Boss OD-3 Overdrive, Honest Review

[bluewine]

BOSS OD-3 Overdrive is the best pedal value I have. It was just what I wanted. An inexpensive ($69.00, new) pedal that gave me the crunch I was looking for without compromising the low end. The double stacked EQ takes care of that. It’s quiet and the level functions is great.

I run a GK 1001rb. My chain starts as follows;

•Line 6 G300 Relay

•Korg Pitch Black Chromatic Tuner

•Boss OD-3 Overdrive

* MXR Bass Octave ( I never use it)

•EBS Multi-Compression ( on all the time )

Through a GK Stack, RBX 1 X 15” and 2 x 10”

[Eric Scholz]

I've never had any luck with Boss distortions. I've heard other people use them with great results, but I could never get a good sound out of them myself... but hey, I was recording yesterday, and trying to choose between my G&L and my Jazz Bass. I was digging the sound of my G&L and I just couldn't get my Jazz Bass to sound good, then my guitarist played my Jazz Bass and it sounded awesome... Just goes to show how much the player matters.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Eric Scholz

I've never had any luck with Boss distortions. I've heard other people use them with great results, but I could never get a good sound out of them myself... but hey, I was recording yesterday, and trying to choose between my G&L and my Jazz Bass. I was digging the sound of my G&L and I just couldn't get my Jazz Bass to sound good, then my guitarist played my Jazz Bass and it sounded awesome... Just goes to show how much the player matters.

This OD Pedal replaced a BOSS distortion pedal I had.

Huge difference.

[dannybuoy]

Do you mean the ODB-3?

It does get slated around here by some, but I was lucky enough to catch Acid King the other night and the bassist was playing an ODB-3 through an SVT and 810 and it sounded immense. Might try one since they always turn up used dirt cheap!

[Bloodhammer]

Someone on here a while back said the ODB-3 was "Obituary in a box." I've never tried one, but that got me wondering....

[Staccato]

Originally Posted by bluewine

This OD Pedal replaced a BOSS distortion pedal I had.

Huge difference.

+1 The OD-3 (not ODB-3) pedal is highly underrated! I can't imagine e-v-e-r selling it.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

Do you mean the ODB-3?

It does get slated around here by some, but I was lucky enough to catch Acid King the other night and the bassist was playing an ODB-3 through an SVT and 810 and it sounded immense. Might try one since they always turn up used dirt cheap!

I hate you. :P

[Touch]

The OD-3 doesn't have a stacked tone control...does it?

[skulletwhip]

I can never get a good sound out of this box, but I hear people do it. It sounds good for heavy guitar too.

[angrypanda]

Originally Posted by Eric Scholz

I've never had any luck with Boss distortions. I've heard other people use them with great results, but I could never get a good sound out of them myself... but hey, I was recording yesterday, and trying to choose between my G&L and my Jazz Bass. I was digging the sound of my G&L and I just couldn't get my Jazz Bass to sound good, then my guitarist played my Jazz Bass and it sounded awesome... Just goes to show how much the player matters.

I agree with Eric here, when I started playing bass 20 years ago I longed for the Chris Squire Geddy Lee overdrive and realized its more the attack of the fingers ( or pick with Chris) and overdriven amps. I have never met an overdrive I like ( I own POD bass pod, Boss Gt-10B, and many others).

[dannybuoy]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

I hate you. :P

It was the best gig I've ever witnessed. Chatted to them afterwards too, there is a new album in the works!

[Deluge Of Sound]

See, now I know you're lying. New Acid King record? I'm not falling for that one.

Unless, of course, you're not lying... Then I may need to change pants.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Touch

The OD-3 doesn't have a stacked tone control...does it?

Mine does, you can cut or boost the lows and highs. Nice sustain. I am in a Pop Rock Band and do a lot of in the pocket root bashing and slick riffs.

I am either using one of my Fender Telecaster Basses or my 1991 Gibson Thunderbird. I have a Jaguar Bass but havn't tried it with that yet.

[DosiYanarchy]

Hey, are we talking odb3 bass overdrive or OD-3?

[Verminaard]

Acid King = Awesome!!

The ODB-3 sounds very Obituary like to me with my gear, but I've never tried the od-3. The ODB-3 is an industrial sounding not screamy distortion. Good for some stuff and horrible for most other applications.

I think one of my previous guitarists used the od-3, I know the double overdrive (sd-2?) sounded pretty cool for guitar.

[dannybuoy]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

See, now I know you're lying. New Acid King record? I'm not falling for that one.

Unless, of course, you're not lying... Then I may need to change pants.

Get those pants ready then.

Sorry for the thread derail, but it's ok because a new Acid King album is far more important than any pedal and Deluge's PM inbox is full! It's about 2/3rds done but they are taking around 5 years to do it as they want it to be just right and they all have day jobs to attend to.

[Gaetano Paul]

I own the OD-3 and it sounds great for bass and guitar. It sounds like the OP is talking ODB-3? The OD-3 just has three knobs, level, gain, and tone. The OD-3 is an amazing pedal for hidden gem type stuff. There is also a mode that supposedly makes it more opened and transparent, I think I am gonna try it soon.

[mowburger]

I have an ODB-3 and it's decent, I'm not a big dist/ovrdrv guy but I kinda like this pedal for certain stuff. I find the trick to getting good sound out of this pedal is the mix control, since it doesn'y do subtle very well IMO its nice to dial the dry signal back into the chain, the eq is pretty neat too. and the pedal is dirt cheap.

[Chowowbus]

ODB-3 is one of my favorite pedals...with the right bass, just shreds in my opinion..A BDDI and ODB3 cover about all the overdrive tones for me.

[Gaetano Paul]

DOnt do the supposed "Keeley mod" on the OD-3, I just did and the pedal is terrible and useless. I then tried to reverse it and its still shot out.



AHHHHH!