Better than Darkglass?! | dUg Pinnick DP-3X Pedal Demo/Review

[@forrestergil]

Love this pedal. I bought it once and returned it. Did not really think it was for me. Decided to give it another try and really play with the settings to get my tone. Glad I did! Very nice pedal.

[@NodakSavage]

I did the exact same thing

[@mississippisnowplow]

I started listening to King’s X back in ‘88 because me and Ty being from the same hometown here in Mississippi. Then stayed with them through the years just because they’re awesome.

[@thermionicemission8136]

Johnny, you hit the nail on the head about Darkglass pedals. They flavor the sound too much when the distortion is engaged. I tried three of their pedals and sold them all within a week of buying them. Not bashing on DG, they are just not my cup of tea. Now the DP3 is my cup of tea. I had an Ultra 1000 head until this came out. I do not care for the tone of the Class D power sections I have owned and used, so the Ultra went bye-bye soon after getting my first DP3. I can now use any effects, signal conditioning and power section I may choose. I like it so much I have four of them now. I would love for Tech21 to make a DP3 Deluxe with three presets and maybe an FX loop. I would snatch that up in a nano second. Keep up the great work you are doing here, it is very appreciated.

[@driftless7134]

Best pedal I've ever owned. I spent years trying to sound like Geddy, Dug, and Chancellor. This pedal nails those tones!

[@JonnyDibble]

Best distortion I've ever played!

[@driftless7134]

I tried recreating the sound in my brother's Helix, but honestly, I think the analog pedal sounds better.

[@jackshittle]

I concur.

[@geoffh8077]

Dark glass is temporary. Tech 21 is eternal.

[@matthewgonzales3970]

I had the VT Bass Deluxe, and the minute this Dug pedal came out I had to have it. I liked it so much that I sold the VT Deluxe. What separated this from others is that Dug plays with great guitar players like George Lynch and Ty Tabor. Most bass distortion tends to be Mid-heavy, which clogs the guitar bandwidth. Dug figured out where to scoop his EQ so it can be distorted, but retain the bottom and leave the mids for the guitar. I have recorded quite a bit with this, and that is where it SHINES. The Bass sits BEAUTIFULLY in the mix, and leaves plenty of room for multiple guitars without muddying up the overall mix. And you can still hear every note. In 40+ years in the business, probably the best piece of gear I've ever purchased.

[@kenkrawczyk8444]

The dUg is absolutely incredible. I have two of them. Darkglass didn’t compare in my opinion. I sold the X7 I had.

[@JonnyDibble]

Agree! I had the X ultra and this is superior imo.

[@andrep0wly35]

Same here

[@GutspillPhil]

Disagree

[@EmanCarbone]

Just curious: do you keep your 2nd one as backup or do you use them both differently in the same chain at the same time? It's great stuff indeed - I've had the VT BASS deluxe for years and I love it to bits for being able to store 6 presets, especially now that it's legacy stuff in their catalogue. You can get similar vibes cranking the character knob up a lot and compensating with the EQ, nice tight metallic distortion, but you don't get the same kind of surgical, bi-amp treatment between tight, punchy lows and raging highs, it's less defined. I'd love to try one of these.

[@kenkrawczyk8444]

@@EmanCarbone, I keep one on my pedal board and the other one I either use for practice at home or if I don’t feel like lugging the pedal board around. I have a bass rig set up at the rehearsal house that is different than my gigging rig. So when I don’t need the whole pedal board I just take the pedal and a bass to rehearsal.

[@1974zah]

Just picked one up today. Picked it over all the dark glass and other Sansamps available at my local shop.

[@JonnyDibble]

Great choice! Its so good.

[@itsjohnnymillion]

I adore this thing. I have loads of videos playing 12 string basses through this to fabulous effect. So amazing.

[@ebutuoy1406]

Great point regarding the X Ultra! Darkglass make great pedals but turning on the X Ultra is like an immediate Djent default switch that masks your bass’s inherent characteristics. Great if you let after that sound, but you’re putting your individuality and own unique tone on the line🤷

[@JonnyDibble]

100%! They're phenomenal for that, but that's not what I'm looking for when it comes to distortion. Thanks for checking out the video! 😊

[@jonbassjones]

Great video mate! You have a new subscriber! I’ve had my Dug Pinnick for about 8 months now. Absolute love it and I’ve only scratched the surface of what it can do! Thanks for the insight

[@jonathankall3062]

Nice Rxn! dUg / King’s X is my Fav Band of all time - just saw them in NC last month and hung out w dUg afterwards… grew up with Doug and Joliet in the high school days, and been a groupie ever since.!! - aside from the fact that he’s probably the kindest, most caring in humble person I’ve ever met! 💯💯‼️🔥 Nice Rxn!

[@Unmarked_1]

I always run 2 amps, one clean, one dirty. Morley A/B box Blend the 2 for a sweet spot. So you never lose your original bass signal.

[@douglaspinnick]

thank you!!!!

[@jonathanosborn4800]

Hope you review the new tech w1 Xb driver when it comes out

[@josefrancisco6969]

Sounds great. Thanks for the video, it's time to get a dp-3x.

[@JonnyDibble]

No worries! I agree 👌

[@ferox965]

I was set on Darkglass when I was looking for a new pedal. Tried the DP-3X just on a whim. Walked out with the DP-3X after trying both. No regrets.

[@JonnyDibble]

Such a brilliant pedal. Adds that fat wall of distortion without completely colouring the clean tone!

[@ferox965]

@@JonnyDibble Exactly. I've had it for about a year before covid hit. I play just about everything, live and in studio, any genre. The Pinnick handled it all just fine. Live, I just go direct. In fact, when festivals come back, I will insist that this will be my DI...not what they provide. So simple.

[@JonnyDibble]

@@ferox965 Awesome that it can be so diverse. I really need to get one for myself!

[@ferox965]

@@JonnyDibble Do it man!

[@saintlotus93]

I've been debating between this and a Darkglass X7. I'm glad I stumbled upon your video. Your's and Rodney McG's videos on it won me over.

[@JonnyDibble]

Glad you found it helpful man 😁 thanks for the sub

[@indobassgear2087]

This for sure, in my experience treble frequency in DG X7 is too extreme and not usable for bass guitar. No matter how low you dial the high knob, it always to treble and ice picky

[@JonnyDibble]

@@indobassgear2087 the Tech 21 definitely suits my tastes better!

[@ferox965]

Get the dUg. I compared it with a Darkglass b7k ultra and left with the dUg. It emulates bi amping so you get a crispy top end and crushing lows. I gigged mine hard...on my last record, I didn't even use my Orange rig...the dUg was all I used.

[@Metalbass1979]

You just convinced me on this pedal! That sucker sounds wicked! That little slap, hammer on thing you did around 50 seconds in was quite cool. I may 'borrow' the idea for something.

[@JonnyDibble]

Yes! Its an incredible and underrated pedal imo. I still don't own one myself which is a crime. Will definitely be getting one for myself soon. Borrow away!

[@jeansbass]

Awesome pedal & review. I've had many Tech 21 products over the years and I totally agree with you about Tech21/Darkglass.

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks Jean! Its criminal that I still don't own one of these myself. Tech 21 never disappoint 🙌

[@invalidprotocol7232]

Excellent review of the DP-3X!

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks very much!!

[@damionceniccola]

Great review, right down to the point. I also agree with you regarding this and the Darkglass.

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks Damion! Definitely "takes over the tone" less, which is a great fit for me 😊

[@guatobean2869]

I’m so torn between the DUG or Geddy Lee. Both seem to offer an incredible tone!

[@jeremiahpughofficial3565]

I understand what you mean by darkglass coloring your whole sound, the only way I compat this is always keeping the blend at 12. 😁

[@JonnyDibble]

Yeah man, I just never gelled with it for some reason!

[@D20band]

I'm really thinking of picking up on of these! I've had a lot of DG gear of the years, but never held on to them for some reason. I'm looking for something that sounds nice distorted and this looks great!

[@JonnyDibble]

It's a lot more transparent than any DG stuff I think and that's why I love it! It's a crime that I javent bought one for myself yet. Thanks for tuning in 😊

[@royblakk]

The Tech21 NYC DP-3X is the holy grail of bass pedals :)

[@JonnyDibble]

It really is

[@daviddreadfull]

Sold my B7K Ultra V1 and picked up a used Dug Tech 21 pedal 🔥 It's on its way hope it sounds as good as your vid.

[@JonnyDibble]

Awesome! 😍 It's a crime I still don't own one because uts on of my favourite pedals!

[@jackshittle]

So how is your used Dug Tech21 pedal?

[@daviddreadfull]

@@jackshittle Dude this pedal is so good it had one of the guitarist in my band wishing he played bass to have my tone. Never played a better sounding pedal. It's amazing how it sits in a live mix, really gels everything together. I run it with a P bass into an Ampeg SVT and it's game over.

[@jackshittle]

@@daviddreadfull That's awesome! I've been using a SansAmp Bass VT Character Series since about 2009. It sounds like it's missing something though. I bought a Darkgass B3K at one point but ended up selling it because it didn't sound as good as my SansAmp. But after seeing all these different demos of dUg's pedal, I want to buy one. It would just be going through a Modulus Jazz Bass w/ EMG's & then into a Bag End 15" (I only play in the bedroom these days). However, I do miss my old rig which was two David Eden WT300's (one for each cab) and then a SWR 2x12 w/ a SWR 8x8 on top of that. I'm glad you're digging your new dUg!

[@fistinair1979]

I had the dUg and enjoyed it but eventually found I didn't love that even with the mids pegged it was still pretty scooped. It also would be great if they had done something so that when switching between the two "channels" there wouldn't be a big change in volume.

[@JonnyDibble]

Tech 21 always seem to go for that scooped sound! Interested to see if they do a V2?? Thanks for checking out the video 😊

[@Klaus80804]

Yes - they only need to add a button to deactivate the scoop in the mix mode. Then the levels of mix on and off would be more balanced. And/or a second level knob for the mix mode.

[@AloysiusChowBass]

Had the same reaction as you when i first tried it. So hard to use it live with such drastic volume difference.

[@kickshaw6855]

Thank you for the video! I really love Tech 21 products. I have the Geddy YYZ but now I checking out the dUg Pinnick and the Steve Harris, but I really dont know what is the best choise in way of versatility.

[@JonnyDibble]

Thankyou for checking it out! I'm a huge Tech 21 fan. I've not tried the other signature pedals though tbf, highly recommended this one though! 👌

[@kickshaw6855]

@@JonnyDibble Thank you!

[@joedavidmarsh]

This pedal is SO good

[@JonnyDibble]

Its ridiculous. SO tempted to buy one for myself

[@AlexanderSays]

MAN this pedal rules. Already looked into picking up a used one. Also spied the Sterling Ray 24 in your vid. I used to have one of those and they are so so good for the money!

[@JonnyDibble]

Its incredible. I've got my eye on the used market too! Yeah man, I love it. I was gutted that it got damaged in transit though 😢

[@AlexanderSays]

@@JonnyDibble Ah no! :( I hope it wasn't too bad when you got it out.

[@JonnyDibble]

@@AlexanderSays it was badly packaged so the lacquer is all cracked by the knows and one of the machine heads is a bit rattly. I'll show the packaging in my next video! 😊

[@granttaskerud5367]

I have dp as well...when you add the chunk I notice it boosts a warm bass tone yards not there when chunk is disengaged. I wish I city's get yay tone without the chunk button. Do you hear/notice that as well. Would you say there is an amp cabinet going on or just a front end amp di. I know there is no cabinet Option button...but I just with..maybe it in there when the chunk is engaged. Little knob tweaks go a long way on this pedal. I leave it mostly at the tom peterson setting and adjust from there.

[@granttaskerud5367]

I need a great basic setting. I've used it two years with mix on. But now i want a basic.. green lights only. Any ideas. Top 80s rock stuff

[@Klaus80804]

I love this dUg Pedal. I own this one for the modern Bass tone and an SH-1 for the old school Classic Rock tone. The only complain I have about the DP-3X is, there seems to be no setting where the clean mode has the same volume as the Mix mode. So switching live between these two sounds with the footswich alone does not work. This is because in the mix mode a huge scoop happens for the clean low frequency part of the sound.

[@JonnyDibble]

Great pedal! Personally I don't mind a bit of a volume boost when engaging distortion as I only use it sparingly for heavier sections. I've not used it live though! Thanks for checking out the video man 😊

[@badger4361]

I just picked up a Pinnick, I'm really not a fan of the graphic preamp, I had a Steve Harris pedal for a while, and I hated the graphic on that too, they both work fine, idk just not my flavour I guess, but the signature Doug Pinnick chunk/drive tone is beastly good. Whats just as weird was I had an Alpha Omega Ultra, where I loved the graphic and hated the distortion, kind of why I've started chaining all these preamp pedals I own, which is an expensive pain in the arse, but it works.😅

[@JonnyDibble]

Going to have to combine them all 🤪

[@chrismorris3897]

Great video! Thank you! Seams like a fantastic product!

[@francoishtzl157]

I see that the comp when mix is engage work only on the clean low. Exactly like the MXUltra

[@Bigscott4130]

Possibly the best money I'll ever spend on a pedal. It's modern bass tone (i.e. dUg) in a super small box. I run mine to a Mooer Rader cab sim for recording.

[@JonnyDibble]

I was surprised how small the unit is! (Thats what she said?). Might have to check out the Mooer! Thankyou for the sub 😁

[@PushSueAside]

Awesome. I subscribed today because I really enjoy your content. Cheers

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks very much Tommy! 😁

[@rioace3953]

9:33 no loadbox required? just headphones?

[@GeorgeVrachliotis]

Darkglass have created a bunch of very cool pedals that have defined modern bass sound, however not all bass players need that overdriven metacore sound and to my ears DG pedals fail to deliver a good old classic bass sound. I found Tech21 bass pedals to be more versatile. You can have that dirt channel and some very very cool classic bass sounds. DP-3x, Steve Harris and DI2112 are the best out there.

[@JonnyDibble]

Yeah they're so innovative with every release! This pedal is definitely my favourite for the reasons you just described 👌

[@pedrorodrigues372]

I belive youtube recommended one of your videos and I subscribed instantly after watching it. Just wanted to say a few things, I had the same idea you've had, combining the SansAmp Bass Driver D.I EQ with the Drive section of the DP-3X (It could work, maybe?). The only thing that keeps me away from getting this pedal is the lack of midrange frequency (I like to have the option to boost 1-1.5khz and scoop around 500hz). Do you find the lack of 1.5khz huge? I own a Darkglass B7K Ultra V.2 and an Original Sansamp Bass Driver D.I, sometimes I combine the two, others I'll split the signal. Having the dp-3x would save me a lot of time if I want to have a clean bass sound and a dirty mid-top end with a mono output bass.

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks Pedro! I'm planning on running mine along with my Sansamp BDDI. The clean channel doesn't quite give it that signature sansamp high mid quality. That being said its not holding me back buying it. When I can afford to ill definitely be picking one up! Thanks again for checking it out!

[@beardzyonbass9193]

Great review mate !

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks bud!

[@NodakSavage]

So what’s the trick to getting to “mix” volume and the “on” volume the same. So I can get unity on my rig volume with pedal off and on, but the minute I hit “mix” it’s like half volume. Now sure, I can turn the pedal up, but how’s that gonna work when switching mix on the fly? Frustrated

[@bassguitar1919]

Great review on this! Always been a big King's X fan. Great tones and a tuner to boot! What do u think of this vs. Say a Darkglass vintage Ultra?

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks very much! I love this pedal. I've only had the B7K and X Ultra to compare to so can't say based on experience, but I'd say this is more of a modern sound without taking over the tone too much 😊

[@wateli]

Just ordered this pedal to replace b7k ultra 👍

[@JonnyDibble]

Niiiiiice 😄😄

[@wychwoodmusic]

Just like Doug and King's X, this video is underrated

[@JonnyDibble]

Crimes! Haha, thank-you ☺

[@leegallatin480]

Super awesome pedal ....really gotta play with the mids tho , otherwise you disappear in the mix quick , like a bunny . But Doug said he likesto be below the drummer and above the guitarist. "Gotta get in where you fit in" -DP

[@louie8604]

That sounds great, love the asmr 😂

[@JonnyDibble]

*whispers into mic* thank you Louie 😍

[@lollo1986]

Great video! Do you think is it possible to find out a Steve Harris sound too with this pedal?

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks! I reckon you could get close with some careful ELING, this one is perhaps a bit more scooped. I'm guessing you've checked out the Stephen Harris Tech 21 pedal?

[@lollo1986]

@@JonnyDibble I understand, the problem is finding a used SH pedal in Italy, new it’s too expensive...while is easier finding a DF used pedal, and its sound is awesome

[@jean-mineven650]

Is it a better choice than the Tech 21 VT Bass? Is it possible to have the "Ampeg tone" with this pedal?

[@JonnyDibble]

Depends what you're after! This NAILS distortion but dmfor cleans it doesn't quite have that scooped Sansamp sound imo

[@TheBeardofDOOM]

Such a great pedal

[@JonnyDibble]

Urgh, right? 🔥

[@burningkarma]

Bring it on down!

[@Joetime90]

This pedal makes the Squier and Sterling really hit.

[@JonnyDibble]

Sure does!

[@Joetime90]

@@JonnyDibble I've an older Tech 21 Sansamp and was looking to upgrade. I'm a Geddy Lee fanboy but this seems to give a big package for a bedroom bassist. Also have you reviewed the Steve Harris and Geddy Lee models? Maybe it's worth a comparison if you can get your hands on them.

[@kevmac1230]

You're a good player Johnny.

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks Kev!

[@4stringboy]

Mate you already convinced me on a picking up a Harley Benton (arrived this morning ♥️) and now this! You gotta start reviewing the high end stuff to price me out 😅 love the videos mate!

[@JonnyDibble]

Haha but ill be pricing myself put then! 🤣 which HB did you pick up in the end???

[@4stringboy]

Jonny Dibble originally I was going for the PB 50, but then PB 20 in all black appeared.....really great bass for the money, they are crazy kids!

[@JonnyDibble]

@@4stringboy nice! I'm tempted to get one for a modding project video!

[@richardgudino7630]

The only thing Darkglass is better at than Tech21 is their marketing, specifically, they over-produce and over-engineer the hell out of their product reviews which sound nothing like the real thing. The dUg is so good, there's nothing out there like it, mind, I haven't tried Tech21s Steve Harris pedal, or, Orange's new Bass Butler.

[@JonnyDibble]

Yeah they NAIL the marketing game! The nass butler is meant to be amazing. Would love to check it out!

[@CorvetteCoonass]

My bass student has a Darkglass Alpha Omega and I'll be honest....I hate it...she got because the bass KZbinrs were all over Darkglass. I did her a favor though and got her a Tech 21 Geddy Lee YYZ as a birthday gift, much better pedal IMO.

[@JonnyDibble]

@@CorvetteCoonass I dont think ill buy another, tbh. Keep going back to Tech 21!

[@ferox965]

What won me over is the bi amping emulation. I love this pedal. I want the crispy top.

[@jackbeardsall9597]

I prefer it to the dark glass ! Sounds sooo badass trust 🤟

[@JonnyDibble]

Me too! Definitely going to buy one fir myself soon. Thanks for the comment man 😁

[@technoalah]

You’re awesome.

[@JonnyDibble]

No, you

[@mrric77]

I just bought dUg Pinnick DP-3X and at that moment sold my Darkglass...

[@JonnyDibble]

So underrated!

[@racheladkins6060]

Kings X are the one of the best bands ever.

[@al76groovekeeper]

Darkglass vintage distortion is darkglass best sounds more natural

[@JonnyDibble]

Agree! I've now got the Ultra on my board 😄

[@dan_perry]

dUg...enuff said!

[@JonnyDibble]

Hell yessss

[@brndnlndr]

haha knob

[@JonnyDibble]

Lots of KNOBS