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 Tuesday at 09:41 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 Tuesday at 10:42 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.