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MXR M288 Bass Octave Dx Review

#31
I'm enjoying the drop-tune preset on the Whammy, but I'll be the first to admit that it's not great on the low D. If you don't have any long sustaining notes, though, it's plenty usable in a pinch.
 
#33
LowBSix said:
I had a 1984 MIJ OC-2 and it did not track well and the sustain was no more than a few seconds...

The newer stuff tracks and sustains much mo better...
Click to expand...

My OC-2 tracks very well, and has a completely natural decay in many positions. It tracks almost to open E (though my speakers barely reproduce down there).


These new octavers may track better, but the OC-2 tracks very well if you play into it.
 
#34
The OC-2 tracks really well if you use proper technique. For a lot of people they either don't realize or don't want to change their technique and so it gives them tracking problems. I think the POG is the right octaver in that case.
 
#36
I had another opportunity to use my pal's MXR Octave Deluxe again, this time at a gig. I really enjoyed this pedal and especially the mids switch. By the end of the night I knew I had to have one.

Although I found my Micro Pog to track better below the A and have the octave up capability, that's not what I was really using an octave pedal for. In a live setting the MXR Octave Deluxe provided a very natural sounding octave drop when playing higher up on the neck. I liked it so much this time that the Micro Pog is gone and an MXR Octave Deluxe is on its way. :D
 
#38
fivestringgecko said:
Just curious... can you define "proper technique?" My Octabass tracks pretty well, so I must have the right technique?

5sg.
Click to expand...

Not that I'm the end-all, be-all of octave users, but here's how I play when using one. First, I solo or favor my bridge pickup. With my right hand I pluck at the edge of the fretboard firmly but not overly hard and make sure I get a solid amount of flesh on the string. Like a reggae approach. And just like reggae, the thumb works well too.

Also, I'm careful to mute well when changing strings and keep the strings I'm not playing from ringing out. I avoid open strings and don't play much below low A if I don't have to - though depending on the pedal I can usually get decent tracking down to G or F#.

Left hand technique doesn't really require any change unless you normally get fretbuzz from not pressing down hard enough.

That's my approach anyway.
 
#39
My JazzV spent 6 months at warranty repair and ultimately replacement, so I've been playing my Pbass for the last 6 or so months- With the Pollyanna (doesn't track as well) I roll the tone off and play near the neck, but with the OC-2 it doesn't really matter (for me anyway) where to tone is, and I play on either side of the pick up depending what I'm playing. I mute strings not being played with both hands at all times. This has improved my technique in general and listening to recordings from 6 months ago vs now, my playing is cleaner and without extra strings ringing out. I am also considerably more proficient with the OC-2 and able to play faster and more intricate lines than even a few months ago. This also translates well to keeping fuzz/distortion 'clean' and under control.
 
#40
Good to know I've been using "proper technique" then! :)

I usually leave both pickups in any of my basses on full and haven't had any problems with tracking on the Octabass. Luckily for me, the guy who got me started playing bass stressed the importance of muting, so I developed that habit quite early on. I also run my Octabass 2nd in my chain (behind my tuner) to get the best possible signal to it.

Thanks for confirming, guys!

5sg.

P.S. I'm hoping that the guy at my local GC calls me soon, he's got my name on the list for a BOD and said he'd probably get some in a week or two... and that was about a week and 1/2 ago. I should be able to do a nice A/B with the Octabass soon!
 

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