Hi guys, been searching for a new flavor OD pedal. I pretty much narrowed it down to an OCD, Xotic BB preamp, and the SFT. I didn't really like the OCD as it just went full tilt too quickly for my taste and seemed a touch on the muddy side. I can't find any store that stocks a BB, but I did find a store that had the SFT. They were totally cool and said take it home, try it out and bring it back if you don't love it. Well, I'm not really sure I love it. I definitely do like it, it has some great sounds. I just mess around with it for about 20-30 minutes and I'll go back and try it with fresh ears later. I like it but it didn't completely blow me away, I have a feeling I need to try the BB. Interested in anything you guys have to say about either pedal.
BB preamp vs Catalinbread SFT
- Thread starter nedcronin
- Start date
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: BB preamp vs Catalinbread SFT
Didn't know what the SFT was so I had to look it up. Really liked what I heard, tho.
The BB Preamp is one of 2 or 3 overdrive pedals I own (I am more of a fuzz or boost player than OD these days). It is my go-to for all my OD needs, though.
What I love about it:
1. It can fill 3 roles: boost, overdrive, and EQ
2. It has a wide range of very useable tones and never goes too far over the top
3. It stacks REALLY well with boost pedals; I particularly like running it with a z.vex SHO -- man, it is too fun for words!
Here are 2 tracks from my band's upcoming album ... this is pre-final mastering. But the main rhythm sound on both tracks is the BB Preamp.
Didn't know what the SFT was so I had to look it up. Really liked what I heard, tho.
The BB Preamp is one of 2 or 3 overdrive pedals I own (I am more of a fuzz or boost player than OD these days). It is my go-to for all my OD needs, though.
What I love about it:
1. It can fill 3 roles: boost, overdrive, and EQ
2. It has a wide range of very useable tones and never goes too far over the top
3. It stacks REALLY well with boost pedals; I particularly like running it with a z.vex SHO -- man, it is too fun for words!
Here are 2 tracks from my band's upcoming album ... this is pre-final mastering. But the main rhythm sound on both tracks is the BB Preamp.
Re: BB preamp vs Catalinbread SFT
Twilight, nice tones & playing. I went back and tried this pedal again. It flat out kicks ass. It may not be as versatile as the BB, although it does do a nice clean boost. But it just flat out kills for that 70's Get Your Ya Ya's out Mick Taylor Ampeg thing. Lots of nasty harmonics, the drive never goes over the top & stays tight & dynamic. Awesome warm crunch & fat lead notes. The EQ knobs are really nice, and as I turned the treble up, it never got raspy, it just got nastier and had more bite. The bass got fat & wooly, but doesn't get muddy. When I turned the gain up, it was still full & defined, but with serious grit & lots of overtones. I'm heading out for the night but I'm off tomorrow so I'll mess with it some more. But I think it's a keeper.
Twilight, nice tones & playing. I went back and tried this pedal again. It flat out kicks ass. It may not be as versatile as the BB, although it does do a nice clean boost. But it just flat out kills for that 70's Get Your Ya Ya's out Mick Taylor Ampeg thing. Lots of nasty harmonics, the drive never goes over the top & stays tight & dynamic. Awesome warm crunch & fat lead notes. The EQ knobs are really nice, and as I turned the treble up, it never got raspy, it just got nastier and had more bite. The bass got fat & wooly, but doesn't get muddy. When I turned the gain up, it was still full & defined, but with serious grit & lots of overtones. I'm heading out for the night but I'm off tomorrow so I'll mess with it some more. But I think it's a keeper.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: BB preamp vs Catalinbread SFT
Nice! Glad you turned around!
Nice! Glad you turned around!
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: BB preamp vs Catalinbread SFT
I had a BB for a while back, but I got rid of it because I couldn't dial in the mids to my liking. I just wanted to cut them a slight bit. Right now, its replacement on my board is a Menatone King of the Britians. However, I miss the BB and the tweakability it offers, so I'm trading the Menatone for a BB Pre MB. That way, I can take of just the right amount of mids to match it to my amp, or scoop them for a chunkier tone. Should be exactly what I need. One of my favorite things about the BB is the active tone controls - very different from regular treble and bass knobs.
I had a BB for a while back, but I got rid of it because I couldn't dial in the mids to my liking. I just wanted to cut them a slight bit. Right now, its replacement on my board is a Menatone King of the Britians. However, I miss the BB and the tweakability it offers, so I'm trading the Menatone for a BB Pre MB. That way, I can take of just the right amount of mids to match it to my amp, or scoop them for a chunkier tone. Should be exactly what I need. One of my favorite things about the BB is the active tone controls - very different from regular treble and bass knobs.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: BB preamp vs Catalinbread SFT
The only thing I don't like about the one with the mid control is that it is such a freakin tiny little pot, it's hard to get your fingers in there; and forget about having to tweak it on the fly at a gig!
The only thing I don't like about the one with the mid control is that it is such a freakin tiny little pot, it's hard to get your fingers in there; and forget about having to tweak it on the fly at a gig!
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: BB preamp vs Catalinbread SFT
I thought about it, but I'm not too concerned about it honestly. I use my fuzzes so much more that honestly, the BB won't get THAT much use. I only want one tone out of it, and it'll be there when I need it.
How would you compare the BB to the BB MB? Is the mid pot as useful as you would think? Does it feature boost and cut like the treble and bass knobs?
I thought about it, but I'm not too concerned about it honestly. I use my fuzzes so much more that honestly, the BB won't get THAT much use. I only want one tone out of it, and it'll be there when I need it.
How would you compare the BB to the BB MB? Is the mid pot as useful as you would think? Does it feature boost and cut like the treble and bass knobs?
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: BB preamp vs Catalinbread SFT
When I got mine, I AB'd both units side by side through a Marshall Class 5 rig. From my perspective, I didn't care for the freq that's being boosted with the MB version, combined with the location of the mid control, so I opted for the non MB version.
When I got mine, I AB'd both units side by side through a Marshall Class 5 rig. From my perspective, I didn't care for the freq that's being boosted with the MB version, combined with the location of the mid control, so I opted for the non MB version.