Flea's Overdrive OBD-3

[jeebz15]

I have been messing around with my Boss, using my schecter stiletto and I can't get it to come nearly close to his sound on "Around the World" and "So Much I". Granted I'm using an Acoustic amp and a schecter, but when I do get close it seems like there is too much feedback. So, does anyone know his settings for it?

Thanks for the help!

[gregmon79]

I'm not too sure you're gonna even get close with that amp. You should be able to get something that sounds SOMEWHAT like that around the world dist sound with that bass and maybe that pedal. But that amp may not be able to handle cranking it like that. That's just my opinion though.

[gregmon79]

Your gain is too high if you're getting that feedback. Or back away from your amp or turn the amp down a little more, pedal up.

[jeebz15]

I barely use the gain on my amp anyway, and as far as I know that's his main overdrive for awhile now. I'll try moving farther away but yeah I get that the amp isn't his style as it is. I was really surprised what the schecter can do in terms of RHCP.

Thanks man

[gregmon79]

I meant the gain on the pedal, sorry. Usually when I have crazy feedback it's cause the gain or volume on the pedal is up too in relation to the amp. Your eq may be set too high too maybe. Does the amp have an eq?

[gregmon79]

Up too high in relation to the amp I meant.

[jeebz15]

My amp has low, low mid, high, high mid. It's B-100 combo

[karstetterpj]

I read an article that said most of Flea's sound on Around the World came from his ridiculously hard attack. I don't doubt that there is overdrive going on there, but it isn't the only thing playing into his sound on that song.

[Soppy Hat]

Yeah, string up a musicman with Rotos and put a little OD on it, and you'll get pretty close!

[FaithNoMan]

Originally Posted by Soppy Hat

Yeah, string up a musicman with Rotos and put a little OD on it, and you'll get pretty close!

No way. String up a Modulus instead.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by FaithNoMan

No way. String up a Modulus instead.

IMHO, Flea's best live tone came from his StingRays. His Spector and Sabre weren't bad either, but I can't stand his Modulus tone.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

He mostly uses the Modulus live because of the carbon neck. It makes it easier to have a consistent instrument when you travel that much.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Frenchy-Lefty

He mostly uses the Modulus live because of the carbon neck. It makes it easier to have a consistent instrument when you travel that much.

Yep, that's the main reason he stopped using Rays... well that, and him and Sterling Ball didn't seem to get along all that well.

[JimmyM]

Sterling Ball got mad when Flea kind of took a shot at Stingrays in BP years ago. I didn't think it was that big of a shot really, but next thing you know he's no longer an endorser.

[jeebz15]

I like his Rays better than the Modulus, I always think Flea with I hear StingRay. But just throwing some Rotos on a Ray is way easier said than done, money wise. This is what I judge his pedals on(pic below), I use the ODB and Micro Amp but I also use the Bassballs he used to have, I prefer the sound on his first few albums.

[JimmyM]

Well no matter what you do, it's likely not going to sound like Flea anyway since his sound is built into him and not his gear. Seen Flea over the years with a lot of basses and amps and it always sounds like him no matter what.

[HunterBurgan4Me]

In his latest rig rundown it was discovered that flea doesn't use ODB-3 he uses B:Assmaster

I don't think flea is too big on pedals or amp setting or stuff like that, he never seems to mention them in interviews and his pedalboard is tiny.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by HunterBurgan4Me

In his latest rig rundown it was discovered that flea doesn't use ODB-3 he uses B:Assmaster

I don't think flea is too big on pedals or amp setting or stuff like that, he never seems to mention them in interviews and his pedalboard is tiny.

The B:Assmaster is a relatively new addition. As to the ODB-3, I'd bet dollars to donuts his tech had it modded to be more user friendly (it's not a terribly great pedal in its stock form).

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Well no matter what you do, it's likely not going to sound like Flea anyway since his sound is built into him and not his gear. Seen Flea over the years with a lot of basses and amps and it always sounds like him no matter what.

To a large extent sure, but it's pretty easy to hear a significant difference between the Wal, Modulus and vintage jazz with flats.

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

The B:Assmaster is a relatively new addition. As to the ODB-3, I'd bet dollars to donuts his tech had it modded to be more user friendly (it's not a terribly great pedal in its stock form).

It sure sounds stock to me here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqMseqjqwTo

That said, it was NOT what was used to do that song in studio. My understanding was that it was a biamp rig using an overdriven Marshall.

To the OP, I don't really hear any overdrive on "Aeroplane". But the dirt on "So Much I" sounds a lot like the tone from "By the Way" which I do believe was overdrive from his GK2001RB.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M1qoUj_jsw

Either way I can definitely say neither track has the ODB-3 on it. It's a very distinctive and somewhat industrial tone.

[jeebz15]

Okay so there's no screeching feedback but a static-like buzz behind my playing. This is apart from the Flea thing, I just would like advice on how to get the best sound available with the ODB.