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Help needed in choosing the right octaver [ie, right for what I'll use it for]

W

WalterVega

May 14, 2010
21
0
Tunisia
uber-impakt.blogspot.com
#1
Hell'O

So, I've read many threads here about octavers (MXR BOD, Boss OC-2 & OC-3, Aguilar Octamizer, EBS Octabass...) and didn't find the answers I was searching for.

Here is the deal: I'm searching an octaver (preferably an analog one) who tracks well notes in the higher registry (above 10th fret on D and G-strings [Not similar to just above the 5th fret on G]), can be played with a drive/fuzz (Wounded Paw Battering Ram that I'll soon buy), and even can handle open-fifth chords..
Actually, I use a particular tuning on my bass: C# - G# - B - F# (=half-step down + drop-D-like tuning and "dropping the D-string from the G-string" [I don't know how to say it, but I hope I made myself clear :D]). I MAINLY play on those 2 upper strings, with an amp EQ setup "Full mid - cut bass&treble", and, on the bass (an Epiphone Thunderbird Goth=passive humbuckers), full tone or no tone [no middle ground].

When do I want to use the octaver?
1-soloing in pentatonic scales above 10th-fret on D and G string (w/ fingers or pick). Adding the octaver sound to an already fuzzed sound. In these parts, not playing any kind of chords.

2-"octaving" open-fifth riffs played above 10th-fret on D-string (=A3). In what purpose? Keep a "huge rythmic" behind a guitar solo. Oh, and fuzzed, too.

What I've found out:
I was going to buy the MXR BOD, but I've read in some threads that this pedal doesn't track well on the higher registry.. That said, I really like its sound on vids and soundclips (BUT, no one plays the kind of things that I'll be playing with the octaver, everything is funky grooves with clean playing etc..). I also watched a demo by the famous Gearmanndude, where he uses his selfmade LutherDrive with the BOD, but with a guitar (a LesPaul), and I found the sound amazing [. Given that I play bass in a more guitaristic way and sound, I wondered if this would also work for me

About the Boss Oc-3, I've understood that the polyphonic mode used with the bass plugged in the guitar input works great for chords and stuff like that, but I find the sound of it too digital for me, and lacks the thickness of the BOD. But if it's the only one who can do the job..

EBS Octabass: I've read that in the "100% Octave" mode (or something like this), it can track EVERYTHING, but after hearing soundclips and watching demos, I'm not very fond of its sound but, again, "if it's the only one who can do the job.."

Aguilar Octamizer: I'm not in need of its diferent features. I'm just searching a straight "one octave down" pedal. Oh, and same statement as for the OC-3 and Octabass, "if it's the only one.."

I would add that I didn't find any soundclip or demo of any bass octaver played with even a distortion (except the gearmanndude video, but he plays with a guitar like I've said above) or something else than "funky syncopated groove lines", and that's definitely not what I'm going to use an octaver for.

So, please MTV, pimp my ride!
Oh sorry, wrong channel
So, please 'talkbassers", help me in choosing the right octaver! All advices, technical explanations, personal experiences will be welcomed!

PS: I know my explanations are messy, and sorry for my bad english (I'm just not used to 'technically' talk about music in English [I'm Swiss-Tunisian])
 
#3
If you want to play more than one note at a time, the BOD will not work. As a matter of fact, I think the only one on your list that will do polyphony (more than 1note at a time), is theOC3 in polyphonic mode. I don't know for sure but I do know that the BOD will not do polyphony. Mine tracks fine in the upper register.
 
#5
WalterVega said:
Maybe I can use the OC3 for the open-fifths and the BOD for the solos?

EDIT: I would also add that my priority is to find an octaver for the "solo parts", the open-fifths are optional
Click to expand...

That would definitely be a good plan. The only problem I can see is that analog octavers are finicky when it comes to your technique, especially when playing fast passages. You have to be careful and make sure you dampening technique is on point. What I mean by this is, if you let one string ring out while you're playing on a different string, it will glitch the octaver and sound bad. This isn't specific to the BOD it is the case with all analog octavers. If I were you, I would probably go with a Micro POG or something digital. It doesn't sound quite as nice but IMHO I believe digital octavers are better for playing very fast passages. If you don't intend to play fast, just melodically in your solos, then the analog shouldnt be an issue. I can play very fast passages on my BOD, but it requires extra attention on my part to dampen the strings im not playing on. Hope this helps!!!
 
#7
Yes, I use it with a Way Huge Pork Loin (overdrive), and a WH Swollen Pickle (heavy fuzz). IMO any kind of dirt after this pedal brings it alive. It sounds great by itself, but running it through some fuzz/overdrive gives it a meanness that has to be felt to be appreciated. I think as long as you run the dirt after the octave in your signal chain it will sound awesome.
 
#9
a) regarding compatibility with fuzz/distortion overdrive:
Virtually any dirt pedal will work fine with any octaver (fuzz face clones/wooly mammoth type circuits excepted). The key is to put the dirt pedal after the octave effect. Not because of the dirt pedals themselves, but because octave pedals really need to be first in your chain (or close to first). The octave pedal needs the purest, cleanest tone it can get to do its' job well. Running one after a distortion or modulation effect generally has poor results in terms of tracking accuracy.

b) regarding 2-note 'doublestops' (open fifths, any 2 note cobination):
There really isn't any analog octaver that will reliably and consistently perform well with doublestops. Some manufacturers make claims to this, but I have not tried one that works well yet. If you want this feature, you'll need a digital pedal!
 
#11
Its not on your list and might be totally overkill but, I am really happy with my Line 6 M9 Bass Octaver and Smart Harmony. The octaver sounds and works great, and the smart harmony lets you do octaves up/down and 2nds, 3rds, 5ths, etc. Really very cool when you want to solo. You can also add some fuzz or distortion and youre off. Just a thought.
 

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