So I just discovered something by a Google search and test, and now my results aren't muddy. However...

[daveaphotopod]

....so, after all this time, I finally (think I) figured out why any pedal I tested sounded too bass-y. I had it in the loop, fine. No inherent issues there. Then, after reading a helpful reddit post, I realized that me having the master volume on the amps I was using set to 10, and then having the pedal above unity gain, and driving them even more with gain/distortion was just making everything sound WAY too bass-y. 

Has this been your experience too? Is this a revelation to you too, or am I late to the party? haha 

 

I mean, it sort of makes sense. Of course, there are some amps that "break up" when the master volume is turned up, but for WHATEVER reason, it never occurred to me that even (and especially) in real life, with a real amp, I'd never necessarily turn the amp all the way up, and then BLAST it with a pedal too. 

 

Curious if there's something else I am missing or if this reminded someone of something related, and they have any more tips. If not, I hope this helps someone!