Red ripper frustration

[Yeti_carnage]

Ok I just bought this pedal. It sounded pretty good in the store. I get it home in place on my rig and I can't seem to get a sound I like out of it. Before I return it, does anyone have any recommendations? I got to be missing something. This thing is getting good reviews.

 

[Bassgeer]

I know this probably isn't helpful, but I was looking at a Red Ripper as a nice unique sounding fuzz, but I bought a 3Leaf Audio You're Doom instead. Couldn't be happier. I tried out the RR in store and found that it wasn't quite as versatile as I was expecting.

 

[Yeti_carnage]

If I end up returning it like I'm currently thinking, I'll be in the market for a good dirty tone again. I'll check it out.

 

[Down_Low]

Also used to own a RR, and now own a Your Doom. Much happier with the Your Doom. Depending what you're looking for though, the Darkglass fuzz may also be worth checking out.

 

[Yeti_carnage]

After listening to clips on youtube that darkglass pedal is a high contender. Thanks for the rec.

 

[tech21nyc]

Ok I just bought this pedal. It sounded pretty good in the store. I get it home in place on my rig and I can't seem to get a sound I like out of it. Before I return it, does anyone have any recommendations? I got to be missing something. This thing is getting good reviews.

If it sounded good in the store and not as good at home it's probably more about the difference between the other gear that you were using. Were you using the same amp and bass at the store that you are at home? To assess any pedal you have to factor in what you are playing through as this will determine the final outcome. With any OD, distortion or fuzz the amp platform and preamp settings will make or break how the pedal sounds. There is no way for any manufacturer to know how the end user will set their instrument and amp. Some pedals work better with brighter amps and some work better with darker amps. The difference between an active speaker cab with a HF driver and a passive cab will usually be quite pronounced.

Having said all that for the most part our pedals should usually be fairly easy to integrate with most rigs due to the fact that we use active EQ vs a passive filter. My suggestion is to start with the EQ controls set at noon or at the flat setting and set the r.i.p. and drive controls for the basic sound and then use the EQ controls to fine tune the pedal to your amp's preamp and speaker system. There is a wide range with the EQ and it is post distortion so don't be hesitant to use drastic settings as they won't alter the distortion characteristics.

MID, LOW, HIGH: On-board post-EQ section gives you full control, like having a studio
mixing board at your fingertips. Unlike passive tone controls that only cut, these active controls cut
and boost.
MID is tuned to 12dB @ 500 Hz.
LOW is tuned to +22dB boost or -12dB cut @ 120 Hz.
HIGH is tuned to +30dB boost or -12dB cut @ 2.5 kHz.

 

[johnk_10]

hmm. I still love my red ripper. I find it to be extremely versatile and variable as to what you can get out of it, and it sounds great with all of my basses and different rigs.

 

[WaldoNova]

I like my RR too. It can be a little touchy and take some time to dial in but I've been very happy with the results.

 

[HolmeBass]

Red Ripper is pretty good, still on my board, but I prefer the tafm. I have never been completely simpatico with Tech21 pedals though. Out of all Tech21 pedals the rr is my favorite.