In praise of the BOSS ODB-3

K2000 · #1 07-23-2008, 11:30 PM

I got an ODB-3 in the mail from the classifieds here, and it re-confirmed what I've known from "back in the day"... the ODB-3 combined with an Ampeg SVT and 8x10 is a classic "rock" combination.

Dialed in*, the ODB-3 fulfills my two biggest criteria for a distortion/fuzz/overdrive pedal: notes retain their definition (no mush) and there is enough "texture" added, to make adding a fuzz pedal to the SVT worth the trouble.

*(for me, all dials start at noon and I'm tweaking from there. I like the treble control slightly up from noon to enhance note definition, and the bass control slightly down from noon, to reduce boominess.)

In addition, the ODB-3 seems to add even more low end (even with the bass EQ dialed back slightly, the lows are beefy).

Texture wise, the ODB-3 compares pretty well with the Wooly Mammoth and B:assmaster, without adding the synthy/squelchy/squishy flavors that those two pedals can add. I don't think it's even possible to make the ODB-3 sound "synthy" so if you dislike that sound (like I do), that's a good thing.

I am utterly convinced that if you start out with a great amp that gives you a baseline tone (jumping off point) that you already love without effects, then the ODB-3 can be useful as a distortion (especially if it's a tube amp). And I wonder if some players are wanting to use their OD/distortion pedals to try to "solve" the tone issues they might have with their basic amp setup (?)

I think a thread like this is necessary from time to time, when I see the ODB-3 getting bashed on the forum as "harsh". That harshness shines through as "grit" with the SVT, when other distortions might just add "mud" with that amp (Big Muff, I'm looking at you.). Whether a distortion/OD sounds good to you, depends on personal taste, but your specific amp also has a lot to do with your results too. When somebody bashes a pedal, it would be helpful if they'd post their bass and amp setup too. (BTW, the Big Muff is a good pedal, but not for me).

I'm not ready to give up my B:assmaster yet (we'll see, after extended evaluation/comparison) but I'm ready to let go of my Wooly Mammoth now.

{BTW, "interesting factoid": Buzz from the Melvins uses the ODB-3 as his distortion}

metallist · #2 07-23-2008, 11:49 PM

I just purchased one of these pedals & LOVE IT!
I too had a Big Muff (Russian) & it was very full on.

+1 with the one issues to the haters set up...

phat daddy · #3 07-23-2008, 11:55 PM

I'm selling my ODB-3, not because I don't like the tone, but because I'm going back to a multi now that the Boss GT-10B is available. I always dug the ODB-3 over the other overdrives on the market, and if I was still using a pedal board with seperate stomps I'd definately keep mine. I can only hope that one of the distortions on the multi sounds as good as the ODB-3.

B.C. · #4 07-24-2008, 12:33 AM

Glad to here it get some praise on these forums. I like them, but not the fuzz I was going for. It has its own sound for sure, and I like it.

Glad you do too!

rhcp32291 · #5 07-24-2008, 03:08 AM

I couldn't agree more.

This is one of the only pedals I've used that actually lets your tone shine through. People need to give this pedal a chance, with the right settings its a great fat, cutting and defined distortion. The blend knob is soooo useful and I can easily get an awesome distorted slap tone. Great distortion. Can definitely pull off an overdrive too with the blend knob dialed back, but this pedal is definitely NOT a fuzz so I hope people aren't expected it to pull that off too.

bassforce · #6 07-24-2008, 03:50 AM

Anyone heard the ODB-3 clone by GLX?

Sorefinger · #7 07-24-2008, 05:37 AM

Yep, ODB-3 into Ampeg SVT/810 stack is a killer combo. I found an ODB-3 in our rehearsal studio and plugged it in just for fun (all the knobs at 12) and the sound was great, apart from a very noticeable hiss. I used my Sterling that day, and the engineer said that he preferred the sound of active basses with the ODB-3 - he found that it didn´t work as well with, say, passive Fenders.

The noise did bother me in the studio situation, but it probably won´t be an issue when playing live.

beyondthe48 · #8 07-24-2008, 09:42 AM

ODB= old dirty bastard

andvari7 · #9 07-24-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beyondthe48

ODB= old dirty bastard

Yo, 1, 2...Dirt McGirt!
Solid tone smith with 6th shots, lick shots
Leave your head like a Shaolin monk with 6 dots
Brooklyn, Zoo, Zoo (Yo)
Brooooklynnnnnnn....ZOO! (Yo!)

I'd say those were among his best lines, and they're on an album released after he died.

PunkRocker33133 · #10 07-24-2008, 03:07 PM

I love my ODB-3 as a Distortion. I don't see why it gets bashed so much.

KingOvHell · #11 07-24-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.C.

Glad to here it get some praise on these forums. I like them, but not the fuzz I was going for. It has its own sound for sure, and I like it.

Glad you do too!

I use mine as a booster cause it also didint get the sound i was looking for.

Dave Bassincus · #12 07-24-2008, 03:40 PM

I think I would have liked my ODB-3 better if I was going through an SVT/8X10 too

Strongjag · #13 07-24-2008, 03:59 PM

I do like mine a bit. You can dial in some usable tones but the bypass is what kills me. When not engaged its a total tone suck. Mines on the choppong block since my bogdan/polish love arrived.

SPLs · #14 07-24-2008, 06:42 PM

It works very well when used with other effects or when playing chords, but besides that I dont really care for it. It takes away too much low end. Big muff pi is my fav distortion box.

Brad Barker · #15 07-24-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andvari7

Yo, 1, 2...Dirt McGirt!
Solid tone smith with 6th shots, lick shots
Leave your head like a Shaolin monk with 6 dots
Brooklyn, Zoo, Zoo (Yo)
Brooooklynnnnnnn....ZOO! (Yo!)

I'd say those were among his best lines, and they're on an album released after he died.

lol, i have that ghostface album. ...that's his entire verse on "nine milli bros."

the best ol' dirty verses are on "shame on a...." and "shimmy shimmy ya," imo.

...as far as the ol' dirty bass-3 pedal... keep talkin' it up, people! i gotta sell mine!

nellie48 · #16 07-24-2008, 09:40 PM

I got rid of my ODB-3 for $25. I messed around with every setting but IMO it just never sounded natural to me. Also, all the low end would vanish when engaged in a band setting.

rhcp32291 · #17 07-24-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nellie48

I got rid of my ODB-3 for $25. I messed around with every setting but IMO it just never sounded natural to me. Also, all the low end would vanish when engaged in a band setting.

Even with the eq dialed in with a lot of lows??

Jared Lash · #18 07-24-2008, 10:50 PM

I think it happens often that people don't try a product for themselves and simply pass along what they have heard from others. Complaints about Carvin electronics fall into this category. That's not to say there aren't legitimate complaints, but that too often they get passed along by people who have no first hand knowledge themselves.

I have heard that the ODB-3 sounds good going into a tube amp. On the other hand, I'm a solid state guy and my personal experience with the ODB was that it sounded like poop through my setup. I thought perhaps running it into a SansAmp would give better results (a lot of dirtboxes sound better going into it) but that didn't work either.

But all that matters is that it works for you. And if you want other people to know that then all you need to do is post in threads bashing it with the caveat that it is worth looking into if you have a tube amp. Sort of the same way people praise the Wooly Mammoth but only if you use passive basses.

smo · #19 07-24-2008, 10:57 PM

I have an ODB-3. First dirt box I got - and one of the chosen few to remain unsold.

I no longer have it on my pedal board - but I'd be more willing to sell my big muff before the boss. I guess that's saying something.......
I'd compare it something similar to the distortion on a sansamp - it can be quite versatile - but it's not gonna please everyone.

It's not a bad pedal - but for me - I don't like the gain up very high.

B.C. · #20 07-25-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smo

I'd compare it something similar to the distortion on a sansamp - it can be quite versatile - but it's not gonna please everyone.

Interesting you said that because I tried the ODB-3 for the first time. I liked it but it wasn't what I was looking for. Played a Sansamp after that and bam, perfect. Now after getting into players like Chris Wolstenholme that use a wall of fuzz, I kinda wish I bought the ODB-3.

Suppose it just depends on what mood I'm in.