Boss PS-5 = Whammy IV???

Din Of Win · #1 06-05-2009, 02:21 PM

So, i've decided to literally downsize my board and big poppa Whammy has got to go. So i put an add up for it on CL hoping to get a trade for some sort of comperable pedal.

I was hoping to hear from some people wanting to trade a POG or OC-3 or OC-2... but i got a reply from someone that swares that a PS-5 + Expression Pedal will mimic the functions of the Whammy...

..FACT or FARCE???

bobbass4k · #2 06-05-2009, 02:35 PM

Not sure about the tonal similarity but the ps-5 has all the octave functonality of the whammy, and apparently an intelligent harmoniser (which is actually better than the whammy), so with an expression pedal they do the same thing, look into the ps-5 and see if it has the features you want

JanusZarate · #3 06-05-2009, 03:02 PM

Regarding the functionality... not quite true. The expression-based features of the PS-5 aren't quite like the Whammy. With the expression pedal at the toe-up position, there is no effect. As you move it forward to the toe-down position, it shifts up to the point set in the particular mode you're in.

Technically, it's more flexible as far as the regular pitch shift ("whammy") functions go, but its harmony shift effects with an expression pedal are not like the Whammy's harmony modes. For example, if you were hoping to have a certain harmony on one end of the sweep, and another on the other (i.e., 5th up to 1 octave up, or 5th up to 6th up), you can't do it on the PS-5.

And yeah, it does sound different than the Whammy... since GC carries a slew of Boss effects, I'd suggest going to try one out in-person. Ask if you can borrow a Roland EV-5 for the purposes of your demo.

*insertcoolname · #4 06-05-2009, 09:58 PM

I actually tried one today at my local GC, doesn't sound exactly like the whammy but pretty close. And you can use the actually footswitch as an expression pedal, although that function is a little more limited. I'm actually considering doing the same thing...

Taylor Livingston · #5 06-05-2009, 10:46 PM

The size of a PS-5 plus expression pedal is pretty close to the size of a Whammy.

Just sayin', man.

cheapbasslovin · #6 06-06-2009, 12:56 AM

I think you need to ask yourself (and him) why, if the functions are similar, is he in the market to swap for the bigger and harder to power whammy?

Full disclosure, I have no direct experience with either of these pedals.

Taylor Livingston · #7 06-06-2009, 04:41 PM

You know, if you would have been happy with the feature set of a POG, OC-2 or OC-3, then you'll be happy with the PS-5. The PS-5 may not have exactly the same harmony features as the Whammy, but it has a lot more features than the POG, OC-2 or OC-3.

Happynoj · #8 06-06-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conical johnson

The size of a PS-5 plus expression pedal is pretty close to the size of a Whammy.

Just sayin', man.

^ That.

JanusZarate · #9 06-07-2009, 03:42 AM

Yeah, but you have more flexibility in the physical placement of the pedals, as well as the advantage of it being powered by 9VDC instead of 9VAC.

My old PS-3 / EV-5 combo was much easier to arrange on my board than my Bass Whammy is.

Din Of Win · #10 06-07-2009, 08:00 AM

Hey all, thanks for the replies!

Well, intuitive shopping wins again. I went to the local used-gear store and made a straight trade with my Whammy IV for a OC-3 and a BassBalls(just something i've wanted to pick up for a while).

I tried a bunch of pedals out... which was weird for me, i get super anxiety trying things out in music stores... but they had an AMAZING Black on black '75 Fender P-Bass that i just wanted an excuse to play.

I tried out a PS-5, POG, OC-3, OC-2, Bass MicroSynth and an OctaBass. After an hour or so of testing i decided on the OC-3 for what i needed. And shoot, the OC-3 and BassBalls take up about half the pedal-board space as the Whammy!

-I liked the PS-5... it's just not a sound i think i would need at the moment. I needed a more octave-y stuff and less harmonizing.

-The POG is awesome... just, it has that "POG" sound that, again, i just didn't need.

-I liked the OC-2 and OC-3, but decided on the OC-3.

-I absoloutly HATED that octabass. I dont know if it was that particular pedal but it had absolutely abysmal tracking on it.

-Finally, OH MY GOD I NEED A BASS MICROSYNTH!!! I knew i didn't have enough $$ for it, but hell... as long as i was plaing an $1800 bass i may as well try a $250 pedal. It's SO awesome! Ugh... Major GAS now. Ah well... better pedals than crack i suppose...

cheapbasslovin · #11 06-07-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

-Finally, OH MY GOD I NEED A BASS MICROSYNTH!!! I knew i didn't have enough $$ for it, but hell... as long as i was plaing an $1800 bass i may as well try a $250 pedal. It's SO awesome! Ugh... Major GAS now. Ah well... better pedals than crack i suppose...

Yes, yes you do.

I waited for the better part of a year nickel and diming myself into and out of cheaper pedals before I bit the bullet and picked one up. I'm much happier now.