It's true as someone else have said that overdrive and distortion is really, or at least should be considered, two different things. In theory, overdrive is the sound of the tubes on a tube amp being saturated (driven to distort/into overdrive).

Distortion is commonly considered to be produced by a distortion device (most commonly a distortion pedal) placed in the signal chain, or a built in distortion effect.

There are two types of internal (built in) or external (pedals) effects in use. Distortion effects are the "fuzz" type. Then you have what may be called overdrive, which either is used to help push a tube amp to overdrive, or to emulate the sound of a saturated tube amp.

On a tube amp with a separate preamp control, you can crank up the preamp tube/s, and still keep the volume down - since the output tubes may independently be delivering less power/lower volume. This gives a somewhat less desired overdrive (the preamp tubes).

On a tube amp which only controls the output volume, you will have to drive the output tubes to produce overdrive. This means loud (with a capital L) on most real tube amps. However, this is also the sound that is perhaps most "musical" and sought after.

You will have to test out both types of effect and various brands of pedals and amps to find something that suites your taste.

Good luck with your playing!

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Ibanez PD7 Phat Hed Bass Overdrive Distortion Pedal for Bass Guitar    US $35.00

Boss ODB 3 Bass Overdrive Bass Guitar Effects Pedal    US $65.00

NEW Xotic Effects Bass RC Booster Overdrive Pedal    US $168.00

MXR M 181 Blowtorch Bass Overdrive Pedal    US $74.00

Ibanez PD7 Bass Overdrive Effect Pedal    US $30.00

Boss OBD 3 Bass Overdrive Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal OBD3    US $28.50

Tech 21 VT BASS bass and guitar amp emulation and overdrive pedal    US $120.00

IBANEZ PD7 PHAT HED TONE LOK BASS OVERDRIVE PEDAL    US $24.95

Boss ODB 3 Bass OverDrive    US $109.00

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Guitar Effects - Distortion

A Distortion pedal functions by ... well, by "distorting" the original sound wave.  Some characteristics of a sound wave are a certain shape, a certain amplitude, and a certain frequency.  A distortion pedal will distort some or all of these characteristics by electronic manipulation to achieve the desired distorted tone.

Typically distorted sound is "dirtier" than the original "clean" sound.  If you're playing "edgy music" ... rock, hard rock, grunge, metal, things like that ... you're probably seeking a distorted sound.

While current distortion pedals manipulate the tone through solid-state electronics (most often -- some pedals use tubes, but these are most effective in "overdrive" pedals), musicians in the pre-pedal world often used damaged equipment -- amplifiers with bad or missing tubes, speakers cut with slits or tears, etc -- to achieve a distorted sound!

A distortion pedal and a "fuzz" box are basically the same thing -- both distort the original clean signal.  The difference between the two is the degree and character of the distortion. 

You probably do not need both a fuzz and a distortion pedal.  But ... depending on the style of music you're seeking -- you'll find that one works better for you than the other.  The only way to determine which is best for you is to take some time at your local music store and try several pedals.

Distorted guitar offers a thicker and heavier "base" -- a single guitar can provide a solid backing for a tune.  Distortion also leads to greater sustain and can feedback in a pleasing manner.  Distortion is most commonly used for solo guitar ... but is also effective when using power chords.  However, fully voiced chords quite often lose their punch when distorted.  Distortion can also be effective for bass guitar ... although you will generally use a pedal specifically designed for a bass.

About the Author

Joey Robichaux operates Free Sheet Music Downloads, a leading source of free sheet music and guitar tablature since 1998. Free Sheet Music offers thousands of sheet music and tablature downloads, lessons, tips, and articles.

Bass Overdrive is a post from: Fat Finger Music Electric Guitar Blog, click to read more.