My initial 'perceived' issue with mine has passed. I think it's a great box now! For the price and compared to other more expensive units.....it's quite the bargain!!
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Budget Alternatives To The BDDI / VT?
- Thread starter Zooberwerx
- Start date
The second one was the same as the first one. My 'perceived' issue was actually the design of the box.
Three of these have only 2 band eqs: the Sparrow, Wine Cellar, and BDI21.
The Tidal Wave does not actually have a compressor, AFAIK.
I don’t know this for certain, but I am pretty sure that a Hotone B Station is the exact same preamp as your B Factory, with the addition of an effects loop. Sonicake and Hotone are the same company.
I do think, for your budget, that the Tidal Wave or Monomyth are probably going the best new pedals. FWIW, for the entire year there has been a succession of MXR M80s available on FB Marketplace for around $100. This is obviously regionally specific, but it’s worth looking. There are a lot of M80s out there, and this appears to be the market rate. It’s also objectively a higher quality preamp than any of the others on your list.
Hang on, then why do you need a different preamp? Doesn’t this scratch the BDDI/VT itch?
It's close, but not quite there (VT). Per Tech 21, engaging the "Bite" switch pretty much captures the real VT voicing.
Riis
I wouldn't recommend making compromises with cheap pedals either. BDDI and VTDI are - as already mentioned - quite affordable. Used ones are even cheaper. My grandfather always said, "I can't afford to buy cheap junk." There's a lot of truth to that.
I’m going to push back on this a bit: 1) plenty of people here have had plenty of good experience with the products mentioned 2) paying more doesn’t equate to getting more if you don’t need what you’re paying extra for.
@Zooberwerx has a preamp he likes (the Sonicake) and has a Bass FlyRig. This is a backup pedal in case anything goes sideways with the Sonicake and in the OP explicitly stated a minimal budget.
I see that Sweetwater is currently blowing out the Battalion for $120, which would give you the one knob compressor you want.
It ticks every box except “sounds like a specific amp”.
ETA: (and budget)
It ticks every box except “sounds like a specific amp”.
ETA: (and budget)
Ultimately, of course, everyone has to decide for themselves. Personally, I find it ethically unacceptable to buy products that are exact copies of other products. The exception is if these are no longer available. But that would be a separate discussion, which I don't want to start here.
I think you would be hard pressed to argue that any of the examples discussed here are an “exact copy” of BDDI any more than the countless Tube Screamer, Timmy, or Klon pedals are. Or, if they’re specifically ethically dubious, where does that put the ZeroAmp or Bass DRV patches from Line 6 and Zoom, respectively?
I understand that you apparently have a different opinion on this matter. That's fine.
There’s also the Mosky Gamma preamp. It looks exactly like the Aguilar AG preamp to me.
Also, if you buy a good priced used unit you can use it for as long as you want then sell it for what you paid for it. Basically a free rental.
I sold my BDDI V1 a year or two ago and was considering getting another one, then came across clone in Boss pedal size, named Mosky Fire Works Bass Driver DI. It has most or all the features of BDDI V1, except battery compartment (it is smaller casing, after all). Sounds the same to me, and it's only about $50.
As for that clone ethics debate, I would leave that for lawyers. If it can be legally bought, it's legal.
As for possible reliability issues, I would venture to say they all (originals and clones) are made from same parts, maybe even same labor. I will report if it fails.
Here's manual page:
As for that clone ethics debate, I would leave that for lawyers. If it can be legally bought, it's legal.
As for possible reliability issues, I would venture to say they all (originals and clones) are made from same parts, maybe even same labor. I will report if it fails.
Here's manual page:
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