some of the pedals on your shortlist but ended up with the Magellan instead [size=4]I ought to point out that I play fretted basses and round wound strings. [/size] [size=4]Someone mentioned the Tone Hammer earlier and that was the best of the pedals, in my opinion.[/size] [size=4]The Boss BB-1X bass driver sounds titanically crap on every YouTube clip that I saw but was surprisingly good in the flesh for low gain sounds. [/size] [size=4]However, the Genzler is totally very similar to the Tone Hammer but with an additional level of clarity, not brighter but somehow clearer and more refined. When you engage it, there is a subtle eq curve added in too that rolls off some of the high and low end and bumps the mids a touch. My guess is that this would work really well with a fretless. I'm hoping to post a more in depth review of the amp soon.[/size] Edited April 2, 2017 by Osiris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 [quote name='krispn' timestamp='1490948123' post='3269229'] Broadcast link [url="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r7_yGtYGU7w"]https://m.youtube.co...h?v=r7_yGtYGU7w[/url] [/quote] That sounds rather nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 [quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1491157355' post='3270910'] OK, so not a pedal, but check out the drive channel on the Genzler Magellan 800 amp. Like you, I've been searching for ages for the perfect low gain drive that sounds smooth without low end mush or a nasty fizzy top end. I'd tried some of the pedals on your shortlist but ended up with the Magellan instead I ought to point out that I play fretted basses and round wound strings. Someone mentioned the Tone Hammer earlier and that was the best of the pedals, in my opinion. The Boss BB-1X bass driver sounds titanically crap on every YouTube clip that I saw but was surprisingly good in the flesh for low gain sounds. However, the Genzler is totally very similar to the Tone Hammer but with an additional level of clarity, not brighter but somehow clearer and more refined. When you engage it, there is a subtle eq curve added in too that rolls off some of the high and low end and bumps the mids a touch. My guess is that this would work really well with a fretless. I'm hoping to post a more in depth review of the amp soon. [/quote] That Genzler sounds nice, and it raises a good point that many of us are just looking for a preamp/drive pedal because we are not happy with the basic sound of our amps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 (edited) [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1491209964' post='3271154'] That Genzler sounds nice, and it raises a good point that many of us are just looking for a preamp/drive pedal because we are not happy with the basic sound of our amps! [/quote] I use pedals when I need a different sound for a particular song. I love the clean tone of my gear but often need a bit of breakup to fit well in the mix. Sometimes I need the clean tone with no effects at all. Pedals can give you that versatiliy but I think it's fair to say that you can't clean up the sound of a growly amp but you can easily make a clean amp growly. Edited April 3, 2017 by Japhet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted April 3, 2017 Author Share Posted April 3, 2017 [quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1491157355' post='3270910'] OK, so not a pedal, but check out the drive channel on the Genzler Magellan 800 amp. Like you, I've been searching for ages for the perfect low gain drive that sounds smooth without low end mush or a nasty fizzy top end. I'd tried some of the pedals on your shortlist but ended up with the Magellan instead I ought to point out that I play fretted basses and round wound strings. Someone mentioned the Tone Hammer earlier and that was the best of the pedals, in my opinion. The Boss BB-1X bass driver sounds titanically crap on every YouTube clip that I saw but was surprisingly good in the flesh for low gain sounds. However, the Genzler is totally very similar to the Tone Hammer but with an additional level of clarity, not brighter but somehow clearer and more refined. When you engage it, there is a subtle eq curve added in too that rolls off some of the high and low end and bumps the mids a touch. My guess is that this would work really well with a fretless. I'm hoping to post a more in depth review of the amp soon. [/quote] Hmm...not my cup of tea in the Premier Guitar demo (https://youtu.be/YzkCtlcffw0) but other demos are out there. For me, much like Japhet, it is not the basic tone of my amp that I dislike, it is just that I want a little extra. I found the GK 500MB Fusion to be a great amp for a warm clean, but I could not push it to a (what I felt to be) musical overdrive. Also, I use a different amp in rehearsals and I have not had the luxury of using my own amp at a gig for quite some time, going straight to the desk and using the house amp for a bit of monitoring. So I was after a good overdrive that would work with my amp (valves in the preamp), a fully solidstate amp and for DI. Thanks for reminding me about the ToneHammer. I shall edit my post above with links to demos of it when I get a bit more time. The one with Norm Stockton was [i]incredibly[/i] brief but he produced a great sound. For the record, I have found a Blueberry and ordered it. I was a bit unsure at first when listening to demos of it, but when it was at its best, it was better than anything else, I felt. More info when it gets here and gets used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 [quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1491205355' post='3271112'] That sounds rather nice [/quote] It plays rather nice too. You can set the low gain channel to respond very well to playing dynamics. Once I get back home I'm gonna put rounds on my p bass and hear what it does. Good things I'd imagine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Now I've finally got some sense out of my PC (thanks Windows updates) here 'tis. On account of only having the 2 hands I had to play a recording through the pedal. It reacts to plucking strength, so this doesn't capture any of that. https://soundcloud.com/user-176768746/bb1x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted April 4, 2017 Author Share Posted April 4, 2017 Thank you, Vinny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blank20 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Check this MXR and Pigtronix https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BassDist https://musicsquare.co.uk/148530_Pigtronix-Bass-Fat-Drive-pedal.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted April 4, 2017 Author Share Posted April 4, 2017 The MXR Distortion and Overdrive pedals have a sound to them that is not to my tastes. This is a shame, really, as they are a good size and are very well-built. They were the first ones I went to when looking, but there is something about the sound. The Pigtronix...hmmm. Here is Rudy Sarzo demonstrating it https://youtu.be/DBAiyThPlP4 and another one with Dave Burnett, whose bass face looks like he has food poisoning https://youtu.be/RMEcY1hIF0c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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