A Must-Read for Bassists! How to Use Guitar Distortion Pedals on Bass

When it comes to classic distortion pedals for bass, a few key names stand out:
The SansAmp Bass Driver from Tech21, the MXR Bass D.I.+, and in more recent years, the Darkglass B7K have all become go-to choices.

TECH21 / SansAmp Bass Driver DI V2 – A classic preamp pedal

MXR / M80 Bass D.I.+ – A staple bass preamp

Darkglass Electronics / Microtubes B7K Ultra V2 With Aux IN – A modern bass preamp

By the way, have you ever tried using a guitar distortion pedal with your bass?
In fact, it’s actually quite common. There have long been examples of guitar distortion pedals being used on bass.
Famous cases include Blur’s “Song 2”, where a RAT pedal was used on the bass, and T.M. Stevens, who used a Metal Zone with his bass.
However, when using guitar distortion pedals on bass, there are a few important issues you need to be aware of.

Issues with Using Guitar Pedals on Bass

Many guitar pedals are tuned to suit the frequency range of the guitar, and some apply a low-cut when the effect is turned on.
This low-cut can reduce the low-end frequencies that are crucial for bass, resulting in a weaker presence in a band mix.
Let’s take a look at just how much low-end is lost when a guitar overdrive pedal is connected to a bass:

Effect Off

Effect On

Looking at this, you can clearly see that frequencies below 50 Hz are significantly attenuated.
Also, most bass distortion pedals typically include a blend knob, which allows you to mix the effect sound with the clean (dry) signal. In contrast, guitar pedals generally lack this feature.
When using distortion on bass, too much gain can make the low end muddy and cause the tone to lose its core, or diminish the attack. That’s why blending in the clean signal is important to preserve clarity and presence.
If you use a guitar pedal as-is on bass, it might sound great on its own, but in a band mix, it can get buried under the guitars and the bass can fail to hold its ground.
So, how can you use guitar distortion pedals effectively on bass?
Here are some practical methods I personally use.

Tips for Using a Guitar Pedal with Bass

1. Split the Signal into Two Paths

Start by splitting your bass signal into two separate paths:
-Clean (no effects)
-Drive (distorted)
I use a Boss GT-1000 and created the routing internally within the unit. Most modern multi-effects processors have similar routing capabilities, so this approach can be replicated with other brands as well.
If you’re using analog pedals, a blender pedal with a filter function is a highly effective option. This allows you to mix in your clean bass tone alongside the distorted one to help retain low-end clarity and punch while still adding grit.

Example: Umbrella Company / Fusion Blender

2. Dial In the Clean Tone

For the clean channel, you can approach tone shaping just like you would for a standard bass tone. However, it's best to avoid overly treble-heavy settings, since the drive channel will cover the high-end frequencies.
To maintain clarity and prevent frequency overlap, consider using a low-pass filter on the clean signal to roll off the highs to allow the distorted path to provide the bite and presence. This ensures each signal has its own space in the mix.

3. Add a High-Pass Filter to the Drive Channel

When shaping the drive channel, running the full-range bass signal directly into a distortion pedal can cause uncontrolled low end or muddy tones. To counter this, it's effective to trim the low frequencies before distortion, shaping the signal to behave more like a guitar.
I suggest placing a high-pass filter set around 250Hz before adding the distortion pedal. This helps tighten up the low end and produces a cleaner, punchier distortion, making the sound more defined and mix-friendly.

4. Tone Shaping with Your Favorite Distortion Pedal

If you’re trying this setup for the first time, starting with a Tube Screamer–style (TS-type) pedal is recommended. Its midrange-focused tone works surprisingly well with bass when blended properly.
Other great choices include classic distortion pedals like the RAT or Voodoo-1, both of which can complement a bass signal effectively.
To further refine your tone, consider placing an EQ pedal after the distortion to scoop out mid frequencies that might clash with guitars in the mix. This helps the bass maintain a clear and defined space in the band’s overall sound.

5. Blend the Clean and Drive Signals

Finally, mix the two signals clean and drive together.
Start with the clean signal by itself, then gradually blend in the drive signal until you find the right balance. Increasing the amount of drive adds aggression and presence, but keep in mind that too much can cause the low end to thin out.
Adjust the blend depending on your musical context, whether you need more punch for a solo section or more clarity for tight rhythm parts. The key is to preserve the low-end power of the bass while enhancing character with distortion.

The Inspiration Behind This Tone-Shaping Approach…

The inspiration for this method comes from one of my favorite bassists: Billy Sheehan.
Billy uses a Pearce guitar preamp to add distortion and runs his signal through a channel divider (crossover) to split it into low and high frequencies. He then distorts only the high frequencies, preserving the clarity and punch of the low end. This allows him to achieve a heavily distorted yet a tight and defined bass tone.
Building on this idea, I started exploring how to adapt guitar distortion pedals for bass with an aim to keep the bass presence while adding aggressive character.

How to simplify it — The “ADD CBF” option

This method can be relatively easy to reproduce with a multi-effects pedal, but setting it up on a pedalboard is a bit troublesome.
This is because you need to prepare additional equipment like a filter-equipped blender. Therefore, a simpler way to use guitar distortion pedals with bass is the KarDiaN “ADD CBF” module. This module has a built-in LPF (low-pass filter) and it allows blending only the low-frequency components of the original sound. This way, you can keep the low end necessary for bass while applying effects firmly to the mid and high frequencies. When I tried the limited edition “Vitamin C - Super Lucky 7” with the ADD CBF model (now discontinued), I was impressed by the raw fuzziness combined with a solid sound that doesn’t get buried in the ensemble.
Currently, Sound House sells six types of pedals with the “ADD CBF” feature, so if you’re interested, please check them out!

• KarDiaN / SEROTONIN ORIGIN S.T. "ADD CBF"
• KarDiaN / CHLOROFORM "ADD CBF"
• KarDiaN / NITROGLYCERIN "ADD CBF"
• KarDiaN / SEROTONIN "ADD CBF"
• KarDiaN / VITAMIN C "ADD CBF"
• Limetone Audio / JACKAL MIDNIGHT ADD CBF

Summary

Guitar distortion pedals for bass have issues that are unique to guitar pedals, such as low-cut filters and the lack of a clean/original sound blend function. However, these can be solved by splitting the signal into two paths. By separating and adjusting the clean and drive signals and properly controlling each frequency range, you can maintain the bass’s original low-end presence while achieving a distinctive distorted sound.
This approach was inspired by Billy Sheehan’s tone creation and can be relatively easy to reproduce with a multi-effects pedal. For those who want a simpler setup, pedals equipped with a clean blend module like KarDiaN’s “ADD CBF” are also recommended.
If you want to enjoy the charm of guitar pedals on bass, please try the settings introduced in this article!

Bonus

Building on the sound creation I talked about earlier, I crafted a Billy Sheehan-style tone with the GT-1000 and played MR.BIG’s “Burn”!

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