Darkglass B3k or Fuzzrocious Rat Tail

ocoaibass · #1 01-28-2012, 01:40 PM

Because I do not live anywhere near anyone with either of these pedals to A-B, I would like to ask my fellow TB'ers for their advice.

I play in a band that does Pink Floyd meets Neurosis type stuff. I'm currently using a Green Rhino with good results, but i want something that not only gives me the saturated tubey sound with some grind, but I also want to be able to get Unsane, Russian Cirlces type stuff. If you're unfamiliar with those bands, think of the most grinding Tool distortion & add more saturated low end with a little less attack (no active bass).

I know Brian Cook (russian circles) has a Rat Tail, but idk if he's using it on the tracks I'm hearing or what. I tried a Bluebeard, but gave it to our guitarist. I've also tried a Sparkle Drive (too gentle/subtle), a modified ODB-3 (too shrill/not quite enough low end). A Fulltone Bassdrive (boring), and the list goes on.

Any suggestions or opinions on which is a better bet?

MSUsousaphone · #2 01-28-2012, 01:48 PM

The B3K might be EXPENSIVE...but it's a safe pedal if you get it used in the classifieds in that you might buy it for $270...but if you don't dig it you can most likely flip it for $270...unless the market for them changes, I don't see it happening, you should only lose shipping.

Not sure on the Rat Tail...don't really have any experience with them.

Dick Tree · #3 01-28-2012, 01:55 PM

I think the B3K is what you're looking for probably. It's what a lot of bass players are looking for (including me!)

JamesHommersen · #4 01-28-2012, 03:52 PM

I'd say get the Rat Tail. I have one and I love it. You can get all the way from really nice low gain od to full out distorted fuzz. You can hear the RT in Russian Circles' 309 starting at 5:25
Russian Circles - 309 - YouTube

rratajski · #5 01-28-2012, 04:01 PM

The rat tail is used all over the new RC. That and a muff will get you there!

G3Mitch · #6 01-28-2012, 04:07 PM

yep, I just got a Rat Tail and its not going anywhere, except for an upgrade with a second footswitch maybe ONE DAY. That teamed up with a Swollen Pickle at low gain sounds INSANE. It will give any fuzz a really gritty sound, and is awesome by itself. Particularly when cranked up LOUD

CliffD · #7 01-28-2012, 04:58 PM

I've had a fuzzrocious rat tail for about six months, it sounds killer and is versatile. $300 for an overdrive pedal is just too steep.

Vlad5 · #8 01-28-2012, 08:12 PM

^^^ totally disagree ^^^

If its the last overdrive you'll ever want (and for me it is), its well worth it. Every other one I've tried sucks in comparison (and I've tried many).

To be fair though... I've never tried a Rat Tail (and I read only good things about it)... But since I put the B3K on my board, I don't really care if I ever do.

...and of course...ymmv, imho.. etc, etc...

DeathFromBelow · #9 01-28-2012, 08:17 PM

Pink Floyd meets Neurosis? Interesting.

G3Mitch · #10 01-28-2012, 08:45 PM

it does sound interesting.
Nothings ever to expensive if it "ends" your search for a particular sound. You'll probably save in the long run, instead of going through several pedals being disappointed.
When I spent thousands on my new cabinet, I was thinking I'll never have to buy another one of these again. And I doubt I ever will.
I still havent found my perfect fuzz, or OD, but my distortion is definitely sorted.

insomniac2295 · #11 01-28-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rratajski

The rat tail is used all over the new RC. That and a muff will get you there!

+1

An all tube amp might get you there too.

[/MarkOlsonMoment]

All kidding aside, Brian layers a lot of overdrive/distortion. In an interview he did, he said that his pedal that was on the most was actually his Fulltone OCD. Between that, the Rat Tail, whatever fuzz he has at the time, and his Verellen Meat Smoke, he layers some crazy amounts of complex dirt!

G3Mitch · #12 01-28-2012, 09:15 PM

yep. those amps are NASTY loud.

I went to a local show last night (band was Kerretta, from here in NZ check them out if your into instrumental awesomeness.) and the band that opened for them had a Meat Smoke head, and he was cutting through everyone!! singer, 2 guitars, keys, and drummer and the bass was still right out in front. Awesome. I was thinking **** this guys loud, and I saw that bright green light from his amp head, and sure enough...

EDIT: Im going to put a link for Kerretta, because they rule. bass tones are sick -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdqmCeJP8Hk

ocoaibass · #13 01-28-2012, 09:56 PM

Yeah, our guitarist uses a Meatsmoke for guitar in our band, & bass in Generation of Vipers. I'm I'm Ocoai, btw.
ocoaiband.bandcamp.com

I use a 300T with KT-88s.

Also, I don't think $300 is too much at all. I wish I'd heard of Darkglass before I bought a Sparkle Drive, Green Rhino, DOD OD250, & so on, in the last year. I spent $300 or more & certainly don't have the end all be all.

I'm trying to get my hands on at least 1 in person or see one played by a musician at a live show. Seeing Russian Circles would do the trick!

Joe Gress · #14 01-28-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G3Mitch

EDIT: Im going to put a link for Kerretta, because they rule. bass tones are sick -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdqmCeJP8Hk

Holy ****sticks! Thats damn tasty...

Joe Gress · #15 01-28-2012, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocoaibass

Yeah, our guitarist uses a Meatsmoke for guitar in our band, & bass in Generation of Vipers. I'm I'm Ocoai, btw.
ocoaiband.bandcamp.com

Gottdamn! Good **** dude! I like this thread just from the last two band recommendations...

G3Mitch · #16 01-28-2012, 10:35 PM

Awesome that you like Kerretta man!!
Check out their bandcamp, their 2 albums are epic as, both guitarist and bassist use LOTS of effects. Was wicked to see it all live last night.

Joe Gress · #17 01-28-2012, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G3Mitch

Awesome that you like Kerretta man!!
Check out their bandcamp, their 2 albums are epic as, both guitarist and bassist use LOTS of effects. Was wicked to see it all live last night.

Just bought Saansilo. ****'s crazy good!

G3Mitch · #18 01-28-2012, 10:52 PM

Good sh*t man, enjooooyy, gets even better after more listens. Vilayer is great aswell, grab it once you've digested saansilo.

I didn't realise, but the intro to the first track on saansilo is bass! he was using an expression pedal with something else, I would of checked it out further, but they were rocking to hard for me to be checking their pedals.

jwr · #19 01-28-2012, 10:57 PM

Has anyone said get both yet? If not, get both. Ones and OD and ones a disto right? SO GET BOTH!!!!!!

ourworldisgrey · #20 01-29-2012, 08:18 AM

It sounds like you want more dirt than the B3k will give you. I own a rat modded by Fuzzrocious and it rules. If you're going for grindy and saturated, a Rat Tail would be a good bet.