The EC Custom Shop Bass Overlord Drive is a hand-built bass overdrive pedal, a modified version of the maker's Overlord Drive with the circuit tuned to handle signals that generate more low-end friendly sound. It is aimed at bass players looking for an overdrive that keeps the low end intact, and it carries a street price of $220 according to Premier Guitar's September 2026 review1.
What it does
The Bass Overlord Drive takes the Overlord Drive circuit and retunes it for bass. Premier Guitar describes it as "a modified version of his Overlord Drive, tuning the circuit to handle signals that generate more low-end friendly sound"1. The pedal sports gain, level, and tone controls, the standard three-knob layout for an overdrive1.
On tone, the reviewer's finding is worth knowing before you buy: "the Bass Overlord is generally a pretty dark-sounding pedal"1. The overall verdict, though, was positive: "Excellent at beefing up clean tones while adding a wide gamut of tasty overdrive"1.
Build and power
EC builds every Bass Overlord Drive by hand. The reviewer noted the construction uses "Neutrik jacks, Alpha pots, and surface-mount analog components fit into a nicely soldered, tight-fitting package"1.
There is no battery option. As Premier Guitar put it, "the only way to power the pedal is with a 9V power adapter"1, so a 9V DC supply output is required.
How it compares
The Bass Overlord Drive sits in a crowded field of bass-oriented drive pedals, from dedicated bass pedals to mass-produced overdrives and distortion units. What sets it apart is the small-batch, hand-built approach: each pedal is soldered and assembled by one maker rather than on a production line1. Players comparing it with larger makers' bass overdrives should weigh the darker voicing and adapter-only power against the hand-built construction and the reviewer's positive take on how it beefs up clean tones1.
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Questions
Does the EC Custom Shop Bass Overlord Drive take a battery?
No. According to Premier Guitar's review, the only way to power the pedal is with a 9V power adapter, so there is no battery option. Plan your pedalboard power accordingly, since a standard 9V DC output from a pedalboard power supply is required rather than relying on an internal battery.
Is the Bass Overlord Drive a dark-sounding pedal?
Premier Guitar's reviewer described the Bass Overlord as generally a pretty dark-sounding pedal. That said, the same review found it excellent at beefing up clean tones while adding a wide gamut of tasty overdrive, so the darker voicing is paired with a positive overall verdict.
How is the Bass Overlord Drive different from the standard Overlord Drive?
The Bass Overlord Drive is a modified version of EC Custom Shop's Overlord Drive, with the circuit tuned to handle signals that generate more low-end friendly sound. In other words, it is voiced for the extended low end a bass produces rather than a guitar's range.
Who builds the Bass Overlord Drive?
The pedal is built by hand by EC Custom Shop, a small operation based in Israel. Premier Guitar's review notes that EC builds every Bass Overlord Drive by hand, using Neutrik jacks, Alpha pots and surface-mount analog components in a tightly soldered package.
How much does the Bass Overlord Drive cost?
Premier Guitar's review lists a street price of $220 as of its September 2026 review. As a hand-built pedal from a small maker, availability may differ from mass-produced pedals.
Sources (1)
- EC Custom Shop Bass Overlord Drive Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2012-09-18