Sterling on Overdrive

[Mad_Phingers]

I have a question here about using my EBMM Sterling H with effects.

More specifically, I like to use overdrive quite a bit and my pedal of choice for the past couple years has been the Boss ODB-3.

With my passive basses (Ric, Fender P, Epi Explorer) I get a nice juicy, bark out of this pedal.

When I run my Sterling through the pedal, it gets way more distorted, and I expected this because of the active preamp, so I dial the pedal down a little bit to get it sounding more like it would with one of my passive basses.

However, when I climb up my D and G strings, they sound very thin and crunchy, absolutely no punch, no mids or lo-mids seem to survive. The high notes get verrrrrrrry compressed.

In a band setting, there is a notable drop off in my sound when I am not playing on the E or A strings. When I stomp the pedal off, all the punch returns every where in full glory.

I have tried just about every possible setting on the pedal as well as on the Sterling's eq. My amp is set basically flat...

Has anyone who uses fx with their EBMM experienced this? Any advice on how I can combat this loss of punch and definition while maintaining the grit?

[CFA]

I use my Ray and Bongo with an ODB-3 and a Big Muff and have no trouble at all. Sorry. Good luck finding a solution.

PS: I will check this out next time I get to an amp, but I'm almost 100% sure I have no such problem.

[EDIT] Have you tried running the Sterling flat and EQing the amp like you would for you passives? Just a thought.

Also, from my limited experience, Rics tend to be crazy trebly, which may have something to do with it I think?

[Mad_Phingers]

Well, I leave my amp flat for all my basses. And its not the treble I am concerned about. In fact, I get much more treble out of the Sterling, and with the ODB-3 on, that is my main concern. I am ONLY getting treble out of the D and G strings. The lose all presence in the mix because the lows and mids drop out severely. This worries me because I was hoping to rotate my Ric and Sterling on tour, but I am worried that using active and passive together may not be wise, especially if I run into a situation where I need to use them both in one show....

I will keep fiddling, but does anyone else have any ideas?

[oli@bass]

I have no experience with the Boss Overdrive, but from your description, I'd suggest that the ODB-3 is the problem and tuned to sound good with a passive bass. Check out some other overdrive units. There are plenty of them! I like the SansAmp products with my 'Rays.

[bassmonkeee]

Don't dial down the pedal. Simply turn down the volume on the bass itself when you engage the distortion unit. You're probably overdriving the input stage of the pedal itself--the damage is done to the signal before it gets to the turned down amp.

[Mad_Phingers]

Don't dial down the pedal. Simply turn down the volume on the bass itself when you engage the distortion unit. You're probably overdriving the input stage of the pedal itself--the damage is done to the signal before it gets to the turned down amp.

I will give that a go and see what happens, thanks!

[Powman]

Same for me...I turn down the volume on the bass a bit. No more than 2/3 volume. Also, I tried a variety of overdrive and distortion pedals, and I got best results with the EHX Big Muff Pi and the Bass Blogger (OD side, not the Fuzz side).

[asca]

Hey, just wanted to throw my 2cents in, not really about the OD, but regarding the thought to change basses during a show.
I did this with my SR4 and a non-MM active bass, and then my SR4 and the SR5.
the last couple one was fine, being them quite the same as far as volume output. but I felt that in the other case in was extremely annoying, having 2 different volumes and mind you, it was another active bass. So if you want to do this I think you should find a way to get the output really similar on the two..
About the OD: I've been using a fulltone bassdrive, that works both as a clean boost (helps getting that svt-kinda growl, and I use it this way) and as a normal OD, never had a problem about it and it cuts really well through the mix.
I've never used the ODB3 so I really can't help, sorry
all of this IMHO of course
cheers

[Mad_Phingers]

Thanks asca, yeah I am still pondering bringing the Sterling out. Unfortunately for the Sterling, it is my only active bass at the moment. Might just have to keep er in the reserves for recording and gazing at longingly.

And I've been meaning to drive out one of those Fulltones. Ive only heard good things.