ODB3 is WICKED

noirextra · #1 06-25-2008, 04:58 PM

i just got hold of an ODB3 and after years of not getting one becuase
of ppl on forums saying it was rubbish, i am really pleased with it.
I have owned a fulltone bass drive and i think that its not so hot, it did have the TS9 mid hump and loss of low end, so i had to re -eq my amp all the time.
I think the problem with ppl not getting on with the ODB-3 is that if you dont turn down the GAIN to near zero you are going get distortion & fuzz, but its really simple to follow the manaul and dial in an SVT overdriven sound.
SO i guess that's why FLEA uses one and sometimes famous ppl are actually better at choosing gear than strangers on a forum.
Also jamie cullums bassist uses one and he is a jazz virtuoso, so you have both ends of the spectrum covered, dont listen to forum ppl all the time, make your own minds up and chek out actual real musicians and the gear they use, you'll learn more, i did!
take care guys

OptimusPrime · #2 06-25-2008, 05:01 PM

Lies and slander.

Jimbob Jones · #3 06-25-2008, 05:28 PM

I found that the ODB-3 is a useful pedal to own, especially if you're on a budget.

I wont slate the people who say it's rubbish because there are most definately better overdrive pedals out there.

Having said that:

I love the tone of the overdrive it makes, it's just too darn noisy!!

It's an extremely versatile pedal, as the OP said, with tweaking you can get right from a bit of dirt to all out synthy fuzz.

Also, with the balance at 0, it can be used for a preamp: a treble, bass, or volume boost (or any combination of the 3)

All i would say, is that if you have one, dont chuck it out, keep it, then you may find a use for it someday...even if it is just as a paperweight!

scotch · #4 06-25-2008, 05:43 PM

Good to hear! The ODB-3 is far too much maligned in this forum. It's a very useful pedal, even if the name overdrive may be a tad misleading to an effects "purist". Then, of course, "effects purist" could easily be construed as an oxymoron...

I really think folks would be a lot more comfortable with this pedal if Boss had just called it Bass Distortion. I'm a big fan of natural sounding overdrives (I use at least two of them quite regularly) but I still find room for what the ODB-3 does.

Sure. it colors your sound to the nth degree - I kind of like having that option! While it's not the first pedal (or second, or third...) that I think of when I hear someone ask for svt-style grit, it's certainly more versatile than the boutique crowd gives it credit for!

rhcp32291 · #5 06-25-2008, 06:12 PM

i just posted this in here

Anyone use a Boss OD-3?

"This would surprise a lot of people but I actually love this pedal for low gain settings.

I leave it on all the time with the blend about 90% clean. The blend on this pedal is extremely helpful and the eq pumps in more than enough lows.

I certainly agree that with the blend turned up too dirty this pedal is harsh and undesirable, but if you want a low gain overdrive with a lot of tone preservation this pedal is great. I love it."

Its my "always on" dirt.

rhcp32291 · #6 06-25-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Good to hear! The ODB-3 is far too much maligned in this forum. It's a very useful pedal, even if the name overdrive may be a tad misleading to an effects "purist". Then, of course, "effects purist" could easily be construed as an oxymoron...

I really think folks would be a lot more comfortable with this pedal if Boss had just called it Bass Distortion. I'm a big fan of natural sounding overdrives (I use at least two of them quite regularly) but I still find room for what the ODB-3 does.

Sure. it colors your sound to the nth degree - I kind of like having that option! While it's not the first pedal (or second, or third...) that I think of when I hear someone ask for svt-style grit, it's certainly more versatile than the boutique crowd gives it credit for!

Maybe I'm farther from an "effects purist" than i thought because i find the blend to actually blends in my real tone not a colored tone.

scotch · #7 06-25-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhcp32291

Maybe I'm farther from an "effects purist" than i thought because i find the blend to actually blends in my real tone not a colored tone.

Yeah - I'm not saying that the blend knob doesn't work, just that the effected signal is very colored compared to other overdrives. Again, I consider this a good thing (sometimes).

chris.gotfunk · #8 06-25-2008, 08:14 PM

Are you talkin' about Ol' Dirty Bastards 3rd son? I know....that was bad. Somebody had to do it. Okay, maybe not but I did it.

EADG mx · #9 06-25-2008, 08:17 PM

I have one, I wouldn't call it "wicked" but it's decent. Of course I'd never pay full price for one but that goes for a lot of Boss stuff.

Earwaxsculptor · #10 06-25-2008, 08:47 PM

I said it before and I will say it again. The ODB-3 is a good pedal. I have 1 stock and 1 modded and I can get very useful sounds out of them both. Although I will say that it really should not be called an overdrive.

Pilgrim · #11 06-25-2008, 08:51 PM

The ODB-3 does the job for me. Fuzz is too much for what I want, but the ODB-3 set up right and blended right can give a nice distortion without losing all the definition in the notes.

phat daddy · #12 06-25-2008, 08:53 PM

I bought one for the price of a free lesson from a student here on TB. I tried it against the Fulltone, and I liked the ODB 3 alot better actually. It just adds more personality and works amazingly with my EHX Octave Multiplexer. Best 20 bucks (or free one hour) I've ever spent. I actually use it in conjuction with other pedal fpr ex;, phaser, filter and I get really cool synth sounds from it that my Digitech BSW and my Boss SYB-3 don't get, and I use a lot of synth sounds.

rhcp32291 · #13 06-25-2008, 09:03 PM

Finally this pedal is getting what it deserves.
From overdirve to distortion with a blend and an eq all for a lowww price.

cheapbasslovin · #14 06-26-2008, 12:04 AM

It's a piece of junk and y'all are wrong I say, wrong!!!!

I don't like what I get out of mine, but it has its own tone and there is most assuredly a market for that. Good for you if you've found 'the tone.'

ga_edwards · #15 06-26-2008, 03:00 AM

I think it all depends on the sounds you're after. If you want low end grindage then the ODB3 is great. For me, I like a cleaner low end with most of the distortion in the mid range which this pedal cannot achieve. I also like a smooth guitar like distortion rather than the fizz/fuzz this pedal produces.

My ideal pedal would be an 80's Guv'nor with blend control. Hmmm, "Dear Jim Marshall...."

K2000 · #16 06-26-2008, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

I think it all depends on the sounds you're after.

I think whatever amp you're using is an important factor, as well.

TheDarkReaver · #17 06-26-2008, 03:18 AM

it's a nice pedal, especially for the price. i got mine second hand from a fellow bass player for £30.

miss g · #18 06-26-2008, 03:36 AM

When I got it I was afraid it would sound awful. It didn't sound great for $90 but with my new amp (GK 700RB-II - 410RBH) it sounds 50 times better. I can't believe its the same pedal actually.

Jazz Ad · #19 06-26-2008, 03:58 AM

I hate this pedal. It sounds like crap regardless of how I adjust it.
If you're happy with what it puts out well, more power to you.

roflol · #20 06-26-2008, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

I hate this pedal. It sounds like crap regardless of how I adjust it.
If you're happy with what it puts out well, more power to you.

+1 also +1 on the amp you use it with if you use this pedal with anything with tubes it shows up just how bad this pedal is and how raspy the highs are. You may aswell just get a muff or a bad monkey for the same price