The Animals Pedal Surfing Polar Bear Bass Overdrive is a bass overdrive pedal built on the company's Surfing Bear Overdrive circuit, modified for bass by the effects designer BJF. Animals Pedal describes it as a bass overdrive made by taking the popular Surfing Bear OD and having BJF modify it for bass use1. It sits in the bass and overdrive categories.
What it does
Animals Pedal says the pedal can create the sound of driven 60s and 70s classic bass amps, and that it is also effective when a modern electric bass doubles rhythm guitar in unison, producing a doubling effect1. Pedal of the Day's review describes the same territory, saying it helps create an overdriven sound from classic tube bass amps from the 60s and 70s3.
The reviewer's overall verdict was colorful:
"trapped inside is an angry low-end beast waiting to be unleashed on the world"
Controls
The pedal keeps a simple layout. Pedal of the Day notes that "The Surfing Polar Bear Bass Overdrive features just three knobs"3.
How it relates to the Surfing Bear Overdrive
The Surfing Polar Bear is a variant of Animals Pedal's Surfing Bear Overdrive. Pedal of the Day writes that it was "Based on Animals Pedal's popular Surfing Bear Overdrive pedal" and "created to be the best bass ov(erdrive)"3. The difference is the bass-specific modification of the circuit by BJF, which Animals Pedal credits on the product page and in the manual's "MOD BY BJF" marking12.
Manual
Animals Pedal publishes the manual on its site, on the page titled "Animals Pedal SURFING POLAR BEAR BASS OVERDRIVE MOD BY BJF manual"2.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
Pedal of the Day
Hamilton Effects
Questions
What is the difference between the Surfing Polar Bear and the Surfing Bear Overdrive?
The Surfing Polar Bear is a bass version of Animals Pedal's popular Surfing Bear Overdrive. According to the maker, the Surfing Bear circuit was modified for bass by the effects designer BJF, turning a guitar overdrive into a dedicated bass overdrive pedal. Pedal of the Day describes it as created to be the best bass overdrive based on the Surfing Bear.
How many knobs does the Surfing Polar Bear Bass Overdrive have?
Three. Pedal of the Day's review notes that the Surfing Polar Bear Bass Overdrive features just three knobs, keeping the control layout simple for a bass overdrive.
Who designed the Animals Pedal Surfing Polar Bear?
The pedal is credited as MOD BY BJF in Animals Pedal's manual. BJF is the effects builder Animals Pedal brought in to modify the company's Surfing Bear Overdrive circuit for bass, resulting in the Surfing Polar Bear Bass Overdrive.
Where can I find the manual for the Surfing Polar Bear?
Animals Pedal publishes the manual on its own site at animalspedal.jp, on the page titled Animals Pedal SURFING POLAR BEAR BASS OVERDRIVE MOD BY BJF manual. It covers the pedal's controls and use.
Sources (3)
- 【10/26(月)16:00まで10%OFF】Animals Pedal SURFING POLAR BEAR BASS OVERDRIVE, Animals Pedal (animalspedal.jp)
- Animals Pedal SURFING POLAR BEAR BASS OVERDRIVE MOD BY BJF マニュアル, Animals Pedal
- Animals Pedal Surfing Polar Bear Bass Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2025-02-13
