HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

foo3001

New member
Well the thread title just about says it.

Any of You guys familiriar with the HBE Big D Od/Distortion pedal?

Tried it in my local shop the other day and I must say it sounded pretty good. It probably takes some time to learn to use it properly as it´s got so many options how to shape the sound though.

So, if You have/are otherwise familiar with this pedal I´d apprecciate Your comments very much. At 250 euros it´s not something I want to be disappointed with after buying it..
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

I tried a HBE Big D in June while I was in New York with TO.

I was using it as a stand alone Overdrive, and it did sound good. I found it to be a little too bright for my tastes though, so I didn't buy it.

TO has 1 and absolutely loves it, so I'm sure he'll see this thread and reply :)
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

Brow said:
I was using it as a stand alone Overdrive, and it did sound good. I found it to be a little too bright for my tastes though, so I didn't buy it.


Thanks for Your opinion! I appreciate any comments on the pedal, as I feel the reviews in HarmonyCentral are somewhat biased when it comes to higher-end pedals such as this one..

So please keep ´em coming if You´re familiar with this pedal!



EDIT: Typo..
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

I've tried one for about an hour in a store. I love it, and would like to buy one eventually for my crunch tone. They're so flexible, and just sound great.
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

I currently own 3 HBE pedals, and will be getting 2 more. The 3 I own are the Big D OD/distortion pedal, the Dos Mos boost/buffer pedal and the CPR compressor pedal.

There's a detailed thread around here somewhere with my full review on the pedal, but I will tell you that it's the best OD/distortion pedal I have ever owned!

Is there anything specific you would like to know about it?

Link to my review:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=42177
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

TwilightOdyssey said:
Is there anything specific you would like to know about it?

Please recommend me some sample settings for it? It´s probably best if I´ll haul my a** down to the local store and try it out once again, as it´s pretty hard to ask anything specific about the tone.. But some settings You like would be nice to know, as the pedal´s got so many options how to use it. It would make the test run easier.

But the review was really helpful, thanks a lot for it!

Oh and how does it cut through the mix in a live situation? I´ve found that many of the more ´open´ dist./OD pedals tend to get lost in the mix when playing live. How´s the BigD when used live? And have You used it with a small (about 40w) amp? My main amp is a Groove Tubes Soul-o 45 (2xel34, open back 1x12 combo) so I was just wondering how it would sound with a smaller/cleaner setup.
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

foo3001 said:
Please recommend me some sample settings for it?
I can do better than that. If you would like, I can make some clips for you this weekend of all 5 diode settings, hard and soft clipping, etc etc. Just let me know if you'd like that!

the review was really helpful, thanks a lot for it!
You're welcome! :)

Oh and how does it cut through the mix in a live situation?
My singer calls my half of the stage 'the wall of sound' or 'the brick of tone', lol
Needless to say, I have NO issues cutting through the mix!!
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

Oh, before I forget. What country are you in, foo3001?

I've noticed more people in Europe like the Big D, and in America they prefer the Power Screamer.
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

Hello again,

well it would be really, really, really great to hear the pedal. I mean, You probably know the pedal very well and what it´s capable of. The clips in the HBE website were a bit disappointing.. They sound good but there´s just a few with no mention of the settings used etc.. So if it´s not too much of a trouble it would be really great to hear what the pedal has to offer. I know this is a lot to ask, You´re doing me a HUGE favour.

I´m in Europe, and the circle of guitarists I´m involved with the Power Screamer is quite popular. It´s a great pedal but I already have a Fulltone FDII, VoodooLab SparkleDrive, Boss OD1, OD3, SD1 and BD2 so my tubescreamer-esque needs are well covered.. :smack: What I´m looking for is a pedal with more gain and a slightly different character. I already have a CarlMartin Plexitone (hey thanks again Rid!) and I´m looking for something a bit similar to that one. That´s a great pedal too but I´m always up to trying something new (I believe that´s what they call GAS :smokin: ) Plus I need a high-gain pedal for my second pedalboard..

Thanks in advance.
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

Oh, with all those pedals, then you DEFINITELY could use the Big D for something different!!
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

I have a Big D. It's a JCM in a pedal! My favorite setting is all knobs 12:00, soft clip.

I own a lot of HBE stuff - I also have two Germanias, two UFOs, a Medicine Bawl, and a Germacide. Best sounding, best built pedals I own. You can't go wrong!
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

TwilightOdyssey said:
Oh, with all those pedals, then you DEFINITELY could use the Big D for something different!!


Yep!

Not to mention the Keeley Rat, Marshall JackHammer, Marshall DriveMaster and the EH BigMuff.. I´ve always bought pedals I´ve found interesting/thought I might need one/gotten them cheap. So I´ve ended up with quite a lot.

Right now I´m using the FDII and the Plexitone. Those are my favourites ever. Both are very good pedals and having both on my pedalboard guarantees I´ll manage with any amp I come across with. Some amps take the other very well while the other doesn´t work at all and vice versa.
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

foo3001, just an update:

I didn't forget about you!

I will be making those clips for you this weekend. :)
 
Re: HomeBrew Electronics - BigD ?

TwilightOdyssey said:
foo3001, just an update:

I didn't forget about you!

I will be making those clips for you this weekend. :)


Thank you so much!

You´re a huge help!
 
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