the ODB-3 is proof positive that BOSS has no idea how to make good sounding bass-specific pedals. They pretty much all suck. Especially the couldn't track its way outta a paper bag BassSynth.
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Broken odb-3
- Thread starter silen7ce
- Start date
I like my ODB-3, but I only use it for fuzz, and I only go full on distortion at certain times. What do most people recommend instead?
I like the BOSS pedals because they are built pretty damn well. I like the whole iron box thing they got goin' on.
I like the BOSS pedals because they are built pretty damn well. I like the whole iron box thing they got goin' on.
They are built so well they die like the one in this thread.....
No I like many Boss offerings, they are sort of a plain old burger and fries type of effect. For specific effects, you can go with the 5 star versions, but for the money, you pretty much know what to expect with Boss. I use the BF-2 and the CEB, but I would not touch another ODB with your ten foot pole. Try something like a Muff or a Rat for the same money.
I picked up a DOD FX53 for 30 bucks and it is WAY better for bass than the ODB3 (it's not perfect, but I like it). I haven't really broken down and played a lot of distortion/ drive pedals, but almost all have been more tame-able than my ODB-3. (I think I just heard it squeal again)
Which Muff? My understanding is that they are not all created equal. That said you may like the ODB better than anything else and great for you.
I liked the ODB more than I liked the muff
maybe i'm just tone deaf
Which Muff? My understanding is that they are not all created equal. That said you may like the ODB better than anything else and great for you.
Considering the durability of Boss pedals, I can't imagine what the TS may have done to his ODB-3. What I am really interested in is the observation that the EQ is after the blend and unfortunately effects the whole signal. Could a simple mod fix this and make this pedal more tamable?
So, anywho...
Possible to fix? Yes.
Worth fixing? Probably not given the cost of a new pedal versus the cost of having a professional fix it.
What happened? Difficult to say exactly, but your symptoms re the battery indicate a shorted, or near shorted power rail.
Possible to fix? Yes.
Worth fixing? Probably not given the cost of a new pedal versus the cost of having a professional fix it.
bongomania
Commercial User
True- a competent repair tech will charge $30 to $60 USD per hour, typically with a one-hour minimum. If you have any desire to learn how to solder or do electronic testing, this is a fine opportunity to practice. Otherwise if I was you I'd just give the pedal away to a friend who does want to learn how to do electronic work- that way it might still be worth something.
Big Muff Pi I think. I don't think its the russian one. it was a big black box that said big muff on it. I couldn't resist.
Big black box is the Russian EHX version (as opposed to the NYC EHX, or Sovtek)
Couldn't really tell you the differences between them as I haven't played any of them recently, but there is the:
Big Muff
Big Muff pi
Little Big Muff
Nano Muff
Double Muff
Metal Muff
English Muff'n
I'm sure I'm missing something, but they can't all sound the same.
Big Muff
Big Muff pi
Little Big Muff
Nano Muff
Double Muff
Metal Muff
English Muff'n
I'm sure I'm missing something, but they can't all sound the same.
Couldn't really tell you the differences between them as I haven't played any of them recently, but there is the:
Big Muff
Big Muff pi
Little Big Muff
Nano Muff
Double Muff
Metal Muff
English Muff'n
I'm sure I'm missing something, but they can't all sound the same.
The Big Muff Pi is the standard Big Muff. The Nano Muff and the Double Muff are descended from the Muff Fuzz, not the Big Muff. And there are also the Pocket Metal Muff and the Nano Metal Muff.
- Jan 11, 2008
- 1,373
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar, D'Addario
i got pretty good results out of an odb-3 in the last incarnation of my pedal board... but i only used it to add a tiny bit of 'hair' to synth type sounds, and the occasional crunchy pick line... but maybe in a more normal band situation it wouldn't really have the depth i would want from a drive pedal.
john
john
Not me. I have many pedals, and switch-out some of them sometimes. But not my ODB-3 - when I need the ODB sound, I NEED the ODB sound!
Like I've said many times: They don't sound good all-by-themselves! I put mine right at the end of the high-gain distortion chain -- usually goes: NS-2 > CS-3 > MD.. (Mega Distortion) > PQ-4 > CEB-3 > ODB-3 > back to the NS-2 return. Aphex Bass Xciter > RE-20 Space Echo goes last - I actually think it sounds a little better with the Xciter just BEFORE the ODB, but the way my board's set up, it's not convenient.
Actually, just the MD (set for heavy OD/light distortion) right into the ODB (tones flat, gain cranked) sounds good. Or just Xciter into ODB.
Joe
Care to take a picture of the smoked component.
I'd like to see the damage and possibly diagnose.
I'd like to see the damage and possibly diagnose.
I'm using an ODB-3. I tried the Boss SD-1 and initially liked it, because all I really wanted was an overdrive sound without going into heavy distortion or fuzz. But others who posted here were right, it really did cut low frequencies and thin the bass sound too much. I then tried using the drive control on my Behringer BDI-21 and it works, but I need that pedal set for SVT-tube sound emulation so I still needed another pedal. I think I now have the ODB-3 set where it will work for me.
The OBD-3 is one of those pedals where a little adjustment makes a lot of difference. It has taken me some fiddling to get it where I think it adds character to the sound without going into more distortion than I want. Juggling the Balance and the Gain makes a big difference on this pedal.
The OBD-3 is one of those pedals where a little adjustment makes a lot of difference. It has taken me some fiddling to get it where I think it adds character to the sound without going into more distortion than I want. Juggling the Balance and the Gain makes a big difference on this pedal.
Yes - and it's also one of those which you can't really judge with the bass playing alone. Most of y'all have experienced this, right?: you're set up with what you think is a harsh, radical, relatively over-the-top kind of distortion, but (admit it!) with the whole band, once in a while you look down to check if it's on!
The ODB - with any number of other pedals driving it, especially - IS not only useable, but in my mind it stands out as an exceptional in-the-mix distortion!
Joe
I used one for about 8 years, at the time I got it the only really readily available stuff was the DOD grunge the ODB-3 and Muffs and other "guitar" pedals. It was a constant battle to get it to sit well in the mix and I ended up using two EQ pedals, and I did get a good sound but it soured me on effects for a while in till I got rid of it and started looking at other things. I Have heard more bad examples of of it sitting in the mix then good, but that for the most part is pilot error such as have the volume up too much or not turning the high Q down a bit.
i love my ODB-3! i have tried everything, and that is the only pedal that gives me a MEATY distorted tone. chunky and full, with no fuzz or hiss. every other distortion or overdrive i have tried on any of my rigs has come up short on low end. and lets face it, if i wanted to play guitar, i would. i got mine for 10 dollars, and it has lasted me like 5 years with no issues at all. everyone i know has had loads of problems with the NS-2s crapping out, but that is another story. as far as the fried ODB-3, i would suggest trying some of the other stuff out. also, were you using the proper adapter?
