Massive filth

[SteveXFR]

I need more filth. Ive replaced a bassist who played a Rickenbacker and Marshall Superbass with a very Lemmy-ish tone. Im using a Spector with an Ashdown ABM and a Two Notes Revolt preamp. Im never going to match the Rick/Marshall tone and the band aren't expecting that but I want more filthy drive on my tone. Are pedals the way to go? Or will they just sound a bit thin compared to a big valve amp?

[snorkie635]

Filthy drive = EBS Metaldrive pedal.

[Downunderwonder]

Blend in a ring nodulator and have the guitarists kneel before your filth proclaiming their lack of worth.

[itu]

If you want to try anything on top of a clean bass, use a X-over and push the higher frequencies with some dirt pedal(s). 

[Maude]

Check out the OKKO FX Motorbass pedal. I don't know if it's what you want, or need, but it's meant to be instant Lemmy. 

[Eldon Tyrell]

I have never tried this pedal myself, but it has "Filth" and "Dirt" knobs. So, maybe worth checking out.

 

  

[Rexel Matador]

I have a Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra - it processes the lows and highs separately - Compression on the lows, overdrive on the highs. Sounds immense and can get plenty filthy if you want it to.

 

They're not cheap, but there's a mini version which I think is basically the same concept.

Edited November 7, 2025 by Rexel Matador

[Cato]

Get a multi fx with multiple built in amp sims as well numerous distortion effects and see what works.

 

I use an HX Stomp which would definitely do the job, but there are probably other more recent units available that will give the same plethora of options, some of them are probably cheaper too.

Edited November 7, 2025 by Cato

[PaulThePlug]

Maybe the Nux Plexi, or Joyo British Sound for Marshall Mids

[AxelF]

Grab a SA Aftershock and have every drive at your disposal.

[Yan_Huriey]

The answer is Darkglass BK7 ultra...you're welcome. Shout out for sansamp Dug Pinnick pedal if you see one.

Edited November 7, 2025 by Yan_Huriey

[Bolo]

RAT

[Downunderwonder]

16 hours ago, itu said:

If you want to try anything on top of a clean bass, use a X-over and push the higher frequencies with some dirt pedal(s). 

Or this

11 hours ago, Rexel Matador said:

I have a Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra - it processes the lows and highs separately - Compression on the lows, overdrive on the highs. Sounds immense and can get plenty filthy if you want it to.

 

They're not cheap, but there's a mini version which I think is basically the same concept.

 But with

41 minutes ago, Bolo said:

RAT

 

Or most any other distortion pedal +  crossover blend will also need phase inversion when it is on.

 

Without minding phase a returned distortion pedal signal is 180° out.  The lower mid fraction remaining collides with its clean other half and the crossover frequency gets chopped.

[Bolo]

Crossover blend?

 

Just plug the rat in line, set the dirt anywhere from mild to chainsaw and then use the filter to dial from klang to sludge.

 

I like this video because he really shows how the distortion and filter play together:

 

For me, in band setting, the range of usability lives really when I set the dist between 9 and 11 o clock and the filter from noon to bear full.

If you want to put this pedal on a side chain you can, but there's really very little point.

[binky_bass]

@SteveXFR - I have a Marshall VBA400 full stack I'm debating moving on... That'd filth you right up! Just saying... 😉

[SteveXFR]

53 minutes ago, binky_bass said:

@SteveXFR - I have a Marshall VBA400 full stack I'm debating moving on... That'd filth you right up! Just saying... 😉

 

That would definitely do the job but would result in divorce if I spend that much! 

[SteveXFR]

Thanks for all the tips. The Dakglass X ultra, Motorbass and Rat all seem like good suggestions. 

The Motorbass with the Spector could be a killer combination. 

[snorkie635]

16 minutes ago, SteveXFR said:

 

That would definitely do the job but would result in divorce if I spend that much! 

Win, win!

[Eldon Tyrell]

21 minutes ago, SteveXFR said:

 

That would definitely do the job but would result in divorce if I spend that much! 

 

4 minutes ago, snorkie635 said:

Win, win!

 

How unromantic. I guess you'll love this song then

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Owen]

The fact that I am selling one is immaterial (no, really). If wanted to get super gnarly, I would be plugging in to one of these. 

 

 

[SteveXFR]

1 hour ago, Owen said:

The fact that I am selling one is immaterial (no, really). If wanted to get super gnarly, I would be plugging in to one of these. 

 

 

 

That is horrible and not in a good way. Too much synth for my liking