Frequency Response: Guitar distortion pedals are designed for the higher frequency range of guitars. They may not adequately process the lower frequencies of a bass guitar, resulting in a thin or muffled sound.
Input Impedance: Guitar pedals typically have a higher input impedance than bass pedals, which can cause the bass signal to be overloaded and distorted even without engaging the distortion effect.
Tone and Character: Guitar distortion pedals are voiced to enhance the characteristics of guitar pickups and may not provide the desired distortion or saturation for a bass guitar, resulting in a less satisfying tone.
Speaker Compatibility: Guitar distortion pedals are generally not designed to handle the high power output of bass amplifiers and speakers, which can lead to damage to the equipment.
Output Level: Guitar distortion pedals may have a lower output level compared to bass pedals, requiring additional gain or volume manipulation to achieve a suitable volume for bass.
Overall, using a guitar distortion pedal on bass may result in less-than-optimal sound, potential equipment damage, and difficulty in achieving the desired distortion effect for bass. For bassists, it's recommended to use distortion pedals specifically designed for bass to ensure the best performance and tone.