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Older EBS effects any good?

Kristian Hansen

Kristian Hansen

Aug 21, 2018
41
136
#1
Hey guys,
I've been offered 2 older (might be 1'st gen) EBS pedals for 150$ combined. It's the Octabass and Multidrive.
They seem to be "pre true bypass".
I've heard mixed things about them. For some reason people seem to think that they don't last?
Should I pull the trigger or look elsewhere?
Best regards and thanks for your inputs!
/Kristian
 

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#2
My 10c, having owned all but the BassIQ over the last 15 or so years is that there is nothing wrong whatsoever with the EBS range. I can't speak to the first incarnation (input on the left of the pedal) but I currently have the Black Label Octobass and it sounds identical to the previous one (the one you have on order).
My opion, go for it, especially for that price.
 
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#3
Kristian Hansen said:
Hey guys,
I've been offered 2 older (might be 1'st gen) EBS pedals for 150$ combined. It's the Octabass and Multidrive.
They seem to be "pre true bypass".
I've heard mixed things about them. For some reason people seem to think that they don't last?
Should I pull the trigger or look elsewhere?
Best regards and thanks for your inputs!
/Kristian
Click to expand...
I've been using an EBS MultiComp for about 8 years and it's from that generation. It's fine and it's not gone "off" as some websites will tell you. Mine has been faultless, reliable and very versatile, while being super easy to dial in.
 
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#5
I got my grey EBS pedals with the left-side inputs (Octa-Bass and Bass-IQ) new a long time ago. Only problem I had was breaking the power input jack using the wrong sized plug on the octave pedal. It was well out of warranty and it took a long time to find place to repair it, so I got a newer one about 18 years ago. I like the older one better.
 
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#8
I have the same duo of OctaBass and MultiDrive.
Bought them 20+ years ago. No issues yet.
Very easy and "forgiving" to dial in, and they simply "just work". Saves a lot of headache in stressful gigs, as there seems to be not a single bad sound in these pedals.
(Other pedals I have are too finicky to set, get drowned out or do not sit well in the mix.)
 
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#9
Kristian Hansen said:
Hey guys,
I've been offered 2 older (might be 1'st gen) EBS pedals for 150$ combined. It's the Octabass and Multidrive.
They seem to be "pre true bypass".
I've heard mixed things about them. For some reason people seem to think that they don't last?
Should I pull the trigger or look elsewhere?
Best regards and thanks for your inputs!
/Kristian
Click to expand...


The OG pedals (from the 90s) are grey and have the input on the left side. Had one of the Octabasses from back then and loved it.
 
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#10
I have that EXACT multi-drive - just bought it off eBay actually. And I can say that it is, in fact, true bypass (much to my surprise!). In terms of tone, the multidrive sounds a little more on the "synthy" side to me. To understand what I'm talking about, check out "Hysteria" by Muse. It isn't super bass heavy, and also isn't "grindy" like you hear on metal records. But it sounds amazing!! I highly recommend this pedal if the tone above is what you're looking for! :thumbsup:
 
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