To anyone who's used the HOG...

Genericbassname · #1 09-19-2010, 09:12 AM

I'm selling off one of my basses to fund what is going to essentially be an entirely new pedalboard, and the EHX HOG is on the shortlist for my GAS. I love all the functionality you can get out of that one pedal. However, one of the main things I'll be wanting to use it for is the standard "add an octave below" that you'd normally just use an OC-2 or something for. How well does it function in this regard? I plan on using it for other things as well, hence why I can justify potentially dropping $500+ on this pedal, but that's still going to be a major factor for me. Unfortunately, I haven't had an opportunity to test it out myself despite poking my head in literally every guitar store in the Boston area. Can anyone give me any other pointers on this thing?

Thanks,
GBN

McSpunckle · #2 09-19-2010, 09:21 AM

From what I've read, the POG works better when you just want to add octaves. I've owned a HOG, and I can attest to the fact it was a -bit- thin for octave-down stuff. It's not horrible, though.

However, everything else about it is just awesome. Only real complaint is that it's positively huge once you add the extra footswitch and expression pedal. And you -do- want those.

cheapbasslovin · #3 09-19-2010, 09:37 AM

It did a passable job for me in octave down duties. It doesn't sound anything like an OC-2, though.

Great, great pedal.

rratajski · #4 09-19-2010, 12:18 PM

OC-2 is analog and will have a nice, warm tone to the octave down.
The HOG and POGs are digital and are digitally copying your note, hence the sterility and thinness to the sound.

I have owned the HOG for years now and have no complaints with it. I looooove this pedal.

You can find them used in our classifieds and HC for as low as $350 shipped. I'd look into a used HOG.

frianbisher · #5 09-20-2010, 07:01 AM

I managed to score one for a little less than $300, should be here in a few days I'll let you know how it works, but I am also looking forward to using it with my g****r so if it doesnt work too well with bass I wont be too upset.

rratajski · #6 09-20-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frianbisher

I managed to score one for a little less than $300, should be here in a few days I'll let you know how it works, but I am also looking forward to using it with my g****r so if it doesnt work too well with bass I wont be too upset.

Nice! Use the 3 and 4 octaves up on g****r. Whistling.com! Also, put your expression pedal about 1/2way up on the freeze gliss with your dry signal + 3 + 4 octaves...Heaven.

frianbisher · #7 09-21-2010, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rratajski

Nice! Use the 3 and 4 octaves up on g****r. Whistling.com! Also, put your expression pedal about 1/2way up on the freeze gliss with your dry signal + 3 + 4 octaves...Heaven.

Shh stop talking about it, the anticipation is killing me right now. Watching out for a little brown truck.

frianbisher · #8 09-22-2010, 05:34 PM

Well after playing it for a bit I have to say...THIS IS THE COOLEST PEDAL I HAVE EVER PLAYED. That being said it works much better on g****r so far. The bass notes get lost a little on anything below the 5th fret e string. I dont think it would work too well with a 5 string but I've only had it for an hour or so.

Score one on ebay for around $300.

**TheMutt** · #9 09-22-2010, 07:17 PM

Honestly, if I were looking for an octave down effect again, I'd be going for an analog one. Digital octave down just doesn't have that fat deep bass that we all know and love. That being said, if it's working for you by all means rock on.

Also as an aside, having owned a HOG/POG/Micro POG/PitchFactor, I'd say the PitchFactor is far superior to the HOG in all aspects except the awesome gliss expression mode, which you could do with an EHX Freeze anyways.

cheapbasslovin · #10 09-22-2010, 09:47 PM

It also is much easier to use and tweak than the Pitchfactor. You need to make a change, you can see the change you're making. Not everyone needs this, but I really like being able to look down and see what is making the noise.

@ frianbisher- I didn't notice that problem when I owned mine. It tracked everything amazingly well, even on a 5 string. You may need to adjust your input gain to get it to track properly across the fretboard.

**TheMutt** · #11 09-22-2010, 11:05 PM

Oh yeah, one more thing that the PitchFactor has over the HOG is that you can control any knob via expression pedal input or MIDI (except the effect type).

Also, I didn't notice any problems with tracking on my SR5 when I owned a HOG. The low B tracked fine when the gain was set correctly.

frianbisher · #12 09-23-2010, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

It also is much easier to use and tweak than the Pitchfactor. You need to make a change, you can see the change you're making. Not everyone needs this, but I really like being able to look down and see what is making the noise.

@ frianbisher- I didn't notice that problem when I owned mine. It tracked everything amazingly well, even on a 5 string. You may need to adjust your input gain to get it to track properly across the fretboard.

Yeah after messing with it some more I have found that it tracks every note really well with my active bass but not quite so well with passive. I think I just need to play with the knobs some more but man this thing is so cool and has so much potential.

ryansalmond · #13 09-23-2010, 10:15 AM

I find the octave down sound is somewhat woodier than other octaves I've owned. I think I know what people are talking about when they call it thin, but it's quite moderate- I'd say it makes my humbuckers sound like single coils. Not excessively thin.