Overdrive pedal to add warmth to rig.

[Bolo]

Here's a thought: how much have you experimented with the amp settings?

Options aplenty. Don't scoop the mids but roll off some highs, or use the Magellan's Contour and see how that works for you.

Dialing in what you already have is the cheapest way to achieve what you're looking for.

[soulstar89]

2 hours ago, Bolo said:

Here's a thought: how much have you experimented with the amp settings?

Options aplenty. Don't scoop the mids but roll off some highs, or use the Magellan's Contour and see how that works for you.

Dialing in what you already have is the cheapest way to achieve what you're looking for.

 Hey bud. Yes I’ve played a good amount. I roll off the highs to 10 o’clock, mids set at either round 800hz or 250-400hz at 1 o’clock, bass boosted a tad if room doesn’t get boomy. Amber contour which boosts the mids between 150-200 and cuts highs from 800hz set to 9-12. 
 

you are definitely right about playing with what you have. 

[jimbobothy]

On 23/08/2025 at 13:31, soulstar89 said:

 Appreciate the explanation. I was thinking of getting a compressor anyway. The cali compressor is pricey lol. There are two versions v1 and v2. Would both versions achieve the same thing?

 

down the rabbit hole to look for different warm compressors and demos. 

Hey, just seen the reply. 
 

The Cali 76 comps are not as warm as other comps. If warmth is what you are after, rather than light drive etc then an optical comp is what I’d go for instead. They, by their nature (design) have a slower response and I find fatten up your bass tone in a very musical way. A favourite of mine is the Lusithand Alma comp (now on their Mk3 variant, all versions are great). You could go down the route of an optical comp and a light drive pedal to give a bit of hair if needed?

 

As far as I can tell, the Origin Effects 76 bass comps are clearer sounding and know for being able to be very quick acting. If you wanted a bit of drive (when pushed) from one of those, the V1 run at 9V would be the one to go for. 
 

As another option, the Origin Effects DCX Bass is a lovely pedal for EQ and drive of varying amounts, but a higher cost compared to eg full sized Spark Booster.

Edited August 24 by jimbobothy
Spelling

[ghostwheel]

For those who don’t like Diamond/Alma, there’s another option: Ampeg Opto Comp. 

[Immo]

My buddy built me a COT-50 derivative tweaked ever so slightly for bass and I made it more ergonomic. It adds the tube-like drive, and more overdrive when boosted, even up to low-gain fuzz levels. It improves the sound of almost any other pedal after it. It would provide what you need, but you need to dial teh drive with Level knob and volume knob(s) on your bass, otherwise it's overdriving constantly. Of course there are diagrams for COT-50 clones that have a dedicated drive/gain knob. That's one idea I'd try.

The other is Earthquaker Devices Blumes. It seems to fit your needs quite well.

[Nickthebass]

On 21/08/2025 at 20:36, tayste_2000 said:

SGFX Beta (MK1 or MK2), whilst more coloured than the Spark, it just sounds perfect and it’s so reactive to your playing

There's one of these available for sale at the minute  

[soulstar89]

On 25/08/2025 at 21:31, Immo said:

My buddy built me a COT-50 derivative tweaked ever so slightly for bass and I made it more ergonomic. It adds the tube-like drive, and more overdrive when boosted, even up to low-gain fuzz levels. It improves the sound of almost any other pedal after it. It would provide what you need, but you need to dial teh drive with Level knob and volume knob(s) on your bass, otherwise it's overdriving constantly. Of course there are diagrams for COT-50 clones that have a dedicated drive/gain knob. That's one idea I'd try.

The other is Earthquaker Devices Blumes. It seems to fit your needs quite well.

I didn’t even realise you sent this. My apologies. I don’t know what a COT-50 is. I’ll look into it and the earthquake devices blames. 
 

Man trying to find a genzler 4 on the floor used is near impossible lol. 

[soulstar89]

57 minutes ago, Nickthebass said:

There's one of these available for sale at the minute  

I actually saw it. I’m still think about it. I think the seller wants 125 which makes a new genzler 75 more. Man I hate decisions lol 

[Nickthebass]

39 minutes ago, soulstar89 said:

I actually saw it. I’m still think about it. I think the seller wants 125 which makes a new genzler 75 more. Man I hate decisions lol 

In which case - there's also an earlier Beta for sale (not £125).  

 

Keep your eyes on the market place - there's loads of good stuff there most of the time and also loads of great folks to deal with. 

[dannybuoy]

Gotta agree with the earlier recommendations for the TC Spark. Stellar pedal. I find the Beta a bit dark and lifeless until the gain is cranked up significantly, which then puts it into heavy overdrive territory rather than an always-on warmer-upperer.