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Nope. The clean channel is a different architecture and the +20dB toggle replaces the internal trim.
Yes, I understand that,
What I'm saying is there seems to be three versions.
One with only a boost trim, one with only a bias trim, then one with both.
Its possible but dude above posted #5 and it had both trims so I doubt you'll come across one with a fet that cant be biased. Im sure Jeff can clarify if there is a unit out there with a one-off board but based on the numbers of MBD1s produced its pretty unlikely that you'll come across essentially a prototype unit rather than one of the later final revision models.
If the second trim on #5 is that thing covered in goop, I missed it.
Yeah it has some hot glue on it but it’s accessible. Not messing with it though!
Saw a few posts in the last few pages about stacking the MBD-2, which is what I was coming to ask about. I've got my board set up as follows. Tuner - HPF - Compressor - MBD2 - noise gate. I am thinking about buying a preamp/DI for live shows to stick at the end of the chain, and the idea of something with a built-in drive, like a SansAmp or MXR M-80 at the end, with the MBD-2 going into them, increasingly appeals to me as someone who largely plays rock, hardcore, punk, and metal. Has anyone ever stacked their MBD-2 like this? Thoughts?
I bet it'll sound great; I use the MBD-2 to push the front end of my Shift-Line Olympic all the time (always on tube preamp) but it also just stacks well with other overdrives. I'm sure how you have both setup will certainly influence the success of what you're hoping to achieve as I usually keep my MBD-2 on a light gain setting
My MBD-2 isn't on all the time, but I can agree that an MBD-2 set to low gain into a Shift Line Olympic a hair before breakup makes for a very pleasing warmth.
I have:
Cali76 CB -> Depth Charge -> OC5 -> MBD-2 -> Jam Waterfall Chorus -> Lightstone Emperor
Haven't had the chance to play this chain with a band yet but it sounds awesome at home.
So, after playing around with the MBD-2 for few weeks I'm ready to say my thoughts about it. I'll do the usual pros and cons list, so here goes.
Pros:
- I must say I like the character of the drive, I would actually place it somewhere between OD and Fuzz territory.
- The pedal is quite versatile, with the clean blend and shift switch options you can achieve pretty wide range of tones.
- It stacks pretty nicely with other pedals, I currently use Darkglass Harmonic Booster in front of the pedal, to get a bit more scooped and clanky drive out of it.
- You can tell its build very high quality, the footswitch seems good and the knobs dont turn too easily
Cons:
- The drive is quite dark sounding, I must admit I was missing a separate presense or treble control, since cranking the tone knob makes the drive a bit too "boxy" sounding.
- I dont seem to get a great metal bass tone out of it no matter what. Especially on lower tunings, it gets muddy and "oversaturated" pretty easily. And if I favor alot of clean blend to make it more punchy and clear sounding, of course I will lack the grit and presence needed for metal. Altought its not so big problem when I play with a pick.
That being said, I think having another switch for controlling the high pass frequency on the drive side would maybe help, with options like "off, 300hz, 600hz" for example.
Overall I'm pretty happy with the pedal, I will most likely use it with lighter drive settings and for styles what dont need so agressive distortion.
Pros:
- I must say I like the character of the drive, I would actually place it somewhere between OD and Fuzz territory.
- The pedal is quite versatile, with the clean blend and shift switch options you can achieve pretty wide range of tones.
- It stacks pretty nicely with other pedals, I currently use Darkglass Harmonic Booster in front of the pedal, to get a bit more scooped and clanky drive out of it.
- You can tell its build very high quality, the footswitch seems good and the knobs dont turn too easily
Cons:
- The drive is quite dark sounding, I must admit I was missing a separate presense or treble control, since cranking the tone knob makes the drive a bit too "boxy" sounding.
- I dont seem to get a great metal bass tone out of it no matter what. Especially on lower tunings, it gets muddy and "oversaturated" pretty easily. And if I favor alot of clean blend to make it more punchy and clear sounding, of course I will lack the grit and presence needed for metal. Altought its not so big problem when I play with a pick.
That being said, I think having another switch for controlling the high pass frequency on the drive side would maybe help, with options like "off, 300hz, 600hz" for example.
Overall I'm pretty happy with the pedal, I will most likely use it with lighter drive settings and for styles what dont need so agressive distortion.
I've also found it quite dark, but @father of fires recommended a tweak a while back to turn up the tone, then add in clean blend to get some bass back into it. And while this isn't totally foolproof, it basically works. And honestly a large part of my issue might be the TI Jazz Flats I'm devoted to. Obviously I'm not after anything clanky, playing flats.
But more importantly, the thing just sits well in a mix, I've found. I use mine as a mild OD into a Shift Line Olympic and it just plain works. Sometimes I think about trying out a Barbershop or Fifth Gear, but I play active at times and those pedals don't have the best reputation with preamps in front of them. And the MBD-2 just does it, unfussily. It might not be the most exciting thing on its own, but in a mix, and for its versatility, I'm not sure it can be beat.
But more importantly, the thing just sits well in a mix, I've found. I use mine as a mild OD into a Shift Line Olympic and it just plain works. Sometimes I think about trying out a Barbershop or Fifth Gear, but I play active at times and those pedals don't have the best reputation with preamps in front of them. And the MBD-2 just does it, unfussily. It might not be the most exciting thing on its own, but in a mix, and for its versatility, I'm not sure it can be beat.
What settings are you using? For metal in low tunings you will likely get the best result with the shift and 20db switches in the up position, the tone and drive controls around 1-2:00, and the depth all the way down. I don't use the blend for heavy music but clean and level to taste.
If you find the pedal too dark don't forget that your bass, pedals, and amp all work together. Turning up the treble on your amp will usually make a big difference with drive pedals.
Yea I've used similar settings and found them to work pretty good. I've actually boosted a bit treble from my basses preamp and it gives a bit more clarity to the tone. I might have to try adding more treble from the actual amp.
I found the MBD a bit dark until I played it in a band context at which point it sat in a mix like 20 pounds of oatmeal. It also reacted a lot differently depending on which bass I played through it. I really wish, with these reviews, that people would clarify the context of how they came about their opinions on a certain pedal. There are a lot of bedroom players that give reviews that never tell us how they use the pedals. Recording vs. live are pretty different IMO.
Is that good or bad?
Unsure how much change the mbd1 to a 2 would make but my 1 I would agree I set it dark… but I have it as a dark thick transparent grind and it just sits well in my metal mix in drop c tuning. Granted i only have drums and one guitar to go up against though!
