Overdrive for Bass (DOD 250 style)

[retinal orbita]

So.... I have many many ugly distortion pedals and was thinking I might want to, rather than make my sound always horrifying and awful sounding, I occasionally might just want to add “some grit” or “a boost” to my bass playing. I’m looking at something like a DOD 250 which seems really simple - I don’t need a clean blend, or even really a complicated EQ section as I’m playing an ibenez 6 string with an active EQ.

However I seem to have missed the boat on the DOD 250 (I’m kicking myself for not picking up that and the envelope filter before they “restructured”) and older 250’s are off the friggin’ charts in terms of price - I’m wondering if there’s any similar options/clones around - not necessarily looking for “boutique” but I’m open. I’m also sort of thinking about something like a rusty box since that seems to sit on a lot of bass boards from people I like.

Cheers!

[Chankgeez]

If you're looking for something easily available, EQD Gray Channel has lots of clipping options.

Haven't tried it, but if you only want something cheap & basic, Chicago Stompworks Gray Spec might be worth a look.

Of course, you could always have one of the builders here build you something.

[omarwhite]

despite my mixed feelings about it pertaining to guitar, Boneshaker kills on bass

[qersty]

Get a dist+ and swap the diodes? Also the new sparkly reissues seem to have pretty ok used prices. I think the fx50 is pretty much the same circuit. Also its not that hard a build and the "good" op amp is essentially the cheapest crap available

[qersty]

by the way having to look up 250 prices is going to give me nightmares, jesus christ

[Sonaboy]

As in, you're settled on the DOD 250?

Why not something more price-friendly so you can see if you will use it, like a Bass Soul Food, or an Ampeg Scrambler or something?

[qersty]

As in, you're settled on the DOD 250?

Why not something more price-friendly so you can see if you will use it, like a Bass Soul Food, or an Ampeg Scrambler or something?

Isn't the scrambler an octave fuzz and a rare one?

[BetterOffShred]

BATW Quantum Mystic is based off 250, but has 3 band EQ .. I just got one and have been playing my 8 string through it, which is down to E, and it sounds pretty rip.. you can get them pretty cheap.

[sylnau]

https://reverb.com/ca/news/the-legacy-o ... ?locale=fr

[drolo]

Drod's salt box might fit in that scenario, I quite like mine with bass

[coldbrightsunlight]

Salt Box is a 250 with tweaks and it kills on bass. It was designed for the spec of the saltiest bass player I know.

[Jwar]

I've been through a TON of OD's and preamps. I have not tried the DOD 250 though and for me, I guess I overlooked its simplicity, which was foolish. The prices are quite outrageous.

For some grit without full on dirt I use several things. I have a DSM Drive Maker which is extremely versatile and perfect for clean but with a touch of grit situations. It pushes my amp just right. I'm also a huge fan of The Elements of of the Cleanness. I wasn't a fan of the Rusty Box personally but it was mainly because I experience a lot of feedback noise that drove me bonkers. I'm odd about that stuff.

Other more cost effective subs IMO-

Boss DS-1 and no I'm not joking, when set right it's killer.
Boss OD-3 same as above
Dwarfcraft Total Spack Drives or The Internet (lots of good break up with these too)
Darkglass pretty much any dirt they have save for their fuzz

Personal absolute favorite that is just too expensive to justify right now-Toneczar Dove. It's made for guitar, but boy oh boy did it work well with bass! It kills some lows, but not a ton.

[Jero]

I was gonna say the Salt Box as well! I should have one otw soon

...2 cheap options I like on bass are the HM-3 and the Arion Bass Distortion.

As in, you're settled on the DOD 250?
Why not something more price-friendly so you can see if you will use it, like a Bass Soul Food, or an Ampeg Scrambler or something?

Isn't the scrambler an octave fuzz and a rare one?

The original yes...then some genius decided to make an overdrive pedal recently and use the same name

[retinal orbita]

https://reverb.com/ca/news/the-legacy-of-the-dod-250-which-250-is-right-for-you?locale=fr

This is really helpful, thank you! I’d considered the Gray Channel but EQD stuff is pretty pricey ‘round these parts. It does really look sweeeeeet though.

But I had never even considered a Zeta Drive! Didn’t realize it was based on the 250.

I am currently under snowstorm watch and youtubbing videos of these suggestions at work

[retinal orbita]

I will look at the salt box too - I am a very salty player!