Xotic Bass BB Preamp Overdrive Distortion SOUNDCLIPS

[Mark Olson]

Just got this in the mail today. Had one before, this is just like I remember it. It does not sound like a tubescreamer to me, even if it is based on the same chip. Tubescreamers have this grainy quality that this pedal doesn't have, and this pedal has a very different tonal color, much more akin to a Marshall amp than a tubescreamer, which isn't a surprise because I've heard the BB stands for Bluesbreaker (which is the old combo version of the JTM45, Jim Marshall's first amp which was based on the Fender Bassman).

I like this pedal. For my money it's easily one of the best overdrives out there for bass. Here is the pedal used for a distorted riff:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...ongID=10037348

Here it is off and then on, for a different riff:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...ongID=10037356

and here it is starting with the volume knob rolled back, and I roll it up a tad periodically until it's full on. This pedal does clean up fairly nice. Check it out:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...ongID=10037357

Check it out and let me know what you think! This pedal is going on my board.

[behndy]

i just returned mine. i like it a lot, but i don't LOVE it. i have a Rusty Box on the way and i think that's gonna do me well.

the thing is, for me, i'm trying to replace my preamp and add an overdrive i like.

the BB Preamp IS freaking nice, just not exactly what i want.

nice clips! you always put up stuff that shows off what a pedal does VERY well. thanks!

[SystemsCreation]

Nice tones. I use this pedal as the first pedal in my chain on one of my smaller boards. It's a great useable overdrive from subtle grit to heavy OD.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

I've heard the BB stands for Bluesbreaker (which is the old combo version of the JTM45, Jim Marshall's first amp which was based on the Fender Bassman).

Bluesbreaker is also a pedal that Marshall used to put out that remains popular with guitarists and is commonly cloned/modded. I haven;t tried one but I always imagined it'd be good on bass.

Not that that has anything to do with the Xotic BB, an awesome pedal in its own right that definitely doesn't sound quite like a tubescreamer

[Mark Olson]

Thanks guys!

It could have something to do with the Bluesbreaker pedal though, which I've heard is also based somewhat on the tubescreamer, but again probably is meant to sound more akin to a JTM45 than a tubescreamer, as much as a pedal can anyways. The Bluesbreaker pedal is also popular with guitarists, would be a good starting point for the BB Preamp.

[Matt Dean]

The Xotic Bass BB is the oldest pedal in my line-up and is in the "will not flip or sell" category.

And, you're right it does remind me of the Marshal sound.

[crapusername]

i have a mark1 bluesbreaker and it drops loads of lows. you would definitely need a blender to make it useable

definite Marshall vibe to the sounds here though

[Matt Dean]

No blender needed for the Xotic Bass BB... totally retains the low-end.

I use mine now primarily as a low gain overdrive.

[Mark Olson]

For those first three clips settings were:

Gain at noon
Volume at 9 o'clock
Treble at noon
Bass at 3 o'clock

Here is another clip, but with only the bass channel on my amp (which lends itself to a tidier sound) and using the pedal at these settings:

Gain at 9 o'clock
Volume maxed
Treble at noon
Bass Boosted above the detent at noon a bit to 1-2 o'clock

Sounds like this:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...ongID=10037969

There it is meshing with the little bit of grit boosting the amp (which has it's volume at 9 o'clock only) provides. Without the pedal the tone is completely clean.

[DONZI97]

Sounds awesome. The wife got me one for x-mas, but the place she ordered it from was backorderd till next week. seems a lot of other dealers were out also, must of been a lot of BB bass preamps in stockings this year.

[Mark Olson]

Yeah, I ordered mine last sunday from proguitarshop during their 10% off sale. But I do think a lot of places have run out of stock. Hope you like the pedal when you get it!

[carlos840]

How much dirtier can it get than that?
All your clips are still pretty clean...

[Mark Olson]

No, they're not. It's actually pretty distorted, it just doesn't sound that way to the untrained ear because the pedal (and my amp's power amp) don't compress when I distort them like you might be used to. That's the nature of power amp distortion, which is what's most desireable. With a good set of hands it doesn't sound distorted. It just has a certain quality...

[DONZI97]

I know you use a Gibson, but anybody have any thoughts or clips with a P bass?

[mazdah]

http://mazdah.wrzuta.pl/audio/0KJQFu5bh9N/bbpreampxotic Heres some with P-bass and LaBellas 760FL

[sunbeast]

Those are some great sounding clips! I can't remember why I sold mine years ago- I know I replaced it with an MI Audio Blueboy Deluxe, which seemed to sound much better in my band's mix (as I recall, the Xotic couldn't really get the mids of the Blueboy, which I could tweak to my heart's desire). Your clips make me want to try a BB again!

[mazdah]

Try it. It sounds MUCH BETTER through an amp than on my soundlip

[DONZI97]

Originally Posted by mazdah

Try it. It sounds MUCH BETTER through an amp than on my soundlip

Thanks for the clip, I got to wait till I get home to listen though.

[sunbeast]

Originally Posted by mazdah

Try it. It sounds MUCH BETTER through an amp than on my soundlip

When I had my BB, I was playing through tube amps- either an SVT Classic, Mesa D-180, or Mesa 400+. The Blueboy seemed to really hit a tube amp better, but I have a feeling the BB might be better with the solid state amps I'm rocking these days...hmmmm...

[vbd]

Very cool riff,thanks!

I'd definitely be interested in trying one out!