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Post by hdahs143 on Sept 9, 2006 9:55:35 GMT -7
These are all mentioned alot on this forum. I would like to hear opinions on what the differences between these pedals are, and just as importantly, why you choose one over the other for particular applications. Thanks and fire away!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Sept 9, 2006 10:39:48 GMT -7
They are all different. I have the RC and the BB here, and employ them at different times for different things. The RC is a very mild boost, - it has a gain knob, but even full up it only adds a bit of gain. Very transparent - if you didn't know it was there, you wouldn't be able to tell it was on.
The BB is more of an overdrive box than a booster, although you can use it as a booster too. When you crank up the BB's gain knob, you know you have ahold of some serious overdrive.
I don't have the AC, but I'm thinking of getting it too, mainly because the two I have are so good, and because they have a very small footprint.
I tend to use the RC for a bit of light crunch for blues solos, and the BB for heavier distortion when needed. I think the AC would fit right in the middle of that, but I'm guessing.
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Post by billyguitar on Sept 9, 2006 15:37:53 GMT -7
I've read that the AC has been changed a bit to allow more gain/drive.
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Post by jwr on Sept 9, 2006 21:45:17 GMT -7
I've got all 3 and they are all great. The RC is very transparent and clean indeed, but will add "girth" for lack of a better word to your signal with the gain turned up. It's the first pedal in my chain and I leave it on all the time, volume around 2:00, treble and bass around 11:00 and I start with the gain off and turn it up until I hear my sound get a touch thicker and then I stop. With the tone controls set at noon it sounds like the mids are dipped a bit, so I turn both down and the pedal sounds more neutral and even to me. The AC is a distortion boost pedal, and it's great for that in front of a clean or mildly driven amp. I don't think it can be used as a distortion box because it hard to get the volume adjusted correctly for that. It's best used as a boost. It sounds amazing in front of my Shiva and JCM 800 as a overdrive, very Marshally indeed. Seems to melt into those amps when they are already pushing a lot of gain to begin with. The BB is a cool distortion box that works VERY well in front of my MAZ SR, I really bought it with that amp in mind. Lot's of usable levels of gain, but after the gain knob goes past 12:00 it doesn't introduce much more distortion, but seems to change the character of the distortion. It's a really flexable pedal. It has quite a bit of distortion on hand if that's what your after. The AC sits directly in the middle of the 3 pedals, but all of them have distinctly different personalities. Like Benttop said, they are small, and having all 3 will give you a lot of tone in a small foot print. Jason
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Post by guitarstan on Sept 11, 2006 12:58:36 GMT -7
Karma to Jason for that explanation, I have been hunting for a users perspective on the three pedals for a while. I have the RC and the AC but something is missing so I ordered a Zen Drive but alas it's still on back order I guess!? I may just have to get a BB in the mean time.
Thanks!
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Post by jwr on Sept 11, 2006 23:08:30 GMT -7
Thank You guitarstan, it would sound real nice with your Maz 38, I really think it sounds best when the amp is set at the brink of distortion or mildly breaking up. That's when the pedal and amp really seem to interact the best. Of course that's just my opinion. If you like the other 2 pedals you'll probably like the BB as well.
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Post by dock66 on Sept 12, 2006 11:52:29 GMT -7
I've got all 3 and they are all great. The RC is very transparent and clean indeed, but will add "girth" for lack of a better word to your signal with the gain turned up. It's the first pedal in my chain and I leave it on all the time, volume around 2:00, treble and bass around 11:00 and I start with the gain off and turn it up until I hear my sound get a touch thicker and then I stop. With the tone controls set at noon it sounds like the mids are dipped a bit, so I turn both down and the pedal sounds more neutral and even to me. The AC is a distortion boost pedal, and it's great for that in front of a clean or mildly driven amp. I don't think it can be used as a distortion box because it hard to get the volume adjusted correctly for that. It's best used as a boost. It sounds amazing in front of my Shiva and JCM 800 as a overdrive, very Marshally indeed. Seems to melt into those amps when they are already pushing a lot of gain to begin with. The BB is a cool distortion box that works VERY well in front of my MAZ SR, I really bought it with that amp in mind. Lot's of usable levels of gain, but after the gain knob goes past 12:00 it doesn't introduce much more distortion, but seems to change the character of the distortion. It's a really flexable pedal. It has quite a bit of distortion on hand if that's what your after. The AC sits directly in the middle of the 3 pedals, but all of them have distinctly different personalities. Like Benttop said, they are small, and having all 3 will give you a lot of tone in a small foot print. Jason Great descriptions for all 3 pedals. I too have all 3 pedals and use all 3 three and Keely comp at different times to cover most of my basic .Very happy with them thus far.In fact I bought a few more before the price increased. dock66
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Post by hdahs143 on Sept 14, 2006 7:20:59 GMT -7
I'm really starting to get Xotic GAS! I already have a clean boost that I love in the Addrock Boostmaster. But the AC & BB are calling to me. Probably start with the AC. Looking more for the OD function than the boost. It just sounds like these pedals are quiet, well made, true-bypass, and interact with the amp really well. I've currently got a bright yellow Fulldrive II, and Keeley TS9 & Keeley BD2. I like em all for different reasons. The BD2 I like the most, and the TS9 the least. And the Fulldrive is....well .....a Fulldrive. Love/hate / . Still searching for the perfect tone....
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Post by (8^D) on Sept 14, 2006 8:16:26 GMT -7
hdahs143, you should give the AC a whirl first. It'd give you a chance to see the boost/gain/transparency of the Xotic pedals. They're pretty cool!
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Post by skydog958 on Sept 15, 2006 20:32:26 GMT -7
I'm really starting to get Xotic GAS! I get exotic gas after eating Indian food ;D
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Post by guitarstan on Sept 16, 2006 7:53:11 GMT -7
I have both the AC and the RC. The RC is my fav between the two, I just havent got my arms around the AC yet but not given up. I want to try a BB it's on the wish list.
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Post by hollywood5150 on Sept 17, 2006 21:42:44 GMT -7
I had the AC. You can get alot of the tube screamer tones without the mid range hump. Very good sounding pedal. I will have another very soon. I also have the BB. Awesome pedal with a little compression.
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Post by steveinnashville on Sept 17, 2006 21:51:53 GMT -7
Hotcake is 100% neutral with gain and presence turned all the way down. The bluesberry has a smoother gain structure (if you use that knob, anyway)... Great stuff, it loves my Carmen Ghia (and vice-versa)...
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Post by stratoquack on Sept 18, 2006 19:30:56 GMT -7
Great topic/explanations! I have the BB and use it w/my Maz 18. I like to use it with the gain a little past 12:00 for the really overdriven (but not muddy or buzzy) "Marshally" tones. At 9:00 or 10:00, it is also a great mild overdrive. Now my delima, I have a Timmy on order and according to Paul C. I should see it this month. I'm curious if anyone has compared the RC and the Timmy. I'd like to know because I really dig my BB and I hear a lot of people say that the xotic stuff works well together. On the other hand, The Timmy is $100 cheaper.
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Post by hdahs143 on Sept 18, 2006 19:55:04 GMT -7
Great topic/explanations! I have the BB and use it w/my Maz 18. I like to use it with the gain a little past 12:00 for the really overdriven (but not muddy or buzzy) "Marshally" tones. At 9:00 or 10:00, it is also a great mild overdrive. Now my delima, I have a Timmy on order and according to Paul C. I should see it this month. I'm curious if anyone has compared the RC and the Timmy. I'd like to know because I really dig my BB and I hear a lot of people say that the xotic stuff works well together. On the other hand, The Timmy is $100 cheaper. The Xotic pedals can be had online for $186. How much is the Timmy? I thought it was alot more than $86.
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Post by Curt on Sept 18, 2006 19:59:41 GMT -7
I'm really starting to get Xotic GAS! I already have a clean boost that I love in the Addrock Boostmaster. But the AC & BB are calling to me. Probably start with the AC. Looking more for the OD function than the boost. It just sounds like these pedals are quiet, well made, true-bypass, and interact with the amp really well. I've currently got a bright yellow Fulldrive II, and Keeley TS9 & Keeley BD2. I like em all for different reasons. The BD2 I like the most, and the TS9 the least. And the Fulldrive is....well .....a Fulldrive. Love/hate / . Still searching for the perfect tone.... Hey Harold, I never fell in love with that TS-9 either, and I too really like the BD-2, so I'll add something here. The RC is a god send, wakes up any amp, an RC and a BD-2 will cover a heck of a lot of teritory. That said, I recenly added a BB and so far I like it, enuf that last Sat. I pulled the BD-2 and stuck with the RC/BB, first gig in more than 2 years witout the BD-2 !
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Post by guitarstan on Sept 19, 2006 6:43:26 GMT -7
wow tele62....must make myself a note to nix the BD-2 and go for a BB. Thanks for the testimonial, + karma as soon as it comes back...
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Post by stratoquack on Sept 19, 2006 17:48:59 GMT -7
Timmy is $105
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Post by Curt on Sept 19, 2006 18:32:33 GMT -7
Great topic/explanations! I have the BB and use it w/my Maz 18. I like to use it with the gain a little past 12:00 for the really overdriven (but not muddy or buzzy) "Marshally" tones. At 9:00 or 10:00, it is also a great mild overdrive. Now my delima, I have a Timmy on order and according to Paul C. I should see it this month. I'm curious if anyone has compared the RC and the Timmy. I'd like to know because I really dig my BB and I hear a lot of people say that the xotic stuff works well together. On the other hand, The Timmy is $100 cheaper. The Xotic pedals can be had online for $186. How much is the Timmy? I thought it was alot more than $86.[/quote Did they just go up ? They have been $173. HEADS up fella's. If ya need an XOTIC product, or lots of other cool stuff, give my bud at Super sound music a shot. His name is Brian, it's his place and he's is as fair and square as they come. Tell him Curt from Texas sent ya, no affiliation and I pay same as you but he's been really good to me and is a great option to the mega stores. He get's some really nice used gear too. www.supersoundmusic.com/index.htmlCurt
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Post by Curt on Sept 19, 2006 18:35:18 GMT -7
wow tele62....must make myself a note to nix the BD-2 and go for a BB. Thanks for the testimonial, + karma as soon as it comes back... Well don't get me wrong, the Keeley BD-2 is a really good box too. I've had it longer than nearly any other piece of gear I own. I've used the heck out of it, when I played a Ghia full time I'd leave the BD-2 on all night and just use the guit volume. Curt
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Post by guitarstan on Sept 20, 2006 11:54:24 GMT -7
Curt,
Love the new avatar, your fingers must be moving really fast ;D. As you can see my fingers very well I guess you know that means I don't move so fast! Well I'm trying not to get GAS for too many things at once and if I can satify the itch with only one new pedal between the BB and the BD-2 you think the BB would be the clear winner?
Thanks!
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Post by dock66 on Sept 20, 2006 12:03:56 GMT -7
Guitarstan,
I would go for Xotic BB.
dock66
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Post by Curt on Sept 20, 2006 14:28:32 GMT -7
Curt, Love the new avatar, your fingers must be moving really fast ;D. As you can see my fingers very well I guess you know that means I don't move so fast! Well I'm trying not to get GAS for too many things at once and if I can satify the itch with only one new pedal between the BB and the BD-2 you think the BB would be the clear winner? Thanks! "Thanks", Something went crazy with the camera settings..but that came out kina cool ! Not sure I can state that (your above statement), and tone is so very subjective. But most I know that have either Love them, few of either come up used..and that speaks volumes. I could live, and be happy, with either.
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Post by guitarstan on Sept 20, 2006 14:29:24 GMT -7
Dock that's two good recomendations in less than an hour so I will have to wait to send you another karma.
Thanks!
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Post by Curt on Sept 20, 2006 16:32:19 GMT -7
Did they just go up ? They have been $173. Curt I think you are thinking of the TIM, which is around that price. No Sir, Never priced a Tim. Some places the Xotics are in the $180's ..but if you look around they can be had for $173..or could as of 2 weeks ago, Stu @ FatSound, Brian @ Charley's, and Brian @ Supersoundmusic all had 'em @ $173. Curt
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Post by dock66 on Sept 23, 2006 21:30:44 GMT -7
Xotic pedals had gone up$$ in the past few weeks.Also the limited editions are here ,sliver is the color and the next batch is going to be polish orange if I am not mistaken.
dock66
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Post by dock66 on Sept 23, 2006 21:38:47 GMT -7
Dock that's two good recomendations in less than an hour so I will have to wait to send you another karma. Thanks! Guitarstan, I just read you post. Thank you Stan for the karma. + Karma back at you. dock66
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Post by Don on Sept 24, 2006 21:14:50 GMT -7
I can go on and on and on about how much I love my Dr Z amps, but when I put my RC Booster in front of the chain on my pedalboard, it's like a blanket has been taken off my amp. This pedal really wakes up the sound from a fantastic sounding amp to begin with. I find myself keeping it on all the time.
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Post by dock66 on Sept 25, 2006 7:36:50 GMT -7
I can go on and on and on about how much I love my Dr Z amps, but when I put my RC Booster in front of the chain on my pedalboard, it's like a blanket has been taken off my amp. This pedal really wakes up the sound from a fantastic sounding amp to begin with. I find myself keeping it on all the time. Xotic RC really let Z amps shine. dock66
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Post by (8^D) on Sept 26, 2006 11:25:54 GMT -7
I had a drive/boost pedal shoot out at the casa last week: *Barber DD *Keeley BD2 *Keeley TS9 *Keeley DS1 *Keeley SD1 *Keeley Katana *Xotic RC *Xotic AC *Xotic BB *Fulltone OCD *Fulltone FDII (w/new mini-toggle) *Digitech Bad Monkey *Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster
Used: G&L ASAT Classic (Alder and Ash - they sound quite different) G&L S500 PRS McCarty Maz Jr 212 w/G12H30 Weber Blue Ceramic 30 Maz Sr 212 w/Weber Silver Blue Alnico 50
Requirements: Transparent Clean Boost Light clip amp tone Med gain tone High gain tone
Ended up with the following on the board: *Xotic RC Boost (colors a bit, but can be dialed out or in depending on situation); *Fulltone OCD (very light grit - sims an amp w/a light clip for those times you can't turn up); *Fulltone FDII (more transparent than the AC boost...plus the mini-toggle is like having a TS available if needed); *Xotic BB (very transparent, clean/articulate gain - retains note clarity for chording - sounds amazing when the RC is pre BB and kicked in for leads...very smooth/creamy/clean).
I love them all for different reasons, but this is the line up that best suits the artist stuff at the moment. On the list, the only one I'll not keep is the Xotic AC Boost...good pedal, but covered by several of the others (especially the other Xotics).
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