The ZVex Basstortion is a distortion pedal for bass, made by ZVex. ZVex describes it as "our take on capturing what is arguably the first and last word in all tube amp distortion for bass," a sound modeled on the Ampeg SVT tube amp1. In other words, it is a stompbox built to give a bass player the character of a driven SVT-style tube amp without the amp itself.
What it does
The Basstortion sits in the bass pedals family as a distortion box rather than an overdrive or fuzz pedal. ZVex's own framing is that the pedal is a take on the tube amp distortion for bass that the Ampeg SVT is known for, which the maker calls "arguably the first and last word" on the subject1. For a player, that means a pedal voiced for the low end of a bass rather than a guitar circuit adapted to bass.
The pedal is available in two finishes: hand painted, or silk screened1. ZVex publishes an instructions PDF for the pedal on its site1.
ZVex also makes other bass-oriented pedals, including the ZVex Woolly Mammoth Vexter fuzz and the ZVex Super Duper Concert Bass Mod, a limited edition based on the Sunn Concert Bass sound, alongside the ZVEX Vexter Super Duper and the ZVEX Vexter Fat Fuzz Factory.
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Questions
What does the ZVex Basstortion do?
It is a bass distortion pedal that ZVex describes as its take on capturing what is arguably the first and last word in all tube amp distortion for bass, modeled on the sound of the Ampeg SVT tube amp. It is built as a guitar and bass effects pedal, aimed at bass players who want amp-style distortion in a stompbox.
How much does the ZVex Basstortion cost?
The list price is $219.00 USD, as given on ZVex's product page in October 2026. It is available in two finishes, hand painted or silk screened, and the hand painted version is the more elaborate of the two.
Sources (1)
- Basstortion, ZVEX Effects
