The Lounsberry Pedals Mo Bass is a signature bass pedal that puts a clean, fat bottom end and a transparent overdrive in the same box, letting you blend between them with one knob. It was designed for Derek "Mo" Moore of the band Nektar, and it is described as a gain staged preamp/overdrive: a pre-driver that helps a bass cut through a dense mix and enhances the sound of any bass amp12.
What it does to your sound
Lounsberry describes the Mo Bass as delivering both overdrive and clean big bottom tones with mild natural compression and even order harmonics1. The two sides of the pedal come from the company's earlier designs: the announcement says the Mo Bass is capable of all the grind, bottom end and transparent overdrive of the Organ Grinder, layered with the clean sound of the Tall & Fat1. Premier Guitar's news item describes the same combination as the grind and transparent overdrive of one circuit layered with the clean sound of a tube preamp2.
For rock and prog rock players, the maker says it allows for a growly top end while still delivering the round, fat bottom the Tall & Fat is known for1.
Derek "Mo" Moore's own words on the pedal, from the announcement:
"The 'Mo Bass' pedal takes you from digital to analog in the feel and drive. Good clean bottom end with mid-overdrive is easily attainable. Very powerful!"
Controls
The pedal keeps its control set simple, with the blend between clean and drive handled by a single knob12:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Mo | The drive control. The clean, fat sound is always present, but as the Mo control is advanced, the balance tips more towards the Organ Grinder style overdrive12 |
| Less | Sets output level1 |
The clean, Tall & Fat side of the circuit stays in the signal at every Mo setting, so the pedal moves from mostly clean bottom end towards overdrive as the knob is turned up, rather than switching between two separate sounds1.
As a preamp
Alongside its overdrive side, the Mo Bass is positioned as a pre-driver. The maker says it provides an excellent pre-driver to help any bass cut through a dense mix and enhance the sound of any bass amp12. Premier Guitar characterizes the whole design as a gain staged preamp/overdrive, which places it among preamp pedals as well as bass overdrive options2.
Background and availability
The Mo Bass was announced in August 2022 as a signature bass guitar pedal designed for Derek "Mo" Moore of Nektar1. It is designed and built in Smithsburg, Maryland, and Bass Musician Magazine reported it as shipping at the time of the announcement1.
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Questions
What does the Mo knob do on the Lounsberry Mo Bass?
The Mo knob is the drive control. The clean, fat side of the pedal is always present, but as you turn the Mo control up, the balance tips more towards the Organ Grinder style overdrive. Backed off, you get mostly clean bottom end; advanced, the overdrive takes a larger share of the sound.
Where is the Lounsberry Mo Bass made?
The Mo Bass is designed and built in Smithsburg, Maryland. Bass Musician Magazine reported at its August 2022 announcement that the pedal was shipping at that time.
Is the Mo Bass a preamp or an overdrive?
It is both. Premier Guitar describes it as a gain staged preamp/overdrive for bass guitar, and the maker positions it as a pre-driver that helps a bass cut through a dense mix and enhances the sound of any bass amp, with overdrive blended against a clean tube preamp style sound.
Who is Derek "Mo" Moore?
Derek "Mo" Moore is a bass player with the band Nektar. The Mo Bass is a signature pedal designed for him, and he is quoted describing its feel and drive in the announcement coverage.
What pedals is the Mo Bass related to?
According to the announcement, the Mo Bass is capable of the grind, bottom end and transparent overdrive of the Lounsberry Organ Grinder, layered with the clean sound of the Lounsberry Tall & Fat. It combines the two sides of those pedals in one box.
Sources (2)
- New Gear: Lounsberry Pedals New Mo Bass Pedal, Bass Musician Magazine, 2022-08-12
- Lounsberry Pedals Announces New Mo Bass Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2022-08-16