Xotic BB, BB(MB), and BB+

[teqnick]

Hey guys, so I decided not to go with the Vox Ice 9. It looks cool for sure, but i'd rather go with something that has more testimonials and users.

I've heard nothing but great things about the regular BB, so that's definitely the failsafe option.

The BB+ I see a lot of mixed reviews. It looks extremely versatile and I wouldn't mind adding some compression, but I've also heard that it's difficult to dial in and adds a lot of fuzz.

If the BB is great in itself, I can imagine that the BB(MB) is the one to go with because you can get the same tones as the regular BB and then some with the midboost function. (leaning towards this)

Anyone out there A/B'd any of the above, or have any input about them? I'm going to be picking up a new boost Tuesday probably, so any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[Ventura]

Are you looking for a 'boost' or an OD/DirtStomp?

I have the BB Pre (in the limited quantity color edition) - it's nice. It's got great tones, good grit, and is simple as hell to figure out, and isn't noisy. But it's by no means a true "boost", just FYI. As far as OD's go, I like it - but I'd be hard pressed to say it's better than my OCD. I look at them as equal - they both offer something different than the other - but neither is better. But if i had to give one up, I'd sadly give the BB away before letting go of my OCD

V.

 

[teqnick]

I'm pretty much looking for an OD. I had an OCD , OD9, and the Bodenhamer Bloody Murder. I barely remember the OCD, but I ran that through a rivera k-tre for a month or so. The OD9 boosted the Rivera for a little as well, then a powerball. I had the bloody murder boosting an Invader. Currently I'm working with a VHT UL and i'm not quite sure what to put in front of it.

I'm going to do some clip hunting just to get a general idea of what each sounds like, but of course clips never really do anything justice.

 

[Ventura]

I'm pretty much looking for an OD. I had an OCD , OD9, and the Bodenhamer Bloody Murder. I barely remember the OCD, but I ran that through a rivera k-tre for a month or so. The OD9 boosted the Rivera for a little as well, then a powerball. I had the bloody murder boosting an Invader. Currently I'm working with a VHT UL and i'm not quite sure what to put in front of it.

I'm going to do some clip hunting just to get a general idea of what each sounds like, but of course clips never really do anything justice.

Ya man, it's tough... Are you looking to:
1) overdrive clean channels?
2) take already overdriven channels (crunchy) and make 'em grittier/dirtier?
3) take overdriven channels and add more compression to them?
4) is this effect for low, mid or gig level volumes?

What's your style of music? And are you using the pedal to get something out of your amp or enhance something already in it? I can help, I've been working with a mess of OD's and Dirt's and Boosts... But it's all up to you and your ears at the end of the day.

V.

 

[teqnick]

1. If it's a clean channel i run it purely clean. If i want that mid grit tone, i'll rollback my volume knob (usually)
2. That is fairly accurate. I don't run too much gain. When i had my uberschall, i had the gain at 11 o clock and had the drive at 9 o clock on my bloody murder and found a sweet spot. I'd like to do the same with any amp really- i get to retain all clarity while still having the right amount of distortion.
3.I would like to add a bit of compression , but if I don't get any more, i'm totally alright with that.
4. Low to Mid for the time being.


Thanks!

 

[teqnick]

Your rig sounds amazing Reza. Great playing as well. The UL has the graphic EQ, so I doubt i'll really need a mid boost on a pedal. After doing more reading and clips, the original BB sounds a lot better to me than the mid boost one as well.


Thanks for helping me get closer to my decision

 

[glassjaw7]

I LOVE my BB+. It's smooth and creamy and just beautiful sounding. No fuzz whatsoever. The regular BB is awesome too.

 

[teqnick]

Glass, i'm nearly 100% sure that people who get fuzz or unwanted noise out of a boutique pedal more likely than not, have no idea how to EQ haha. I failed to mention that i'm looking for simplicity, and although the BB+ looks awesome with all those features, I'd rather not spend extensive time finding my sweet spot. Some days i'm into that kinda thing, sometimes not so much.

 

[Lance-a-not]

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[teqnick]

That helps a ton, thanks! It appears that the Standard BB would fit the bill then.

 

[nevusofota]

I have owned all three, I used any of these set to goose the gain channel of whatever amp I own at the moment most of the time. They all have a similar "family" tone, but I have never been able to get any of them to sound exactly the same.

The regular BB (I have owned several) has the least compressed frequency response, but has the most compression to the attack as you bring up the gain- I prefer this one with the 5150III, the VHTs, modded Marshall... Amps that have a bit more upper mids and for the most part a tight response

The BBMB (what I use now) has a more compressed freq response, but less so on the attack, faster and tighter, a bit more "pedal" sounding than the standard- I prefer this one with amps that have a low mid thing going or a bit of a looser response, my Budda and Boogies.

The BB+ I found in between the other two frequency wise and more like the MB in the attack, never found it fuzzy but the bottom is somewhat rounder. Both channels sounded great and I could use it straight in front of a clean amp for all my gain (which I never really do) quite well. I found myself pretty much always using the red channel like the other BBs, so a bit of extra money for an extra channel I personally did not use

I hope this helps!

Thanks for the description, very useful. I have been on the same quest for my 5150III. I have always used an OD9 but am just looking for a change (also tried a OD9+ but liked the regular better). I've narrowed it down to the regular BB (was the MB before your review) or the Tone Freak Naked OD.

 

[Lance-a-not]

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[thiswaythatway]

I had a BB Preamp for a while and i sold it after i played the BB + next to it for a few days. I had heard a lot of negative reviews on the BB+, that's why i didn't sell my regular BB until i got to compare them. Basically, the red channel of the plus can get close enough to the regular BB for me. The Blue channel has a little more gain/grind to it even if the settings are the same. It does have a little more compression and bottom but i love that for solos. The red channel is great for rhythm.

I just like having 2 adjustable sides to the pedal. And i think a lot of negativea are from Dumble tone chasers who never play hard rock anyway, so take their opinions and flush em.

 

[Ventura]

I love my BB preamp. Its in my video below btw. One of the best pedals i own. never give it up.

Truth is in the playing and sound, I can't take that away from this opinion... I knew Reza was gonna come in here with his Channel 2 and BB Pre love, and sure enough, he did. FWIW, I'll be on the BB Pre today with my VH4S, spreading the love...

The BB Pre I think maintains the mid structure and complexity of the tone at these low to mid levels, and it does shine when pushed.
The OCD mentioned above is a smooth, semi-compressed, no-hiss, no-fizz OD that delivers at lower volumes.

My bit, done.

Reza, again, WICKED playing and thanks for the PM's - I'll be chatting with ya today about a couple things... Got some time - FINALLY!!

Peace,
Mojo

 

[teqnick]

Thanks to EVERYONE who's contributed and helped me come to my decision. I've only lurked on here really and spent 99% of my time in the classifieds, but as soon as my little rig re-vamp is through (hopefully end of next week) I plan on becoming active and posting up some rig shots

 

[Ventura]

I had the BB and BB+. I prefered the BB over the BB+. Both pedals compressed the sound too much for me. Its no secret that I love the TIM and Timmy. I prefer the TIM since it is like 2 pedals in one and also has a loop available.

V.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Here's what my BB Preamp sounded like on a Lonestar.

 

[Ventura]

Couple things...

SUH-WEEEEET playin' Bro...!!
Judging from your guitar stance, you've played a fair bit of classical/flamenco?
Thanks for the t-shirt, very kind...I love random acts of kindness, very cool.

Peace,
V.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Couple things...

SUH-WEEEEET playin' Bro...!!
Judging from your guitar stance, you've played a fair bit of classical/flamenco?
Thanks for the t-shirt, very kind...I love random acts of kindness, very cool.

Peace,
V.

Nah, i think it's just from sitting on that Home Depot tool box.

 

[Ventura]

Couple things...

SUH-WEEEEET playin' Bro...!!
Judging from your guitar stance, you've played a fair bit of classical/flamenco?
Thanks for the t-shirt, very kind...I love random acts of kindness, very cool.

Peace,
V.

Nah, i think it's just from sitting on that Home Depot tool box.

Shit man, you sent me a t, I'll send you a chair

V.