Same, even though I really liked the sound and tracking of the BOD.
@Nighttrain1127 @76jazzbass or any others that have it...does it still sound like a helicopter in the distance when you turn the pedal on?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
New MXR Vintage Bass Octave
- Thread starter 254 stringer
- Start date
Same, even though I really liked the sound and tracking of the BOD.
@Nighttrain1127 @76jazzbass or any others that have it...does it still sound like a helicopter in the distance when you turn the pedal on?
I've had a BOD for years, never noticed any noise issue with it. Last night I was playing through nice headphones, would definitely have noticed any helicopter sounds....
I don't have the BOD but I have the Sub Octave Bass Fuzz, which has half a BOD in it, and it's not noisy nor does it make helicopter sounds.
I didn't own a BOD but played one and didn't find the tracking to be very good. Certainly not on level with the mini . Haven't noticed any noise
Ba55Man1ac
Gold Supporting Member
My Vintage Bass Octave arrived this morning, and with all due respect to Nighttrain, I think it sounds just like the OC-2. Like identical. I listened to them both side by side through headphones, and I am very hard pressed to tell any sonic differences. It also clears up probably the biggest complaint that I've seen people have had about the OC-2 besides tracking...not enough available gain. The VBO has enough gain on the dry that it could probably work as a clean boost. It's not a gigantic boost but it will go considerably louder than the OC-2. The octaves have 1.6 and 1.7 db more gain according to the manual, and that sounds about right.
I am going to do a short comparison recording between them both, but it may be a little bit before I can get to it. I do think that folks will agree that it cops the OC-2 sound, and I guess we'll see in a bit. But I am totally over the moon with this thing, and I will be retiring the OC-2. The OC-2 has lasted on my board 10 years, far longer than any other pedal, but screw it! The VBO blows it away IMHO.
Last edited:
Dang. I have to get one now. I took my OC2 off my board about a month ago. I only kept it on because of it's unique nature. But I rarely used it. I wanted the space for something I'd use more. But I could find room for this if I got one. The fact that it's louder too!!?? Yes. That is and was my main problem with the OC2, I always had issues it not being loud enough. This is a great post man. Thanks for that.
With all Due Respect to JimmyM. If you listened through Headphones you have an advantage . I was using my little Trace Elliott Elf stack so your impressions could be more accurate . I will have to try that later and see what Happens. Also you have far longer experience with the OC-2 than I so are much more familiar with it. I have been wrong before so I could be again.
Well I guess we'll see in a bit...I'm about to do a demo of them side by side!
Well I will give you that they are very close but Through Phones and My Big Rig Fender Super Bassman 300 and 2 GK neo 212's (Bassman set flat). The OC-2 sounded a tad warmer to my ear. Anyway they are close enough that if you were playing and someone turned one on then switched them you would not be able to tell the difference. The Issue before was the smaller rig and the compression was coming on with the VBO having more gain than the OC-2 . So this time the only things in the loop were the OC-2 the VBO and My Hyper Luminal Comp very light comp on both pedals . And close enough to sounding alike if that is what you want and the tracking is Much better on the VBO.
Sorry guys...I know I said I was going to make comparison recordings, but I seem to be having some trouble with my recording setup. Every now and then it acts up on me and I can't make sound record. I'm sure it's some goofball setting on either my interface or computer, but I haven't found it yet. Will check back in.
While I look forward to the results of your comparison, your written review is all the endorsement I'll need. I actually was considering ordering one from CME this past Sunday. Before pulling the trigger I spied a few MIT OC-2s in GC's used stock. I quickly grabbed one. I had done the same a few weeks earlier only to get the disappointing news that the item was out-of-stock. Apparently someone grabbed it just ahead of me placing my order. This time I was luckier and received an email informing me the item was shipped and should arrive in a few days. Hopefully it will arrive in good working order. If not I'll return it and take a shot on the MXR.
Obviously like the size, but does have the same tone as the bass octave deluxe. I have the bod. I'm currently not using it.
Yep, it's not a repackaged BOD at all. As Nighttrain says, it's very very close to an OC-2 (I call it identical, but very very close is good, too, since it's got some improvements but with the same sound). That said, the BOD is a killer pedal in its own right. If I had it, I'd be quite happy.
Sorry about not being able to deliver on the recordings yet. I can't seem to figure out what's going on with my crappy setup, other than it's crappy. Sometimes it works flawlessly, other times, not so good. I should get a dedicated computer for recording, but I'm too cheap. At any rate, the OC-2 is the one that started it all, and I think you'll be quite happy with it. If not, the VBO will be there
I've heard something similar using my BOD, but it seemed related to some subtle noise in my signal that would make its way through the BOD circuit and become more obvious. It's still really quiet and only noticeable when not playing, quiet surroundings, and BOD is on. I could hear a similar rhythmic noise if cranking the gain/volume on other pedals with BOD bypassed.
