Rusty Box vs. Darkglass B7K

[jdwhitak]

Hello,

I'm looking for some thoughts on how these two compare to each other. I currently have the RB, but I was looking at getting a B7K because it has some additional features that make it more attractive for my playing situation.

[NKUSigEp]

You could have combined this thread with your other you just posted.

But I think the B3K is just as useful as the B7K, especially if you're going to use it with the Rusty Box. There are some major differences between the two Darkglass pedals other than the addition of a DI output and a mids knob, such as being true-bypass or not. And if you just want to add more dirt to the Rusty Box, the B3K is the way to go.

[Spencer!]

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

There are some major differences between the two Darkglass pedals other than the addition of a DI output and a mids knob, such as being true-bypass or not.

This was more out of necessity than anything else - any pedal with a balanced output has to be buffered bypass. The buffer is about as transparent as you can get though.

[willsellout]

Originally Posted by Spencer!

This was more out of necessity than anything else - any pedal with a balanced output has to be buffered bypass. The buffer is about as transparent as you can get though.

Yeah you don't need to worry about anything with the B7K. It's completely transparent.

[sunbeast]

I can vouch that the B3K combines well with a Rusty Box, as long as you dig a really clear and punchy drive rather than thick vintage-style compressed drive- they both add alot of high end and upper mids (though this can be EQ'ed out to some degree with the Rusty, it is also kind of the "special sauce" of the pedal in my opinion!) and both are fairly tight and punchy (though the B3K can get pretty thick in the Fat setting, it doesn't muddy up like a Tubescreamer or many fuzz pedals in the thick settings). I personally wouldn't dream of getting rid of my Rusty as its tonal profile is like magic to my ears, but if you are mainly using it for an overdrive sound and its not really doing it for you the B7K might be where its at for you. I prefer the subtler aggressive tones of the Rusty to the B3K and the heavier driven tones of the B3K over the Rusty, but it is all a matter of taste. The B7Ks EQ is also certainly more versatile from what I've heard of it.


I doubt you'd be disappointed with the B7K given that you are already considering trading out the RB- it won't give you that Rusty tone, but will likely be more transparent and versatile while keeping you in a similar sort of tonal space...

[jdwhitak]

I bought the RB this past summer, but I'm just now sitting down and really exploring it. After last night though I'm definitely keeping it! I've been asked to join a cover band and my only concern with the RB is it's tonal versatility. It has a definite sonic signature to it!

The things that got me interested in the B7K were the four band EQ, XLR DI out, and a parallel out to send to my amp.