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Which bass overdrive to go with?

I love my B3K, but in defense of the Boss ODB-3, it sounded great in a mix back in the day going through my friend's crappy Crate, with my uncrappy Ric:)

B3K, direct, using an Oxford for warmth/speaker sim - I don't have a mic'd version, unfortunately:

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OBD-3 in my friend's little "studio" a few years back:

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I own the Boss ODB-3 as well as EH Bass Muff...although the muff is really more of a fuzz.

Let's not forget that one of the most kick ass bass solo openings - RHCP - Around the World - is a Boss ODB3.

The ODB3 has been around forever and continues to sell. It isn't the greatest sounding overdrive of all time - but it has a solid tone that can be very useful. It cuts through the mix fine if it is eq'd correctly. I have had mine for 10+ years. Still use it as a measuring stick for all other od's ive tried. I don't think you can go wrong with it...especially if you buy it used and cheap.
 
You should buy a separate blend pedal (like the Boss LS-2 or Xotic X-Blender) so more dirt pedal options (even without a blend knob) are available for you.


+1. The blend pedal will open up doors. How many people have you heard wish their Whammy had it blend? It can.

And depending on your bucks situation look at a Badger Schism. You might find some people talking about them on here.

The Badger will set you back a duece, The Boss LS-2 might be less than $50 if you're lucky.

Interested in the Badger? [email protected]


Check the bay for a Boss LS-2
 
Of the three listed, I'd go for the Digitech. I have one, and while it's not the best out there, for the money, it's great. You can get a wide variety of tones out of it, and that blend knob works quite well for me when I want high distortion, but not just pure fuzz. I can blend in more clean and get the best of both worlds (at least as far as I'm concerned!).

As for the GK Diesel Dawg that was mentioned earlier, I also like that quite a bit as well. A word of warning on that one though, it is huge, and it has more gain than I'd ever know what to do with. I barely have it at 8:30 or so and it's still a little more distorted than I prefer when I'm really digging in. Its sounds are great and versatile, but that gain knob really piles it on fast. It sounds good with all the settings I've tried, i.e. I've heard basses that sound similar on many of the settings I've tried. IF you want the fuzz, or the heavy distortion, it's great. Takes a little more coaxing to get less out of it, and I'm still working on it a bit. It can be done though, so it's just up to you.

As for comparing both of them, they're both still on my pedal board. The Digitech seems to lose a little bass compared to the Diesel Dawg, but the Digitech doesn't have EQ knobs like the GK. Personal preference as always.

Unrelated, the Darkglass B3K and B7K sound amazing, certainly on my GAS list. No clue what your budget is, but they're way out of mine. Worth mentioning if you're wanting really high end stuff.
 
Well, well, well . . .
MXR is apparently set to deliver a NEW! Bass OD pedal in March/April . . .
It was spotted & used at a recent show in SoCal & Vegas532 has been updating us (chorus/flanger, as well) . . .
Here's the link:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f36/new-mxr-pedals-926588/

Brotha Vegas is correct! MXR Bass Innovations will be showing the Bass Overdrive at NAMM and shipping in the 1st quarter of 2013. If you dig the sound of the Way Huge Pork Loin you will Love the Bass OD. The Bass Chorus DLX will ship Dec 2012!
 
Cool to see this thread still getting input. I am heavily leaning toward the Pork Loin, found a couple good youtube demos that really impressed me. Am also considering the Darkglass B3K. Will definitely look into the MXR as well(when it comes out). But I am needing something soon, so it's more than likely gonna be the Pork Loin or the B3K.
 

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