Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive aka the Ol' Dirty Bastard

clockwork green · August 21, 2011, 10:31:26 PM

I was looking for some crap in our studio the other day and I came across my old Boss ODB-3 and I realized that I've never actually played in through my Beta Lead in the time I've owned it. I figured if Buzzo like it so much I'd give it a try. I've tried it before with guitar and through my Matamp and didn't quite like it so much but that's probably because I ran my Matamp dirty and dirt pedals into dirty amps rarely work (but when they do it can be pretty amazing). I've got to say that the Sunn/ODB is a pretty cool combo. The mid's are a bit scooped but the bass is big and deep and works for palm mutes and the treble control is quite useful and gets some upper-mids in there. There's a lot of gain on tap so screaming solos work if that's your thing but for rhythm is does a good job of capturing Buzz's live tone pretty well.

the diddler · August 22, 2011, 05:18:49 AM

How much gain are you getting from the amp- or do you run it pretty clean and get all the dirt from the ODB?

Baltar · August 22, 2011, 08:22:07 AM

If I play through it, will I have the urge to wear Hot Topic Mu-mu's and become jealous of Nirvana's success? Maybe talk only about myself in an MC5 documentary? Bottom line, will it make me a pretentious cunt like King Buzzo? If so, I'll just stick with my MKII clone.

Lumpy · August 22, 2011, 08:44:55 AM

Quote from: Baltar on August 22, 2011, 08:22:07 AM
If I play through it, will I have the urge to wear Hot Topic Mu-mu's and become jealous of Nirvana's success? Maybe talk only about myself in an MC5 documentary? Bottom line, will it make me a pretentious cunt like King Buzzo? If so, I'll just stick with my MKII clone.

Dude, not at all. It's a Boss, it's about as unpretentious as you can get.

Hemisaurus · August 22, 2011, 08:55:15 AM

If he's so worried about maintaing a low self image, might i recommend

$24 and your reputation intact.

Baltar · August 22, 2011, 09:31:41 AM

Sorry guys, sometimes I just gotta vent. Back to topic. I fully endorse Boss, they're great pedals to mod. I've done the Spider mod to the DS-1 and it was killer fun. My first dirtbox was the ROD-10, had 1, 2, 3 pre-set OD levels, DS-1 and FZ-2, plus a 3band EQ. I highly suggest anyone pick one up if you see one.

clockwork green · August 22, 2011, 10:47:30 AM

Quote from: the diddler on August 22, 2011, 05:18:49 AM
How much gain are you getting from the amp- or do you run it pretty clean and get all the dirt from the ODB?

I ran the amp really clean. It took a little bit of volume to get it to sound it's best but that's true with pretty much all amps.

Discö Rice · August 22, 2011, 01:48:58 PM

Contrary to what Lumpy said about turning the gain down, I think those things have a killer tone with the gain cranked. Not just a growl, but a full on roar. I guess it depends on your gear.

grimniggzy · August 22, 2011, 02:00:18 PM

Quote from: Discö Rice on August 22, 2011, 01:48:58 PM
Contrary to what Lumpy said about turning the gain down, I think those things have a killer tone with the gain cranked. Not just a growl, but a full on roar. I guess it depends on your gear.

For guitar it sounds fine cranked. IMO for bass, if the gains put past 1/4 of the way up it's unusable and I actually prefer it rolled all the way off.

Metal and Beer · August 22, 2011, 03:15:27 PM

I've found that too much gain gets lost in a loud raging band but sounds badass alone/recorded. It shines as mainly just a boost with a sprinkle of gain IMO..

clockwork green · August 22, 2011, 03:21:51 PM

For bass I found that the more gain I used the more clean I would add in order keep the lows nice and tight.

Jake · August 23, 2011, 02:33:55 AM

Quote from: Baltar on August 22, 2011, 08:22:07 AM
If I play through it, will I have the urge to wear Hot Topic Mu-mu's and become jealous of Nirvana's success? Maybe talk only about myself in an MC5 documentary? Bottom line, will it make me a pretentious cunt like King Buzzo? If so, I'll just stick with my MKII clone.

Maybe I'm a Melvins fanboy, but I happen to think that Buzzo is not a pretentious cunt. He not bashful with his opinions, but why should he be? By consistently making interesting records (since what, 1985?), he's earned it.

PS: I've always thought that the ODB-30 is the best bass dirt pedal out there. Really can bring the under thunder.

justinhedrick · August 23, 2011, 11:15:46 AM

Quote from: Jake on August 23, 2011, 02:33:55 AM
Quote from: Baltar on August 22, 2011, 08:22:07 AM
If I play through it, will I have the urge to wear Hot Topic Mu-mu's and become jealous of Nirvana's success? Maybe talk only about myself in an MC5 documentary? Bottom line, will it make me a pretentious cunt like King Buzzo? If so, I'll just stick with my MKII clone.

Maybe I'm a Melvins fanboy, but I happen to think that Buzzo is not a pretentious cunt. He not bashful with his opinions, but why should he be? By consistently making interesting records (since what, 1985?), he's earned it.

PS: I've always thought that the ODB-30 is the best bass dirt pedal out there. Really can bring the under thunder.

i just always thought buzzo was just weird?

under thunder! ha! that sounds like a good name for a fat chick p0rn.

Chovie D · August 23, 2011, 11:53:33 AM

I own one and liked it alot for bass. its great to be able to mix in cleans with bass so you dont loose thump or punch...
on guitar, never nbothered. i used a DS2 trubo overdrive for years...boss ...it is what it is. which is in my opinion, decent (not corksniffing but decent) easily attainable tones in an indestructible case for cheapish...

the early roland phaser i got is one of my faves too...