Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

nebucanazza

nebucanazza

New member
I am GASsing for a TS type clean boost/light overdrive pedal.I already have a Rocktron Silver Dragon for the crunchy and heavier stuff.The Dragon is distorted even at the minimum gain settings, and I am unable get that smooth,thick sound for leads.My 25.5" PRS copy(DMZ Bluesbucker/VHPAF) tends to be naturally bright,articulate and open.
Now, both the Tubulator and the Bad Monkey have been receiving a lot of love on the internet boards.The BM obviously has better build quality, great EQ options and the added line-out.The Tubulator is ,well,exactly half as costly, but I dunno how it matches up sonically.Their clips on musiciansfriend are awful.

Which one should I go for? Anyone done a shootout of these two cheap gems?I need something which is smooth and rich sounding, no harshness.Basically a clean boost,lead boost and classic overdrive.

Oh BTW, I just have a small Marshall MG15 practice amp, set on clean:smack:
I know, I know..crappy amp will make the pedals sound crappy..but I am just a beginner, and cant afford a $500 amp...
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

The Bad Monkey is (was?) made in the USA, if that makes a difference....
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

Hmm..yeah build-wise,the Tubulator is no match..but what I'm really looking at is the sound.And if the Bad Monkey sounds superior, then its a no-brainer.

I have read that the only drawback for the BM is that is fails to clean up on turning down the volume knob.How is the Tubulator in his regard?

Forum brothers having experience with either of these pedals, kindly chime in with reviews/tips.
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

I can solve your problem here and now. I'm one of the few who have used the tubulator since it was found to be stupidly good and cheap. I played a guitar duel with me running the Arion and the other guy running a Bad Monkey. Now without the 2 on, our amp tone was very very similar, kinda creppy actually. Anyways.....by the end of the night he had gotten rid of his bad monkey and was on his way to Arion. This video can give you a very good idea of the tone difference and the presence the Arion has compared to a bad monkey, not to mention it's just cheaper and doens't suck tone! Listen to the solo's between the two of us for the difference. I am the louder one he is the quieter one. You'll notice my solo tone is much more present and biting.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=d5k029oR28A

The bad monkey just kinda coated the tone, didn't add to it. Experienced first hand! The thing sounded VERY bad with my stuff, EMG's didn't help it.
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

SeraphimTN said:
I can solve your problem here and now. I'm one of the few who have used the tubulator since it was found to be stupidly good and cheap. I played a guitar duel with me running the Arion and the other guy running a Bad Monkey. Now without the 2 on, our amp tone was very very similar, kinda creppy actually. Anyways.....by the end of the night he had gotten rid of his bad monkey and was on his way to Arion. This video can give you a very good idea of the tone difference and the presence the Arion has compared to a bad monkey, not to mention it's just cheaper and doens't suck tone! Listen to the solo's between the two of us for the difference. I am the louder one he is the quieter one. You'll notice my solo tone is much more present and biting.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=d5k029oR28A

The bad monkey just kinda coated the tone, didn't add to it. Experienced first hand! The thing sounded VERY bad with my stuff, EMG's didn't help it.
Click to expand...


Were you both using the same rigs? I don't think that is a fair comparison, since you were louder....of course you would be more "present". :smack:

nebucanazza, I would go to the local GC with your guitar & amp and try both, they are both good sounding units, but the only ears you need to please are your own. The Monkey will clean up pretty good, if you don't have the gain up past 12 o'clock.
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

Hey Jacob, thanks for the review and the clip.Cant really make out that much as they are two different guitars played by two different people.Your sound WAS overpowering the other guitarist,but I dunno what to make of that..However, it seems like a clear +1 to the Arion from your side, I'll keep that in mind.

I am basically looking for the pedal to provide me the classic TS type sounds for lower gain stuff..in the SRV/classic rock territory..for those soulful blues solos....and maybe to push my Silver Dragon further for hard rock type solos.My guitar and pickups naturally tend towards the brighter/cutting...is the Tubulator an improvement over that TS sound, while retaining the vibe?

@bungalowbill..no such luck for me ..in India, there are no GCs..thats why I have to reasearch any piece of gear before investing, its all import on demand.No chance to try them side by side :(
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

nebucanazza said:
I am basically looking for the pedal to provide me the classic TS type sounds for lower gain stuff..in the SRV/classic rock territory..for those soulful blues solos....and maybe to push my Silver Dragon further for hard rock type solos.My guitar and pickups naturally tend towards the brighter/cutting...is the Tubulator an improvement over that TS sound, while retaining the vibe?

@bungalowbill..no such luck for me ..in India, there are no GCs..thats why I have to reasearch any piece of gear before investing, its all import on demand.No chance to try them side by side :(
Click to expand...


I'm sorry Bro, I didn't notice you were in India. :smack:

The Bad Monkey is a TS circuit with seperate bass and treble controls and works good at low to medium gain....it will also do a clean boost very well. I bought one on a whim and it kicked a Barber LTD off my board. It is a lot more transparent than a standard TS and has more low end on tap, if you want it.

Man if you ever start a band, you should name it "The Bangalore Torpedoes".
 
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Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

i just ordered the tubulator.

it's gonna be a while, but i'm gonna compare it with a guyatone flip series powerdrive and marshall guv'nor... we'll see how it performs :)
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

I found out that the Bad Monkey is available at some shops in India(for about $50-55), so maybe I can take the plunge and order it.Nobody here stocks the Tubulator, and getting it from abroad, the customs and shipping will easily make it thrice its current price:laugh2:

Jacob,dont you have some shootout clips of the Bad Monkey vs Tubulator, all other things being equal(ie amp, guitar, player, the piece being played)..
That would be da bomb, and leave little scope for doubt:fingersx:
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

Well the Tubulator is cheap, price wise. I think it sounds really nice. And for the money, if you decide on something better at least you only put about 20 bucks into it.


CoachC
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

Ok..I found out a friend is coming down from the US, so now I am really tempted to buy both:smack:
GAS attack!!!! :(
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

Why not buy the cheap one first? If you're not satisfied you can always buy the bad monkey afterwards, but if you spend money on both and find that you only like the cheap Arion, then you've wasted money on the other.
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

By the way, how do you like your Rocktron pedals in general? Build quality, sound etc.. I'm getting one too, in a couple of days, just wanted to hear what you think of them.
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

I dont have people coming down from US often..this is my only chance to get the pedals at their US price.

Well my Rocktron Silver Dragon had reliability issues, it used to go to some low volume mode, some loose connection or something.Wrote to Rocktron, and even though I am in India, they shipped a new free replacement to a US address I gave them...no problems after that.The Short Timer was used, but works just fine.

The SD distorts even at the lowest settings, it cant do the smooth TS thing, hence the GAS for BM/Tubulator.It sounds better with lower output pickups/singles.I feel you can get better and more versatile stuff for $120.

Short Timer sounds pretty good if you want short delays only, and at $59 new, its pretty cheap for a delay pedal.
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

Thank you, it's not that I need any of the two Rocktron pedals you have, it's just that I bought a Rocktron Heart Attack that had been used as a demo in a shop, and I wanted to know your thoughts on the brand in general.
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

Okie...
Rocktron dont really have good rep around the scene, but I am happy with their stuff...good sounds, great prices...and the customer service for me was exceptional...cant say about reliability as have had this stuff for 6-8 months and that too home use only.
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

re: Rocktron - I've actually heard some good things about their pedals - and considering the price, I've been tempted - but they're too big to fit on my pedal board.

I use the Bad Monkey and I'm very happy with it.
 
Re: Digitech Bad Monkey or Arion Tubulator

^Ya they make them super-big, easily twice the size of Boss pedals:laugh2:

Regarding the Bad Monkey:How does it sound pushing another distortion?Does it retain the rig's sound or just colors it with its own?
 
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