Feeling guilty about not liking a pedal...

[krafty]

Maybe its because it was hand-built by a really nice guy and not by some soul-less corporation... but I just am having a hard time finding a sound out of my Fuzzrocious Dark Driving that makes me say "yeah, I really dig this pedal". It is a cool pedal and I really do appreciate the work that went into it. I just haven't been able to get into it like I thought I would. Or should. Or something. Maybe I'm just not an OD kinda guy, although I'm not ready to give up just yet.

[arsie]

If Grandma's cooking sucks, you slurp it up and smile, then head off to McDonald's.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by arsie

If Grandma's cooking sucks, you slurp it up and smile, then head off to McDonald's.

Well sure, but grandma isn't making you pay for the cooking...

If some boutique pedal isn't for you, then it isn't for you. I personally think most boutique pedals are VASTLY overrated and are obsessed over by stay-at-home players more than gigging cats...

But some are very cool. Either way, don't stress. Get what you like and gig with it, boutique or otherwise...

[rratajski]

Originally Posted by krafty

Maybe its because it was hand-built by a really nice guy and not by some soul-less corporation... but I just am having a hard time finding a sound out of my Fuzzrocious Dark Driving that makes me say "yeah, I really dig this pedal". It is a cool pedal and I really do appreciate the work that went into it. I just haven't been able to get into it like I thought I would. Or should. Or something. Maybe I'm just not an OD kinda guy, although I'm not ready to give up just yet.

Sell it! ! There is a long line of people who want one at the moment. You can definitely get back what you paid for it! Don't forget to insure it (not delivery confirmation) if you do!
Every pedal is not the Holy Grail of tone . There are a lot of people who've had DD #001 at this point, so you're not alone in your 'meh-ness' over it. Don't fret!!!

[Plays_For_Dog]

It's not for everyone, so don't sweat it. You don't know until you try. Ry's gear gets traded just like everyone else's.

You gave it an honest shot, you didn't bash him or the product, and you are honest about how it doesn't fit you. No shame in any of that and I think it's very respectable. There are a ton of folks chomping at the bit for one of these in the classifieds, so don't worry. It will find it's place should you decide to let it go.

[Plays_For_Dog]

Hahaha, Great minds think alike You were just faster on the keys my friend!

Originally Posted by rratajski

Sell it! ! There is a long line of people who want one at the moment. You can definitely get back what you paid for it! Don't forget to insure it (not delivery confirmation) if you do!
Every pedal is not the Holy Grail of tone . There are a lot of people who've had DD #001 at this point, so you're not alone in your 'meh-ness' over it. Don't fret!!!

[oldbassplayergu]

hey all pedals differ from rig to rig. someone else might like it better on theirs. but at least try it in a different place on your board before you get rid of it, just to make sure you dont like it. I have a fuzzhugger AB SYNTH and it took some trial and error before i got the most out of it. good luck

[My name is Mudd]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

...and are obsessed over by stay-at-home players more than gigging cats...

I respectfully disagree - behndy's board comes to mind, for one example.

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

If some boutique pedal isn't for you, then it isn't for you. I personally think most boutique pedals are VASTLY overrated and are obsessed over by stay-at-home players more than gigging cats...

Ouch. That hurt.

[Matt Dean]

Wanna trade for my Bass BB?

(gigging musician)

[arsie]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Well sure, but grandma isn't making you pay for the cooking...

Yeah, I didn't really consider that many boutique pedals are much more expensive.

Its probably the combination of all your other gear, some of my pedals sound great on one bass, and not the other. Others the other way round.

[jwr]

I'm not a gigging musician, but I don't really see why boutique pedals wouldn't work in any situation. Now some of them are made just to be toys, but look at guys like Trent Reznor. That man has use a TON of boutique pedal and I bet you he's made more money than any gigging musician on this board.

It just depends on the type of music you play. Not everything can fit into a bass playing box.

[iamdenialNJ]

Don't worry I couldn't connect with my oxide. Way too dark for my taste. Also sounded boomy with my rig. I traded it the other day.

I really want to give the DD a try though!

[Touch]

I'm feeling the same guilt about my Fulltone Bass Drive. Just not doing it for me. I really wanted it to be my distortion pedal but...well.... it just ain't happening.

[jgroh]

Im kinda feeling the same way about my Markbass Distorsore pedal. I WANT to love it, it has all the features I thought I wanted on a tube OD pedal. But, its not working for me as much as I would have liked. I have only gigged it a couple of times, but I think I am getting closer to just getting an all tube amp at this point instead of the OD pedals.

[Smallequestrian]

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

I respectfully disagree - behndy's board comes to mind, for one example.

Yeah, there are just as many of us "gigging" cats who are obsessed as there are stay at homers...I think its true for all music related equipment.

[rsmith601]

We shed a few tears when our pedals are not liked , but quickly move into the mode of understading why and taking action to improve.

Sometimes we have failed to include some major knob or other feature. This happens less and less as we gain experience and listen to customer input.

Our guitar Multiwave Distortion really sounds different from classic fuzz boxes and tube overdrive. For some people it is the most amazing new set of sounds that they have been dreaming about. For some it is just not their thing. It is too different. (it is interesting that the bass version is much more universally appreciated)

It is most helpful when comments on this forum are specific and recognize that not all things sound "great" to everyone. This helps us get better when we need to, and not beat ourselves up when we should not. Almost all of the members of TB are very good in this regard, which is why this forum is so good and we spend time here listening carefully!

[phatbass30]

i kept my MXR BEF for almost 6 months. tried my best to get the sound that i like. i play 6 nights a week with some nights i play 2 places. so i really like to love the BEF but its just not for me. sold and i didn't use a filter til the Proton came. i also got a GR before the BEF, sold it too, i can't make it quack when i run it before or after my VT Bass. the Proton works fine for me right now.

[K2000]

Originally Posted by oldbassplayergu

hey all pedals differ from rig to rig. someone else might like it better on theirs.

Exactly... a pedal is just one element in your signal chain. After A/B'ing many good fuzz pedals, I figured this out. A pedal might not be right within the context of your setup, but work great for somebody else.

The difference between liking and disliking could be because your cab has tweeters/no tweeters, because you use flats vs. rounds, the other pedals before/after in your signal chain, pick player vs. fingers, or you have hearing loss in certain frequencies , the size of the room you're auditioning the pedal in, because you auditioned the pedal solo and not with a band, etc etc etc. It all factors in. IMO.

[iamdenialNJ]

^ +1