The Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod is an Ashdown distortion pedal. Close alternatives include the Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature and the Orange Bass Butler Bi-Amp Bass Preamp. It pairs well with the Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp and the Synergy SL2 Module.
Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod
Ashdown · pedal
The Ashdown MAS GZR-POD is a variant of the Geezer Butler Pedal of Doom, a professional-grade bass preamp and distortion pedal built with Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler. It features dual independently switchable EQ stages, an active 5-band EQ on each channel, transformer-isolated DI output, dual VU meters, and 9V or 18V operation for adjustable headroom. The Clean channel delivers warm vintage tube-amp character at low gain while the Doom channel pushes into aggressive saturation and fuzz territory. Suited for doom metal, stoner rock, and classic heavy rock bass tones with strong DI capabilities for direct recording or live PA routing.
- eq
- preamp
- di
- doom
- transformer
- bass
- drive
- low gain
Good for
- Silent Recording
- Silent Stage
Genres the Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod is commonly used in
- Doom Metal
- Stoner Rock
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Acoustic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod
Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp
Laney
16% matchLaney RB3 Richter Bass Amp's mid-forward fills in what this high headroom tone doesn't make on its own
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchThe high headroom tone has headroom to spare — Synergy SL2 Module gives it high gain to fill it with
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchThe high headroom tone has headroom to spare — Ceriatone 2202H gives it high gain to fill it with
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchInto a high headroom tone, Friedman BE-Mini Head brings the high gain it's missing
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchThe high headroom tone has headroom to spare — Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 gives it high gain to fill it with
Friedman Phil X Signature
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman Phil X Signature's high gain fills in what this high headroom tone doesn't make on its own
Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-50 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchInto a high headroom tone, Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-50 1x12 Combo brings the high gain it's missing
Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchRun Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head into that high headroom platform and it finally gets some high gain
Pedals that stack with the Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
22% matchInto a low gain tone, Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz brings the fuzzy it's missing
Carl Martin Hot Drive'n Boost MK3
Carl Martin
22% matchCarl Martin Hot Drive'n Boost MK3's high gain fills in what this high headroom tone doesn't make on its own
Boss BF-2 Flanger
Boss
15% matchBoss BF-2 Flanger's analog warmth voice goes after Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod's own low gain character
Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive
Vox
12% matchVox Valvenergy Silk Drive's own smooth character is the real reason this is worth trying
Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay
Electro-Harmonix
8% matchKeep Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod's low gain voice out front: Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay goes after Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Eventide Modulated Delay
Eventide
8% matchRun Eventide Modulated Delay after Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod in the signal chain, clear of Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchInto a low gain tone, Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 brings the fuzzy it's missing
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchElectro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod gives it exactly that
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
75% similarity“is a variant of the Geezer Butler Pedal of Doom, a professional-grade bass preamp and distortion pedal built with Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler.”
Orange Bass Butler Bi-Amp Bass Preamp
Orange
72% similarityShared character: headroom, studio, response
Behringer BDI21
Behringer
70% similarityShared character: presence, treble, stage
Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord
Electro-Harmonix
69% similarityShared character: hard_rock, treble, response
Ashdown James LoMenzo Mega Drive
Ashdown
69% similarityShared character: hard_rock, studio, response
Laney Digbeth DB-Pre
Laney
69% similarityShared character: presence, studio, preamp
Aguilar DB 925
Aguilar
68% similarityShared character: presence, treble, stage
Ampeg F17-1
Ampeg
68% similarityShared character: treble, stage, preamp
NuX Bass Preamp with Modeling and DI Output
Nux
62% similarityShared character: studio, preamp, bass
Electro-Harmonix Battalion Bass Preamp/DI
Electro-Harmonix
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Ashdown John Myung Double Drive
Ashdown
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender Trapper
Fender
94% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod?+
The closest matches in character are the Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature, the Orange Bass Butler Bi-Amp Bass Preamp, the Behringer BDI21.
What pairs well with the Ashdown MAS GZR-Pod?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp, Synergy SL2 Module, Ceriatone 2202H — Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp's mid-forward fills in what this high headroom tone doesn't make on its own.