Geddy Lee Sansamp Pedal!

[Al Krow]

I totally agree! Brilliant video that shows exactly what the knobs do and what the pedal sounds like. Although, this fantastic video has actually decreased my GAS for the yyz as I actually don't dig the distortion sound

Yup, completely agree - had exactly the same reaction: thought the video was excellent / really helpful but the (slightly clanky / fizzy?) core drive tone is definitely not my thing, even though I'm a massive fan of Geddy Lee!

My Grizzly Bass can rest easy for a while yet

 

[TodaysTomSawyer]

I don't know if it's been asked yet but how different is the YYZ from the darkglass AO? I might be picking up an AO but not sure if I should hold out for the YYZ. Thanks!!

I have both. The AO circuit is alright but I prefer the MBD-1 for that kind of distortion, plus the MBD-1's blend and the YYZ's clean blend is similar. But, based on similarities and personal preference, I'd definitely hold out for the YYZ... With the YYZ being so natural and the way it responds and sounds different through different setups I'd also check out DistortedBass' YYZ demo where he shows how interactive the settings are with the YYZ, moreso than it is with individual knobs. His demo combined with Gefilter1001's videos displaying the grindy tones in a Mix would give you good idea to compare... Its an impressive pedal and my new go-to for tubey OD and lower gain grit and not likely to change. I'm actually conflicted that the YYZ is better than some of my favorite pedals

 

[FaithNoMan]

I have both. The AO circuit is alright but I prefer the MBD-1 for that kind of distortion, plus the MBD-1's blend and the YYZ's clean blend is similar. But, based on similarities and personal preference, I'd definitely hold out for the YYZ... With the YYZ being so natural and the way it responds and sounds different through different setups I'd also check out DistortedBass' YYZ demo where he shows how interactive the settings are with the YYZ, moreso than it is with individual knobs. His demo combined with Gefilter1001's videos displaying the grindy tones in a Mix would give you good idea to compare... Its an impressive pedal and my new go-to for tubey OD and lower gain grit and not likely to change. I'm actually conflicted that the YYZ is better than some of my favorite pedals

I had to decide between them and I went the opposite way.
I thought the MBD was a little more vanilla than the Alpha Omega, whereas the AO sounded much more aggressive and clanky whilst also being able to be fuzzed out around the edges..
Both are a fine choice though, and I had them cover similar ground for the short time I owned an MBD1.

If I used a YYZ, it would be used to enhance the overdrive of the AO. Much in the same way I use the Darkglass X.

 

[keatz]

My favorite distortion sound from Tech21 remains the Oxford. Now I want a crossover version of mine, or mine to be modded!

Yes please!

 

[Al Krow]

I have both. The AO circuit is alright but I prefer the MBD-1 for that kind of distortion, plus the MBD-1's blend and the YYZ's clean blend is similar. But, based on similarities and personal preference, I'd definitely hold out for the YYZ... With the YYZ being so natural and the way it responds and sounds different through different setups I'd also check out DistortedBass' YYZ demo where he shows how interactive the settings are with the YYZ, moreso than it is with individual knobs. His demo combined with Gefilter1001's videos displaying the grindy tones in a Mix would give you good idea to compare... Its an impressive pedal and my new go-to for tubey OD and lower gain grit and not likely to change. I'm actually conflicted that the YYZ is better than some of my favorite pedals

Had a quick flick through to find @DistortedBass 's YYZ demo, but couldn't locate it, would you mind posting a link to it for me please? You got my attention when you said that this could do a tubey OD!

 

[DistortedBass]

Had a quick flick through to find @DistortedBass 's YYZ demo, but couldn't locate it, would you mind posting a link to it for me please? You got my attention when you said that this could do a tubey OD!

Here ya go!

 

[kringle77]

I use the pddi v2 because it can get into the same area as the yyz and then some but, my favorite will always be the oxford. Its so damn dirty, compressed...it just does alot in one box. I have begged for a programable oxford deluxe.

 

[TodaysTomSawyer]

Had a quick flick through to find @DistortedBass 's YYZ demo, but couldn't locate it, would you mind posting a link to it for me please? You got my attention when you said that this could do a tubey OD!

Ok cool, DistortedBass posted while I was searching through the thread for the link... I didn't realize how many good clips there are here from everyone to choose from!

MDBass has some nice ones as well if you dig through the thread:

 

[keatz]

I had to decide between them and I went the opposite way.
I thought the MBD was a little more vanilla than the Alpha Omega, whereas the AO sounded much more aggressive and clanky whilst also being able to be fuzzed out around the edges..
Both are a fine choice though, and I had them cover similar ground for the short time I owned an MBD1.

If I used a YYZ, it would be used to enhance the overdrive of the AO. Much in the same way I use the Darkglass X.

So what is currently doing your "oxford" tone? I would love to see a pic of your board

 

[FaithNoMan]

So what is currently doing your "oxford" tone? I would love to see a pic of your board

Oh man, it’s doing nothing right now.
It was before my Alpha Omega and now the X sits there.
I think the X does a better job of brightening up the AO but just like the AO, I prefer the Oxford’s distortion character to that of the X.
I tried all three together but I think I concluded the X sounded better alone with the AO, and I could get a brighter sound, esp with old strings(the strong point of the X for me).

But I’m not ready to sell the Oxford because I’ve gotten a lot of awesome tones with it(sold it before and regretted it). I just happen to like my setup with the X and AO better. But I would love to maybe mod/have modded the Oxford or even get it back on there one day.

And my “board” isn’t even interesting. It’s the top of my amp!! Boss TU-2, Darkglass X, Darkglass A/O. That’s it.

My newly reacquired Boss Space Echo(yep, sold that one before as well) sits near my synth at the moment. But it sounds great on bass, too.

 

[WallaceSnr]

Good news
Just got my tracking number confirming my pedal is finally on its way to me.
Yay!!

 

[jumbo_steelie]

I have both. The AO circuit is alright but I prefer the MBD-1 for that kind of distortion, plus the MBD-1's blend and the YYZ's clean blend is similar. But, based on similarities and personal preference, I'd definitely hold out for the YYZ... With the YYZ being so natural and the way it responds and sounds different through different setups I'd also check out DistortedBass' YYZ demo where he shows how interactive the settings are with the YYZ, moreso than it is with individual knobs. His demo combined with Gefilter1001's videos displaying the grindy tones in a Mix would give you good idea to compare... Its an impressive pedal and my new go-to for tubey OD and lower gain grit and not likely to change. I'm actually conflicted that the YYZ is better than some of my favorite pedals

Thank you for the very informative breakdown, it looks like the Geddy is next on my list. I have an MBD1 and am looking for something to do that low gain tube thing well. Thanks again!

 

[Al Krow]

Here ya go!

Excellent review thanks! Just posted a link to it on the UK bass forum also

 

[DistortedBass]

Excellent review thanks! Just posted a link to it on the UK bass forum also

Thanks! I appreciate it!

 

[DDXdesign]

Got my YYZ today! I've only played around with it for a little bit but I'm noticing the OD character itself is VERY similar to my Rumble 500's OD (which I do really like but is noisy AF after my Milkbox), and I am not finding it as clanky as maybe I had hoped? But it's young yet - we shall see!

I also get three very distinct tones from my three basses - the Tbird's humbuckers push the drive more, the J gets closest to the clank, and the P actually sounds the most distinctly-crunched and dUg-ish. Right now I am running the mix just a hair shy of noon, with low and mid at 3:00 and high at 1:30, drive in the 1:00-4:00 range.

 

[keatz]

Do we think the x7 could mostly cover the yyz tones? As in could you justify having both?

 

[johnk_10]

Do we think the x7 could mostly cover the yyz tones? As in could you justify having both?

i have both of them. IMO, the yyz is much easier to dial in than the X7, but you could come pretty close to getting the X7 to sound like it.

 

[keatz]

i have both of them. IMO, the yyz is much easier to dial in than the X7, but you could come pretty close to getting the X7 to sound like it.

Thanks. Hmmm I need to choose one. Although the yyz might get me a slightly more desirable tone, the x7 might be the way to go due to versatility. I am after a nice sounding medium gain high-middy od with punch and grind but not too "metally" sounding, which I know the x7 is renowned for. im hoping I can de-metal the x7 a bit. Or I just go yyz which is more likely to match the tone im after. Might wait for more reviews.

 

[TonyRo]

Thanks. Hmmm I need to choose one. Although the yyz might get me a slightly more desirable tone, the x7 might be the way to go due to versatility. I am after a nice sounding medium gain high-middy od with punch and grind but not too "metally" sounding, which I know the x7 is renowned for. im hoping I can de-metal the x7 a bit. Or I just go yyz which is more likely to match the tone im after. Might wait for more reviews.

If you're going for versatility and a not-too-metally sound, I think the YYZ wins in both categories. I have both, and the X7 is super sweet, but the YYZ can go from fully clean but fat as hell to super dirty, and everywhere in between. Just testing out the settings in the manual really impressed me as to how versatile the unit really is. To me the X7 is always just going to most do various shades of dirty XO distortion, and a majority will sound fairly metallic. Again great pedal, but not as versatile as the YYZ IMO, YMMV, FYI K THX.

 

[keatz]

If you're going for versatility and a not-too-metally sound, I think the YYZ wins in both categories. I have both, and the X7 is super sweet, but the YYZ can go from fully clean but fat as hell to super dirty, and everywhere in between. Just testing out the settings in the manual really impressed me as to how versatile the unit really is. To me the X7 is always just going to most do various shades of dirty XO distortion, and a majority will sound fairly metallic. Again great pedal, but not as versatile as the YYZ IMO, YMMV, FYI K THX.

And sold