Mxr Blue Box Fuzz/Octaver

Duncorama · #1 03-03-2008, 03:03 PM

Has anyone ever used or ever heard one of these being used on a bass?
Just ordered one of ebay and wondered if anyone had any experience.

Valerus · #2 03-03-2008, 03:22 PM

I will tonight. I'll post a review up later.

bigchiefbc · #3 03-03-2008, 03:25 PM

I have never used one myself, but I did quite a bit of research on it. It is two-octave down, and then fuzz. Its a cool effect, but this is going to basically restrict you to playing on the upper register of the D and G strings on a bass.

As an aside, I ended up buying a Mid-Fi Glitch Computer, which is the same basic effect, except it also has the option of making the octaver glitch around your note.

JanusZarate · #4 03-03-2008, 03:27 PM

Synth fuzz question
MXR Blue Box soundclips
The MXR Blue Box Alliance and Question Thread!

And there's at least a dozen more. But these seemed to be good threads on it.

Always remember that the Search Function is your friend here.^TM

TaySte_2000 · #5 03-03-2008, 03:39 PM

I got the Sinister Analog Soul Provider way better

Toasted · #6 03-03-2008, 03:43 PM

I really like the Blue Box. I fried mine by accident.

RickenBoogie · #7 03-03-2008, 05:12 PM

I had one for a while, and it does make some cool noise, but it's useless with a band. And it's also true that you can only play in the upmost registers on the D and G strings, anything lower sounds like a giant with a bad case of gas. (and no self control)

KromaatiKlauun · #8 03-03-2008, 05:17 PM

I can't imagine playing without one (I'm even getting a tattoo of it), great for "bad signal radio" sounds

Duncorama · #9 03-03-2008, 05:18 PM

Cheers for the replies.
I bought it because it was cheaper than i had ever seen it before and i'd heard it's either good for a synthy type tone or complete noise.
This is good because i'm in a two piece band with a drummer, i already have my basic setup but i was looking for something that could accentuate (s/p?) the bits where our tunes kick in as well being able to create some heavy noise for certain parts of certain tunes as supposed to resorting to feedback (the same feedback gets really old if it's over used!).

Lokkenjawnz · #10 03-03-2008, 06:56 PM

The Blue Box is a great little pedal. With the blend turned all the way clockwise, it acts as a pretty normal, synthy fuzz. Then you just turn the blend knob up to taste, and instant glitch tone! Quite the beast.

-Le Seaworthy Bassist

Jester85 · #11 03-03-2008, 10:36 PM

Blue box is cool after mod. Realy loud and opened sound. From gated fuzz to mad fuzz to noise box. Great.

Valerus · #12 03-03-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerus

I will tonight. I'll post a review up later.

scratch that. I didn't get a hold of it.

Deluge Of Sound · #13 03-04-2008, 12:45 AM

I love my Blue Box. I've had it for... two years? maybe less?

It's great, it's not very useful for most contexts, but if you put the blend at about 1 'o clock you get a great blend between the fuzz and the octav/glich. I use mine for when I can totally use the extra low-end in the noise-y bits of the stuff I play. It adds a lot of low-end (but that's to be expected, what with the two-octave/one-octave drop and all)

Be warned, it's very "artificial" sounding, and that may not be your cup of tea.

pompompom · #14 03-04-2008, 12:54 AM

I like the blue box but DOD's Buzz Box does almost the same thing BUT the octaver works at random making it very, very, ver, very BREWTAL.

But you'll probably end up paying a ridicously price. (but I got mine for 50 euros

)

Duncorama · #15 03-04-2008, 10:59 AM

I've read about the mod you can do to change the volume on this.
How technically minded/skilled do you have to be to pull it off?
I ask because i have never done anything remotely close to soldering etc.
Would i be best taking it to a shop?
Cheers for the responses too, it seems like i'm going to get a lot of use out of it.

Deluge Of Sound · #16 03-04-2008, 11:01 AM

For what it's worth, I never notice volume drop off with a power supply or a fresh battery.

JanusZarate · #17 03-04-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

I love my Blue Box. I've had it for... two years? maybe less?

Aha... I now know ONE of your pedals.

LungDisease · #18 03-04-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncorama

I've read about the mod you can do to change the volume on this.
How technically minded/skilled do you have to be to pull it off?
I ask because i have never done anything remotely close to soldering etc.
Would i be best taking it to a shop?
Cheers for the responses too, it seems like i'm going to get a lot of use out of it.

not at all, it's really simple.

If you want to put the switch in, it requires some soldering, but otherwise it's not much more than a quick cut.

Duncorama · #19 03-04-2008, 02:26 PM

What is the resulting difference between having the switch in and leaving it out?
Cheers!

LungDisease · #20 03-04-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncorama

What is the resulting difference between having the switch in and leaving it out?
Cheers!

I've always felt that the switch was worthless, since you changed the pedal to make it louder. Why would you want to go back?

Basically, it allows you to flip between having the mod on and having it off.