Effects pedal for Sterling HS

[ray]

I have a MUsic Man Sterling HS and play through a Gallien_Kreuger 1001RB head and G/K 2 twelve inch NEO speakers. The sound is crystal clear. I am intersted in adding some sort of effects box, for some silght distortion. Since I am really not familaiar with the various effects boxes and never used them, I was wondering what would be recommended that would give me a sound like my speakers are distorting slightly and doesn't cost a fortune. any feedback, ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Ray

 

[EBMM7181]

Boss ODB-3

 

[mynan]

I really like my GK Diesel Dawg. I tried some of the others, specifically the MXR and the Boss pedals, but found them to be a little too fuzzy. They also seemed to lose a lot of bottom end. The GK is a little larger than I'd like and costs about a buck-fitty, but I think it's worth it.

 

[oli@bass]

Try these:

• SansAmp Bass D.I. Driver
• MXR M-80 Bass D.I. Plus

They both are designed to be used as direct boxes, and therefore have some sort of speaker simulation built into them. And both allow you to mix the direct with the distorted signal, so you won't loose any bottom.

I think they both have good sounds in them, it depends on what you're looking for. The SansAmp will give you lots of vintage tube sound vibes while the MXR has more of an aggressive progressive edge.

However, I ended up with buying the SansAmp Tri-A.C. which is a programmable guitar recording-preamp/direct box, which has a lot of great classic distortion sounds that also sound good on bass. I will be using it in the a parallel effect loop of my amp, so I have the same option as with the mix control on the above two units.

 

[Aussie Mark]

+1 on the Sansamp Bass Driver

 

[robobass13]

Boss AW-3.

 

[Busterkilrain]

Hi Ray,
Have you tried overdriving the input on your GK ? I have a GK 400RBIV and it has a great overdrive sound with the input volume anywhere above 1 oclock. Just watch your master volume levels!
B

 

[Kristopher]

I own an Ibanez Turbo Tube Screamer (TS9DX). It's capable of going from mild to something similar to the Big Muff. I used it to add a bit of vintagy overdrive when I was in a Dick Dale/Hendrix sounding band. Might be something to try out.

 

[syciprider]

Overdrive to light distortion: Fulltone Bass Drive.

Fuzz: A good old Electro Harmonix Big Muff.

I personally love Dave Hall Amp's VT-1 bass overdrive.

 

[Jim_F]

+1 to the Big Muff - great fuzz box.