Ready to pull the trigger on a new boost. BB or Naked?

[nevusofota]

I realize that when you ask a question like this that you get as many different answeres as there is tast in tone. However, I am getting ready to pull the trigger and wanted to get a few last opinions. I have narrowed it down to either the Xotic BB or the Tone Freak Naked OD. Hell, I may even find someone on here with the same rig using the same pedals

I am using a EBMM BFR JPR through a 5150III. The boost will be used to add sustain, punch, clarity, a little volume, primarily for solos on either the second or third channels. I'm pretty happy with the OD9 for rhythm. I am looking for the thick, high gain, hotrodded Marshall sound without high end fizz. I like the tones of Lynch, Vai, Satriani, Petrucci, and Bettencourt. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ventura]

I'm not sure where to start with answering this one... First off, it's an OD you want, not a BOOST, correct? Cuz a boost for all intent and purpose, is a clean boost, not overdrive. Anyway, just checking (cuz a clean boost can slam your front end into overdrive if you've got the power section already maxed, and this overdrive will always always always sound better than any pedal-given layer of drive, IMHO). Alright - so OD pedals...

I picked up a BB a little while ago and I really like it. What it doesn't do, the OCD does do. So I own both. Neither one is better than the other, just different. I'm sorry I am not answering your EXACT question, but it's a tough call. Secondly, you named a few artists off, but at the same time mention this "hot rodded Marshall" sound, and the artists and the "hot rodded Marshall" sound don't jive in my book. Satch and Vai are not Marshally sounding guys, Lynch yes, Nuno no, yada yada yada....

AGH!!! Sorry man, I need another coffee to wrap my head around this, I'm not picking apart your post, just trying to figure it out. Right now if you HAD to pick one of the two pedals in your array of choice, I'd go with the BB but I am not sure it's the BB that's going to deliver the HR Marshall sound, and I'm not sure it's going to get you the Vai, Satch, Petrucci, and Nuno tones - I think those sounds will come from an amp that's on 10 with a clean boost pushing it into oblivion and throwing down some DD for girth and a hella lot of talent!!

V.

 

[glpg8o]

well, FWIW, i do know that lynch used an old ts808 for a boost for the album under lock and key religiously.

between the two listed though i would go for the BB. but i do agree that with a 5150 III you should not need an overdrive for clean sustain. i would recommend looking for a clean boost for the third channel of that amplifier if that is your purpose.

as for the marshall growl, not sure what can be done here on a 5150 III - maybe try the barber direct overdrive that yngzaklynch uses with his VM?

 

[glip22]

I have been through alot of OD pedals for boosting. My favorite so far is the Rocket Fuel. There's one in classifieds now. If you give me a day or so, I have a Naked delivering tomorrow and can let you know my thoughts on it as a boost compared to the RF. The RF IMO is much better than so many I've tried. OCD, Sexdrive, Modded Sd-1. Maxon, Tubescreamers, and the list goes on by maybe 12 more.

 

[nevusofota]

I'm not sure where to start with answering this one... First off, it's an OD you want, not a BOOST, correct? Cuz a boost for all intent and purpose, is a clean boost, not overdrive. Anyway, just checking (cuz a clean boost can slam your front end into overdrive if you've got the power section already maxed, and this overdrive will always always always sound better than any pedal-given layer of drive, IMHO). Alright - so OD pedals...

I picked up a BB a little while ago and I really like it. What it doesn't do, the OCD does do. So I own both. Neither one is better than the other, just different. I'm sorry I am not answering your EXACT question, but it's a tough call. Secondly, you named a few artists off, but at the same time mention this "hot rodded Marshall" sound, and the artists and the "hot rodded Marshall" sound don't jive in my book. Satch and Vai are not Marshally sounding guys, Lynch yes, Nuno no, yada yada yada....

AGH!!! Sorry man, I need another coffee to wrap my head around this, I'm not picking apart your post, just trying to figure it out. Right now if you HAD to pick one of the two pedals in your array of choice, I'd go with the BB but I am not sure it's the BB that's going to deliver the HR Marshall sound, and I'm not sure it's going to get you the Vai, Satch, Petrucci, and Nuno tones - I think those sounds will come from an amp that's on 10 with a clean boost pushing it into oblivion and throwing down some DD for girth and a hella lot of talent!!

V.

Thanks for giving the post a read and attempting to answer. I understand what your saying about the artist, but all of them (except maybe Petrucci) used Marshalls (not sure if modded, but probably all boosted) early on and have kept basically the same tone since. All of their amps since (sig amps etc) all seem to be based on the Marshall tone. I just gave those artist names more for the sake of people understanding what type of music I like and play, not that I necessarily need clone there tone. I definately want to boost the dirt channel on my amp to make it more focused, sustain, etc. Not looking to use the gain/distortion from a box as the 5150III distortion/gain tone is perfect for me. With my Maxon OD9 I do add very little pedal gain but crank the pedal level at lower playing volume where I can get the amp's gain up to where I like it do to the low volume. At higher amp volume I take the pedals gain all the way out and keep the pedal level cranked. Thats why I like overdrive pedals for boost versus using just a total clean boost, I can insert a little more gain if the amp is turned down.
Thanks for the response.

 

[nevusofota]

I have been through alot of OD pedals for boosting. My favorite so far is the Rocket Fuel. There's one in classifieds now. If you give me a day or so, I have a Naked delivering tomorrow and can let you know my thoughts on it as a boost compared to the RF. The RF IMO is much better than so many I've tried. OCD, Sexdrive, Modded Sd-1. Maxon, Tubescreamers, and the list goes on by maybe 12 more.

Great! I would love to hear your take on the Rocket Fuel. The RF was another one I was looking at but my head began to spin with all the options the further I dug.

 

[glip22]

I have been through alot of OD pedals for boosting. My favorite so far is the Rocket Fuel. There's one in classifieds now. If you give me a day or so, I have a Naked delivering tomorrow and can let you know my thoughts on it as a boost compared to the RF. The RF IMO is much better than so many I've tried. OCD, Sexdrive, Modded Sd-1. Maxon, Tubescreamers, and the list goes on by maybe 12 more.

Great! I would love to hear your take on the Rocket Fuel. The RF was another one I was looking at but my head began to spin with all the options the further I dug.

The RF just has a very natural tone that compliments the amp's tone. I have used it with four different heads so far. The three way toggle changes the voicings. It doesn't give any mid hump and retains the low end. All the way left gives a bigger bottom, middle- more mids, and right- compresses the tone a little more from what I can tell. I don't think you can go wrong with it. Didn't care for the OCD for boosting at all. Nice OD but not for boosting imo, of course.
I'll see how the Naked does. I have a Friedman modded JMP. Should work nicely since Dave designed it.

 

[glassjaw7]

It's difficult to recommend an end all boost/od pedal because they all do somewhat similar things to your tone, yet they "feel" way different and create unique sounds. Here's what I have and how they affect my amp when set up as a clean boost.

TS9- very crunchy but kind of flat sounding. I keep the tone almost at 0 because it is very honky and nasally. Adds too much fizz. I use the TS9 the least of all my od's.

Lovepedal Eternity- Amazing and transparent OD that has similarities to the TS9, but is light years better and much more amp like in tone and response. It doesn't have that "flat" thing happening like the TS9. This is my second fav next to the BB+. Highly recommended.

BB+ The + has two different circuits; the original BB and more of a "plexi" voiced drive section which also doubles as a fantastic clean boost. This is my favorite pedal because it does many things and it does them all very well. The original BB side is a great clean boost with a very smooth and natural feel and tone and the Blue side gets a nice brit crunch when cranked, and when used as clean boost it gets a nice compressed country like feel. Awesome singing mids in these things!! Pair it up with a nice delay and it's Gilmour heaven, along with Timmons and many others.

MXR Zakk Similar to an old Boss od I used to have. It works really well on the Marshall DSL I used to play, and on my Carvin MTS. Super crunchy, and a bit hairy and gnarly sounding, but just smooth enough. Sounds pretty cool on the raw mode of my rectifier.

MXR Classic OD-chinese made version of the higher quality MXR GT-OD in a cheaper enclosure, and close to an 808. This thing has become my secret weapon! At $29.99 at GC it was a no-brainer. Very thick and smooth with some good crunch, this thing sounds great on every amp I've tried it on, much like a real 808.

OCD v.4- This thing sounds amazing when set up through a clean channel with the gain at 10-11:00, and the level around Noon. Amazing and amp-like light crunch and chords retain a great complex texture like I've never heard from another pedal. As a boost it sounds kind of "hard" to my ears and I much prefer the other pedals I've listed(except the TS9, as I've really grown to dislike it) When the OCD is set up with the gain way up through a clean channel it sort of becomes fuzzy and there is too much bass IMO. It's not really too much, it's just that the OCD doesn't cut your low end like most od's do so IMO it's made to be used as I described, as an alternate crunch channel through your amp's clean.

Boss Metal Zone (modded)-not a very good boost but I had to include it. If you want a certain sound; real metallic and grinding, then this thing can be set up alright as a metal boost. Although IMO it is made to be run through a nice clean channel and when modded it sounds pretty brutal and awesome!

 

[Ventura]

Thanks for giving the post a read and attempting to answer. I understand what your saying about the artist, but all of them (except maybe Petrucci) used Marshalls (not sure if modded, but probably all boosted) early on and have kept basically the same tone since. All of their amps since (sig amps etc) all seem to be based on the Marshall tone. I just gave those artist names more for the sake of people understanding what type of music I like and play, not that I necessarily need clone there tone. I definately want to boost the dirt channel on my amp to make it more focused, sustain, etc. Not looking to use the gain/distortion from a box as the 5150III distortion/gain tone is perfect for me. With my Maxon OD9 I do add very little pedal gain but crank the pedal level at lower playing volume where I can get the amp's gain up to where I like it do to the low volume. At higher amp volume I take the pedals gain all the way out and keep the pedal level cranked. Thats why I like overdrive pedals for boost versus using just a total clean boost, I can insert a little more gain if the amp is turned down.
Thanks for the response.

Got it. Alright, fair enough regarding the semantics of the varied players and their gear discussed, I'd go with the BB only because at lower volumes, it still sounds as though it's naturally pushing the amp - and then it does have a nice boost with its volume for when your wanting to truly push the amp itself. I've found with the BB, it sounds mid-bitey, which is something I like - it's not all compressed and tubular, if that makes any sense. It sounds "pushed". So, there's a mess of other options out there, I just had to give you my 2 cents and say good luck!! Let us know which one you inevitably go with. Personally, I can't ever get my amps to sound loud and pushed at lower volumes - it's just missing the swell, the swirl, the overtones and the thickness of true max valve performance - so I've come to learn simply play clean/practice clean, and when the big dogs come to play, give 'er for real

Peace,
V.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Thanks for giving the post a read and attempting to answer. I understand what your saying about the artist, but all of them (except maybe Petrucci) used Marshalls (not sure if modded, but probably all boosted) early on and have kept basically the same tone since. All of their amps since (sig amps etc) all seem to be based on the Marshall tone. I just gave those artist names more for the sake of people understanding what type of music I like and play, not that I necessarily need clone there tone. I definately want to boost the dirt channel on my amp to make it more focused, sustain, etc. Not looking to use the gain/distortion from a box as the 5150III distortion/gain tone is perfect for me. With my Maxon OD9 I do add very little pedal gain but crank the pedal level at lower playing volume where I can get the amp's gain up to where I like it do to the low volume. At higher amp volume I take the pedals gain all the way out and keep the pedal level cranked. Thats why I like overdrive pedals for boost versus using just a total clean boost, I can insert a little more gain if the amp is turned down.
Thanks for the response.

Got it. Alright, fair enough regarding the semantics of the varied players and their gear discussed, I'd go with the BB only because at lower volumes, it still sounds as though it's naturally pushing the amp - and then it does have a nice boost with its volume for when your wanting to truly push the amp itself. I've found with the BB, it sounds mid-bitey, which is something I like - it's not all compressed and tubular, if that makes any sense. It sounds "pushed". So, there's a mess of other options out there, I just had to give you my 2 cents and say good luck!! Let us know which one you inevitably go with. Personally, I can't ever get my amps to sound loud and pushed at lower volumes - it's just missing the swell, the swirl, the overtones and the thickness of true max valve performance - so I've come to learn simply play clean/practice clean, and when the big dogs come to play, give 'er for real

Peace,
V.

You think that has something to do with the speakers getting properly lit up? I find volume does things that effects won't.

 

[steve_k]

I am not big on OD pedals. Most of them make a good amp sound bad. A transparent boost though is great. I do have a Rocket Fuel though and this is one kick ass Boost/OD pedal. I did a test a couple weeks ago when I was putting a new pedal board together and tested them on a Friedman Marsha set fairly mildly on the BE. If I heard a pop, or hiss or other slop, it went back in the toy box for a later sale.

Guitar, wall wort, amp. Included here was:

Rocket Fuel - wins by a landslide. Totally quiet up to appropriate boost levels. The OD side adds sustain and a little saturation to an otherwise driven amp. You get a two-fer here too.
TS9 Keely Modded - Noisy as hell on a slightly already driven amp.
OCD - Noisy as hell.
Love Pedal Purple Plexi - great on a totally clean amp. The more gian on the amp, the more shit this pedal is.
One that looked like a coffin (blood something) - Piece of shit and I don't remember buying it! Cool LED though. Pulled it out and threw the rest it in the garbage.
Xotic EP Boost - the better stand alone boost.
CAE Boost - meh. A bit noisy and nothing special.

Don't know about the BB. I can highly recommend the Rocket Fuel though. If you order, get ready for a 4-8 week wait.

Steve

 

[Ventura]

Thanks for giving the post a read and attempting to answer. I understand what your saying about the artist, but all of them (except maybe Petrucci) used Marshalls (not sure if modded, but probably all boosted) early on and have kept basically the same tone since. All of their amps since (sig amps etc) all seem to be based on the Marshall tone. I just gave those artist names more for the sake of people understanding what type of music I like and play, not that I necessarily need clone there tone. I definately want to boost the dirt channel on my amp to make it more focused, sustain, etc. Not looking to use the gain/distortion from a box as the 5150III distortion/gain tone is perfect for me. With my Maxon OD9 I do add very little pedal gain but crank the pedal level at lower playing volume where I can get the amp's gain up to where I like it do to the low volume. At higher amp volume I take the pedals gain all the way out and keep the pedal level cranked. Thats why I like overdrive pedals for boost versus using just a total clean boost, I can insert a little more gain if the amp is turned down.
Thanks for the response.

Got it. Alright, fair enough regarding the semantics of the varied players and their gear discussed, I'd go with the BB only because at lower volumes, it still sounds as though it's naturally pushing the amp - and then it does have a nice boost with its volume for when your wanting to truly push the amp itself. I've found with the BB, it sounds mid-bitey, which is something I like - it's not all compressed and tubular, if that makes any sense. It sounds "pushed". So, there's a mess of other options out there, I just had to give you my 2 cents and say good luck!! Let us know which one you inevitably go with. Personally, I can't ever get my amps to sound loud and pushed at lower volumes - it's just missing the swell, the swirl, the overtones and the thickness of true max valve performance - so I've come to learn simply play clean/practice clean, and when the big dogs come to play, give 'er for real

Peace,
V.

You think that has something to do with the speakers getting properly lit up? I find volume does things that effects won't.

If this is said with tongue planted FIRMLY in cheek, I get it I'm just trying to say, if it's a box that this cat is looking for that will emulate the same sounds as an amp just getting slammed, I don't believe there is such a thing. My experience with OD's and so forth is that they sound weak and thin and brittle at lower volumes - and when I crank my amp - I don't need 'em. I'll take a clean boost to push my amp into its natural overdrive. So albeit I like OCD and BB and a few others, it's not as though I love 'em and would prefer to record their tones over that of a close/ambient mic'd rig just going balls out

V.

 

[nevusofota]

Thanks everyone. Some good advise here.

Like I stated previously, I like the Maxon OD9 (no gain, level maxed) on channel 2 (gain @ noon) for my rhythm sound. I am looking to make the lead sound different from the rhythm by making it smoother/creamier/sustain more/feedback more/ etc. Try and make it sing more than the rhythm. I guess the only real way to decide is to buy all 3 (BB, Naked, RF) for as cheap as possible on the used market, and compare using my particular set-up, then hope to sell the losing pedals off without taking too much of a hit. I can already see it now though, I will like all 3 for a particular tonal characteristic and wind up not selling any

 

[jlbaxe]

If you are close by you can check out my Fulltone FB2 Fat Boost 2 pedal. Great clean boost with a treb and bass knob.

 

[glip22]

I realize that when you ask a question like this that you get as many different answeres as there is tast in tone. However, I am getting ready to pull the trigger and wanted to get a few last opinions. I have narrowed it down to either the Xotic BB or the Tone Freak Naked OD. Hell, I may even find someone on here with the same rig using the same pedals

I am using a EBMM BFR JPR through a 5150III. The boost will be used to add sustain, punch, clarity, a little volume, primarily for solos on either the second or third channels. I'm pretty happy with the OD9 for rhythm. I am looking for the thick, high gain, hotrodded Marshall sound without high end fizz. I like the tones of Lynch, Vai, Satriani, Petrucci, and Bettencourt. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Buy the RF in the classifeieds. I waited 4 weeks for mine. It's a longer wait now. You can't go wrong!

 

[Mark Day]

The Koko Boost is a wicked pedal!!

Mark

 

[MotorCityPickUps]

The Naked OD is my personal favorite pedal right now, has been since Derek sent it to me- Also, Abunai 2 is really remarkable also for cleaner amps that need higher gain- Super nice O.d's. Hope you find something killer!!

 

[nevusofota]

Got lucky and picked up a BB this evening. Great price on Craigslist and basically new. Now just need to find a good deal on a Naked OD.

 

[nighttrain69]

The Koko Boost is a wicked pedal!!

Mark

this ones on the top of my to try lists

 

[Nico]

Im about to pull the trigger on a Koko Boost...