Help with choosing a bass distortion pedal

[Mike Bungo]

Hi. I play in a classic Punk band and I currently use an Ampeg pre amp which I love into a TC Electronic Nova Drive for Overdrive and the odd song with distortion. I'm wanting to get separate pedals so I'm going to get an Ampeg Scrambler for overdrive but need help with choosing a distortion pedal that's not gonna give me overkill and that's also not gonna break the bank. I've tried a Big Muff & Dark glass but they just seem to be too much......Thanks in advance

Edited September 17, 2024 by Mike Bungo
additional thought :)

[Franticsmurf]

I love that Ampeg pre-amp pedal and like you, I've been looking for overdrive and distortion to compliment it (although I'm after more of a Chris Squire drive sound with the option to go a little further). I've got an EHX Hot Wax pedal (originally bought for guitar). It's two independent overdrive/distortions which can also be combined (actually the 'Hot Tubes' and 'Crayon pedals crammed into one box). Works for me with a P Bass, Hohner Jack and Sterling Ray34 HH into FOH.

 

Edit: I have also used a Marshall JMP 1 valve pre-amp rack unit, also originally bought for when I was guitaring. It has programmable patches that can be selected using a midi pedal and also has an FX loop. Rack and midi pedals, with attendant cables, is a bit bulky but I'd still use it for the right gig.

Edited September 17, 2024 by Franticsmurf

[Mike Bungo]

Just found a MXR Distortion + on YouTube which sounds great for what I need 😊👍

[Bigwan]

When you say the Muff and Darkglass were too much, what do you mean? Too much distortion? Which Darkglass did you try?

 

My go-to distortion pedal at the minute is the Darkglass Alpha-Omicron clone by DemonFx. 

[ahpook]

May I ask you think is lacking in the Nova Drive ?

[TimR]

The JOYO Double Thruster is a Darkglass B3K clone depending on which Darkglass pedal you've already tried. 

[Bolo]

Rat

[BreadBin]

I find the B3K very capable, can be set to a mild drive or something a lot more grunty 

[MacDaddy]

 

 

[Skybone]

Ampeg Scrambler?

[Norris]

On 17/09/2024 at 10:35, Mike Bungo said:

I'm going to get an Ampeg Scrambler for overdrive

 

22 hours ago, Skybone said:

Ampeg Scrambler?

I'm going to guess at "Yes" 😅

[dudewheresmybass]

Ebs have some great offerings in the distortion area. 
what amp are you using?

[MichaelDean]

A Joyo Ultimate drive could do the job nicely, or a TC Electronic Mojo Mojo. Both have worked nicely for me. You can get them to go into a very overdriven/distortion territory, but they also do a nice breakup tone too. 

 

I'd also take a look at the Laney Black Country Customs Blackheath. Different modes to try and sounds great on demos. 

[meterman]

A regular old Boss FZ-5 always worked for me, particularly the 'Maestro' setting with the boost almost on full. Rock solid build quality as well and £50 off ebay. 

[fretmeister]

Source Audio Aftershock can

load 40 different drive sounds.

[warwickhunt]

Based on YT reviews/videos I bought the MXR (used)... too much drive for me (even when dialled to minimum).  I'd heard good things about the Ampeg Scrambler, so I bought one (used)... not the right type of 'drive' (for me)!  I'm subsequently back to square one looking for the right kind of OD but I'm not listening to any more online samples and I need to have them trialled in real world scenarios with the band!  LOL

 

[markbunney]

I picked up a Line 6 HX One recently, and the Clawthorne Drive on there is really good, as is the copy of the B3K.

[smithy]

If it's just about getting some more meat to it, I'd recommend TC's Dark Matter (low priced as well).

Might be not harsh enough for playing Punk though.

[redbandit599]

I went through a similar curve to work out that I really didn't want distortion, but low gain overdrive/boost did what I needed. Just a bit 'more'.

Maybe a TC Spark ( big one) , Tubescreamer type thing? I use the Klon model on my HX Effects.

[Baloney Balderdash]

Mosky Black Rat in Turbo RAT mode!

[uk_lefty]

On 17/09/2024 at 12:00, Bigwan said:

When you say the Muff and Darkglass were too much, what do you mean? Too much distortion? Which Darkglass did you try?

 

My go-to distortion pedal at the minute is the Darkglass Alpha-Omicron clone by DemonFx. 

I had the actual DG and it was so incredibly flexible, only sold it as I went back to multi FX. Try the clone version, it's a cheap way of learning what you like/ what plays nicely with the rest of your set up.

[Boodang]