Who still uses a Bad Monkey ?

[troublehead]

I've decided that my Morris amp prefers "Tubescreamer-ish" OD's rather than those of the "SD-1-ish" variety. I've tried a handful of the big name pedals around here (OCD, BB, Barber Direct Drive) and I'm pretty sure my Bad Monkey sounds best. I'm using all these the same way..........level up/gain down in front of an overdriven amp.

I'm wondering if stepping up to an OD-808 or similar would be worth it. The only downside of the Bad Monkey is that it seems to always add a bit of "hair" around chords and such. I guess you could call it "fizz". But I like the mid-hump and smooth highs when compared to the other pedals I've tried.

I'm hoping someone can compare the Bad Monkey to the OD-808.............or maybe even recommend me something better in the Tubescreamer range. FWIW, I did not care for the BBE Green Screamer nor the Digitech Hardwire OD.

 

[Mr. Willy]

I thought the BM was a bit too smooth compared to a TS9. You might want to check out a Maxon od808 or a Luther Drive. The Luther Drive has really peaked my interest because I do love the mid-spike in a Tubescreamer, but I'd like to have a bit more clarity.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

I've tried a bunch of ODs and I find that each OD sounds different through different amps. We tried several different pedals through different amps and the Bad Monkey sounded killer with a Rivera KR7, not so much with the other amps there.
The Maxon 808 pairs up great with my Framus Dragon but not so well with some other amps I've had.
The MXR Classic OD sounds great with 5150s, better than the Maxon.
My GFS Greenie sounds better with rectifiers than any of them IMO.
The MXR Zakk Wylde seems to like Marshalls IMO.
Hard to say what works best with what... YMMV
If the BM is working for you than I doubt the 808 will be any improvement.

 

[Rogue]

I have one, but only like it for a lead boost, not for rhythm. Even with the bass knob, it kind of kills the bottom end.

 

[D-Rock]

Have you tired the MXR GT-OD? It's by far my fav TS type OD.
Rich and warm with the classic mid hump. Just enough hair and smooth highs.

 

[Sandvich]

Isn't the SD-1 a "Tubescreamerish" pedal? It's not exactly the same but it was largely what the TS's sound was based off I believe.

I have an SD-1 at the moment and I actually really like the sound, but hate the lack of low end.

 

[Ricky Rockhardo]

Get an MXR classic OD for 40 bucks at GC. I think its basically an MXR GT-OD without the hardcore casing. I love mine.

 

[GuitarGoat]

Isn't the SD-1 a "Tubescreamerish" pedal? It's not exactly the same but it was largely what the TS's sound was based off I believe.

I have an SD-1 at the moment and I actually really like the sound, but hate the lack of low end.

The SD-1 is a TS variant for sure. Mod that sucker

 

[Buckeyedog]

I still use the Bad Monkey and really like it with my Jubilee Marshall.

Along with the BB pre amp.

 

[1big1]

i agree with headlessdeadguy about some pedals working really well with some amps and not so well with others. i think that a pedal should compliment the amp you're driving it with. i've tried the od 808 in front of my carvin x 60. they don't like each other. if i hadn't tried it with other amps before that i probably wouldn't have understood what the fuss over the 808 was all about because it sure didn't do much for that amp.
same with the ds-1. i have a friend who couldn't make a ds-1 sound good no matter what. plug that same pedal into the od of the x 60 as a boost and it sings nicely. just my .02