Hell nah.
I'd rather have that BPD + newfangled preamp 2-in-1 y'all teased on Instagram.
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I'd rather have that BPD + newfangled preamp 2-in-1 y'all teased on Instagram.
...so you're saying that my MBD-2 has a chance of knocking out my modded Pork Loin (or its recent, and possibly temporary, replacement, the Dunwich ODB)? Maybe I need to give it a shot at more low gain tones instead of the "thrash/death/generic metal" tones I have it set for. As much as I LOVE my MBD-2, I don't think I've ever tried it at low gain. Guess I need to do that some time!
That's kinda crazy haha because I was shooting out the modded PL, the ODB and the Mr B OD when I got the MBD1. When I first plugged the MBD in I didn't think it was really doing much (at low gain OD which is how I was and am using it). But I was just learning it. I got to my first practice with it and it pretty much blew me away. Up until that point I was having trouble deciding which of those first 3 I named were going to be my primary OD. The modded PL had held that spot for a while before and I was really happy with it. But then I got the MBD1 and it was simply better than the all of the other 3 in most ways. It just beat out the modded PL because it was slightly fatter and yet more defined in the mix at the same time.
The ODB and Mr B went up for sale shortly after followed by the PL. Wish I hadn't sold my PL, really like that pedal. Even unmodded its great. But yeah, I used all these as OD's. Never heavy or mid distortions. I always seemed to have used a rat (rat tail) for dist. But the MBD3 has that boost and I was using that as a heavier dist for a bit. Now that my 1 is back on my main board though, the rat tail will probably take over those duties primarily again.
I get what you're saying. My MBD-2 is my "go-to" for generic heaviness (and I mean generic in the best possible way, because it just works in so many heavy mixes). I also quite like Rats, and have a Volt Thrower and Tremond as my #1 and #2, as well as a recently added SS/BS Mini Clone which I use for a similar tone. But the Rats are a bit crunchier than the MBD to me, with more pronounced grit and slightly harsher tone overall. When I think heavy tones with a Rat, I think Voivod, so my tones are in that ballpark (though certainly not identical).
The way you describe the MBD-1 vs. the Pork Loin is similar to my current Pork Loin vs. Dunwich ODB. The ODB is slightly crisper (almost too much, as I keep the treble quite low), but retains plenty of lows and sounds nice and natural too. I need to try the MBD-2 for low gain duty and see what I think, because I've debated adding a second ODB to the collection for my secondary board, but it's slightly brighter which may be too much with the added brightness of the MBD-2. Maybe I'll track down a Mr. Black OD? Who knows? Is it brighter than a modded Pork Loin?
Is the MBD brighter than the modded PL?? I would say yes if that's the question. They can both get bright but the MBD brings more clank in its tone. The PL is slightly more mellow. But they are both in the same ballpark for low gain IMO. The MBD just has this thing, this presence and fullness yet can still bring the high end with it. I really think its because of that low passed blend. Could be wrong about that assumption.
Yeah I only use the rat tail for really raunchy parts where I really wanna bring the nasty. And boy does it bring it. That grindy high mid dist is amazing when and where I need it. I really love my blower box still but I think the rat tail comes out more in my bands mix so that's been my #1 rat style/higher gain dist for a while now. I really want to try the blower box dlx. But with that 250 I've having built, I may end up swapping that out with the rat tail for a bit if its how I remember it. That thing was awesome.
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Based on my comparisons between the MBD 2 & Pork&Pickle, I agree.
Both can get in the same territory (IIRC, I had the internal trim pot on the P&P cranked)
But yes, the MBD had a certain "heft" to it that was missing from the P&P.
No - is the Mr. Black Bass OD brighter than the PL? I have a modded PL AND an MBD-2 on the same board - I certainly know that the MBD is (or at least can be) brighter!
I mean, it can get bright but then you start losing low end the brighter you get with the Mr B OD. The MBD doesn't lose low end at all when you brighten it up or it can get more back with other knobs (which is an issue I've never had with the MBD. It always brought the thunder) and the PL could get bright but kept its low end in tact better than the Mr B OD did. If I remember correctly.
Sounds like I'm better off with the MBD and PL!
Love the MBD-1/2 for low gain tones.
So uh, it's November. Wonder if we'll start hearing some updates about a certain secret thing soon.
father of fires
Commercial User
I'll let you all know more when I know more.
I am late to the party per usual, But the BPD seemingly could cover FUZZ tones easily?
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father of fires
Commercial User
Not splatty fuzz tones but perhaps warmer fuzz tones with the bass boosted.
Thank you for responding that is Good to know.
Unrelated Damnation content question, but do any of you know if the swollen pickle smalls still has the internal trims in it?
The small Smalls? With the two toggles on the face, and the smallest sized offering? It does not, which is why I have not purchased one. But the smaller MKIIs DOES have the internal knobs of the larger (MKII) Swollen Pickle - which was the "standard" version available for years. I'm not sure if they still make that version, though. I have 3 of the MKIIs, and they are fantastic utilitarian fuzzes to get just about any fuzz tone you'd need. (Hence why I have 3...) With a LOT of tweaking involved, though.
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Yeah I was shopping around last night and ga darn, I really should've held onto my Dirty Donny ed. Those things are way up! WOW. I was curious about the smalls because it's a little cheaper in some spots but I'll go with the MKII when I'm ready. It'll be like the 4th time I've gotten one. You'd think I'd learn by now. Hopefully I'll keep this one. I really like the size of the MKII series too anyway. Not too big but not small in the least. I like bigger pedals. Plus Way Huge just has a great look at a very solid feel. Because they are. Thanks for the info, it helps.
Sorry for the thread derail too all! Back to our regularly scheduled Damnation programming.....
I did the same for a while. Now, I'll never NOT have at least one. They just cover so much ground! For what it's worth, the Dirty Donny Edition actually omits one of the "internal" knobs on the outside, so in theory, the MKII or MKIIs are both more tweakable than it and far more affordable. If you wait, you can usually find a Swollen Pickle under $100. I've never paid more than $80 (plus shipping, etc.) for any of the 4 (maybe 5?) I've ever bought.
