cheddatom Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 The Boss ODB-3. Why does this pedal get so much stick? I've been jamming with a heavy band recently, and my set up has been my usual blended tube screamer type, and then a fuzz of my choice for extra dirt when needed. I noticed I'd got a spare power cable on my daisy chain so went to look at my (large) pedal collection to choose something else to play with. Previously I'd been messing with tremolo and phasers in this position, but I decided to try the Boss ODB-3 for fun. I set it to bass 3 o'clock, treble 12, blend 9, gain just slightly on. As soon as I kicked it on I remembered why I love this pedal. The low end is just ball tickling. I know the usual comment is that it sounds "fizzy", but I think these people are either using too much gain, not enough clean blend, or have a very, very trebly sound from their amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 The only issue I have is that it's more of a distortion than overdrive. I've added a couple of mods to mine; mids mod and a lower gain mod. Both switchable, so you can still get the original sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited) One of my favourite pedals, and I've tried many! Most people that slate it were probably looking for a warm overdrive - this is not the droid you are looking for. I use mine at high gain though, blend at 1 o'clock, gain at 3 o'clock, slight bass boost and treble cut - going into a relatively dark sounding rig (Orange TB500 + Ampeg SVT210AV - tweeterless, which tames the fizz)). I first saw the light after seeing Acid King live where the bassist was playing one with a Jazz into a cranked Ampeg SVT and 810 in a small/medium venue, absolutely crushing tone. It needs a growly scooped sounding bass to shine though - I don't like it with a P-Bass, but with a Stingray or the PJ pickups from my BB, it snarls like a dog. Edited February 3, 2015 by dannybuoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited) Andrew Weiss using an ODB-3 and a filter, of some sort, on Rollins Band stuff is one of my favourite bass tones. I need to add my ODB-3 back into my set up... Edited February 3, 2015 by bartelby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 Most dirt pedals with a high gain setting through an amp with tweeters are going to sound fizzy aren't they The guy from Karnivool (forgot his name!) was using an ODB-3 for ages, and I don't think anyone can argue that his tone is lacking in any way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited) - Edited February 22, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 They're not hugely expensive either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I'm one of the ones who didn't get on with it, and yes I prefer lower gain sounds. I bought it in the early/mid nineties and lived with it over a year. I used it with gain at about 9 o'clock, no blend, by 10 o'clock it was starting to get too distorted for my needs. And I was happy - the tone controls were great (huge amounts of beef available and the top could be tamed nicely). Things could get pretty wild dialling up the drive, which even though I never went there it was nice knowing I could. It was an always on pedal, no using it as a special effect for me. And then I noticed it. That fizzy edge that seemed almost separate from the signal. Once I'd heard it I couldn't get it out of my head, and no matter what I did it was always there - turning the blend to almost dry, turning down the gain, nothing worked. Even using the studio's Bassman 135 and matching cab (hardly known for it's top end) you could hear that fizz. So I gave it away. But no hate from me, and I've even recommended it on here to those who want an inexpensive aggressive pedal (where the ODB-3 really shines IMHO). It's just not for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I used one for a while when I first started playing with effects I did not like it but I think that was my lack of knowledge of effects rather than the pedal itself. I now use a boss SD-1 and really like that so may try an ODB-3 again some time in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyquipment Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I like it. If it sounds too fizzy then I roll off the treble a little on the amp Lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deej Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 [quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1422963180' post='2678832'] The guy from Karnivool (forgot his name!) was using an ODB-3 for ages, and I don't think anyone can argue that his tone is lacking in any way [/quote] He's the reason I bought one in the first place. I'd been put off for years because of the bad rep, but now it's my go to heavy overdrive/distortion. I tend to have gain set at 9-10, blend at 3 and a slight bass boost. With my Warwick Thumb, this sounds angrier than my wife! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted February 5, 2015 Author Share Posted February 5, 2015 Well perhaps it's fortunes are changing - where are all the naysayers?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 Despite feeling like crap, I've agreed to a band practice this evening. Mainly so I can mess about with my ODB-3. Since I last used it I've changed the EQ'ing on my amp quite a lot. Maybe tomorrow I can be a naysayer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 [quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1423126694' post='2680975'] Well perhaps it's fortunes are changing - where are all the naysayers?! [/quote] I've never been able to get a tone that I liked out of one. Clearly it works for some people, thats cool, I'd never claim that a pedal was rubbish just because I didn't have a use for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted February 5, 2015 Author Share Posted February 5, 2015 (edited) I learned my lesson on that. Boss DS-1 - could not find a use for it, absolutely awful sounds on every guitar, bass, every setting etc. I gave it away. Then some dude came into my studio with a rickenfaker and a DS-1 and the sound it produced was pure filth! I had to eat my words Edited February 5, 2015 by cheddatom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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