Purists might argue that a good metal tone starts and ends with the amp, but bassists can greatly expand their sound with a few well-chosen pedals. We’ll look at distortion and overdrive pedals that are suitable for metal, as well as noise gates to control feedback, EQ pedals for further tone-shaping, and a wah or phaser.
MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion
There comes a point in the life of every guitarist when they just want a little more grit in their sound. This is where a metal distortion pedal comes in handy. Luckily, there are plenty of quality metal distortion pedals on the market to choose from. If you’re looking for something that will give you a huge dose of gain without drowning out your tone, look no further than the MXR Fullbore Metal. This high-gain distortion pedal is packed with all the tools you need for mammoth high-gain riffs and solos. It features a 3-band EQ with sweepable midrange, a Scoop switch that boosts lows and highs for big metal tone, and a Noise Gate control with internal sensitivity that allows you to customize it to your liking. All of this is packed into a compact and tough chassis that will definitely hold up to the rigors of heavy use.
The Fullbore Metal is a one-trick pony that’s all about giving you the best metal tone possible. This isn’t a pedal that will work as well for classic rock or any other genres. It’s specifically designed for heavier guitar styles, so if you’re looking for something more versatile, keep on shopping.
This pedal features six knobs and a pair of buttons. The top row of knobs includes the standard Volume and Gain controls while the bottom offers low, middle, and high knobs for a full-fledged 3-band EQ. There’s also a Scoop button that will scoop the midrange of your guitar for a more aggressive tone.
When it comes to the sound of the Fullbore Metal, it’s a solid high-gain distortion pedal that works best with single-coil pickups. With humbuckers, however, it can sound pretty muddy and forced. There’s a lot of gain on tap here, so if you don’t have a ton of experience with high-gain pedals, you may have some trouble adjusting it to your needs.
The Fullbore Metal is an excellent option for any bassist who’s into a heavier style of music. It’s not for beginners, and it doesn’t have a ton of other features that would make it more flexible, but it does the job well and delivers an outstanding performance for its price range. Plus, it’s extremely durable and looks awesome on a pedalboard.
Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff
The Metal Muff is an incredible pedal. It offers everything you could want from a high-gain distortion pedal and more. The range of gain it has is impressive, going from a surprisingly usable lower-gain tone (think a fat blues sound) to an enormous monstrous roar at the upper limit of its capabilities. The EQ section is also unique and specific, meaning that you can tailor the tonality of the Metal Muff to your exact liking without losing any of its character. Lastly, the Top Boost knob makes it possible to add a significant amount of extra gain, making this pedal suitable for both lead and rhythm guitar. The Metal Muff is a real gem and easily outclasses pedals that cost twice as much.
The Nano Metal Muff is a compact version of the classic Big Muff Pi, designed for players who demand nothing less than hard-hitting distortion and an intense, aggressive sound. It has all the power and sonic range of a full-size version in an extremely compact pedal footprint, with intelligent and straightforward controls. It has the VOL and GAIN knobs you’d expect from a Big Muff Pi plus an EQ control with three powerful bands that are perfect for sculpting your midrange. It also has a new noise gate that eliminates unwanted hum when you stop playing and has its own dedicated LED to indicate its activity.
When used in conjunction with a stompbox compressor like the Keeley CTS or a Line 6 Pod, the Nano Metal Muff can deliver a truly epic sound. The combination of commanding bass and defined high end coupled with user-controlled distortion that can go from slightly fuzzy to completely crushing gives you a tone that’s both versatile and focused, perfect for both lead and rhythm guitar. The Top Boost feature adds a serious amount of bite, ensuring that your solos and leads cut through even in the thickest of sound storms.
The only downside to this pedal is that it uses a different power supply than the Boss pedals, so you won’t be able to daisy chain it with your other effects. However, this is a minor inconvenience at best, and the small size of the Nano Muff means that it won’t take up a lot of space on your pedalboard, so it should fit comfortably alongside most other distortion pedals. It also doesn’t eat batteries like the Big Muff, so you’ll be able to keep it powered for a long time without needing to replace them. The Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff appears in our guide to the best Distortion Pedals Under $100.
Amptweaker TightMetal
The Amptweaker TightMetal is a distortion pedal that’s designed for high-gain amps and heavy metal. The pedal has a built-in noise gate, three-way tone stack, and controls for gain, tightness, and volume. With a variety of settings, the TightMetal is ideal for all styles of metal and hard rock.
The TightMetal is one of several distortion pedals from Amptweaker, a company that’s been making high-gain effects pedals since 2010. The company has earned a reputation for creating a wide range of tones and delivering them at an affordable price. The TightMetal has a thrash-oriented design, but it can be used for other genres as well. The pedal has a thrash switch that focuses on the mids and is suitable for drop-tuned riffs. There is also a metal mode that’s great for fast metal runs.
In addition to the core distortion controls, the TightMetal features a low-cut filter that helps cut out the harshness and allows for a thicker sound. It also has a boost channel with its own independent footswitch. The boost can be set to either increase the level of the distortion or the overall output volume. The Tight control on the TightMetal varies from smooth to fat and can be tweaked for an attack that fits your picking style and guitar’s tone.
Like most distortion pedals, the TightMetal can be used with any amplifier, but it’s particularly effective when paired with a higher-wattage amp that has a tight response. The Amptweaker TightMetal can also be used as a preamp for an amp’s clean channels, providing additional gain and clarity without overdistorting the entire signal chain.
While the TightMetal has a lot of knobs and switches, it is easy to use, even for beginners. The knobs are clearly labeled, and there is a detailed manual that explains what each setting does. The TightMetal can be powered by 9 or 18-volt power supplies, and the pedal has a rugged steel case that will stand up to tough live performances.
The TightMetal was designed by James Brown, a high-gain amp expert. He wanted to create a pedal that would put sonic brutality just a stomp away. With the TightMetal, Brown has succeeded in creating a pedal that’s versatile enough for any genre and features a noise gate that reins in the background noise associated with extreme distortion. The pedal’s design also includes a rollbar that keeps the pedal’s knobs and settings secure on hectic stages, a simple magnetic battery drawer, and an LED that illuminates each individual control when active.