The Pro Tone Pedals Blasko Bass Overdrive is a bass overdrive pedal, a collaboration between Pro Tone Pedals and Blasko, the metal bassist who plays with Ozzy Osbourne. Announced in May 2010, it was designed, in Premier Guitar's words, "to bring new levels of tone shaping, growl inducing, and low end pulverizing distortion"1. No Treble reported it was designed to be tonally versatile, "something Blasko needs as he rips through rock anthems as well as ballads"2.
The pedal sits, as Premier Guitar put it, "in the pocket of low- to medium-high gain"1, which places it among overdrive and distortion pedals aimed at bassists who want grit and growl without losing the low end that a bass rig depends on.
A signature pedal designed with Blasko
Pro Tone Pedals developed the pedal together with Blasko, the bassist in Ozzy Osbourne's band. Premier Guitar's announcement framed it as a joint effort: "Pro Tone Pedals, along with Ozzy Osborne bassist Blasko, deliver a bass overdrive"1. No Treble's Kevin Johnson reported that the pedal was "designed to be tonally versatile," suiting both rock anthems and ballads, which is what a working player moving between heavy and quieter material needs from one box2.
The pedal was announced in May 2010, with No Treble reporting it would ship on June 15 of that year at a list price of $249.992. Premier Guitar gave the MSRP as $2491; the two announcements differ only by 99 cents, and both date from the same week.
The controls: gain, volume and a Baxandall EQ
The pedal carries four knobs: Volume, Treble, Bass and Gain12. The tone shaping comes from a Baxandall EQ system, the classic two-band cut and boost design used in amplifiers and hi-fi equipment, which gives you independent control over the treble and bass ends of your signal rather than a single tone roll-off1.
No Treble's coverage added a detail about how the EQ interacts with the drive: "The more you push the Treble and Bass, the more of a mid-range scoop" you get, which in turn "adds grit to the signal"2. That means the EQ is not just for setting your overall tone, it also changes the character of the overdrive itself, letting you dial in anything from a flatter, more open sound to a scooped, grittier one.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive, from low to medium-high gain12 |
| Treble | Boosts or cuts the high end; pushing it deepens a mid-range scoop2 |
| Bass | Boosts or cuts the low end; pushing it also deepens the scoop2 |
| Volume | Sets the output level12 |
Power: 9 to 18 volts
The Blasko Bass Overdrive runs on a standard 9 volt battery or a BOSS style adapter with a negative tip12. Through the adapter it accepts anywhere from 9 to 18 volts12.
Voltage makes an audible difference here. No Treble reported that "Higher voltage will give you increased clarity and output" along with an edgier tone2. For a player, that means the same pedal can cover two jobs: at 9 volts it behaves one way, and at 18 volts it gets clearer, louder and more aggressive, without touching the knobs.
The higher voltage settings require the adapter, not the battery. A standard 9 volt battery gives you 9 volts only; the 9 to 18 volt range applies to the BOSS style, negative tip adapter supply12.
Build, bypass and warranty
The pedal is built into a durable aluminum housing with a stomp switch1. It is 100% true-bypass with a grounded input for noise-free operation, as Premier Guitar described it1, so when it is off your signal passes through untouched. No Treble's announcement likewise reported true bypass2.
Pro Tone Pedals builds the Blasko by hand in the USA, in Crossroads, Texas2, and backs it with a five year warranty1.
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Questions
Does the Blasko Bass Overdrive run on a 9 volt battery?
Yes. It operates on a standard 9 volt battery, or on a BOSS style adapter with a negative tip. The adapter route also lets you run it at higher voltages, anywhere from 9 to 18 volts, which the maker says increases clarity and output and gives an edgier tone.
Is the Pro Tone Blasko Bass Overdrive true bypass?
Yes. Premier Guitar described it as 100% true-bypass with a grounded input for noise-free operation, and No Treble likewise reported true bypass. When the pedal is off, your bass signal passes through without the circuit coloring it.
What happens when you run the Blasko Bass Overdrive at 18 volts?
Running it at higher voltage gives increased clarity and output and an edgier tone, according to the announcement coverage. The pedal accepts anywhere from 9 to 18 volts through a BOSS style adapter with a negative tip, so you can pick the character you want.
Where is the Pro Tone Blasko Bass Overdrive made?
It is built by hand in the USA, in Crossroads, Texas, according to the 2010 announcement coverage. It comes in a durable aluminum housing with a stomp switch and is backed by a five year warranty.
How much does the Pro Tone Blasko Bass Overdrive cost?
At its 2010 launch it carried an MSRP of $249 according to Premier Guitar, while No Treble listed it at $249.99, with shipping set to begin June 15 of that year. The two announcements differ only by the 99 cents.
Sources (2)
- Pro Tone Pedals Announce Blasko Bass Overdrive Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2010-05-20
- Gear Watch: Pro Tone Pedals Blasko Bass Overdrive Pedal, No Treble, 2010-05-21