Got a Boss ODB 3

Rendog92 · #1 01-02-2009, 02:43 AM

Yep, its my first real bass effects pedal (I dont consider my old grilled cheese worthy of mention)
It was just over $50 on e-bay used. Parent payed for half, cuz bday is comin up

Cant wait to use it, anybody think I got a good deal?

Lebowsky · #2 01-02-2009, 02:51 AM

that was my first pedal as well. have fun!

Jimbob Jones · #3 01-02-2009, 02:59 AM

welcome to Talkbass!

You've taken the first step into a GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome) driven spiral. (the jury is out as to whether it's an upward or downward one

)

The ODB-3 is a cool little box, it does get slated a bit round here, but (personally) I think it's a very versatile and useable pedal.

Looks like you got a good deal too, I payed 65 GPB for mine, which is about $90?

Have fun and don't forget to read your stickies!

mario222 · #4 01-02-2009, 05:04 AM

I think you got a pretty good deal. I own one of these and it is definetly my most used pedal, in fact its on all the time in one of the bands I play. Play around with it to get the sound u want, its pretty versatile imho.

Boneless · #5 01-02-2009, 05:57 AM

Not a bad pedal in general.
I think though it is a bit of a one-trick pony, since it is only good to do a certain kind of sound. Not very good on fast lines, where a bit more punch is needed (it isn't really punchy, it's more a "pad"-like effect). Very nice on fat, long notes (with a bit of chorus, it sounds divine).
Nice to have in a pedal board, if you actually find a reason for it, just to use occasionally, as an all-rounder I'd definitely choose something else though.
I just bought an Ibanez PD-7, which costs just half as much, and it cuts through the mix much better. Although, not being just as "synth-like". Oh, by the way, it isn't really touch-sensitive, it is very, very compressed, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

katri · #6 01-02-2009, 06:13 AM

Great pedal. I sold mine recently though as I never used it. Also it's definately not an overdrive as the name says, it's closer to distortion or at a push fuzz.

gm jack · #7 01-02-2009, 06:26 AM

It's a solid pedal. The tone can cause polar reactions, but it is very functional. Have fun with it.

smo · #8 01-02-2009, 07:33 AM

Hold on to that one.
Good Versatile pedal with lots of tones on tap.
I've bought and sold a lot of pedals - but still have that one for my practise setup.
I like to dial in a nice low gain setting with lots of thump with that pedal - does it pretty well.
This pedal can work well with a high gain tube amp too, but of course that's opinion.

Loempiaketzer · #9 01-02-2009, 07:44 AM

ghehe, it was my first one too!

i never play on it because my band didnt require it for a long time. Now im needing it again!

the thing with the odb-3 is, well... in my case at least, a slight touch on the knobs can make a descent amount of difference. I find it very hard to get the setting just right.
But when you do, its awesome!

like many said, its versitale. And a good one to start with! i think.

Im no pedal guru/master. I hardly know how the things work...
but i is liking it...

and remember.... try to buy only what you need, not what your GAS is telling you. Before you know it youll be living in a cardboard box with 100 pedals in it repeating the words "my precious"

PunkRocker33133 · #10 01-02-2009, 09:54 AM

I sold mine when I bought a Messdrive, but I'm looking at picking another one up. It's perfect for creating a Wall Of Sound with a bit of definition. Or for an Industrial music styled fuzz.

katri · #11 01-02-2009, 10:05 AM

It can sound good but it's IMHO a bit of a one trick pony. It will work great for industrial kinda sounds but not really mild drive or real fuzz. It was my first real effect so letting it go was a little sad I will admit, even if I haven't even plugged it in in about 6 months.

Rendog92 · #12 01-02-2009, 11:31 AM

Thx for all the replies, Im so glad you guys are giving me the right info. about stuff. Can you guys give me your settings on ODB 3. Thx

Boneless · #13 01-02-2009, 11:51 AM

Best settings (IMHO) are, probably, the following ones:

Level as desired

Bass SLIGHTLY boosted (about 1 o'clock)

Treble between 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock, NEVER past 12 o'clock (it becomes really too harsh)

Blend at about 10 o'clock

Drive likewise

I like a very aggressive and "pointy" kind of tone, so maybe you'd find this setting too harsh for you, in that case try dialing in less treble, and lowering the drive.

Rendog92 · #14 01-02-2009, 11:55 AM

Oh ok, thx alot
I just want to sound a little bit like Tim Commeford from RATM or Justin Chancellor of Tool. I usually play around with rock from the 80s, so I got the pedal for the more modern rock and metal.

Good investment considering im gonna be in a heavy metal band with my friend as soon as we can find a drummer

smo · #15 01-02-2009, 09:44 PM

You won't be able to nail both of those tones, as niether of those guys use the ODB-3 - but I'm sure you'll find some tones you'll like.

I use the blend around 50%, the Gain just a titch above slight grit and the EQ to taste.