I definitely agree 100%, it's my favorite drive by far for that subtle edge to the midrange thing. The fact that it has a compressor built in makes the deal even sweeter!
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EBS Billy Sheehan Ultimate Signature Drive
- Thread starter archisland
- Start date
I definitely agree 100%, it's my favorite drive by far for that subtle edge to the midrange thing. The fact that it has a compressor built in makes the deal even sweeter!
Can I ask something of anyone on this thread....I have owned the Deluxe since it came out, and it is an integral part of my tone now, inclusive of the drive, compression and the fact I run chorus in the drive loop.
So having said that twice now I've had to have the engage button\latch (not sure of technical term) replaced, and it is on the way out again. It's not particularly expensive but it seems like this pedal is gonna keep breaking in the same area.
I'm not rough at all with my pedals. I guess I'm wondering if this is an inherent problem with this pedal as I'm thinking I may claim the current one on insurance and purchasing the slightly more expensive Ultimate?
So having said that twice now I've had to have the engage button\latch (not sure of technical term) replaced, and it is on the way out again. It's not particularly expensive but it seems like this pedal is gonna keep breaking in the same area.
I'm not rough at all with my pedals. I guess I'm wondering if this is an inherent problem with this pedal as I'm thinking I may claim the current one on insurance and purchasing the slightly more expensive Ultimate?
I have the Deluxe version, and I would have to agree, it's not the most robust pedal in the world. Mines temperamental, but I put up with it because it's a fantastic pedal. I'm going to get the Ultimate, mostly out of curiosity as to how it compares to the Deluxe. Hopefully the build quality will be better. I've got a modded TS808 and a LS 2 as a backup if the Deluxe dies.
Thanks for the reply.....I might just have my deluxe repaired one more time and if it dies again I think I may replace it.
It's an amazing unit, it functions like 3 pedals in one with great sounding and very tweakable overdrive.
It's an amazing unit, it functions like 3 pedals in one with great sounding and very tweakable overdrive.
I'm not sure why I hadn't noticed this already but the new Ultimate version states one of the upgrades on the original and Deluxe is magnet foot latches.....maybe to address a coomon issue with the older versions?
jacoby75
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- Mar 11, 2010
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- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
I've got one on the way. Pretty stoked. I play nothing like Sheehan, but I love grindy overdrives/distortions that have clean blends. This might battle my Tech21 YYZ for the top spot on my board, and in my heart, lol. The demos sound awesome. I snagged a used one for the same price as a new previous version. I would have bought the last iteration of the pedal, save for concerns I have seen around the forums regarding EBS footswitches not holding up under pressure. Perhaps this new magnetic switch will fix that problem. Fingers crossed!
I just picked up the ultra version of the pedal as well and I've very pleased with it. I've had versions 1 & 2 and think this one is definitely a worthwhile upgrade.
I stack the EBS Deluxe with a VT Bass. Produces a greater range of tones and turns the EBS Deluxe into a screamer.
jacoby75
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- Mar 11, 2010
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I fully anticipate running my YYZ into be Sheehan for some extra grindy goodness. Might even throw an EBS Fuzz 'Mo in there for world domination mode, or when I want to strip the paint off the walls.
I use the Rolls Tiny Crossover in the drive channel of the EBS to remove some of the low end. Gives the overall sound a bit more thump.
jacoby75
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- Mar 11, 2010
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- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
Color me intrigued. Might have to try my Broughton HFP/LPF in the drive loop and see what sort of chaotic magic ensues.
Hey everyone - thought I would revive this old thread as a bunch of EBS Billy Sheehan pedal owners already live here. I currently own the Deluxe and one will grab the Ultimate.
My question - if I run my bass signal into this pedal and then turn the "Level" completely off essentially I am getting my clean bass signal plus whatever the compression and phase switches are set to correct?
My question - if I run my bass signal into this pedal and then turn the "Level" completely off essentially I am getting my clean bass signal plus whatever the compression and phase switches are set to correct?
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
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- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
I think the phase switch inverts the phase of the drive signal. So if the drive level is all of the way down, I don't think you'd notice any difference flipping the phase switch. But yes, with the drive all of the way down, you'd basically just have a great compressor pedal. I tried that once. Sounds pretty good. It's basically an EBS Multicomp.
I had heard this, just needed some confirmation I guess. I really like the overall effect of the Billy pedal and usually use it as always on but every now and then I'd like a different flavour of drive\tone so I figured I could achieve this by running a different drive\preamp pedal before the Billy and just turn the drive level down.
Would also negate the need for a secondary compressor. And yes - I like the inbuilt compressor in the Billy pedal - it sounds and dies what I want a compressor to do - add punch and level out peaks.
Thanks fort theanswer man.
Zombie revival.....
I had always used this pedal (Deluxe version) with phase inversion "on", ie more bass - and to be honest it sounded pretty good through IEMs but for the rare band gigs since Covid hit I had found my tone through an amp was too bassy\boomy and undefined. Hadn't thought much of it but definitely struggled to get a good tone and had to do a bunch of fiddling around to sit in a mix.
So recently going over this post to find an answer I read 2 things I had never really "embraced" before.
Some of you are running a HPF in the drive channel to roll off lows, which I understand cleans up the drive channel.
Also jacoby75 mentioned the phase inversion only affects the drive channel - which would also reduce the low end present in just the drive channel.
Ive owned the pedal for years but never thought to try the phase inversion in the Normal position (which is how the original pedal was designed) in actuall live usage. I did this just yesterday and found that it really does clean up the bottom end (without losing thump\punch) - but also inverting the phase adds a nice midrange tonal character that helps the bass support the music without getting honky or harsh.
Facepalm moment I know but I'm happy to have found new great tones for this versatile pedal.
My favourite setting right now (for all my basses - G&L L2000, USA Jazz and P bass EMG GZRs) is;
Drive - 9 o'clock
Tone - 12 o'clock
Level - 8 o'clock
Volume - 12 o'clock
I still love the character of the drive on this pedal. It doesn't get fizzy or flabby.
I had always used this pedal (Deluxe version) with phase inversion "on", ie more bass - and to be honest it sounded pretty good through IEMs but for the rare band gigs since Covid hit I had found my tone through an amp was too bassy\boomy and undefined. Hadn't thought much of it but definitely struggled to get a good tone and had to do a bunch of fiddling around to sit in a mix.
So recently going over this post to find an answer I read 2 things I had never really "embraced" before.
Some of you are running a HPF in the drive channel to roll off lows, which I understand cleans up the drive channel.
Also jacoby75 mentioned the phase inversion only affects the drive channel - which would also reduce the low end present in just the drive channel.
Ive owned the pedal for years but never thought to try the phase inversion in the Normal position (which is how the original pedal was designed) in actuall live usage. I did this just yesterday and found that it really does clean up the bottom end (without losing thump\punch) - but also inverting the phase adds a nice midrange tonal character that helps the bass support the music without getting honky or harsh.
Facepalm moment I know but I'm happy to have found new great tones for this versatile pedal.
My favourite setting right now (for all my basses - G&L L2000, USA Jazz and P bass EMG GZRs) is;
Drive - 9 o'clock
Tone - 12 o'clock
Level - 8 o'clock
Volume - 12 o'clock
I still love the character of the drive on this pedal. It doesn't get fizzy or flabby.
This disto is my favourite chuggy pedal. I pair it with a new EHX Pitchfork + to get special tones similar with Lightning Bolt and Death From Above 1979 (+1oct/+5th and heavy detuning).
Nearly my settings exactly! It just grinds up the midrange, and you still have the full range lows and the clean highs from the direct signal. The BEST pedal for that approach, without a doubt.
Most of the examples online have the drive level way too high for my taste. I put the clean channel up so it's basically at unity, and then I start nudging the drive until it just starts to alter the character of the midrange, then I stop. By itself the phase inverted tone of the drive sounds pretty nasty, but blended it's perfect. Every iteration of the pedal should be able to do that sound too, so you could likely give this a whirl for very cheap!
Anyone try to run their preferred dirt on the Drive loop? Is gain at zero when the Drive knob is all the way down?
