Is the Boss OD 3 transparent enough?

[tirtha2shredder]

Hi guys...
I have a digitech bad monkey which I use as a boost for my tube amp's crunch channel, and it does great... I also play it over the clean channel sometimes but do not like the tone coming outta it coz it doesn't sound transparent enough for me.. I have heard that's a similar case for all tubescreamers and ts clones, and they are only great for pushing drive signals....

Hence what I was looking for was an OD pedal that sounds good both on the clean and drive channels and is transparent enough to let the guitar's signal shine through in the clean settings and mild breakup...

I got a good deal for a Boss OD3 this weekend... Does it fit the bill? Should I go ahead and buy it? Or stick with the monkey?

Oh, and I play a Samick AV3 modded with duncan 59/Distortion thru a blackstar ht 5 amp

 

[59Bassman]

Re: Is the Boss OD 3 transparent enough?

You need something that doesn't punch the MIDS for a clean boost or Transparent Drive - all TS clones will muddy-up your cleaner tone.

If you want a truly clean sparkly drive then I can say look for a PROEL DS10 pedal. No longer in production but only $25 ish used. Made in Italy and top tone box. I also use the Dano COOL CAT CTO Trans Drive. It is a great pedal and very inexpensive. I use it with vintage gear too... does not embarrass my tone one jot!

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Is the Boss OD 3 transparent enough?

speaking of Dano cool cat pedals.. the silver-colored Dano cool cat drive that's rumored to be based off the OCD is pretty transparent and evenly EQ'd if you keep the gain lower. It also has plenty of gain if you want. it's cheap too.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Is the Boss OD 3 transparent enough?

TS styles (TS9, BM, OD-1,2,3's, etc) Are all designed to goose an amp into MORE overdrive.

There are a ton of "Sound from the pedal" boxes out there for use straight into clean, Those are not it.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Is the Boss OD 3 transparent enough?

I use. Modded TS 9 as a boost in both the clean and drive channel on my Shiva. I have a second one that I use with a deluxe reverb. With the shiva I have the gain almost off and I adjust volume and tone as needed. In the clean channel it pushes the amp enough to get it slightly dirty in the drive it works sort of like a treble boost. When it's on the notes seem to be more clear and has a bit more definition. The TS i use with my DR is more like a channel switch. I go from clean ( I keep the volume on the amp at around 3 or 4) to a more ballsy sound for soloing. For me the TS works great. I do have my eyes open for a TS 808. I haven't seen one priced right yet

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Is the Boss OD 3 transparent enough?

The OD-3 is fatter sounding than the SD-1 and TS type pedals, and it will color your tone.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Is the Boss OD 3 transparent enough?

I think the OD-3 is the most transparent of all of the Boss OD pedals. Some people have complained of too much bass, but I have not experienced that (maybe it's their amp).

Al

 

[Aceman]

Re: Is the Boss OD 3 transparent enough?

Again - more/less bass, hump/flat/scoop mids, more less gain, color etc... everyone has a particular taste...

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Is the Boss OD 3 transparent enough?

The OD-3 is NOT a TS type, it's got it's own thing going on. It's not a pedal you use to tighten your sound, and it's got a lot of gain in higher settings, but it is more transparent than than most. It's a great pedal, try it out and see if you like it.