SYB-3 vs SYB-5

[Stampy]

Whats the difference. Is the SYB-5 a newer version of the SYB-3. What are the pros and cons of each one?

[OliverH]

Yes the SYB-5 is just a newer version. It has updated sounds, whereas the SYB-3 has a more analog, 70s synth sound to it.

Frankly I dislike both of them since they don't track fast enough. There are some reasonable videos on Youtube demonstrating the sounds of each pedal, which you might find useful. I'd recommend a different synth bass pedal however - the Ibanez SB7 is ok, but many people will not use anything less than the Electro Harmonix Micro Synth, which does sound great.

Many people are also looking forward to Chunk Systems' new pedal the Octavius Squeezer, which has got a synth function built in. I think it's being released soon.

[B.C.]

Originally Posted by Stampy

Whats the difference. Is the SYB-5 a newer version of the SYB-3. What are the pros and cons of each one?

IME I really dig the SYB-3. Tracking can be an issue, but a lot of it is a matter of setting up the pedal setting correct. It tracks about as well as other pedal synths IME. The SYB-5, though I've never tried it, seems to have a weaker tracking.

That being said, I really like my Boss Synth, I just had to play with it for a while.

[MakiSupaStar]

I have the syb-5 synth and it's not a pedal for everyone. I play a lot of dub reggae so it fits nicely with what I do. The tracking is an issue with this pedal though. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're running some kind of clean channel with your sound. I run it through the dirty fx loop on my Ampeg SVP-BSP, and I always have my clean channel in the mix. This way, there's no bottoming out. I've never tried the syb-3, but I would imagine they are pretty similar. I do know they fetch a little more money.