BOSS ODB-3: Would anyone recommend it?

[ndrly]

I've already decided on the chorus effect I want (either Electro-Harmonix or BOSS). Now let's see about overdrive.

I want an overdrive pedal that can produce the following distortion types (with song examples in brackets):

Natural overdrive (Hate to Say I Told You So)
Synth fuzz (Hysteria)
Distortion that does lose its low end (H.)

I've seen the settings on the BOSS ODB-3. It has a two-band EQ, and you can adjust the gain, too. If the BOSS can do all the distortion types listed above, then that's all I'd really need for distortion. I was considering having the BOSS just for natural sounding overdrive and a Big Muff for fuzzy stuff. But if the BOSS can do, like, all the distortion you need for bass, then it's like, that's the only distortion you need.

Would the BOSS be a wise purchase, or would I need to invest in more than one stompbox for all the distortion effects needed on bass?

[Soma666]

hmm, dude, those example songs have such different sounds that i dont think u'll be able to get them with a boss pedal. i'd recommend a big muff and run it thru a pre-amp so u can pump the lows back into it. thats the only way i can see it working

[Dash Rantic]

The BOSS is anything but natural. You should be able to BS your way around for the other two sounds, but it sounds like a digital can of pissed-off bees. Not that bad sounding, exactly, just kinda weird. Try one out beforehand if you can, to see if it's what you really want.

-Dash

[assboglin]

You can get a more natural overdrive sound out of the boss with the gain at less than 9 O'clock and the blend somewhere about half. It will also let you retain your low end. And, you can get a synthy fuzz out of it, but the sound on the muse song is made with an akai deep impact synth and a big muff, so don't expect anything else to get you precisely that sound.

[Jazz Ad]

I wouldn't recommend the ODB-3 for anyone.

[srxplayer]

I own it and I'm not real happy with it. It does the typical thing by sucking out the low end. I have to fiddle with the gain and blend alot as well as the two band EQ to get a decent tone. Fortunantely I rarely use it so I haven't been in a hurry to replace it. Prior to my ODB-3 I owned an Ibanez PD-7 Bass Overdrive and I felt it was a better pedal. It sucked some bottom end as well but not as much as the Boss, and it was easier to dial in something useable. I sold it to get a Sanamp BDDI which gives me a great OD tone.

[johans]

don't really like it..

used to chain it with my ds1, vl sparkle drive etc2 but the odb-3 ended up not used in most of my sessions ..

[Blight]

I have The ODB-3 and quite love it for what I do (heavy rhythm-guitarish strumming). I will say however, that it needs to be run through a tube amp. Through a solid state it sounds too buzzy and harsh for my tastes. The tubes warm it up to a thick, lovely distortion (the name 'overdrive' is a bit misleading).

I play fingerstyle or strumming, and I've noticed that it tends to turn to a fuzzy mess when doing the former, so you might want to pick if you are going to be playing like a traditional bass player through it.

Great pedal, NEEDS tube warmth.

[bongomania]

I've heard that said before- if you feed the ODB-3 into a tube amp, it can sound decent. Otherwise, no.

[assboglin]

I did like it's sound more with my tube amp, but I like most of my effects better through it.

[EricF]

In answer to the question...someone would recommend it. However, I am not that someone.

[Sir Edward V]

Originally Posted by EricF

In answer to the question...someone would recommend it. However, I am not that someone.

+1

ODB-3 = POS in my book

[nad]

Sold it, I did. Miss it, I do not.

[deaf pea]

Originally Posted by EricF

In answer to the question...someone would recommend it. However, I am not that someone.

Well, MAYBE I'm the guy.

I DO use that model when I have to travel light . . . but I MUCH prefer the natural OD that I get with my main rig (which is a dual setup: clean AND dirty at the same time)
FWIW, I use the blend control barely "on", that way I don't loose low end.

But you probably should go for the Big Muff AS WELL AS the Boss unit.

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by bongomania

I've heard that said before- if you feed the ODB-3 into a tube amp, it can sound decent. Otherwise, no.

+1... that was my experience with it. The same experience can be said about the MXR M-80 Bass DI's distortion channel.

Now, for certain kinds of grit (a la RHCP), it works well. But in general, I really don't like the ODB-3.

Two pedals can do the trick for your needs (a synthy fuzz pedal and a bright overdrive), but one? It's asking for a bit much...

[markdavid]

I was considering having the BOSS just for natural sounding overdrive and a Big Muff for fuzzy stuff. But if the BOSS can do, like, all the distortion you need for bass, then it's like, that's the only distortion you need.

Would the BOSS be a wise purchase, or would I need to invest in more than one stompbox for all the distortion effects needed on bass?

Dont get the BOSS if you want a natural sounding overdrive , subtle it is not , however if you want ball crushing distortion then the BOSS is ideal , just not for any natural or subtle sounding

[Vic Winters]

Try a PD7. It's cheap (especially used) and you can get quite a few different sounds. I think there are a few going for $25 in the for sale section.

[B.C.]

Ok. I think what we are missing is its use. I would recommend it for Muse-esque play A La Hysteria. However, to cover all of these bases(haha) I would recommend a SansAmp Bassdriver Di. I can get the range from mild to somewhat thick. Ever Chris(from Muse) uses atleast three different distortions, an ODB-3, a Bass Driver, and a Big Muff Pi, along with distortion from his Marshall Bass Amp. For what it does, I think the ODB-3 is excelent, IMHO.

[Mudfuzz]

I had a ODB-3 for around 9 years [and I use tube amps if anyone cares] I liked it a first but in the end really hated it, and think it is one of the reasons I stopped using FX for about two years. If you want a nasty low fi distortion then that's the ODB. At the time I got mine there weren't many choices compared to what's out there now, there are options to be had in the world of bass ODs.

[JanusZarate]

B.C.... Chris Wolstenholme doesn't use the ODB-3. Or a Fulltone Bassdrive. Or a SansAmp BDDI.

The only things you're dead-on about are the Russian Big Muff and the Marshall VBA400. And that doesn't cover most of what he does - not even "Hysteria"!